Six epic stops await in 2025, including the debut of Val Thorens Pro, as Andorra prepares to host the inaugural FIS Freeride World Championships in 2026
- Six stops on the FWT 2025, kicking off in Baqueira Beret, Spain
- Baqueira Beret renews its partnership with the Freeride World Tour until 2027
- Val Thorens makes its debut as the Tour returns to France for the first time since 2017
- Andorra to host the first-ever FIS Freeride World Championships in February 2026 to be formally awarded by FIS Council on October 23, 2024
The 2025 season kicks off at Baqueira Beret, nestled in the heart of the Spanish Pyrenees. Recently extending its partnership with the FWT until 2027, Baqueira Beret has cemented itself as a fan-favorite stop, known for its lively atmosphere and passionate local crowd. The competition takes place on the renowned Tuc de Baciver face, offering steep pitches, technical rock drops, and dynamic freeride terrain that will challenge riders’ creativity and skill. As one of Europe’s premier freeride destinations, Baqueira Beret consistently delivers exhilarating performances, setting an intense tone for the season.
For the first time since 2017, the FWT returns to France with the debut of Val Thorens. Nestled in the world-famous Les Trois Vallées ski area, Val Thorens offers an exciting new challenge to the riders, with the iconic Cime Caron towering over the resort. Known for its steep and technical terrain, Val Thorens promises dramatic action as riders tackle the couloirs, ridgelines, and wide-open freeride terrain that the area is famous for. This first-time stop on the Tour will provide plenty of excitement as athletes battle for early-season points.
"We are thrilled and very proud to host the only French stop of the 2025 Freeride World Tour here in Val Thorens. It is an honor for us to welcome such an iconic event, recognized worldwide in the freeride universe. All of the resort's teams have come together and worked hand in hand to ensure the organization of this unmissable event. We have already proven several times our ability to host major international sporting events. This new commitment perfectly aligns with our ambition to make Val Thorens a premier destination for high-level freeride."
Vincent Lalanne, Director of the Val Thorens Tourism Office
"Having Val Thorens on the Freeride World Tour for 2025 is a significant moment. The resort’s world-class terrain and dedication to top-tier sports make it a perfect fit for the Tour. We’re excited to see the athletes compete on this exceptional mountain and further elevate Val Thorens in the freeride world."
Nicolas Hale-Woods, FWT Founder and CEO
The FWT then crosses the Atlantic to Kicking Horse, located in the rugged Purcell Mountains of British Columbia, Canada. Renowned for its deep snowpack, steep terrain, and the legendary Ozone face, Kicking Horse is one of the most technically demanding stops on the tour. Riders will need to navigate cliff drops, tight lines, and vast powder fields, making this stop a true freeride battleground. With its mix of challenging terrain and massive features, Kicking Horse consistently pushes athletes to the limit.
The Tour then returns to the untamed beauty of Tetnuldi in Georgia’s Caucasus Mountains. This stop has rapidly gained recognition as one of the most exhilarating venues on the circuit. The competition takes place on the Khakhiani face, featuring 350 meters of vertical descent, steep pitches, and natural obstacles that challenge athletes to display their finest freeride skills. Known for its vast powder fields and remote allure, Tetnuldi continues to captivate both athletes and fans, delivering action-packed freeride experiences against the stunning backdrop of the Caucasus.
The pressure mounts as riders head to the Wildseeloder in Fieberbrunn, Austria, for the final event before the cut. Known for its intimidating slopes and complex lines, Fieberbrunn is one of the most revered stops on the Tour. Riders will need to lay down their best line on the steep and technical terrain, which has been a proving ground for freeriders since 2011. With the cut looming, the stakes will be higher than ever as riders battle for their place in the Grand Finale at Verbier.
"Andorra has proven itself as a premium freeride destination for over a decade, with first-class venues and exceptional hospitality. FIS Freeride is incredibly excited to write history with our Andorran partners. The FIS Freeride World Championships are an important step toward bringing freeride skiing and snowboarding to the world’s audiences."
Nicolas Hale-Woods, FWT Founder and CEO
“After more than 10 years permanently on the FWT circuit, we believed that our commitment to freeride had to reach new goals and we worked with the FIS Freeride to become the first organizers in the history of world championships in our sport. For Andorra and Ordino Arcalís, which have already become a world leader in freeride, it is important to create a legacy that helps freeride grow."
David Ledesma, Grandvalira Resorts Marketing Director
