Snowboarding icon Steve Klassen just can’t stay off the snow, even when there’s barely any of it. On September 30, the five-time Verbier Xtreme champion took his board to Mammoth Mountain, California, carving out the very first turns of the 2025/26 season on nothing more than a light dusting of early snow.

Image: Teton Gravity Research

Klassen, a long-time competitor on the Freeride World Tour and owner of the legendary Wave Rave snowboard shops, knows a thing or two about chasing the stoke. His stores in Mammoth, Bishop, and Los Angeles have become staples of California’s snowboard scene, just like the man himself. While the mountain wasn’t exactly buried yet, the sight of him strapping in was a clear signal: winter is coming fast.

Image: Los Angeles Times

Mammoth Mountain isn’t wasting any time either. The resort plans to fire up its snow guns in mid-October and aims to open for the season on November 14, right on pace with last year’s start date. With colder temps rolling in soon, those first powder turns might arrive earlier than expected.

Image: Mammoth Mountain Snowman

At 60 years old, Klassen is still sending it like it’s 1996. The California native became a legend after winning the first-ever Xtreme Verbier event nearly three decades ago, and his name still echoes through freeride history. He was the first rider to launch off the now-iconic “Hollywood Cliff” at Verbier, a line that’s literally named after him. Even after a hip replacement at 54, Klassen continues to ride with the same energy and grit that made him one of the sport’s greats.

Image: Riders.me

For Klassen, it’s never just about the snow, it’s about the lifestyle. And judging by this early-season shred session, he’s still living it to the fullest. With snowmaking about to kick off and winter settling in across the Sierra, Mammoth’s slopes will soon be ready for everyone to join in.