Every year around this time, we here at Slush engage in the same debate: What qualifies a person as a rookie? Not only that, but every year we have to write this, the justification for the decisions we make. And as much as we’d like to nip this in the bud, there is a 100% chance that we’ll be sitting here next year having a very similar discussion. That being said, we hope there’s no debate as to the viability of this year’s rookie class. We hope you look at these eight up-and-comers and say, we’ve known of you, but looking at what you’ve done this year, now, for the first time, we see you.
Derek Lemke has been one of snowboarding’s underground kings for a few years now, leaving no piece of steel safe in the Cooper Vosburg videos. But, with his standout part in the new Rome project, the spotlight has landed on him, and the world is finally seeing what a lucky few have always known: this kid rips.
Gibby is a powerhouse, the kind of hungry am who has no fear, who will do whatever it takes to clip up. We love to see that fire and the footage speaks for itself. This kid can take a beating and more than come out the other side.
To have your rookie footage sit beside one of snowboarding’s greats has to be both flattering and terrifying. Jack Coyne is that rookie, and Bode Merrill is that great. But if there were nerves, Jack showed none. He filmed with the confidence of a true pro, earning him a spot on this list.
Filming alongside his brother, Noah, Micah Coville opened up the Rome video with authority, his riding being both tasteful and aggressive. Nothing about his part says rookie.
There is no doubt plenty of 2026 Olympians out there breathing a sigh of relief that Patti Zhou is too young to compete. But maybe the victory is knowing that you’re a serious contest threat at just 14. If Patti is the future of halfpipe, then the future looks bright.
Jess was unavoidable last year. From a standout performance at The Uninvited Invitational to simply pushing the limits of jibbing (cough, cough, cab two pretzel), Jess was out there putting her mark on our little world. And now we can confidently say that Jess does, indeed, shred.
It’s rare that a rookie lands themselves a cover, add on to that a barrage of great footage, and you have the makings of a star. Wherever Livia goes from here will be exactly where she belongs because, when you have style like she does, you can do whatever you want.
Lily Dhawornvej’s already won the award for most difficult to pronounce last name, but after seeing what she did last year, she’s a strong contender for Rookie of the Year as well. At just 16, Lily is already making big moves in the contest scene.