Local snowboarders sweep podium at Schweitzer’s Lakeside Chute-Out

SANDPOINT — A handful of locals competed in the International Freeskiers & Snowboarders Association's (IFSA) Junior Regional 2 competition, the Lakeside Chute-Out, held this past weekend at Schweitzer.

Team Snowboard Northwest had five shredders garner podium finishes. They impressed the judges after picking to go down some of the steepest, most challenging lines that Schweitzer has to offer. 

Max Taylor of Coeur d'Alene landed gold in the U19 Men's Snowboard Division with a clean, impressive run while Calvin Schmidt of Sandpoint pushed his limits and came away with a third-place finish. In the U15 Men's Snowboard Division, locals swept the podium with Byron Bernd in first, Conrad Michael in second and Konrad Steidl in third. Adele Michael rounded out the team's accomplishments with a gold medal in the U19 Women's Snowboard Division.

Up next, Taylor, who is still ranked second overall in the Junior Freeride rankings, plans to head to the IFSA Junior Freeride Championship which be held Sunday, April 6, through Sunday, April 13, at Kirkwood Mountain Resort in Kirkwood, Calif. Schmidt will be switching back to slopestyle and will head to Copper Mountain Resort in Frisco, Colo. from Friday, Mar. 28, through Thursday, April 3, for the USASA National Championships.

    Adele Michael stands atop the podium after winning the the U19 Women's Snowboard Division of the Lakeside Chute-Out held this past weekend at Schweitzer.
  

    From left, locals Konrad Steidl, Byron Bernd and Conrad Michael swept the U15 Men's Snowboard Division at the Lakeside Chute-Out held this past weekend at Schweitzer.