Featured Image: Jeremy Bernard, Courtesy of the Freeride World Tour
The Freeride World Tour (FWT) has officially announced the 2025 competition calendar. With six stops, one new location, two continents and a handful of insane courses ahead of us, this year is shaping up to be the best season of freeride yet. Let’s dive into each stop on the 2025 FIS Freeride World Tour.
Started by Nicolas Hale-Woods as the Verbier Xtreme in 1996, the FWT has grown from a niche snowboarding event into the global competition circuit that it is today. There have been plenty of changes over the years, from the inclusion of skiing in 2004 to the recent acquisition by the governing body FIS. And while sponsors may change and riders come and go, the spirit of the Tour has remained resilient and robust, sharing the beauty of freeride with the world and drawing more riders to the sport than ever.
This year, the Tour is heading to six stops around the world, each in a separate country. In chronological order, competitions will be held in Spain, France, Canada, Georgia, Austria and Switzerland. Below you’ll find information about each location, complete with official descriptions, course details and more.
Stop 1: Baqueira Beret, Spain – January 18-23, 2025
The 2025 season kicks off at Baqueira Beret, nestled in the heart of the Spanish Pyrenees. Recently extending its partnership with the FWT until 2027, 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 renowned Tuc de Baciver face, offering steep pitches, technical rock drops, and dynamic freeride terrain that will challenge riders’ creativity and skill. As one of Europe’s premier freeride destinations, Baqueira Beret consistently delivers exhilarating performances, setting an intense tone for the season.
Stop 2: Val Thorens, France – January 27 – February 1 (NEW STOP)
For the first time since 2017, the FWT returns to France with the debut of Val Thorens. Nestled in the world-famous Les Trois Vallées ski area, Val Thorens offers an exciting new challenge to the riders, with the iconic 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. This first-time stop on the Tour will provide plenty of excitement as athletes battle for early-season points.
“Having Val Thorens on the Freeride World Tour for 2025 is a significant moment. 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.” – Nicolas Hale-Woods, FWT Founder and CEO
Stop 3: Kicking Horse Mountain, British Columbia, Canada – February 7-13
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 legendary 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 vast powder fields, making this stop a true freeride battleground. With its mix of challenging terrain and massive features, Kicking Horse consistently pushes athletes to the limit.
Stop 4: Tetnuldi, Georgia – February 23 – March 1
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, Austria – March 8-13
The pressure mounts as riders head to the Wildseeloder in Fieberbrunn, Austria, for the final event before the cut. Known for its intimidating slopes and complex lines, Fieberbrunn is one of the most revered stops on the Tour. 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.
Stop 6: YETI Xtreme Verbier by Honda – March 22-30
The Freeride World Tour culminates at the legendary 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.
The FWT also announced the first-ever FIS Freeride World Championships to take place in Andorra during the 2026 winter. While there isn’t much known about this new competition, the format and qualification system is to be announced in December of this year. Stay tuned for more information and full coverage of the 2025 Freeride World Tour from FREESKIER.
