race event objective is to get to the end of the course as quickly as possible. Players race against other snowboarder NPCs on the same course. Races contain multiple routes and shortcuts, which can give the player an advantage over opponents. Players can also use melee combat to knock other snowboarders over, slowing them down and providing the player with adrenaline. Race events have three heats, and the player must come third place or above in each heat to progress. Once all race events are completed on a peak, the player's snowboarder is challenged to a backcountry race by their rival snowboarder. Winning unlocks a peak race, where the player aims to beat their rival's best time from the peak to the bottom of the mountain; both races have only one heat. Completing the races unlocks the next peak. The freestyle events include slopestyle, big air, and super pipe. Their objectives are to get as many points as possible. Slopestyle courses are similar to race courses, as players must ride through a downhill track with multiple paths. While the goal of slopestyle courses is for the player to gain points by performing tricks, big air courses are short, with one or two ramps that are designed to allow the player to perform large jumps and multiple tricks in a small amount of time, and super pipe courses contain half-pipes that the player can repeatedly perform tricks on. Freestyle events are structured similarly to race events; each have three heats, and the player is invited to backcountry jams and peak jams, where points are scored through performing tricks. Completing the freestyle events unlocks the next peak. Outside of events, players can take part in big challenges. The objectives of the challenges include jumping through hoops and collecting items, among others. Collectable crystals items can also be found on every course, and can be collected in any event and in freeride. Obtaining enough crystals and completing enough big challenges on a peak unlocks the next peak. In addition to peak goals, SSX 3 contains smaller challenges called career highlights. Similar to big challenges, objectives can vary, and include holding a handplant for five seconds or doing a certain number of übers in one event. In freeride, players can travel to any courses they have unlocked and can also go to stations; these areas contain lodges, which allow the player to save their