Featured Image: Courtesy of the Freeride World Tour
The Freeride World Tour has announced a new stop during the 2026 season. Next year, the crew will once again return to the freeride mecca of Alaska in March with the addition of the YETI Alaska Pro stop to the calendar.
We’ve been treated to competitive freeride skiing in Alaska before, as the Tour held stops in AK from 2015 through 2017. Widely regarded as some of the best events ever showcased on the FWT, those three years of competitions have gone down in freeski history. It’s no secret that the incredibly deep snow and technical terrain surrounding Haines are unlike anything else on Earth.
“The Dream Stop is back,” wrote the FWT organizers in the official press release. “Alaska hosted three unforgettable FWT events in 2015, 2016, and 2017. These editions earned legendary status thanks to consistent snowfall, a deep snowpack, and long, demanding faces boasting 600 to 700 meters of vertical drop. The terrain enabled extended, expressive runs that highlighted the full range of freeride styles. Nicknamed ‘The Dream Stop’ during its previous editions, Alaska captivated athletes and fans alike—and now, with the YETI Alaska Pro, it’s poised to reclaim that iconic status among the six stops on the 2026 FWT calendar.”
The caliber of skiing on the Tour is second to none, and it’s exciting to see new styles being rewarded. The young Idaho native Toby Rafford was recently named 2025 FWT Rookie of the Year, an announcement that points to shifting judging criteria and a more open approach to scoring when compared to previous years. Rafford, while a very proficient technical skier, prioritizes fluidity and tricks in his lines, as opposed to strictly fast and aggressive freeriding.
With dreamy faces packed with pillows and spines, the mountains surrounding Haines serve as the perfect middle ground for this new medley of styles we’re seeing. You can find all the cross-court airs you want, or point ’em with the fall line and charge. It will be interesting to see how riders tackle the incredible terrain. At the end of the day, 700 meters of vertical drop means these competitors will have to bring a bit of everything to the table.
FREESKIER will be sure to bring you more information on the 2026 Freeride World Tour as it arrives. It’s never too early to start thinking about next winter!
