Freeride takes the plunge. From February 2026, the first World Championships will take place in Andorra. This is what the leaders of the world circuit announced this Thursday. The discipline, which joined the FIS almost two years ago, is thus aligned with the other disciplines of the world body led by Johan Eliasch. The first medals will be awarded in the Pyrenees in 2026, from February 1 to 6, on the condition that the FIS Council validates this choice on October 23. The qualification system will be clarified in December, it is specified. Perhaps the Principality will be able to console itself for not having won the Alpine Ski World Championships in 2029 and 2031, even though it was the favorite…
Six stages will also make up the Freeride World Tour calendar in 2025, with a new station on the program. Val Thorens allows France to make its return for the first time since 2017. The Savoyard resort will host the second stop of the winter, with a window going from January 27 to February 1, 2025 on Cime Caron. Before that, the circuit will stop in the Pyrenees, in the Baqueira Beret resort. The Spanish stage which takes place on the face of Tuc de Baciver has been confirmed until at least 2027, since the partnership with the Tour has been renewed.
Verbier for a 30th anniversary
After Spain and France, the FWT will cross the Atlantic for the traditional Golden stage. At Kicking Horse, the race to qualify for the finals will be in full swing. As usual, the spectacle should be there from February 7 to 13 on the very technical Ozone face, located in the Purcell mountain range of the British Columbia resort. A big trip will then be offered to riders with the Georgian stage from February 23 to March 1. The Khakhiani face, in Tetnuldi, will once again be the scene of the competition contested in the Caucasus.
The last stage before the finals will be Austrian. It will take place as in recent seasons on the Wildseeloder in Fieberbrunn (from March 8 to 13) before the big meeting in Verbier. The window for Xtreme is scheduled for March 22-30. Once again, the Bec des Rosses will determine the name of the 2025 world champions during the grand finale of the season. Note that the Valais stage will celebrate its 30th anniversary.
LMO
