What is competitive freeride?
How freeride competitions work, how they are judged and what the road to the Freeride World Tour looks like
What is a freeride competition
A freeride competition starts at the top of a mountain. There is no marked course and no gates. Each rider chooses their own line through ungroomed mountain terrain, which can lead over steep slopes, rock sections, couloirs or natural jumps.
Each rider usually gets a single competition run, judged as a whole from start to finish. One mistake can decide the result, which is why careful preparation, the right choice of line and the ability to react to current conditions are so important.
The final ranking is decided not by time but by a panel of expert judges. They assess the difficulty of the chosen line, control, fluidity, airs and riding technique. The winner is the rider who best combines demanding terrain with technically clean, fluid and controlled riding.
How race day works
Race day follows a clear routine. Riders prepare for their run well in advance, because they cannot ride or test the competition face before the start.
Face inspection
Riders study the competition face through binoculars from every possible angle. They photograph key landmarks, plan their line and prepare alternatives in case the conditions or the run itself don't go according to the original plan.
Riders' meeting
The organisers brief the riders on the event schedule, a detailed description of the face and its marked boundaries, safety instructions, the weather forecast and the current snow conditions.
Start
Riders start one after another according to the start list, usually grouped by category. They hike up to the start or get there by lift or helicopter.
The run
Each rider usually gets a single competition run, in which they must ride their chosen line from start to finish. The judges follow and score the entire run.
Scoring and results
The judges award points to every run. Once all categories have finished, the results list is compiled and the prize-giving follows.
Weather days
Freeride depends heavily on the weather and snow conditions. Each event therefore has a reserved time window in which the organisers pick the best day to hold it. If conditions don't allow the event to run safely, the start can be postponed or the event cancelled.
Safety and mandatory equipment
Safety comes first at freeride competitions. The organisers choose the competition face according to current snow and avalanche conditions, and rescuers and mountain rescue are on standby on the course. On top of that, every rider must carry their own avalanche gear.
- Avalanche transceiver
- Avalanche probe
- Avalanche shovel
- Helmet
- Back protector
- Avalanche airbag backpack (according to the rules of the specific event)
The exact list of mandatory equipment follows the rules of the series and the specific event.
Categories
Riders compete separately by discipline and gender. Each category has its own results list and ranking.
Ski Men
Skiers — men
Ski Women
Skiers — women
Snowboard Men
Snowboarders — men
Snowboard Women
Snowboarders — women
Juniors
Young riders compete on the Freeride Junior Tour in their own age categories. Junior events are where they learn to read the terrain, plan a line and move safely in off-piste terrain.
The road to the Freeride World Tour
FWTJ — Freeride Junior Tour
Junior seriesThe series for riders under 18, where their competitive journey begins. The best juniors advance to the junior championships. Once they turn 18, they can continue in the FWTQ qualifier series.
FWTQ — Freeride World Tour Qualifier
Qualifier seriesThe main qualifying route to the Freeride World Tour (FWT). Events are rated from 1* to 4* according to their level. The more stars, the more demanding the event and the more points riders can earn for the world ranking. This is the series the Czech Freeride Team competes in, measuring itself against riders from all over the world.
FWT Challenger
The last step before the FWTA series for the best riders from the regional FWTQ rankings. Only the top few in each category earn promotion to the Freeride World Tour (FWT).
FWT — Freeride World Tour
The highest levelThe professional series where the world's best freeriders compete. Events are held on the most prestigious freeride faces on the planet.
Points system and progression
Riders earn points for their placing according to their result and the star level of the event. The three best results of the season count towards the ranking, so what matters is not just consistency but also competing at higher-level events.
The best riders in the regional FWTQ rankings advance to the FWT Challenger series, where they fight for a place on the Freeride World Tour. For young riders the journey begins on the Freeride Junior Tour, from where they can move on to the FWTQ. Each series is another step on the way to the world's freeride elite.
This is how we do it
Famous venues
Some mountains have become freeride competition legends. They include, for example:
Bansko – Bulgaria
The Pirin mountains. Our favourite venue, home to the Bansko Qualifier of the FWTQ series.
Nendaz – Switzerland
A great freeride resort in the 4 Vallées area with excellent conditions and several FWTQ events during the season.
Kappl – Austria
A resort in Tyrol's Paznaun valley, home of the Kappl Qualifier.
Ordino Arcalís – Andorra
Freeride competitions in the heart of the Pyrenees.
Tetnuldi – Georgia
A resort in Svaneti in the Caucasus, which now also hosts the Freeride World Tour Pro.
Les Arcs – France
A resort in the Tarentaise valley, home of the Les Arcs Evolution 2 Freeride Qualifier.
How it's judged
Judges score the run as a whole, not individual tricks. They work from the five Freeride World Tour criteria:
Line choice
Judges assess the difficulty and creativity of the chosen line, how the rider moves through the terrain and how they use the mountain's natural features, such as cliffs, couloirs or rollovers.
Control
Command of skis or snowboard, stability and a minimum of hesitations and falls
Fluidity
Continuity of the run without stopping or hesitating, natural linking of individual features
Airs (Air & Style)
Judges assess the size of the airs, the technique and cleanness of their execution, landing stability and any tricks in the air.
Technique
Technical level of riding, correct stance and turns in demanding terrain
You can find more information about the Freeride World Tour on the official website
Visit FWT.com