Get excited, because the Kings & Queens of Corbet’s is back! From February 4-11, fearless freeride skiers and snowboarders from around the world come to Jackson Hole to throw their most insane tricks into the daunting Corbet’s Couloir. This event is truly one-of-a-kind and flaunts some incredibly talented athletes. This year features 12 skiers (eight potential kings and four potential queens) as they take on one of the most difficult competitions in winter sports. This competition is easily my favorite to watch every year, and I know I’m not alone!

“Someday, someone will ski that.” Spoken by ski instructor Barry Corbet, he had dreams that eventually led Jackson Hole to name this couloir after him. Although he wasn’t the first to ski it, the first brave soul to venture into this couloir was ski patroller Lonnie Ball in 1967. Accessible via the tram at Jackson Hole, many skiers dream of dropping into this legendary terrain. This couloir requires a 10 to 20 ft cliff drop in order to enter it, making it an accomplishment worthy of bragging rights. While this feat seems terrifying to most (including me), the Kings & Queens of Corbet’s make it look easy! Between their Olympic resumes and other titles, these competitors bring style and ease to this incredible event.

And now, a look at the skiers (in alphabetical order)…

Kings to Look Out For

Alex Hackel

Alex packs a big reputation as one of the best East Coast skiers around. As a two-time X Games medalist, he is no stranger to wowing a crowd. He is best known for his flair in the streets, as he won the fan vote for the X Games Real Ski competition. Although he is known for his style on rails and park benches, his round will be a must-watch!

Ben Richards

Although born in the U.S., Ben comes to the competition representing New Zealand. He switched from competitive ski racing to freeride as a young kid in Whistler. He currently is a competitor on the Freeride World Tour circuit and ride for the Line Skis and The North Face professional teams.

Blake Wilson

Blake grew up competing in both moguls and slopestyle. With his unique dual-sport background, he has ingenuity on his side. He switched his focus to big mountain skiing after 10 years of competing in these areas. He is a frequent star of big mountain films, and he produces films of his own on the side with some of his other big-name friends.

Colby Stevenson

Colby is entering the competition fresh off of his gold-medal-winning performance in the X Games Slopestyle. He also won bronze in the fan-favorite event, the X Games Knuckle Huck. In addition to these recent medals, Colby comes in as the athlete with the most titles to his name. Notably, he took home silver at the last Olympics in the Big Air event. With so many titles already under his belt, is this finally his year to add King of Corbet’s?

Corey Jackson

Corey is the hometown hero, having been born and raised in Jackson. Although he has yet to win the official title, he won the 2022 Kings & Queens People's Choice award. Beyond his own skills as a competitor, he has also been an Olympic ski coach for the halfpipe.

Jake Hopfinger

Jake is returning to the competition for the third time. As a veteran of this venue, he was notably the first person to land a double backflip into Corbet’s in 2020. As a full-time backcountry skier, he is looking to claim his first-ever title in Jackson Hole.

Karl Fostvedt

Crazy Karl is the one to beat! He is a previous King of Corbet’s, having won in both 2019 and 2021. Expectations are high, and he is a favorite to win yet again. Beyond this competition, Karl is both a film star and the owner of a ski film production company. Can he claim his third title? We will have to wait and see!

Parker Costain

Another returning champion, Parker was crowned King of Corbet’s in 2020. He placed 3rd last year, and he is another one to watch! Parker is a well-rounded athlete, as he is not only a phenomenal skier but also a snowboarder and mountain biker. On top of that, he is a fantastic snowmobiler and is sponsored by Polaris.

Queens to Look Out For

Amy David

Based in Idaho, Amy is a true backcountry expert. As a previous contestant in the Freeride World Tour, she knows how to handle a tough line. After a big crash, she is now a backcountry guide and specializes in films both in front of and behind the camera. With her film knowledge, you can guarantee she will have some moves that are worth watching on repeat.

Juliette Willmann

Juliette has skiing in her blood. She grew up in the alps, and one parent is a ski racing coach while the other is a ski instructor. She raced as a teenager and even spent a few years on the FIS alpine circuit. She has since pivoted to big mountain events where you can frequently watch her on the Freeride World Tour.

Piper Kunst

Does her name sound familiar? Piper is the returning Queen of Corbet’s from 2022. She is my personal hometown hero, as she grew up in Park County, Colorado (which was made famous by a little show called South Park). She moved to Utah for college and now calls Alta her home mountain. Having just completed college, she hopes to make a career in skiing.

Veronica Paulsen

Yet another returning champion, Veronica was the 2020 Queen of Corbet’s. She made history the year she won, as she was the first woman ever to land a backflip into Corbet’s. You may have seen her in films, as she is a recurring star for Teton Gravity Research. She is a local favorite and currently resides in Jackson.

Are you ready to watch these athletes throw down in the ultimate test of skill? I know I am! Kings and Queens of Corbet’s will not be live-streamed this year, but recaps will be available online. If you do want to watch it live, head up the tram at Jackson Hole to catch all of the action! Be warned—skiing anything off of the tram is no easy feat and is for expert skiers only. Be sure to check back after the action, as I will break down the top moments from the event. You don’t want to miss it!

Want to learn more about the gear you’ll see at this event or need skis for your own mountain adventure? Chat with me or another Ski Expert here on Curated to match you with the right setup that will have you looking like a pro!