eleventh December 2025
The primary ever World Championships for the game of Freeride happen from February 1st–sixth 2026 in Ordino/Arcalís, in Andorra. NEW
It guarantees to be an historic milestone for the game of freeride snowboarding and snowboarding.
It’s sanctioned by the Worldwide Ski and Snowboard Federation and the brand new championship represents the very best degree of freeride competitors on the worldwide stage.
Occasion overview
Date: Climate window February 1–6, 2026 (one competitors day chosen for optimum situations)Location: Ordino Arcalís, Andorra: a premier freeride venue within the PyreneesFormat: 4 classes – Ski Males, Ski Ladies, Snowboard Males, Snowboard Ladies (one run per athlete)Athletes: 66 of the world’s high freeridersNations: 17 nations shall be represented
FIS Freeride World Championships. Picture @freerideworldtour.
This single-event competitors will formally crown the primary FIS Freeride World Champions.
It marks the total integration of freeride below FIS governance and solidifying its place as a acknowledged self-discipline inside worldwide snow sports activities.
It’s hoped to be a stepping stone for Freeride to enter the 2030 Olympic Video games.
It’s a great distance from the primary FWT occasions when PlanetSKI’s James Cove was on one of many judging panels in Tignes in 2009 with Glenn Plake:
FWT, Tignes 2009. Picture c/o PlanetSKI.
FWT, Tignes 2009. Picture c/o PlanetSKI.
“The FIS Freeride World Championships mark a defining new chapter within the evolution of freeride,” stated the organisers.
“In contrast to the FIS Freeride World Tour, which unfolds throughout a season-long circuit, the Championships will decide the official FIS World Champions in a single, decisive showdown.
“The world’s greatest freeriders will collect in Ordino Arcalís to push the bounds of dedication.
Arcalis, Andorra. Picture © PlanetSKI
Nestled within the northern valleys of Andorra, between France and Spain, Ordino Arcalís has grow to be a mecca for freeride since first internet hosting worldwide competitions in 2015.
This small however mighty resort (simply two hours from Barcelona) boasts extra kilometers of slopes than roads and provides among the greatest snow situations within the Pyrenees because of its north-facing orientation.
The resort is understood for its technical traces, dependable snowpack, and pure terrain options excellent for freeride competitors.
The resort options:
450 hectares of skiable terrain120 km of off-piste potential3.4 km of marked freeride itineraries and two themed freeride zones
Arcalis, Andorra. Picture © PlanetSKI
Qualification system
In whole, there are 5 qualification teams via which athletes can earn their place on the FIS Freeride World Championships Andorra 2026 by Mammut.
These teams outline the completely different qualification pathway, guaranteeing a good and globally consultant discipline of riders.
Roster overview
A complete of 66 athletes from all over the world will compete within the 4 official classes:
Ski MenSki WomenSnowboard MenSnowboard Ladies
They signify the world’s greatest freeriders and can proudly compete below their nationwide flags.
Freeride World Tour. Picture @freerideworldtour
Certified Riders:
Ski Males:
Valentin Rainer (AUT) – Group 1Martin Bender (SUI) – Group 1Weitien Ho (CAN) – Group 1Marcus Goguen (CAN) – Group 1Benjamin James Richards (NZL) – Group 1Oscar Mandin (FRA) – Group 1Virgile Didier (FRA) – Group 1Ross Tester (USA) – Group 1Toby Rafford (USA) – Group 1Tiemo Rolshoven (GER) – Group 1Abel Moga (ESP) – Group 1Carl Regnér Eriksson (SWE) – Group 1Kristofer Turdell (SWE) – Group 2Tenra Katsuno (JPN) – Group 2Fynn Powell (NZL) – Group 2Kelly Hilleke (USA) – Group 2Dante Ginaca (ARG) – Group 2Victor Hale-Woods (SUI) – Group 3Max Hitzig (GER) – Group 3Jacob Muller (AUT) – Group 3Jokin Ruiz de Larramendi (ESP) – Group 3Koga Hoshino (JAP) – Group 3Andreas Bakke (NOR) – Group 3Kai Jones (USA) – Group 4Joan Aracil (AND) – Group 5
Ski Ladies:
Jenna Keller (SUI) – Group 1Justine Dufour-Lapointe (CAN) – Group 1Astrid Cheylus (FRA) – Group 1Lily Bradley (USA) – Group 1Molly Armanino (USA) – Group 1Lena Kohler (GER) – Group 1Zuzanna Witych (POL) – Group 2Chisato Sasada (JPN) – Group 2Zanna Farrell (AUS) – Group 2Wynter McBride (USA) – Group 2Agostina Vietti (ARG) – Group 2Elly Olsson (SWE) – Group 3Jessica Hotter (NZL) – Group 3Ulla Gilot (AUT) – Group 3Elisabet Marina (ESP) – Group 3Manon Loschi (FRA) – Group 4
Snowboard Males:
Liam Rivera (SUI) – Group 1Jonathan Penfield (CAN) – Group 1Enzo Nilo (FRA) – Group 1Victor de Le Rue (FRA) – Group 1Holden Samuels (USA) – Group 1Cody Bramwell (GBR) – Group 1Cesar Barin (FRA) – Group 2Asato Yoshida (JPN) – Group 2Conrad Niven (NZL) – Group 2Michael Mawn (USA) – Group 2Tomas Castelli (ARG) – Group 2Vaughn Hardwick (AUS) – Group 3Timm Schröder (GER) – Group 3Pol Sabidó Juvé (ESP) – Group 3Blake Moller (USA) – Group 4
Snowboard Ladies:
Noémie Equy (FRA) – Group 1Michaela Davis-Meehan (AUS) – Group 1Núria Castán Barón (ESP) – Group 1Anna Martinez (FRA) – Group 2Hana Kinoshita (JPN) – Group 2Briony Johnson (AUS) – Group 2Natalie Allport (CAN) – Group 2Isidora Assler Escala (CHI) – Group 2Mia Jones (USA) – Group 3Marion Haerty (FRA) – Group 4
Qualification system
In whole, there are 5 qualification teams via which athletes can earn their place on the FIS Freeride World Championships Andorra 2026 by Mammut.
These teams outline the completely different qualification pathway, guaranteeing a good and globally consultant discipline of riders.
Group 1 – FWT Professional Rating
The highest-ranked riders from the 2025 FIS Freeride World Tour Professional standings earned direct qualification for the World Championships.
All Group 1 athletes meet the official FIS eligibility standards and had been invited by FIS following the conclusion of the 2025 season.
Ought to any athlete be unable to take part, their Nationwide Ski Affiliation (NSA) is liable for choosing a alternative inside the similar competitors class.
Group 2 – Continental Quotas
To make sure world illustration, 5 continental quotas (Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and South America) had been added to the beginning checklist.
Every quota was awarded to the highest-ranked rider on the Qualifying International Seeding Listing, excluding injured athletes with frozen factors.
All Group 2 athletes had been personally allotted by FIS, in communication with their respective NSAs, which additionally oversee potential replacements if obligatory.
Group 3 – NSA Quotas
14 riders have earned their place through Nationwide Ski Affiliation (NSA) quotas, granted to international locations that don’t have already got certified athletes (or just one in Ski Males) from Teams 1 and a pair of.
These quotas had been distributed primarily based on a Nations Rating, calculated utilizing worldwide outcomes from the highest 100 athletes in every self-discipline.
Every eligible NSA was invited to appoint one rider, who should meet FIS Freeride eligibility standards. This technique ensures elevated world illustration whereas sustaining the competitors’s elite requirements.
Group 4 – Wildcards
Alongside the NSA Quota Riders, 4 wildcard athletes (one per self-discipline) have been awarded a spot on the 2026 FIS Freeride World Championships.
These Group 4 Wildcards are allotted immediately by FIS Freeride to handle wants similar to accidents, media visibility, or nationwide curiosity.
All wildcard athletes should be members of a Nationwide Ski Affiliation, and within the occasion of a withdrawal, FIS Freeride will designate a alternative, probably from one other nation.
Group 5 – Host Nation Wildcard
The ultimate and 66th rider spot comes via the Host Nation Wildcard, allotted by the Andorran Ski Federation (FAE).
This remaining choice ensures illustration for the host nation and formally completes the lineup.
FIS Freeride World Championships. Picture @freerideworldtour.
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