Perkins Shines in World Pro Ski Tour Finals as Soevik Secures Victory Again in Aspen!

This past weekend at the World Pro Ski Tour in Aspen, Tanner Perkins enjoyed a thrilling competition, taking second place in the men’s race. Although not his pathway to the Olympics or the World Cup, it was a rewarding experience.

Originally from Crested Butte, Perkins reflected on his time in Aspen fondly. “This is just for fun. It helps me pay off my credit card debt,” he chuckled. “Aspen is like a second home, and I owe a lot to the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club for my progress in skiing.”

He finished behind Norway’s Christian Soevik, who swept the weekend, winning both races on Aspen Mountain. These events kicked off the 2025 WPST season, consisting of only two stops this winter.

The unique head-to-head racing format differs from the normal time-trial style usually seen in World Cup events. For athletes like Perkins, it offers a chance to race with real money on the line. “It’s fun because you can beat anyone,” he shared. “It doesn’t require a huge commitment or training, yet there’s potential for financial reward.” The winners in both the men’s and women’s brackets took home $7,500.

Despite the competitive atmosphere, Perkins remains grounded. At just 23 years old, he’s experienced the ups and downs of a skier’s life. He moved to Aspen as a teenager to improve his skills and even lived in a van during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep his dreams alive. Racing for Montana State University now, he credits AVSC for helping him stay in the sport.

“They let me train during COVID, and I’m grateful for that,” he said. “Being back here feels incredible.” During the race, Perkins initially won against Soevik in one run, yet Soevik bounced back in the second run to secure his victory.

The rest of the men’s finals saw Norway’s Filip Wahlqvist finishing third, and he had overcome challenges throughout the weekend. Perkins, who previously placed fourth in 2022 at Steamboat Springs, is considering more WPST races in the future while also focusing on his college circuit.

On the women’s side, Norway’s Kaja Norbye claimed victory against Utah’s Mia Hunt. This was Norbye’s first win on the WPST tour. Hunt, in her debut, showed resilience after an early defeat and expressed enthusiasm about the competitive environment.

The WPST has been working to revive itself since its return in 2017. This season includes only two events as a rebuilding effort, with plans for more races in the future. Chairman Christopher Neary hopes to expand to ten events per season, aiming to revitalize the tour to its former glory from the 1970s and ‘80s.

The history of WPST is rich, starting from 1969 when Bob Beattie founded it. The illustrious roster has included iconic figures like Billy Kidd and Jean-Claude Killy, with many races held in Aspen.

As the finishing touches were made on this event, Neary expressed gratitude to Aspen for the opportunity, hinting at solidifying Aspen as a regular race stop in the future.

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