First Freeride World Championships Takes Place
31st January 2026
Last modified on February 3rd, 2026
Ordino-Arcalís in Andorra will hold the first-ever FIS Freeride World Championships on Tuesday. It is a landmark moment in the development of the sport of freeride. UPDATED
The Allianz FIS Freeride World Championships Andorra 2026 by Mammut takes place on Tuesday February 3rd.
This inaugural championship, sanctioned by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), will bring together 65 elite freeriders from 17 nations to compete for the title of FIS Freeride World Champion.
The event marks a significant evolution in the sport that integrates freeride skiing and snowboarding into the FIS framework and elevating it to the highest level of international competition.
Athletes will compete across four categories:
- Ski Men
- Ski Women
- Snowboard Men
- Snowboard Women
British interest rests with the snowboarder, Cody Bramwell.
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Good snow conditions over recent days have delivered up to 150 cm of fresh snowfall across the Ordino-Arcalís area.
The event will take place on the Basser Negre face at 2,687m.
It has a vertical drop of 470m, a northeast orientation and an average slope angle of 36° that reaches a maximum of 47°.
The face is divided into three distinct technical zones that offer multiple line options from top to bottom, including sheer drops, exposed sections, and demanding transitions.
The athletes have one run each to deliver their most impressive line and claim a place in freeride history.
In addition to individual titles the event will feature a Nations Ranking that introduces a medal-based team competition that rewards collective performance.
Points will be awarded to the top five finishers in each category, with a maximum of 100 points for first place, contributing to a Medal Standing that will determine the overall top-performing nation.
FIS Freeride World Championships. Image @freerideworldtour.
For full details of the event see this earlier article on PlanetSKI:
Recent snowfall has heightened anticipation, with fresh snow in recent days and additional snowfall forecast.
Avalanche risk in the region is currently high and people are advised to exercise caution and follow all safety recommendations when venturing into the backcountry.
Freeride has gone from strength to strength in recent years and is likely to become an Olympic discipline in the 2030 Games set to be held in France.
Freeride World Tour. Image c/o @freerideworldtour+ D.DAHER.
It is all a long way from the early days of the Freeride World Tour.
PlanetSKI has been following the sport since those days and back in 2009 PlanetSKI editor, James Cove, was on a media judging panel alongside the legendary US skier, Glenn Plake.
FWT, Tignes 2009. Image c/o PlanetSKI.
FWT, Tignes 2009. Image c/o PlanetSKI.
FWT, Tignes 2009. Image c/o PlanetSKI.
See more here:
- PlanetSKI is slopeside for FWT in Spain
- Cody Bramwell qualifies for FWT Finals
- Freeride is officially recognised by FIS
Watch the World Championships live:
Fans around the world can watch the event live at www.freerideworldtour.com/live, and follow athlete stories, highlights, and updates across FWT’s social media platforms at @freerideworldtour.
FWT #1 winners @freerideworldtour/@DDaher
About Ordino Arcalís Andorra
Founded in 1983 by the residents of the parish of Ordino, the ski resort has become a benchmark for mountain sports enthusiasts over the past forty years.
In addition to its 30 km of slopes, it boasts extensive off-piste terrain ideal for freeride skiing, a key reason why it has been a host venue for the Freeride World Tour for nearly a decade.
Ordino Arcalís also offers activities for all types of visitors, from the longest green slope in the Pyrenees to challenging runs perfect for expert skiers.
Since 2018, Ordino Arcalís has been part of the Grandvalira Resorts Andorra group, which also welcomed Pal Arinsal in the 22-23 season.
Together, Andorra’s ski resorts offer access to a total of 308 km of slopes and are well-accustomed to hosting major sporting events, such as the Alpine Ski World Cup Finals, Ski Mountaineering World Cups, and Mountain Bike World Championships, among others.
