Industry News
After nearly a decade, the Freeride World Tour (FWT) is heading back to Alaska. The FIS Freeride World Tour by Peak Performance has confirmed that one of its six global stops for 2026 will take place in Haines, Alaska—a location long considered the pinnacle of big-mountain freeriding. The competition, titled the YETI Alaska Pro, will be held in March 2026 and marks the FWT’s first return to Alaska since 2017.
The event is being launched in partnership with YETI, which will serve as title sponsor. Known for its commitment to outdoor adventure and high-performance gear, YETI is backing what many freeride athletes consider a dream venue. The YETI Alaska Pro is expected to showcase some of the most daring and technical lines on the planet, with competitors descending steep ridgelines and the famous knife-edge spines of Haines.
“The ski and snow communities run deep to YETI’s core, and our year’s-long partnership with Freeride World Tour has given us the opportunity to exemplify YETI’s commitment to world-class outdoor sports on a global level,” Bill Neff said, Head of Marketing at YETI. “Haines is legendary and will make this stop one of the wildest ones yet. We’re extremely proud and very excited to have the opportunity to support the YETI Alaska Pro.”
Haines was previously home to FWT events in 2015, 2016, and 2017, which earned a legendary reputation thanks to consistent snowfall, massive vertical drops, and long, complex faces. Those years helped establish Haines as a global benchmark for freeride terrain. The 2026 edition aims to revive that legacy, offering a new generation of athletes the chance to test themselves in what FWT has called “The Dream Stop.”
According to FWT, 20% of athletes on the 2025 tour were from the United States. Now, for the first time in nearly a decade, American freeriders will be able to compete on their home turf in Alaska. This represents not only a homecoming for the sport in North America but also an important step in broadening the tour’s audience and elevating freeride’s visibility across the U.S.
The YETI Alaska Pro will be livestreamed on FreerideWorldTour.com, continuing FWT’s commitment to high-quality broadcast production from remote locations. The competition is one of six stops on the 2026 circuit and will serve as a key showcase of progression, style, and commitment.
The return to Alaska isn’t just symbolic—it’s strategic. The Tour is aligning its most iconic venue with growing global momentum for freeride competition, which is also moving toward the 2026 inaugural FIS Freeride World Championships and a potential debut in the 2030 Olympic Winter Games. The final roster for the 2026 FWT Pro Tour will be determined in part by this week’s FWT Challenger events at Arapahoe Basin in Colorado, which are part of the Region 2 (Americas) qualifying series.
For Haines, this is also a moment of pride. “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome the Freeride World Tour back to Haines with the YETI Alaska Pro,” Rebecca Hylton said, Haines Alaska Tourism Director. “This event puts a global spotlight on the awe-inspiring terrain we’re fortunate to call home. Haines offers some of the most iconic big-mountain lines on the planet, and we can’t wait to see the world’s top athletes push their limits right here in our backyard.”
More details about the event, including rider lineups and live broadcast times, will be released in the months ahead. For more information, visit FreerideWorldTour.com.
