REIGNITING THE LEGACY OF BIG-TIME SPRING CONTESTS IN WHISTLER
WHISTLER, B.C. – After years without a major snowboard contest in Whistler Village, The Grind Series made a powerful return to form—delivering one of the most electric street style competitions in recent memory. From April 10–12, Skiers Plaza at the base of Whistler Blackcomb was transformed into a high-energy, urban-inspired battleground for skiers and snowboarders alike, as The Grind made its Whistler debut as part of the World Ski & Snowboard Festival (WSSF).
This stop marked two major firsts: it was the inaugural year for The Grind at WSSF, and the first time the tour included skiing. With $50,000 in cash prizing on the line and an all-time setup built in collaboration with Arena Snowparks, the riders went all in—matching the energy of a crowd that packed the village and brought the place roaring back to life.
The atmosphere felt like a throwback to the golden years—Whistler showed up in a big way. From passionate locals and visiting fans to an elite roster of Canadian and international talent, the village was buzzing with anticipation and energy throughout the week.
THURSDAY, APRIL 10 – QUALIFIER JAM
The week kicked off with qualifying rounds on Thursday. Snowboarders and skiers took to the top three features of the course, vying for one of eight open spots in the men’s and women’s finals. Heavy rain during the day softened the course and added an extra layer of difficulty, but athletes adapted quickly, throwing down standout runs and earning their way into the main event.
FRIDAY, APRIL 11 – STREET STYLE SKI FINALS
Friday was all about skiing. As live music from The Gaff and Fort Knox Five echoed through the village during training, 16 men and 16 women dropped into the full course in a jam-format showdown. Finals featured a head-to-head bracket, giving riders the chance to go big under pressure—and they did just that.
Luke Smart took home the top spot in the men’s division, unleashing some of his heaviest tricks in the later rounds to edge out style king Mat Dufresne. Two-time Olympian Evan McEachran brought his signature finesse and experience to round out the podium in third.
In the women’s category, Caoimhe Heavey emerged victorious with strong, confident runs that set her apart from the competition. Freestyle Nationals champion Zoe Greze-Kozuki kept the heat on with silver, while the ever-consistent Marion Balsamo locked down bronze.
Men’s Podium:
1. Luke Smart
2. Mat Dufresne
3. Evan McEachran
Women’s Podium:
1. Caoimhe Heavey
2. Zoe Greze-Kozuki
3. Marion Balsamo
Best Street Trick – Zoe Greze-Kozuki & Evan McEachran
Best Tech Trick – Marion Balsamo & Mark Hendrickson
SATURDAY, APRIL 12 – STREET STYLE SNOWBOARD FINALS
Saturday brought a picture-perfect spring day. After two wet and cloudy qualifiers, the skies cleared and the sun beamed down just in time for snowboarding’s moment to shine. As music acts A Whole Lotta Led, Moka Only, and Swollen Members played to a packed plaza during training, the top snowboarders from across the country threw down in a heated jam session and knockout-style finals.
Truth Smith and Dane Menzies went trick-for-trick in the big final, with Smith walking away with gold after a standout performance featuring massive flips and next-level rail combos. Colton Eckert held it down for bronze with precision and consistency.
In the women’s finals, Jackie Carlson came out of retirement mode and right into the winner’s circle, riding with the style and swagger of a seasoned vet. Juliette Pelchat landed silver with her signature smooth approach, while early-season standout Adel Talyspayeva earned a well-deserved bronze to add to her Regina victory.
Men’s Podium:
1. Truth Smith
2. Dane Menzies
3. Colton Eckert
Women’s Podium:
1. Jackie Carlson
2. Juliette Pelchat
3. Adel Talyspayeva
Best Street Trick – Jackie Carlson & Caleb Chomlack
Best Tech Trick – Adel Talyspayeva & Bryan Bowler
THE GRIND SERIES CONTINUES
The 2025 tour kicked off in February in Regina, Saskatchewan, where Keenan Demchuk and Adel Talyspayeva took top honours. The Whistler stop brought the energy to new heights—and there’s more to come. Follow @thegrind_series on Instagram or visit www.thegrindseries.com to stay up to date on upcoming tour stops.
ABOUT THE GRIND SERIES
The Grind Series was born from an interest in building the presence of snowboard events in Canada. Our goal is to create unique setups that provide the opportunity for snowboarders to showcase their talent and earn money. The events aim to encapsulate the soul of street riding by featuring top-tier competitors from across the country and around the world in a variety of Canadian cities. We invite you to opt in on the adventure as we enroll the talent, promote our community, and share the love for snowboarding with each hosting city.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS
The Grind Whistler was proudly supported by Volvo, Burton, Oakley, The Earth Group, Skullcandy, The Strait and Narrow, MNP, Forecast Ski Magazine and King Snow, and hosted by Gibbons Whistler as a signature event of the World Ski & Snowboard Festival.
We also acknowledge the generous support of the Resort Municipality of Whistler through the Resort Municipality Initiative, along with Tourism Whistler, Whistler Blackcomb, and everyone who helped bring this event to life.
For media inquiries, contact: info@thegrind.com