Industry News
The 2026 Freeride World Tour reaches its breaking point this Saturday, March 28, as the season-ending FWT Xtreme Verbier, Switzerland, crowns this year’s champions. After a winter that began in January—and included weather disruptions and cancellations—everything now comes down to one face, one run, and one final shot at glory. With all four overall titles still undecided, 29 riders will drop into one of the most intimidating venues in freeride, setting up one of the most wide-open Finals in recent memory.
At the center of it all is Bec des Rosses, a face that has defined the sport for three decades. Rising to 3,223 meters (10,574 feet) with a 600-meter vertical drop and pitches reaching 51 degrees, it presents a complex maze of narrow couloirs, exposed ridgelines, and mandatory airs. It is a venue where risk is essential, but only precision is rewarded. After the wild, open spines of Alaska at the recent Haines Pro, riders now face a completely different challenge—steep, technical, and unforgiving terrain where line choice and composure matter just as much as creativity.
No category has been mathematically decided heading into Verbier, turning the final into a true winner-takes-all showdown. American Toby Rafford leads the Ski Men standings after his breakthrough win in Alaska, while Mia Jones tops the Snowboard Women rankings in her rookie season. France’s Victor de Le Rue is chasing a record-breaking fifth overall title, and across the field, 13 rookies are preparing to drop into the Bec des Rosses for the first time in their careers.
Rafford, riding a wave of momentum, is keeping things simple heading into the biggest event of his career. “It means everything to me… Going into the Xtreme, I’m going with no pressure, just psyched… No pressure, just super excited,” he said after his win in Alaska.
Six American riders are set to compete in Verbier: Mia Jones, Rafford, Ross Tester, Wynter McBride, Joey Leonardo, and Shayne Blue Sandblom. One of the most compelling storylines is a generational full-circle moment—Jeremy Jones won Xtreme Verbier in 2005, and 21 years later, his daughter Mia will drop into the same face with a chance to claim the overall title.
Across the four disciplines, the margins are tight. De Le Rue leads Snowboard Men but faces pressure from Liam Rivera and rookie Sacha Balicco. In Snowboard Women, Jones holds the advantage, though reigning champion Noémie Equy and Anna Martinez remain within striking distance. Switzerland’s Sybille Blanjean enters Ski Women with a home-field edge on her favorite mountain, while rising French rookies Lou Barin and Zoé Delzoppo look to disrupt. In Ski Men, Rafford must fend off New Zealand’s Ben Richards, winner of the first two stops, as well as American Ross Tester, last year’s Verbier runner-up.
Verbier represents both the roots and the future of freeride. Since 1996, the world’s best riders have tested themselves on this face, shaping the progression of the sport. At the same time, freeride is pushing toward Olympic inclusion. Since being recognized as an official discipline by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation in 2024, the sport is now targeting a debut at the 2030 Winter Olympics.
Off the mountain, the Finals will bring a full weekend atmosphere to Verbier, with an event village, athlete signings, live music, and on-snow demo opportunities. Fans can also take advantage of discounted lift tickets when traveling by train, part of an effort to reduce the event’s environmental footprint.
Live coverage begins at 9:30 a.m. CET (3:30 a.m. EDT), with riders dropping in reverse order of the current rankings. For the athletes, it all comes down to one final run. No safety nets, no second chances—just one of the most iconic faces in freeride and four world titles waiting to be claimed.
