The spring transition season in Alberta has long invited sports enthusiasts to participate in the “Ultimate Alberta 9x9x9 Challenge” — a viral provincial tradition where participants aim to complete nine ski or snowboard runs, play nine holes of golf, and consume nine beers all within a single day. However, local athlete Ted Rud recently set a new benchmark for the spring mash-up by successfully completing an extreme doubled version of the stunt on Friday, May 15, 2026.
As detailed in a personal recap shared on Rud’s official Facebook page, the multi-sport endeavor involved ramping the metrics up to 18 snowboard runs, 18 full holes of golf, and 18 beers over the course of a single day. Rud kicked off the morning portion of the grueling itinerary at Banff Sunshine Village, taking advantage of the resort’s late-season spring snowpack to secure his 18 snowboard runs before descending the mountain to transition into warm-weather sports.
Rud credited local content creators Seanna Jefferson and Kallie Miett for providing the inspiration through their video documentation of the original 9x9x9 format, which spurred him to test the limits of the challenge. The sheer volume of consumption and coordination required for the feat prompted Rud to give a public shout-out to Red Deer-based Sawback Brewery, whose craft selections fueled the bulk of the day, as well as Sea Change Brewing Co., noting that securing a few of their “Scuds” served as the perfect addition to wrap up the marathon attempt.
While the challenge has gained traction online as a tongue-in-cheek rite of spring among Alberta outdoor communities, regional safety groups and guiding organizations emphasize that it remains an entirely unofficial, content-driven stunt. Observers point out that combining high-volume alcohol consumption with winter sports and the transit required between alpine playgrounds like Banff Sunshine and local golf courses presents obvious impairment and safety hazards. Despite the inherent risks of the extreme itinerary, Rud managed to successfully navigate the transitions, safely closing out an unprecedented 18-run, 18-hole, 18-beer spring trifecta.
