Freeride Skiing & Snowboarding have long been established and admired as extreme variations of winter sports, with events like the Freeride World Tour gaining international prominence in recent years.
Yesterday, The International Ski & Snowboard Federation (FIS) officially announced the inclusion of freeride as an official discipline. This recognition will allow nations and athletes the ability to qualify for Winter Olympic events based on points earned at FIS-sanctioned competitions.
The acquisition of the Freeride World Tour competition by FIS back in 2022 was puzzling for many. The very essence of freeriding is the ability to ski or ride with few rules or conventions and showcase individual abilities and creativity. Some feared that freeride skiing could morph into a rules-based competition focused solely on regulations, points, and little else. But the Freeride World Tour is showing their enthusiasm for the recent decision and understands that this is essential for the sport to evolve.
"Our goal is to nurture the sport at all levels, from grassroots to elite competitions, and to see Freeride Skiing and Snowboarding represented in future Winter Olympic Games."
Potentially putting freeride athletes on an international stage, this official decision from the FIS will give future athletes greater support and resources to pursue their passion.
