The 21-year-old beat team-mate and World Cup leader Kevin Drury to the line in a big final which only featured Canadians and Germans.

Germany's Daniel Bohnacker took home the bronze as his compatriot Florian Wilmsmann missed out on a medal in fourth. 

Howden was fastest out of the gate and held on for the line when the Canadians left the Germans behind.

Drury held on for second despite clipping skis with Wilmsmann at one stage.

"It was awesome competing in front of my family and friends," said Howden.

"It was unreal hearing all the cheers from the home crowd. 

"I couldn't ask for anything more."

Canadians have now won five of the seven World Cup races this term, with four of those going to Drury.

The World Championship bronze medallist has 476 points at the top of the rankings with another Canadian, Kristofor Mahler, second on 320.

Ryan Regez of Switzerland is third on 279.

In the women's event, Sweden's Sandra Näslund claimed her second victory of the season and her first since the opening event in Val Thorens in France.

The Cross Alps Tour winner and 2017 world champion led from start to finish in the big final as Olympic silver medallist Brittany Phelan won another home medal for Canada with silver.

Switzerland's Olympic bronze medallist Fanny Smith came home for bronze as France's Marielle Berger-Sabbatel missed out on the medals.

Canada's Sochi 2014 Olympic champion Marielle Thompson has won three times in Nakiska but missed out on the big final.

She recovered, however, to win the small final.

Näslund leads the standings on 550 points, with defending overall champion Smith second on 471 and Thompson third on 449.

Drury and Smith topped the respective men's and women's qualification rounds yesterday.

The Ski Cross World Cup season will now continue with two races in Idre in Sweden, on January 25 and 26.