Featured Picture: Jeremy Bernard, Courtesy of the Freeride World Tour
The Freeride World Tour (FWT) has formally introduced the 2025 competitors calendar. With six stops, one new location, two continents and a handful of insane programs forward of us, this yr is shaping as much as be the most effective season of freeride but. Let’s dive into every cease on the 2025 FIS Freeride World Tour.
Began by Nicolas Hale-Woods because the Verbier Xtreme in 1996, the FWT has grown from a distinct segment snowboarding occasion into the worldwide competitors circuit that it’s in the present day. There have been loads of modifications over time, from the inclusion of snowboarding in 2004 to the current acquisition by the governing physique FIS. And whereas sponsors could change and riders come and go, the spirit of the Tour has remained resilient and sturdy, sharing the great thing about freeride with the world and drawing extra riders to the game than ever.
This yr, the Tour is heading to 6 stops all over the world, every in a separate nation. In chronological order, competitions shall be held in Spain, France, Canada, Georgia, Austria and Switzerland. Beneath you’ll discover details about every location, full with official descriptions, course particulars and extra.
Cease 1: Baqueira Beret, Spain – January 18-23, 2025
The 2025 season kicks off at Baqueira Beret, nestled within the coronary heart of the Spanish Pyrenees. Lately extending its partnership with the FWT till 2027, Baqueira Beret has cemented itself as a fan-favorite cease, recognized for its full of life ambiance and passionate native crowd. The competitors takes place on the famend Tuc de Baciver face, providing steep pitches, technical rock drops, and dynamic freeride terrain that can problem riders’ creativity and talent. As considered one of Europe’s premier freeride locations, Baqueira Beret constantly delivers exhilarating performances, setting an intense tone for the season.
Cease 2: Val Thorens, France – January 27 – February 1 (NEW STOP)
For the primary time since 2017, the FWT returns to France with the debut of Val Thorens. Nestled within the world-famous Les Trois Vallées ski space, Val Thorens provides an thrilling new problem to the riders, with the long-lasting Cime Caron towering over the resort. Identified for its steep and technical terrain, Val Thorens guarantees dramatic motion as riders sort out the couloirs, ridgelines, and wide-open freeride terrain that the world is legendary for. This primary-time cease on the Tour will present loads of pleasure as athletes battle for early-season factors.
“Having Val Thorens on the Freeride World Tour for 2025 is a big second. The resort’s world-class terrain and dedication to top-tier sports activities make it an ideal match for the Tour. We’re excited to see the athletes compete on this distinctive mountain and additional elevate Val Thorens within the freeride world.” – Nicolas Hale-Woods, FWT Founder and CEO
Cease 3: Kicking Horse Mountain, British Columbia, Canada – February 7-13
The FWT then crosses the Atlantic to Kicking Horse, positioned within the rugged Purcell Mountains of British Columbia, Canada. Famend for its deep snowpack, steep terrain, and the legendary Ozone face, Kicking Horse is without doubt one of the most technically demanding stops on the tour. Riders might want to navigate cliff drops, tight strains, and huge powder fields, making this cease a real freeride battleground. With its mixture of difficult terrain and large options, Kicking Horse constantly pushes athletes to the restrict.
Cease 4: Tetnuldi, Georgia – February 23 – March 1
The Tour then returns to the untamed fantastic thing about Tetnuldi in Georgia’s Caucasus Mountains. This cease has quickly gained recognition as one of the crucial exhilarating venues on the circuit. The competitors takes place on the Khakhiani face, that includes 350 meters of vertical descent, steep pitches, and pure obstacles that problem athletes to show their best freeride expertise. Identified for its huge powder fields and distant attract, Tetnuldi continues to captivate each athletes and followers, delivering action-packed freeride experiences in opposition to the beautiful backdrop of the Caucasus.
Cease 5: Fieberbrunn, Austria – March 8-13
The strain mounts as riders head to the Wildseeloder in Fieberbrunn, Austria, for the ultimate occasion earlier than the reduce. Identified for its intimidating slopes and sophisticated strains, Fieberbrunn is without doubt one of the most revered stops on the Tour. Riders might want to lay down their finest line on the steep and technical terrain, which has been a proving floor for freeriders since 2011. With the reduce looming, the stakes shall be greater than ever as riders battle for his or her place within the Grand Finale at Verbier.
Cease 6: YETI Xtreme Verbier by Honda – March 22-30
The Freeride World Tour culminates on the legendary Bec des Rosses in Verbier, Switzerland, essentially the most prestigious and difficult cease of the season. Celebrating its thirtieth anniversary in 2025, the YETI Xtreme Verbier has grow to be synonymous with freeride excellence. Rising to three,223 meters with a 600-meter vertical drop, the Bec des Rosses is thought for its excessive pitches exceeding 50 levels and sophisticated technical strains. Solely the highest riders of the season will qualify to compete at Verbier, the place the stakes are highest, and the final word freeride champions shall be topped. The extraordinary competitors on the Bec’s treacherous face constantly delivers a few of the most memorable and high-risk performances within the sport, solidifying Verbier because the crown jewel of the Freeride World Tour.
The FWT additionally introduced the first-ever FIS Freeride World Championships to happen in Andorra throughout the 2026 winter. Whereas there isn’t a lot recognized about this new competitors, the format and qualification system is to be introduced in December of this yr. Keep tuned for extra data and full protection of the 2025 Freeride World Tour from FREESKIER.
