Young Grand Canyon Series snowboarders made up a hefty list of those who earned hardware at the United States of America Snowboard and Freeski Association (USASA) Nationals at Copper Mountain Resort in Colorado in late spring.
A large contingency of Flagstaff-based youth athletes have surrounded their lives with snowboarding, with a handful reaping the benefits on one of snowboarding’s biggest stages. One snowboarder has made Copper Mountain a second home: 17-year-old Riley Wolkowinsky earned a pair of gold medals in slalom racing and giant slalom this year.
Riley Wolkowinsky wears her Junior Women’s class slalom and giant slalom medals after competing at the USASA Nationals at Copper Mountain Resort in Colorado in the spring.
Riley Wolkowinsky, center, stands atop the podium after winning gold in slalom in the Junior Women’s class at the USASA Nationals at Copper Mountain Resort in Colorado on March 29.
Tyler Chee, left, stands on the podium after finishing second in Rail Jam in the Ruggie Girls class at the 2026 USASA Nationals at Copper Mountain Resort in Colorado.
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