Snowboarder Johnny Duty was a classic Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club grom. He grew up rising through the ranks and competed in both alpine and slopestyle snowboarding. Now, he finds himself qualified for next year’s Freeride World Tour.

The Freeride World Tour is a worldwide circuit of snowboarders and skiers who rely on the natural terrain of a mountain to perform tricks and feats.

Duty qualified by tying for first on the FWT Challenger Tour with Holden Samuels.

“When I was introduced to freeriding, admittedly competing wasn’t on my radar,” said Duty. “I was juggling college when this popped up.”

Duty is a senior at Montana State University in Bozeman. Just a stones throw away from Bridger Bowl, he and his buddies would spend as much time as they could riding the slopes.

“I just wanted to have fun and explore everything I can,” he explained. “I am a little competitive, but that takes a backseat to having fun and being the best snowboarder I can be.”

While Bridger provided the terrain that introduced him to freeriding, Steamboat’s slopes taught him the work ethic needed to compete.

“There must be something in the water, our community is very driven,” he said. “I’m certainly holding onto that as I turn the page.”

His run on the FWT is expected to begin next January. In the meantime, he’s finishing up his degree in engineering with a minor in finance.

The tour will give Duty the opportunity to compete in places he’s only dreamt of.

“I’ve always wanted to make it across the pond and explore Europe,” he said. “Places like Verbier, Switzerland have really caught my eye.”

As the tour gets underway he’s looking for inspiration from hometown snowboarding heroes like Maddy Schaffrick, Thedo Remmelink, Cody Winters, Taylor Gold and Arielle Gold.

“While I haven’t really done a ton of freeriding in Steamboat, the town is a part of me,” Duty said. “I’m taking the lessons and values that I’ve learned there and pushing myself to new heights.”