The Freeride World Tour announced on October 3rd the first-ever FIS Freeride World Championships, to be held in Ordino Arcalis, Andorra, on February 1-6, 2026.
Andorra has long been a top-tier freeride destination, and this event will elevate the sport to new heights as the world’s top freeriders gather to compete on a global stage. The qualification system for the event will be announced in December 2024, with a formal award by the FIS Council on October 23, 2024.
"Andorra has been a premium freeride destination for over a decade, with first-class venues and exceptional hospitality. FIS Freeride is incredibly excited to write history with our Andorran partners. The FIS Freeride World Championships are an important step toward bringing freeride skiing and snowboarding to the world’s audiences," Nicolas Hale-Woods, Freeride World Tour Founder and CEO, stated.
David Ledesma, Grandvalira Resorts Marketing Director, added: "After more than 10 years permanently on the FWT circuit, we believed that our commitment to freeride had to reach new goals and we worked with the FIS Freeride to become the first organizers in the history of world championships in our sport. For Andorra and Ordino Arcalís, which have already become a world leader in freeride, it is important to create a legacy that helps freeride grow".
The ski resort of Ordino Arcalís is located at the northern end of the Principality of Andorra. The parish (community) of Ordino is home to the Sorteny National Park, the largest nature area of Andorra.
Ordino Arcalís is the most alpine ski area in Andorra and is well-known for offering the best quality and the largest amount of snow in the Pyrenees thanks to its northern orientation.
In recent years Ordino Arcalís has become a Freeride mecca in the Pyrenees. With more than 120 off-piste itineraries, it has become a worldwide reference, for the prestigious Freeride World Tour circuit. Ordino Arcalís has become a permanent fixture on tour, and for a good reason, with playful terrain offering opportunities for explosive action and creative freeride lines.
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