Helly Hansen

Team Awesome’s Ryland and Luke Nelson scored first place at Fernie Alpine Resort’s Big Mountain Battle, winning $2,000 worth of Helly Hansen gear and free entry to the final Battle in the Bowls in Aspen/Snowmass on March 25.

The pair dominated first place with a time of 1 hour 27 minutes and 59 seconds. Malls Balls’ Samuel Szalbot and Kendrick Watson earned second place with a time of 1 hour 46 minutes and 48 seconds. Ommanupadmehum’s Johanna Weintrager and Sil Bosch grabbed third place with a time of 1 hour 51 minutes and 48 seconds.

Helly Hansen’s Big Mountain Battle is a unique event that challenges two-person teams to an exploratory big-mountain course, consisting of designated runs, lift rides, one to two hikes, and hidden checkpoints. This season, each mountain’s ski patrollers will set the course, as well as the time to beat.

All teams were tracked using FLAIK GPS, a unique tracking device that provides race officials with real-time data, including ascents and descents, on each competitor.

“It was a great day with the sun peeking out from the clouds. Team Awesome won two years ago and traveled to Aspen for the Battle in the Bowls,” said Marc Campbell, the organizer behind Helly Hansen's Big Mountain Battle. “It was fantastic to see them dominate the field again.”

The final competition, Battle in the Bowls at Aspen/Snowmass, will take place March 25. But before that final showdown can occur, the Big Mountain Battle will make stops at Squaw Valley, Feb. 25; Stevens Pass, Mar. 11; Killington, Mar. 17; Kicking Horse, Mar. 24; and Park City, Mar. 24.

Cost for the event is $90 per team and includes two Helly Hansen LIFA® base layers valued at $45 each. For more info or to register online, please visit www.bigmountainbattle.com