What You Need To Know Before the 2026 Freeride World Tour Drops In
The first stop of the 2026 Freeride World Tour (FWT) season is almost upon us.
At the inaugural outing, rookies and long-running stars will face off in Baqueira Beret, a Spanish ski resort nestled in the Pyrenees.
The snow is piling up with more in the forecast, and, as with every edition of the FWT, those tuning in should be treated to a top-notch show.
Here’s what to know before the FWT gets underway.
The 2026 POWDER Photo Annual is here! Look for a print copy on a newsstand near you, or click here to have a copy shipped directly to your front door.
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How To Watch the 2026 Baqueira Beret Pro
The Baqueira Beret Pro is scheduled to happen between January 16 and January 21, 2026.
This is the weather window, with organizers choosing the exact date with the best snow and weather conditions in the near future. You can check on the FWT’s Instagram page to stay updated on the final drop date.
Like other FWT events, the Baqueira Beret Pro will be broadcast live on www.freerideworldtour.com. After the event wraps up, the replay will be published on the website—a boon for skiers in North America who want to see the event, but aren’t on European time.
Our advice? If you’re planning to be asleep when the event actually goes down, avoid social media before watching the Baqueira Beret Pro replay.
Try to avoid spoilers at all costs, including your FWT-fan friends who have a knack for blabbing. It makes for a better viewing experience to watch the action unfold live.
The Skiers To Watch at the 2026 Baqueira Beret Pro
These days, the level of talent on the FWT is so high that, depending on how any given competition pans out, anyone on the roster could earn a podium finish. Still, some skiers have a reputation for claiming more wins than others. And among the crop of rookies who joined the FWT this year, there are a few names worth paying attention to.
- Marcus Goguen: The past year has treated Marcus Goguen well. He won the overall FWT title in 2025 and earned a coveted Red Bull helmet. Both accomplishments were well deserved. The young Canadian is representative of competitive freeride skiing’s next generation, and can execute every facet of a memorable run, from high-speed turns to massive tricks. In 2026, expect Goguen to reinforce that reputation.
- Max Hitzig: Max Hitzig rocketed into the spotlight a few years ago, going from unknown to 2024 FWT champion faster than most expected. His 2023 run from Kicking Horse, British Columbia, stands out, in particular, with one of the biggest backflips in FWT history. Now, after being injured during the 2025 season, Hitzig is back to take another shot at the title.
- Astrid Cheylus: Another more recent addition to the FWT, Astrid Cheylus almost won the overall title during her inaugural season on the circuit in 2024, placing second. Last winter, she took third, leaving one final position on the overall podium she hasn’t notched yet: first. In 2026, that accolade could be in reach, thanks to her strong skiing fundamentals and freestyle game.
- Justine Dufour-Lapointe: As the reigning 2025 champion of the women’s field, Justine Dufour-Lapointe is the one to beat. Last year, she was a consistent threat, earning four podiums across six competitive outings. Consistency of that caliber is rare on the FWT.
- Kelly Hilleke: A rookie in the men’s field, Kelly Hilleke may not have any experience on freeride skiing’s loftiest stage. That doesn’t mean he won’t be one of this season’s strongest contenders, though. Stop by his Instagram page, and you’ll see why.
- Full 2026 Baqueira Beret Women's Ski Roster
Agostina Vietti (Argentina) Jenner Keller (Switzlerland) Lena Kohler (Germany) Molly Armanino (USA) Wynter McBride (USA) Zuzanna Witych (Poland) Astrid Cheylus (France) Justine Dufor-LaPointe (Canada) Lou Barin (France) Sybille Blanjean (Switzerland) Zoé Delzoppo (France) Lily Bradley (USA) - Full 2026 Baqueira Beret Men's Ski Roster
Abel Moga (Spain) Carl Regnér Eriksson (Sweden) Jack Kolesch (Canda) Kelly Hilleke (USA) Lochlan Harvey (Canada) Martin Bender (Switzerland) Oscar Mandin (France) Ross Tester (USA) Ben Richards (New Zealand) Flyn Powell (New Zealand) Joey Leonardo (USA) Kristofer Turdell (Sweden) Marcus Goguen (Canada) Max Hitzig (Germany) Paul de Pourtalès (Switzerland) Tiemo Rolshoven (Germany) Toby Rafford (USA) Valentin Rainer (Austria) Virgile Didier (France) Ugo Troubat (France) Victor Hale-Woods (Switzerland) Weitein Ho (Canada)
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Freeride World Tour 2026 Schedule
Five more FWT events will follow the upcoming stop in Baqueira Beret, including a long-awaited return to Alaska.
This is the 2026 schedule, including the first-ever FIS Freeride World Championships:
- Baqueira Beret Pro—January 16 to January 21
- Val Thorens Pro—January 23 to January 28
- FIS Freeride World Championships—February 1 to February 6
- Georgia Pro—February 21 to February 27
- Fieberbrunn Pro—March 4 to March 9
- Alaska Haines Pro—March 14 to March 21
- Xtreme Verbier—March 27 to April 4