By admin 
The Snow League has landed in New Zealand, and its inaugural World Challenge kicks off at Cardrona Alpine Resort this weekend.
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Unlike the normal Snow League format, where skiers and snowboarders compete individually in a head-to-head bracket halfpipe competition, World Challenge will have four teams competing for a shared $20,000 prize purse.
Team North America, Team Europe, Team Asia-Pacific, and Team Challengers are each represented by one female skier and snowboarder and one male skier and snowboarder.
On Saturday morning, local time, women’s freeski will see the bracket start off with a battle between Snow League rookies Indra Brown (Team Asia-Pacific) and Kelly Sildaru (Team Europe). Then, Amy Fraser (Team North America) will take on Cardrona local Mischa Thomas (Team Challengers). The winning skiers from both rounds will advance to compete against each other.
On the men’s freeski side, Snow League World Champion Luke Harrold (Team Asia-Pacific) will compete against Jonas Hassler (Team Europe). Another Cardrona local, Fin Melville Ives (Team Challengers), will take on Hunter Hess (Team North America) in the second men’s freeski bracket.
Representative snowboarders from each team will also compete against one another, contributing to team points.
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Teams have already had the chance to earn points while in New Zealand. Earlier this week, Snow League athletes captured their best clips while on the mountain, using self-shot footage, in a competitor voted competition for the best clip. Team Asia-Pacific (Indra Brown, Luke Harrold, Gaon Choi, & Cam Melville Ives) took the win and earned the opportunity to choose their opponent for Saturday’s competition, and ultimately determine the initial bracket.
The World Challenge event will have a best-of-three format, with a 720-degree spin cap in the semifinals round only. Fans can attend for free at Cardrona or watch live on the
at 9:30 am NZST, or 2:30 pm PT/5:30 pm ET on Friday, September 18.
Points earned by Snow League athletes at World Challenge will not have an impact on current League standings going into Season Two of the Snow League, which officially kicks off in Aspen Snowmass from January 7-9, 2027.
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This story was originally published September 18, 2026 at 3:00 AM.