From the huge peaks of Chamonix to the daunting spines of Alaska, the world’s best freeride skiers will go toe to toe on some of the most demanding terrain on the planet.
Jeremie Heitz sends it into oblivion | ©Freeride World TourThe Freeride World Tour is the epitome of competitive freeride skiing, and the scene of some of the most inspired lines and dramatic crashes to grace computer screens around the world. Forget defined race courses and stop watches, competitors must impress the judges with their style, fluidity, speed and creativity while negotiating icy steeps and rocky cliff bands.
Last year Frenchman Loic Collomb-Patton’s trademark backflips secured him the overall win. Will he retain his title, or will young gun Logan Pehota’s new school style be enough to snatch the podium? From the freestyle flair and creative lines of Fabio Studer to Jeremie Heitz’s all-out power-fest, the field is wide open in 2017!
While the full list of competitors has yet to be released, we expect to see Yann Rausis (SUI), Carl Renval (SUI), Sam Lee (NZL), Mark Mikos (USA), Ryan Faye (USA) and Griffon Dunne (USA) to move up from the men’s Qualifying Tour, with Elizabeth Gerritzen (SUI) and Kylie Sivell (CAN) promoted from the women’s FWQ.
2017 Swatch Freeride World Tour calendar unveiled ! Check out 2017 season teaser!
Mark your calendar! Check out all the dates of the Swatch Freeride World Tour stops for the 2017 season!
1: JANUARY 28, 2017 – CHAMONIX-MONT-BLANC, FRANCE
The home of extreme sports and birth place of alpinism is once more where it all begins.
2: FEBRUARY 11, 2017 – VALLNORD-ARCALÍS, ANDORRA
Andorra is a relatively new addition to the Tour, but the scene of some of the most brilliant skiing yet – Sam Smoothy’s winning run in 2015 was probably the most daring line in competitive skiing to date.
3: MARCH 4, 2017 – FIEBERBRUNN, AUSTRIA
The legendary Tirolean resort Feiberbrunn is crunch time for the competitors. This is the last chance to improve rankings before the first cut (only 14 and 7 women will qualify for the next stage) so expect the skiers to go big or go home!
4: MARCH 17, 2017 – HAINES, ALASKA, USA
Alaska is the frontier of snow sports, the ragged bleeding edge dividing the possible and the insane. Despite the steepness of the terrain, the abundant velvety powder allows the competitors to take bigger chances and push the boundaries further than any other stop on the Tour. Expect big air and big crashes before the final cut – just 12 men and 6 women will proceed to the final.
Final: APRIL 1, 2017 – VERBIER, SWITZERLAND
Steep, dark and covered in rocks, the North Face of the Bec des Rosses is intimidating enough to send a shiver down any freerider’s spine. While the skiers may be tempted to play it safe in this daunting arena, the Verbier Extreme is the last chance they have to rack up enough points to take the overall win… Expect fireworks.
