Piper Kunst, 2026 Queen of Corbet’s, backflipping into the Corbet’s Couloir. | Image: @dr.pippah on Instagram
The annual Kings and Queens of Corbet’s took place on February 13 at Jackson Hole Resort. The ninth year of this prestigious freeride event featured some epic lines from athletes who weren’t afraid to throw down. Despite such a dry season the West has been faced with, Jackson Hole Resort was blessed with some fresh snow just in time for the event.
What makes the Kings and Queens of Corbet’s event so unique is the style of competition. Each athlete gets two runs. They can get down as creatively as they want. Some will send it off the couloir, throwing down a massive trick, while others will air in choosing to hit one of the cliffs or jumps below. There are no judges; the athletes themselves are the judges. The fans even have a chance to vote for their favorite run with the People’s Choice after the conclusion of the event.
Piper Kunst the 2026 Queen of Corbet’s | Image: @dr.pippah on Instagram
This year, Piper Kunst is once again the reigning Queen of Corbet’s Couloir. Kunst is not new to hucking herself into Corbet’s Couloir. In fact, this competition helped kick-start her professional ski career after she was crowned Queen of Corbet’s in 2022.
While Kunst didn’t grow up competing, she spent time skiing with family and friends at her home resort Breckenridge in Colorado. After moving to Utah in 2018 for school, she began building her freeride skills, ripping Alta and Snowbird as often as possible.
After placing third last year, it’s safe to say she is stoked to be crowned Queen once again. And even more so to share the throne with her boyfriend, Tristen Lilly, this year’s King of Corbet’s.
Kings and Queens of Corbet’s ladies podium | Image: @dr.pippah
You won in 2022. Since winning once already, do you feel any added pressure to perform?
“I felt more pressure in 2023,” Kunst said in a phone interview with SnowBrains. “This year, I didn’t care as much about winning, mostly just my goal of landing a backflip.”
You were recovering from an illness and a knee injury this fall. What went into preparing for this Kings and Queens event?
“I spent all summer working through patellar tendon tendonitis pain. I spent most of December and January recovering from illness, which was frustrating to feel like I lost progress.”
What’s going through your mind at the top before dropping in for your run?
“The nature of the competition is nerve-racking. I never want to just air off the top; I want to be unique. Playing music and deep breaths usually help with nerves. However, this year I felt less nervous and more confident at the top.”
Tell me about what it means for you and your boyfriend Tristen to win both King and Queen?
“It’s so special to win with Tristen. Last year we both placed third, and we thought that was great […] so for both of us to end up on top this year is surreal.”
Piper Kunst and Tristen Lilly, the 2026 King and Queen of Corbet’s | Image: Keegan Rice
What’s next for you? Any more big goals for this season and beyond?
“My biggest goal is for my knees not to hurt and my body to work to the best of its ability. I’m taking rehab and self-care more seriously while also working on some fun projects like filming a ‘Return of the Turn’ episode and a music video with Hadley Michaels.”
When she’s not painting lines down a mountain, you can find her expressing herself on a canvas. Kunst’s goals may have shifted since her initial crowning in 2022 to prioritize more rehab and rest, but she’s still going after all the goals she sets for herself.
While Piper Kunst gets to enjoy the crown for the next year, her rise back to the top shows that putting the pressures of competition aside and skiing for the love of the sport and personal improvement can lead to success. Kings and Queens of Corbet’s will remain a staple event in the freeride community. For both seasoned and rookie athletes alike, dropping into the iconic line and competing against each other is career-defining.
Long live the Kings and Queens of Corbets!
Piper Kunst’s backflip into Corbet’s | Image: @dr.pippah on Instagram