From rookie sensations to gravity-defying tricks and unpredictable weather chaos – relive every breathtaking moment of the year’s most extreme FWT competition.
The 2025 Freeride World Tour unfolded as another captivating chapter in the history of the sport, transporting the planet’s elite freeriders to majestic and demanding mountain faces spanning the globe. From the pristine powder blanketing Val Thorens to the legendary, precipitous slopes of Verbier, the season served as a compelling demonstration of exceptional skill, unwavering courage, and the continuous evolution that defines this thrilling discipline.
The grand finale of the season, held at the YETI Xtreme Verbier by Honda, witnessed the crowning of three champions, each representing the pinnacle of freeride excellence. In the Snowboard Men’s category, Frenchman, Victor de Le Rue etched his name further into freeride history by securing his fourth overall title. This remarkable achievement ties him with Marion Haerty for the most overall titles in FWT history. Nonetheless, winning four titles consecutively remains a record that will belong to Haerty for undoubtedly many more years. De Le Rue’s strategic and stylish descent on the formidable Bec des Rosses in Verbier, which included a flawlessly executed frontside 360 and a stylish frontflip, garnered him sufficient points to claim the championship despite finishing third in the event. De Le Rue’s consistent high-level performances throughout the entire season underscore the significance of a comprehensive and adaptable approach to the demands of the tour. In the Snowboard Women’s division, fellow French rider Noémie Equy made an immediate and indelible mark in her rookie season. Equy not only triumphed in the Verbier event but also had clinched the overall season title in the previous event, having accumulated a significant enough lead that she could not be overtaken in Verbier. Her impressive tally of four victories throughout the season served as a powerful declaration of her talent, culminating in her well-deserved recognition as the 2025 Women’s Rookie of the Year. Equy’s instant impact on the tour highlights the constant influx of fresh talent and the remarkable potential for newcomers to achieve significant success on the freeride stage. Representing Canada in the Ski Men’s category, Marcus Goguen celebrated his first FWT title, demonstrating remarkable composure under pressure in Verbier, even though he finished fourth in the event, largely due to a big front punch frontflip crash. Goguen had won the prestigious Verbier competition in 2024, though Max Hitzig’s second place was enough to hold Goguen to second place in the overall standings. This year certainly felt like Goguen’s redemption, as consistent performances across all the tour stops proved to be the decisive factor in his championship victory. Indeed, Goguen was able to continue his impressive streak of having reached the podium in every event he has competed in in which he has not crashed. His achievement emphasizes that sustained excellence throughout the entire tour is paramount to securing the coveted overall title. Another Canadian athlete, Justine Dufour-Lapointe, claimed her second FWT title in the Ski Women’s category, delivering a strategic and experienced performance in Verbier where she finished second. Dufour-Lapointe, an accomplished Olympic mogul skier, once again showcased her exceptional versatility and adaptability by excelling in the demanding realm of freeride. Her success underscores the valuable transferrable skills between different skiing disciplines and the significant role that experience plays in high-stakes competitive environments.
The 2025 Freeride World Tour faced diverse weather and snow conditions across its stops, demanding adaptability from athletes and organizers. The season opener in Baqueira Beret, Spain, saw a weather window adjustment due to a predicted heatwave, with strong winds leading to variable snow on the La Bamba face. In Val Thorens, France, heavy snowfall and winds caused initial delays, but ultimately delivered 60 cm of fresh powder on the Lac Noir face, creating excellent conditions. Kicking Horse Golden BC, Canada, offered clear skies and excellent snow thanks to recent storms, with temperatures around -15°C. The Georgia Pro encountered intense storms, leading to avalanche risks, postponement, and a venue change to the Kakhiani face, which presented dry, grippy snow, strong winds, and -13°F temperatures. Unfavourable forecasts of warm air and rain led to the cancellation of the Ski Men’s category at the Fieberbrunn Pro in Austria. The final event in Verbier, Switzerland, the YETI Xtreme Verbier, featured varied snow conditions on the Bec des Rosses, including chalky, edgeable, crispy, punchy, and some fresh powder over hardpack, with generally favorable weather on competition day Riders in the 2025 season continued to push the established limits of freeriding, increasingly incorporating freestyle tricks into their technical big-mountain descents. While not always resulting in successful landings, the growing frequency of attempted frontflips, double backflips, cork 720s, and more signifies a notable progression in the sport. This willingness to attempt such highly technical and risky manoeuvres in a competitive setting underscores not only the growing influence of freestyle elements in the discipline, but also highlights how much riders are trying to push the boundaries of human ability in order to win. The inclusion of “Air and Style” as a key judging criterion further emphasizes the importance of not only technical proficiency but also the aesthetic and imaginative aspects of each run.
Several compelling trends and narratives shaped the 2025 Freeride World Tour season. The remarkable success of rookies like Noémie Equy and Toby Rafford indicates a strong influx of new talent capable of challenging and even surpassing established competitors. Their immediate impact on the tour suggests a healthy and vibrant pipeline of emerging freeriders, highlighting the continued growth and increasing accessibility of the sport. The growing integration of freestyle tricks and manoeuvres into freeride runs points towards an ongoing evolution of the sport. Riders are increasingly required to possess a broader and more versatile skillset that extends beyond traditional big-mountain riding techniques. Furthermore, the continued strong support from sponsors demonstrates the growing commercial viability and mainstream appeal of the Freeride World Tour. These robust partnerships are essential for the financial stability and future development of the Freeride World Tour, enabling further investment in events, athletes, and the overall growth of the sport.
In conclusion, the 2025 Freeride World Tour delivered a season brimming with exhilarating competitions, remarkable individual achievements, and significant advancements in the sport. The crowning of new champions, the impressive impact of rookie riders, and the continued push towards greater technical difficulty and freestyle integration all contributed to a landmark year. The unpredictable yet influential role of weather and snow conditions added another layer of complexity and excitement to the tour. Ultimately, the 2025 season will be remembered as a pivotal moment in the ongoing narrative of the Freeride World Tour, showcasing the extraordinary talent and unwavering dedication of the world’s best freeriders, and bodes well for the future of the sport for the 2026 season and beyond.