Freeride World Tour Heads to Val Thorens

3rd October 2024

Six 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  FIS Freeride World Championships in February 2026 to be formally awarded by FIS Council on October 23, 2024

“We are thrilled and very proud to host the only French stop of the 2025 Freeride World Tour here in Val Thorens,” said the Director of the Val Thorens Tourism Office, Vincent Lalanne.

“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 organisation 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 Lallane, Val Thorens. Image © PlanetSKI

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

“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.”

Val Thorens. Image © PlanetSKI

The FIS Freeride World Tour by Peak Performance returns for the 2025 season featuring six stops across Europe and North America.

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

Additionally, looking ahead to 2026, the FWT is thrilled to announce the first FIS Freeride World Championships, taking place in Andorra from February 1-6, 2026.

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

As the FWT embarks on its 18th season, athletes will compete across six events, with their top four results out of five counting toward qualification for the YETI Xtreme Verbier by Honda Grand Finale.

Stop 1: Baqueira Beret Pro: January 18-23, 2025

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

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 Tuc de Baciver face, offering steep pitches, technical rock drops, and dynamic freeride terrain that will challenge riders’ creativity and skill.

Stop 2: Val Thorens Pro:  January 27 – February 1, 2025 (New Stop)

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

Nestled in Les3Vallees ski area, Val Thorens offers a new challenge to the riders, with the 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.

Stop 3: Kicking Horse Golden BC Pro: February 7-13, 2025

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 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 powder fields.

With its mix of challenging terrain and massive features, Kicking Horse consistently pushes athletes to the limit.

Stop 4: Georgia Pro: February 23 – March 1, 2025

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.

Stop 5: Fieberbrunn Pro : March 8-13, 2025

The pressure mounts as riders head to the Wildseeloder in Fieberbrunn, Austria, for the final event before the cut.

Fieberbrunn is known for its intimidating slopes and complex lines.

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.

FWT in Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI

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

The Freeride World Tour culminates at the Bec des Rosses in Verbier, Switzerland, the most prestigious and challenging stop of the season.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2025, the YETI Xtreme Verbier has become synonymous with freeride excellence.

Rising to 3,223 meters with a 600-meter vertical drop, the Bec des Rosses is known for its extreme pitches exceeding 50 degrees and complex technical lines.

Only the top riders of the season will qualify to compete at Verbier, where the stakes are highest, and the ultimate freeride champions will be crowned.

The intense competition on the Bec’s treacherous face consistently delivers some of the most memorable and high-risk performances in the sport, solidifying Verbier as the crown jewel of the Freeride World Tour.

Bec des Rosses, Verbier. Image c/o PlanetSKI

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

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

Andorra has long been a top-tier freeride destination, and this event will elevate the sport to new heights as the world’s top freeriders gather to compete on a global stage.

The qualification system for the event will be announced in December 2024, with a formal award by the FIS Council on October 23, 2024.

“Andorra has proven itself as a premium freeride destination for over a decade, with first-class venues and exceptional hospitality,” said  the FWT Founder and CEO, Nicolas Hale-Woods.

“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.”

Arcalis, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI

“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 organisers in the history of world championships in our sport,” said Grandvalira Resorts Marketing Director, David Ledesma.

“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”.