The Freeride World Tour is back
The Freeride World Tour kicks off in just under a month in Hakuba Japan on Jan 20-27 and then makes a stop in Golden BC at Kicking Horse before moving onto Vallnord-Arcalís Andorra, Fieberbrunn Austria and Verbier Switzerland.The world’s 48 finest men and women freeride skiers and snowboarders will compete all over the world on their quest to be the next Freeride World Tour world champion. Don't miss any of the action by staying up to date at the Freeride World Tour web site.
Here's the official press release:
THE 2018 SEASON OF THE FREERIDE WORLD TOUR IS GETTING READY TO DROP-IN IN LESS THAN FOUR WEEKS!
Save the dates for a completely revamped tour featuring two brand new stops in Canada and Japan and two new partners, Thule and Alpina!
Lutry, Switzerland – December 22, 2017 – In less than 30 days the 2018 Freeride World Tour (FWT) will drop in at the first-ever tour event in Japan. The world’s 48 finest men and women freeride skiers and snowboarders will compete in the bottomless powder of the Japanese Alps in Hakuba and begin their quest to be the next FWT world champion.
The FWT will then cross the Pacific Ocean to Canada, for another new addition to the 2018 FWT map–the steep and burly snow covered faces of Kicking Horse in Golden, British Columbia.
As the world title races heat up, the European leg of the tour will kick off at the big mountain Pyrenean venue at Vallnord-Arcalís, Andorra. Almost immediately following the action in Andorra, riders will face off in Fieberbrunn for their last chance to make the cut for the FWT finals in Verbier, Switzerland.
Finally, a world champion in each category will be crowned at the Xtreme Verbier, following a showdown of the globe’s elite freeriders on the legendary Bec Des Rosses.
Full 2018 Freeride World Tour Schedule:
Hakuba, Japan – Jan 20-27, 2018 – The Winter Begins
Kicking Horse, Golden, BC, Canada – Feb 3-9, 2018 – Time To Get Rowdy
Vallnord-Arcalís, Andorra – Mar 1-7, 2018 – Hold The Line
Fieberbrunn, Austria – Mar 9-15, 2018 – Crunch Time
Verbier, Switzerland – Mar 31 - April 8, 2018 – The Grand Finale
The world’s premier five-stop freeride competitive tour welcomes Thule as the new Official Airbag Backpack for the 2018 FWT; the renowned ski cargo carrier maker is now building avalanche airbag backpacks that will equip riders on the tour.
“We at FWT are very excited to partner with Thule to optimize safety while freeriding. Thule supplies FWT riders with a state-of-the-art avalanche airbags, an essential tool which should be part of every freerider’s safety equipment”. - Nicolas Hale-Woods, CEO Freeride World Tour
“Thule is proud to be partner to the Freeride World Tour. We have been working closely with some of the best skiers and snowboarders in the world and that have competed successfully on the tour over the years, providing solutions for them to get their gear safely and easily to the slopes”. - Magnus Welander, Thule Group CEO and President
FWT proudly welcomes Alpina Watches as the Official Watch of the Xtreme Verbier 2018, the final stop of the 2018 tour. Alpina has been a mainstay timepiece of mountain culture since 1883 and has supported FWT legends such as multiple FWT world champion Aurelien Ducroz (FRA). For the FWT finals at the Xtreme Verbier, Alpina will be releasing a Xtreme Verbier limited edition watch in honor of the prestigious event.
Check the Xtreme Verbier x Alpina Limited Edition Watch and order it for March 2018!
"We are thrilled to partner as official watch of the Xtreme Verbier - FWT finals, as our Alpinist philosophy and history in sports watch making correspond perfectly to the excitement, and performance orientation of the FWT” - Oliver van Lanschot Hubrecht, Brand Manager Alpina Watches.
“Freeride World Tour (FWT) is extremely proud to welcome Alpina Watches as the Official Watch of the Verbier Xtreme - FWT Finals. The fit between Alpina Watches and FWT is close to perfect in terms of origins, mountain environment, and values”. - Nicolas Hale-Woods, CEO Freeride World Tour
