Costain first at freeskiing event

Parkin and Ladd Costain, 8, both Whitefish Mountain Resort Freestyle Team members, traveled to Red Resort, in Rossland, B.C., last weekend to compete in the first Junior Freeski Event of the year.

About 100 young skiers from all over North America competed in three different age categories on Link's Line, a steep boulder field peppered with small cliffs. Conditions were cloudy, but the snow was sweet, with Friday's qualifier taking place in six inches of fresh powder.

Ladd skied strong but failed to advance to the finals after a crash at the bottom of his run, while his older brother Parkin,10, had the highest qualifying score among all competitors 15-and-under.

Saturday's finals took place under bluebird-skies in soft, wind-buffed snow. Parkin smoothly linked a dozen small drops and finished with a huge spread eagle near the finish to take first place in the age 7-11 category.

Freeskiing, also known as big mountain skiing, is governed by the IFSA (International Freeskiing Association) and features a U.S. and European tour, along with a number of independent events around the globe.

The events bring together strong skiers from diverse backgrounds, from racers to freestylers to powderhounds. Competitors are judged on five different criteria — line choice, control, fluidity, technique and aggression. Upcoming regional events include Kimberly, Fernie, Big Sky and Lake Louise.