Bend’s Ben Ferguson and Jared Elston will once again be competing in one of snowboarding’s most prestigious events in the deep snow and pristine lines of the Canadian Rockies.

Ferguson and Elston are among the 24 riders taking part in the Natural Selection Tour, which showcases the world’s top snowboarders — from Olympians to big mountain film icons — all competing on extreme terrain near Revelstoke, British Columbia.

Ferguson, 28, is a former halfpipe competitor who finished fourth in the halfpipe contest at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. He has since moved on to big-mountain filming and taking part in contests such as Natural Selection. Elston, 24, has a background in slopestyle competition and has taken his career in the same direction as Ferguson.

Both snowboarders have honed their skills at their home mountain of Mt. Bachelor over the years.

Innovative format

The Natural Selection Tour’s innovative format is designed to reveal riders’ full creative expression and requires a deep knowledge of all-mountain conditions. According to a news release, the tour features “the best all-mountain freestyle riders in the world.”

Two new Canadian venues will be part of the 2024 Tour finals: A naturally enhanced venue at Revelstoke Mountain Resort and backcountry terrain within Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing’s tenure.

“Natural Selection is thrilled to return to Revelstoke. Last season the mountains, epic conditions and vibrant community delivered beyond our wildest imagination,” said Carter Westfall, Natural Selection Tour CEO. “Our goal is to double-down on Revelstoke with two new venues, two live event days and more ways to bring the global and local community together. Natural Selection’s goal has always been to connect people with Mother Nature by providing a platform where the most inspiring riders of our time can push the limits of the natural world.”

Natural Selection kicks off with DUELS, in which 12 challengers will compete head-to-head in judged competition for six remaining spots. DUELS locations will include Andermatt, Switzerland; Crested Butte and Durango, Colorado; and an undisclosed location in Japan. Footage from each DUELS competition will stream globally in late February 2024.

Finals in March

Of the 24 riders convening in Revelstoke, 18 have already qualified for the competition window opening on March 10, 2024, based on their 2023 performances. Those riders include Ferguson and Elston, as well as Mikkel Bang, Mikey Ciccarelli, Dustin Craven, Kimmy Fasani, Hailey Langland, Elena Hight, Torstein Horgmo, Blake Paul, Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, and Travis Rice.

The additional six invited riders will be announced on Natural Selection social media throughout the winter.

The judged finals will be live streamed within the competition window, March 10-17, with Mother Nature selecting the optimal two days and the optimal zone for the day, either Revelstoke or the Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing tenure.

The 12 riders who advance through the first day of competition will earn a spot for the second venue for another day of live snowboarding. That day will culminate with the crowning of the men’s and women’s 2024 Natural Selection champions.

Last season, Travis Rice and Zoi Sadowski-Synnott won the Natural Selection Tour, held in Revelstoke and Alaska.

Revelstoke Super Session

From last season’s Tour, the Revelstoke Super Session is now streaming. It features 12 riders, including Ferguson and Elston, riding in the Revelstoke backcountry in deep powder conditions with creative and skilled lines, according to a news release.

Captured in complete secrecy after the conclusion of the Natural Selection Tour, Revelstoke Super Session highlights the best snowboarders in the world displaying their skills in prime conditions.

For more information, visit naturalselectiontour.com.