Freeride World Tour Heads to Val Thorens

third October 2024

Six stops await in 2025, together with the debut of Val Thorens Professional, as Andorra prepares to host the inaugural FIS Freeride World Championships in 2026.

Six stops on the FWT 2025, kicking off in Baqueira Beret, SpainBaqueira Beret renews its partnership with the Freeride World Tour till 2027Val Thorens makes its debut because the Tour returns to France for the primary time since 2017Andorra to host the primary  FIS Freeride World Championships in February 2026 to be formally awarded by FIS Council on October 23, 2024

“We’re thrilled and really proud to host the one French cease of the 2025 Freeride World Tour right here in Val Thorens,” mentioned the Director of the Val Thorens Tourism Workplace, Vincent Lalanne.

“It’s an honor for us to welcome such an iconic occasion, acknowledged worldwide within the freeride universe.

“All the resort’s groups have come collectively and labored hand in hand to make sure the organisation of this unmissable occasion.

“We’ve already confirmed a number of occasions our means to host main worldwide sporting occasions.

“This new dedication completely aligns with our ambition to make Val Thorens a premier vacation spot for high-level freeride.”

“Having Val Thorens on the Freeride World Tour for 2025 is a big second,” mentioned the FWT Founder and CEO, Nicolas Hale-Woods.

“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.”

Val Thorens. Picture © PlanetSKI

The FIS Freeride World Tour by Peak Efficiency returns for the 2025 season that includes six stops throughout Europe and North America.

It kicks off in Baqueira Beret, Spain, which has renewed its partnership with the FWT till 2027.

Moreover, looking forward to 2026, the FWT is thrilled to announce the primary FIS Freeride World Championships, happening in Andorra from February 1-6, 2026.

These Championships will likely be a historic milestone for the game, showcasing freeride on the world stage.

Because the FWT embarks on its 18th season, athletes will compete throughout six occasions, with their high 4 outcomes out of 5 counting towards qualification for the YETI Xtreme Verbier by Honda Grand Finale.

Cease 1: Baqueira Beret Professional: January 18-23, 2025

The 2025 season kicks off at Baqueira Beret, nestled within the coronary heart of the Spanish Pyrenees.

Baqueira Beret has cemented itself as a fan-favorite cease, recognized for its vigorous ambiance and passionate native crowd.

The competitors takes place on the Tuc de Baciver face, providing steep pitches, technical rock drops, and dynamic freeride terrain that can problem riders’ creativity and ability.

Cease 2: Val Thorens Professional:  January 27 – February 1, 2025 (New Cease)

For the primary time since 2017, the FWT returns to France with the debut of Val Thorens.

Nestled in Les3Vallees ski space, Val Thorens provides a brand new problem to the riders, with the Cime Caron towering over the resort.

Recognized for its steep and technical terrain, Val Thorens guarantees dramatic motion as riders deal with the couloirs, ridgelines, and wide-open freeride terrain that the realm is known for.

Cease 3: Kicking Horse Golden BC Professional: February 7-13, 2025

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 Ozone face, Kicking Horse is among the most technically demanding stops on the tour.

Riders might want to navigate cliff drops, tight traces, and powder fields.

With its mixture of difficult terrain and large options, Kicking Horse constantly pushes athletes to the restrict.

Cease 4: Georgia Professional: February 23 – March 1, 2025

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 most interesting freeride expertise.

Recognized 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 gorgeous backdrop of the Caucasus.

Cease 5: Fieberbrunn Professional : March 8-13, 2025

The stress mounts as riders head to the Wildseeloder in Fieberbrunn, Austria, for the ultimate occasion earlier than the reduce.

Fieberbrunn is thought for its intimidating slopes and complicated traces.

Riders might want to lay down their greatest line on the steep and technical terrain, which has been a proving floor for freeriders since 2011.

With the reduce looming, the stakes will likely be increased than ever as riders battle for his or her place within the Grand Finale at Verbier.

FWT in Tirol. Picture © PlanetSKI

YETI Xtreme Verbier by Honda:  March 22-30, 2025

The Freeride World Tour culminates on the Bec des Rosses in Verbier, Switzerland, probably 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 complicated technical traces.

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 will likely be topped.

The extraordinary competitors on the Bec’s treacherous face constantly delivers a number of the most memorable and high-risk performances within the sport, solidifying Verbier because the crown jewel of the Freeride World Tour.

Bec des Rosses, Verbier. Picture c/o PlanetSKI

The First Freeride World Championships: February 1-6, 2026, in Andorra

Along with the 2025 season, the Freeride World Tour is happy to announce the first-ever FIS Freeride World Championships, to be held in Andorra from February 1-6, 2026.

Andorra has lengthy been a top-tier freeride vacation spot, and this occasion will elevate the game to new heights because the world’s high freeriders collect to compete on a worldwide stage.

The qualification system for the occasion will likely be introduced in December 2024, with a proper award by the FIS Council on October 23, 2024.

“Andorra has confirmed itself as a premium freeride vacation spot for over a decade, with first-class venues and distinctive hospitality,” mentioned  the FWT Founder and CEO, Nicolas Hale-Woods.

“FIS Freeride is extremely excited to put in writing historical past with our Andorran companions.

“The FIS Freeride World Championships are an vital step towards bringing freeride snowboarding and snowboarding to the world’s audiences.”

Arcalis, Andorra. Picture © PlanetSKI

“After greater than 10 years completely on the FWT circuit, we believed that our dedication to freeride needed to attain new objectives and we labored with the FIS Freeride to grow to be the primary organisers within the historical past of world championships in our sport,” mentioned Grandvalira Resorts Advertising Director, David Ledesma.

“For Andorra and Ordino Arcalís, which have already grow to be a world chief in freeride, it is very important create a legacy that helps freeride develop”.