Confirmed riders for the newly formed Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face have been announced; the list includes your usual suspects, in addition to a host of new faces emerging from the Freeride World Qualifiers. The Tour kicks off at Revelstoke Mountain Resort (CAN) on January 7, 2013.

Photo ©Freeride World Tour, Tim Lloyd. Verbier.

The top 12 male finishers from the 2012 Freeride World Tour and Freeskiing World Tour automatically qualify for the 2013 Tour. The top five women from the 2012 Freeride World Tour and the top three from the Freeskiing World Tour are also eligible to compete this season. A handful of spots on the Tour are also reserved for wild cards, of which there are two types: One given to riders that show commitment to following the entire six-stop Tour, and another “local organizer” set of wild cards given to riders for a single event.

Furthermore, several skiers qualified for the 2013 Tour via the 2012 Freeride World Qualifiers; these riders will now have the opportunity to compete against, and prove themselves against the biggest names in the world of big-mountain competition. The invited athletes for the 2013 Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face are as follows:

Drew Tabke (USA), 2nd Freeride World Tour 2012: “I’ve competed in the sport for nearly a decade and 2013 looks to be the most exciting year yet. I am so stoked the merger between the two tours is finally going down because it means we’ll finally see the best skiers from around the world at the same events. I expect the level of riding at the Freeride World Tour this year to be at the highest it’s ever been because of the incredible athlete roster. I can’t wait to see what countries and riders are dominant this year. I personally have my money on Team America.” 

Sam Smoothy (NZL), 4th Freeride World Tour 2012: “FWT 2013 is going to be one hell of a show, with all the new riders from the FWQ and the Freeskiing World Tour full claiming rights. We have amazing venues and an incredible amount of talented riders so it’s going to be redonkulous. To have one true world tour and one true world champion is an incredible opportunity and I can’t wait to have a crack at taking home the title.” 

Markus Eder (ITA), wild card: “I think the fusion of the tours is great so finally the world has the one and only champion. For myself, I don’t really have big expectations for the FWT 2013. It’s my first year and I don’t know how it’s gonna be. So I’ll just try to do my best, bring some tricks into the game and enjoy the whole thing.”

Photo ©Freeride World Tour, Tim Lloyd. Verbier.

2013 Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face calendar

1. Swatch Freeride World Tour Revelstoke 2013 by The North Face
Dates: 7 January; Location: Revelstoke (CAN)
Disciplines: Men’s and Women’s Ski and Snowboard

2. Swatch Freeride World Tour Courmayeur-Mont-Blanc 2013 by The North Face
Dates: 19 January; Location: Courmayeur-Mont-Blanc (ITA)
Disciplines: Men’s Ski and Snowboard

3. Swatch Freeride World Tour Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 2013 by The North Face
Dates: 26 January; Location: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (FRA)
Disciplines: Men’s and Women’s Ski and Snowboard

4. Swatch Freeride World Tour Kirkwood 2013 by The North Face
Dates: 27 February; Location: Kirkwood (USA)
Disciplines: Men’s and Women’s Ski and Snowboard

5. Swatch Freeride World Tour Fieberbrunn Pillerseetal 2013 by The North Face
Dates: 9 March; Location: Fieberbrunn Pillerseetal (AUT)
Disciplines: Men’s and Women’s Ski and Snowboard

6. Swatch Verbier Xtreme 2013 by The North Face
Dates: 23 March; Location: Verbier (SUI)
Disciplines: Men’s and Women’s Ski and Snowboard