APIK isn’t just a contest, it’s a collision between established heavy-hitters and the next generation ready to break through. If you’re coming to the festival and wondering who’s about to deliver the biggest wow moments, here’s your guide.

From X Games winners to street technicians, fearless rail riders, and Golden Ticket athletes with everything to prove, these are the names you’ll want to keep your eyes on all weekend.

The Big Dogs: Proven, Dangerous, and Built for the Spotlight

Snowboard Men

Pat Fava

Hailing from Cedar City, Utah, Pat Fava is one of the most respected street and rail snowboarders in the game right now. Coming from a full-on snowboarding family, progression is basically in his DNA.

In 2024, he took home the win at the X Games Aspen Snowboard Street Style demonstration, a huge stamp of credibility. Known for blending technical rail tricks with effortless style (and a solid sense of humor), Pat is the kind of rider who makes hard tricks look way too easy.

Why he’s dangerous: elite rail control, contest composure, and real street credibility.

See the post on Instagram (@_project_pat_)

Truth Smith

Straight out of Whistler, BC, Truth Smith has been steadily climbing the ranks in both slopestyle and street. In 2025, he placed 13th at the Snow Rodeo World Cup and won The Grind Series, proving he can hold his own against international competition.

Truth’s riding is powerful, fast, and calculated, the type that thrives in high-pressure environments.

Why he’s dangerous: competition-tested, confident, and always riding like he’s got something to prove.

See the post on Instagram (@truthdsmith)

Coltan Eckert

Coltan Eckert is no stranger to APIK. After finishing second at APIK 2025, he’s coming back hungry. With experience competing in Big Air at Canada Olympic Park and a reputation for stepping up when it counts, Coltan knows how to ride under the lights.

Why he’s dangerous: momentum, experience on this exact stage, and unfinished business.

See the post on Instagram (@chiefceedog)

Snowboard Women

Maggie Leon

From Killington, Vermont, Maggie Leon balances a rare double life: professional snowboarder and product engineer at Rome Snowboards. She’s not just riding the gear, she helps design it.

In 2023, she landed on the podium at Red Bull Heavy Metal, and her technical approach shines through in every run.

Why she’s dangerous: precision, intelligence, and the ability to adapt fast to any course.

See the post on Instagram (@slushthemagazine)

Ski Women

Taylor Brooke Lundquist

Taylor Lundquist is a straight-up force in women’s slopestyle skiing. Our APIK 2025 winner, a two-time Skier of the Year and the first woman ever invited to X Games Real Ski, she’s known for going bigger, faster, and more technical than almost anyone else.

Why she’s dangerous: experience at the highest level, fearless approach, and unmatched confidence on park features.

See the post on Instagram (@thenorthface_snow)

Alaïs Develay

Winner of APIK Montréal 2024, Alaïs Develay returns as a fan-favorite and Public Choice Golden Ticket. Originally from the French Pyrenees, she’s been gaining international attention for her powerful style and mental toughness.

After tearing her ACL at just 16, she rebuilt her career from the ground up.

“It taught me discipline, patience, and gave me the mental strength I rely on every day.”

Why she’s dangerous: resilience, confidence, and a proven ability to win at APIK.

See the post on Instagram (@alais.develay)

Ski Men

Siver Voll

Coming from Geilo, Norway, Siver Voll is known for pushing the limits of technical rail skiing. His trick vocabulary includes ultra-technical combos like front swaps into front 5 swaps and blind 2s, tricks that separate the good from the elite.

Why he’s dangerous: technical rail mastery and a fearless approach to complexity.

See the post on Instagram (@sivervoll)

Golden Tickets: Nothing to Lose, Everything to Prove

Golden Ticket riders are often the most exciting athletes to watch at APIK. They’re not just here to participate: they’re here to prove they belong. Every run matters, every trick counts, and the pressure is real.

Here’s why these riders are dangerous.

Ryan Buttars – Ski

From Telluride, Colorado

Ryan Buttars is the definition of an all-terrain skier. Park, street, powder, rails… if there’s snow under his skis, he’s down to ride it. While he’s competed in slopestyle contests and rail jams before, APIK marks the biggest opportunity of his career so far.

What truly sets Ryan apart is the effort behind his Golden Ticket clip. One of the standout tricks in his edit (a front swap front three swap to a C-to-down rail) was filmed in downtown Portland, Oregon. A city that rarely gets snow.

To make it happen, Ryan and his crew loaded trucks with snow from Mt. Hood, drove over an hour and a half, laid tarps, and built the spot from scratch. That clip became one of his proudest street moments.

Being selected by Tom Wallisch made the moment even bigger:

“Tom Wallisch is the GOAT. Being chosen by a childhood hero means so much.”

Why he’s dangerous: versatile riding, proven commitment, and a hunger to break through on a major stage.

See the post on Instagram (@ryan_buttars)

Nick Fox – Snowboard

From Hartland, Michigan

Nick Fox is a rail rider through and through. Based in Michigan, he works as park crew at Alpine Valley, building features by day and taking lap after lap on the tow rope after work. That daily grind shows in his riding.

His Golden Ticket clip didn’t come easy. Nick had to rethink his approach multiple times before landing a version he was proud of. The result? A clean, technical rail trick set against falling snow, a clip that reflects patience, adaptability, and control.

Being selected by Seb Toots was a milestone.

“I’ve grown up watching Seb push progression from unique perspectives. Being selected by him is an honor.”

Nick isn’t just here for himself: he wants to elevate the session.

“I want to bring an energy that gets everyone excited to push their own abilities.”

Why he’s dangerous: rail precision, work-ethic mindset, and the ability to step up when it matters.

See the post on Instagram (@n1ckfox)

Mia Langridge – Snowboard

From the UK

Representing Great Britain on national teams, Mia Langridge arrives at APIK with serious international experience. Competing under Team GB, she’s used to structured competition environments, but APIK brings a different kind of pressure: creativity, style, and crowd energy.

Why she’s dangerous: national-team experience, composure under pressure, and the ability to adapt fast to unique setups.

See the post on Instagram (@mia_langridge_)

Maria Esteban – Ski

From Spain

Maria Esteban represents the rising European freestyle scene. With a background shaped by training facilities like SnowZone Madrid and Forward Freestyle Academy, she brings a clean, modern approach to skiing that blends technical ability with style.

Why she’s dangerous: international perspective, disciplined training, and a creative approach that stands out in competition.

See the post on Instagram (@mariaestuu_)

Public Choice Golden Tickets: Crowd-Powered Momentum

These riders didn’t just impress judges, they earned the crowd’s vote, and that kind of momentum can be powerful.

Alaïs Develay – Ski
Mathieu Dufresne – Ski From Laval, QC, carrying strong local support and representing the Québec freestyle scene.
Sophia Bruck – Snowboard From USA
Callen Hwang – Snowboard Aka “Bean,” third place at Park Affair, known for creativity, versatility, and a multi-sport background.
Christian Brenny – Snowboard From USA

Why they’re dangerous: momentum, crowd support, and nothing to lose.

Wildcards: Earned in the Streets & on the Scene

Some riders didn’t need a clip, they won their way in live.

Alexis Fortin & Simon Renaud: Ski and Snowboard winners of B-Dog Off the Leash in Shawinigan.
Laurent Ethier: Snowboard winner of Phoquedatte at Mt Rigaud.

Why they matter: they’re battle-tested, crowd-ready, and thrive in real-event pressure.

More Than a Contest

Adding even more weight to the event, pro snowboarder Liam Brearley will be part of the judging panel this year, bringing his eye for progression and authenticity to the competition, alongside judges Xavier Mayrand, and Riley Dillon, Eliott Carter, Nikki Blackall, and Jordan Sullivan.

Can’t Make It On Site?

No worries – you can still catch every run, slam, and podium moment.

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