Featured Picture: Dominique Daher | Skier: Marcus Goguen
The Freeride World Tour (FWT) made a number of bulletins immediately concerning the upcoming cease two of the 2024 season in lovely Kicking Horse, British Columbia. This season has been something however predictable, with two cancelations and one occasion relocation. Variable snow circumstances all through Europe led to the cancelations of each the Ordino Arcalís, Andorra, and Baqueira Beret, Spain, competitions. Whereas these bulletins had been disappointing, they had been certainly needed, with rider security being something however preferrred in each conditions. The First Cease of 2024 was moved to Verbier, Switzerland, the place the riders threw down on the Petit Bec face in typical trend.
Now, the tour has swung its consideration throughout the pond, as organizers have confirmed the climate window for the Kicking Horse cease February 14-20. With a steady snowpack and climate trending in the correct course throughout many of the North American West, that is essentially the most promising competitors we have now seen thus far within the 2024 season.
That is the seventh time a FWT occasion has graced Kicking Horse, and the mountain by no means appears to disappoint. The Ozone Face, the place the occasion is to be held, is a combination of huge freeride options and technical large mountain strains. It actually seems like one thing out of a online game, with a masterful mix of cliffs, straight strains, airs and gaps all through. There are a number of Canadians competing on the tour this yr, however sadly, Justine Dufour-Lapointe has eliminated herself from the competitors because of private causes. We hope to see her again within the begin gate quickly.
We are going to, nonetheless, get a particular Canadian wild card, because the legendary Stan Rey has been chosen as a wild card competitor for the occasion. A storied British Columbia rider who has been a pioneering member of the Salomon squad, Rey is a superb addition to the lineup.
“It feels wonderful to get a wildcard for the FWT Kicking Horse occasion, however I’d be mendacity if I mentioned I wasn’t a little bit anxious and terrified. I’m stoked to get on the market and symbolize Whistler and Canada, and pleased to ski alongside a few of the younger bucks that I’ve been lucky to have front-row seats to their careers rising up in Whistler. I’ll do my greatest to point out everybody that this outdated man nonetheless has a couple of methods up his sleeve!”- Stan Rey, 2024 FWT Kicking Horse, Golden BC wildcard
With such a turbulent season, it’s good to see promise on this upcoming cease. Let’s hope that Kicking Horse offers because it has previously. Keep tuned for extra updates and data on the 2024 Freeride World Tour season.
