Featured Image: Jeremy Bernard, Courtesy of the Freeride World Tour
There are many telltale signs that indicate ski season is approaching. First-snow photos from your local resort are entertaining, and paging through the latest and greatest gear always makes us smile with anticipation. But when the Freeride World Tour posts the upcoming season’s roster, that’s when you know it’s about to get real. Both the Ski Men’s and Ski Women’s fields are incredibly deep, with 22 men and 12 women competing for freeride glory this season (including the wildcards.)
If you missed the competition schedule announcement, be sure to check that out as it includes 2025 Freeride World Tour locations, weather windows and more for this upcoming season.
The FWT lineup has two components: The first is the roster, which includes riders who have qualified based on points acquired over the last season. The second component is the Wildcard spots. These individuals will compete alongside the original roster, but they are selected instead based on merit. These skiers often bring an unusual flair to the table in the best of ways.
Several familiar names have made their way back into this year’s FWT via Wildcard, such as Ross Tester and, Justine Dufour-Lapointe and Arianna Tricomi. It will be incredible to watch these seasoned competitors make their way back to the center stage. Tester and Tricomi have an established records for throwing themselves off the most notorious features on the courses, with Tester earning his stripes at the huck farms of Alta and Snowbird, Utah. Dive into the full 2025 Freeride World Tour ski rosters below.
Women’s Ski
There are four rookie women this year of the Tour, and with reigning champion Hedvig Wessel stepping down from the thrown, it’s anyone’s guess as to who will be sitting in the top spot come April. The four wildcards consist of familiar names. We’re stoked to see Taylor Dobbins return after a tough injury last season. 2023 FWT champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Justine Dufour-Lapointe will also be stepping up to the plate once more.
2025 Freeride Worlds Tour Roster
Astrid Cheylus (FRA)
Zuzanna Witych (POL)
Sybille Blanjean (SUI)
Lily Bradley (USA)
Jenna Keller (SUI) – Rookie
Lena Kohler (GER) – Rookie
Britta Winans (USA) – Rookie
Chloe Hehir (USA) – Rookie
Wildcards
Justine Dufour-Lapointe (CAN)
Arianna Tricomi (ITA)
Taylor Dobyns (USA)
Molly Armanino (USA),
“I was nervous about accepting the wildcard, but I’m stoked to be able to travel with freeride legends again. I’m excited for this second chance and hope to land on my feet!” – Molly Armanino, 2025 FWT Women’s Ski Wildcard
“I’m super excited to be back on the Tour this year. I really missed it last season, and it feels like a privilege to compete again. Being on the best mountains, pushing myself to deliver my best run, and feeling that adrenaline is incredible. I’m proud of the hard work I’ve put in, and I can’t wait to show it!” – Justine Dufour-Lapointe, 2025 FWT Women’s Ski Wildcard
Men’s Ski
The men’s field is stacked this year, as we are seeing talented up-and-comers like Marcus Goguen truly step into their own as they face up against experienced veterans like Kristofer Turdell. Max Hitzig is back and looking for a repeat title. With seven rookies and a few spectacular riders (such as FREESKIER V.27 Is.1 cover athlete, Ben Richards) trying to solidify their place at the top, this is going to be one hell of a year.
2025 Freeride World Tour Roster
Max Hitzig (GER)
Marcus Goguen (CAN)
Ben Richards (NZL)
Kristofer Turdell (SWE)
Tenra Katsuno (JAP)
Maxime Chabloz (SUI)
Oscar Mandin (FRA)
Valentin Rainer (AUT)
Martin Bender (SUI)
Carl Regnér Eriksson (SWE)
Virgile Didier (FRA) – Rookie
Tiemo Rolshoven (GER) – Rookie
Joan Aracil (AND) – Rookie
Mathys Fornasier (FRA) – Rookie
Toby Rafford (USA) – Rookie
Tom Peiffer (CAN)
Finn Griffith (USA) – Rookie
Tams Marvell (USA) – Rookie
Wildcards
Ross Tester (USA)
Simon Perraudin (SUI)
WeiTien Ho (CAN)
Edvin Olsson (SWE)
It’s an honor to receive a wildcard. I’m really excited to have another shot at the FWT circuit and show the best skiing I possibly can. What I’m most looking forward to this season is hitting some epic lines at both new and classic stops. I’m also stoked to hang with the other riders and see what everyone brings this year. The fields are stacked, and it’s going to be an exciting season! – Ross Tester, 2025 FWT Men’s Ski Wildcard
“I am humbled by this opportunity and excited to have another shot on tour. I honestly have some mixed feelings about receiving a wildcard, but I am looking forward to proving myself out there. Also, just really hyped to compete alongside the insane level of talent on tour, and to be apart of the show.” – WeiTien Ho, 2025 FWT Men’s Ski Wildcard
Perhaps the most astonishing part of this announcement is the 11 rookies that will be competing this year. New faces are always popping up from every corner of the globe on the FWT, and that’s part of the amazing global connection that the Tour brings. However, this many young guns taking on experienced riders is not something to be taken for granted. It’s clearly an incredible time in the sport, with both it and the culture growing faster than ever.
With so many incredible skiers exploding onto the scene, don’t miss the No Fall Zone podcast, presented in collaboration between the FWT and FREESKIER. You’ll be able to dive into the minds of both past and present riders to get an inside look at what competing in the Tour is really like. Mark your calendar for the first episode dropping on November 1st.
FREESKIER will be bringing you updates as we approach the 2025 FWT season opener in Baquierra Beret, Spain, January 18 – 23, 2025.
