The World Rookie Snowboard Finals 2026 marked the official end of the winter season, bringing the best young snowboarders in the world to Kitzsteinhorn from March 21 to 28.
Once again, the World Rookie Tour confirmed itself as one of the most important pathways for future pro riders, with a week packed full of progression, style, and next-level riding.
From the very first day, the Big Air contest set the tone. Marie Kuhlmann took control in the Groms category, while Mariia Nikolskaia claimed victory in the Rookie division with a clean Backside 1080. On the men’s side, Dmytro Luchkin raised the bar with a Backside 1620, securing his first World Rookie title, while Valter Panzeri (ITA) topped the Groms podium.
The Slopestyle contest delivered a different vibe, thanks to a creative setup built around rails, a knuckle and a massive hip instead of traditional kickers. The format rewarded flow, creativity and control. Kuhlmann and Nikolskaia confirmed their dominance, both taking their second wins of the week in their respective categories, while Luchkin doubled up with another gold medal. Norin Keller stood out in the Groms category with a strong performance and took the win.
The Rail Jam brought the Finals to a close under snowy conditions, adding an extra layer of challenge. Keller secured his second victory in the Groms category, while Juri Nakayama claimed the win in the women’s division. In the men’s category, Pyry Posio (FIN) dominated the contest.
The highlight of the week came from Nikolskaia, who completed a perfect run across all disciplines, winning Big Air, Slopestyle and Rail Jam, and securing the triple crown of the 2026 edition.
Full Results | World Rookie Snowboard Champions 2026:
Marie Kuhlmann (GER) – 1st Place Slopestyle Grom Women Podium
Slopestyle:
- Rookie Women: Mariia Nikolskaia (AIN)
- Rookie Men: Dmytro Luchkin (UKR)
- Grom Women: Marie Kuhlmann (GER)
- Grom Men: Norin Keller (SUI)
Dmytro Luchkin (UKR) – 1st Place Big Air Rookie Men Big Air
Big Air:
- Rookie Women: Mariia Nikolskaia (AIN)
- Rookie Men: Dmytro Luchkin (UKR)
- Grom Women: Marie Kuhlmann (GER)
- Grom Men: Valter Panzeri (ITA)
Mariia Nikolskaia (AIN) – 1st Place Rail Jam Rookie Woman Rail jam
Rail Jam:
- Rookie Women: Mariia Nikolskaia (AIN)
- Rookie Men: Pyry Posio (FIN)
- Grom Women: Juri Nakayama (JPN)
- Grom Men: Norin Keller (SUI)
Beyond competition, the Finals once again proved to be more than just a contest, offering riders a full experience with workshops, activities and the chance to connect with a global community.
The future of snowboarding is already here — and it looks fast, creative, and fearless.
