Featured Image: Courtesy of Nendaz Freeride | Skier: Markus Eder
The 2025 Nendaz Backcountry Invitational has been confirmed for Sunday, January 12th, 2025. Perhaps the most underrated event in all of freeskiing, this invitational blends freestyle and backcountry riding into a masterclass of pow skiing. Booters will be sculpted, lines will be crafted and massive tricks will be had as the best of the best take the stage this weekend in Switzerland.
“Thanks to recent snowfalls and a very favorable weather forecast for the next few days, the 5th edition of the Backcountry Invitational will be held this Sunday in brilliant sunshine,” the official press release read. “The Nendaz Freeride team of shapers has been hard at work since Monday morning to create the largest ephemeral snowpark by Saturday evening.”
Last year’s event was nothing short of a total success, with blue skies and deep snow highlighting the day. The face saw 30-40 cm of new snow, giving riders the confidence to go massive. Craig Murray (NZL) took the win on the men’s side and Arianna Tricomi (ITA) barely etched out the win in the women’s field by 0.001 points. With plenty of recognizable faces and a few new ones as well, the 2025 Nendaz Backcountry Invitational is shaping up to be a heavy hitter. Riders are given three runs to throw down their perfect line, which includes utilizing both manmade jumps and natural features.
“Organizing an event like this with just five days to go requires rigorous planning and a motivated, professional team,” the press release continued. “This team includes the organizing committee, but above all, the shapers who have been preparing the terrain and jumps for the last few days, a meteorologist and the best athletes on the freestyle / backcountry scene ready to arrive in Nendaz at the last minute to give their all in a sensational show!” The Nendaz Freeride crew is one of the hardest working out there, with the Backcountry Invitational being just one part of their season.
Read on for the full athlete list, how to watch the livestream on Freeskier.com and more
If you’re in the area, we highly encourage heading to the event, as the in-person atmosphere simply can’t be beaten. There will be live music, a bar and a viewing area for the public to enjoy.
And if you can’t make it across the pond to Switzerland, fear not! You can access the live stream for free below, which is slated to start at 9:30 AM GMT.
SKI MEN
Some of the best freeriders and freestylers on the international scene will be coming to Nendaz for this event. In the men’s ski category, former world champion Leo Slemett (FRA) will have his work cut out to win the title against the new recruits to the Freeride World Tour, Frenchman Mathys Fornasier (representing Winter Activity), Canadian Tiemo Rolshoven, American Alex Hackel (5th last year) and New Zealanders Nico Porteous and Lach Powell.
SKI WOMEN
On the women’s side, the level will be very high with the presence in Nendaz of freestyle skiing champion and PyeongChang Olympic Games participant Lou Barin (FRA). She will be joined by Freeride World Tour Challenger riders Mila Delerue (FRA), Eva Battolla (SUI) and Astrid Cheylus (FRA). Swiss freestyle hopeful Nour El Khazen (SUI) will also be taking part.
