Freeride World Championships Announced
26th November 2024
The inaugural FIS Freeride World Championships is set to take place in Andorra in February 2026. It is the next step on Freeride becoming an Olympic sport. NEW
The new event is to be run by the International Ski & Snowboard Federation that now owns the Freeride World Tour.
It is being touted as the next stage in the development of freeriding and the first step on the way to the sport becoming an Olympic event in 2030.
FWT events are held in Andorra are held in the resort of Arcalis at the head of the Ordino Valley.
Arcalis, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
PlanetSKI was in Arcalis last winter and we rate the area very highly:
The announcement reinforces the official integration of freeride skiing and snowboarding under the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, FIS, solidifying its status as a globally recognised discipline.
The Championships will feature 67 of the world’s top freeriders, competing in one run across four competitions:
- Ski Men
- Ski Women
- Snowboard Men
- Snowboard Women
The competition day will be selected within a six-day weather window (February 1–6, 2026) to ensure the best possible conditions for a fair and safe competition.
“With freeride becoming increasingly popular globally, the FIS Freeride World Championships Andorra 2026 aims to captivate audiences with breathtaking performances, unrivaled athleticism, and the majestic backdrop of Andorra’s Pyrenean mountains,” said a statement from FIS.
“All eyes will be on the athletes as they take freeride skiing and snowboarding to the next level.”
Qualification: A Rigorous Path to the Top
Athletes will qualify through one of five groups:
- FWT Pro Ranking: Athletes qualify based on the FWT Pro Ranking 2025, which is determined by their best four results out of six events (or less depending on cancellations).
- Continental Quotas: One qualification quota per competition is allocated to each of the following five regions: Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and South America—awarded to the highest-ranked athlete from each region on the Qualifying Global Seeding List.
- NSA Quotas: Additional spots are allocated to National Ski Associations (NSAs) based on the Nations Ranking, provided they have limited or no athletes already qualified through earlier categories.
- Wildcards: FIS Freeride allocates one wildcard per competition to address special cases such as injuries, media relevance, or national interest.
- Host Nation Wildcard: One wildcard across the four competitions is granted by the host NSA to a local athlete, who must meet all eligibility criteria and hold citizenship of the host nation.
The qualification period runs from May 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025.
Image c/o J.Bernard – FWT/FIS
Results from the FWT Pro, Challenger, and Qualifier series—as well as Junior events—will contribute to the Qualifying Global Seeding List, which determines athletes and nations rankings.
Athletes at the top of this list and those with standout performances in specific regions will secure their places in Andorra.
Each National Ski Association (NSA) can send a maximum of 12 athletes (excluding Wildcards), with a quota of up to 3 athletes per competition category.
The full roster of qualified athletes will be published on September 16, 2025, following the conclusion of the qualification process.
Event Format
The FIS Freeride World Championships will take place over a single day.
Athletes in Ski Men, Ski Women, Snowboard Men, and Snowboard Women competitions will have one run to showcase their skill, creativity, and precision on challenging terrain.
Riders begin at a designated start gate and navigate to the finish line, selecting their own line through natural obstacles along the way.
Judges will score each run based on five criteria: line choice, control, fluidity, technique, and air & style.
With no room for error, this high-stakes format demands peak performance under pressure, as athletes compete for the prestigious World Champion title.
“This is a defining moment for freeride skiing and snowboarding,”FWT Founder and CEO, Nicolas Hale-Woods.
“The FIS Freeride World Championships represents the pinnacle of our sport, bringing together the best athletes from around the globe to compete for the ultimate title.
“Andorra’s stunning terrain provides the perfect stage for this historic event, and we’re excited to showcase freeride at its finest.”
Image c/o J.Bernard – FWT/FIS
“When bringing Freeride into FIS, our intention has always been very clear: to immediately help position it as a world-class, full-fledged discipline,” said FIS Secretary General, Michel Vion.
“The inception of the FIS Freeride World Championships is a major step in that direction and a testament to the diligent work of our Freeride Working Group.
“This work now continues with an even more ambitious goal: the Olympic Winter Games in 2030.”
Arcalis, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
Key Highlights:
- Dates: A weather window from February 1–6, 2026, with the competition day chosen within this period to ensure optimal conditions.
- Location: Ordino Arcalís, Andorra, renowned for its challenging freeride terrain in the Pyrenees.
- Format: Four competitions: Ski Men, Ski Women, Snowboard Men, and Snowboard Women, with one run per athlete to crown World Champions.
- Qualification: May 1, 2024 – April 30, 2025, through FWT Pro, FWT Challenger, FWT Qualifier and FWT Junior series, plus national quotas.
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