Freeride World Tour Starts
The Freeride World Tour (FWT) is making its highly anticipated return to Baqueira Beret, the crown jewel of the Spanish Pyrenees. Known for its electric atmosphere, passionate crowds, and unfiltered freeride energy, Baqueira Beret has quickly cemented itself as a must-watch stop on the FWT circuit. After a weather-related hiatus in 2024, the stage is set for an epic comeback in 2025, and the excitement is palpable.
This year’s event takes place on the iconic Tuc de Baciver, a peak that towers at 2,644 meters with a jaw-dropping vertical drop of 424 meters. The terrain here is nothing short of legendary—steep, technical, and relentlessly challenging. Riders will face gnarly pitches maxing out at 40 degrees, navigating narrow chutes, rock drops, and ever-changing snow conditions. Tuc de Baciver isn’t just a freeride venue; it’s a proving ground where technical prowess meets raw courage.
As the FWT opener for 2025, Baqueira Beret promises to set the tone for the season. Spectators can expect big moments, breathtaking views, and high-octane performances that will echo through the freeride world.
Canada’s freeride scene will have plenty to cheer for, as two of Whistler’s finest skiers—Marcus Goguen and Wei Tien Ho—are confirmed to compete at Baqueira Beret.
Goguen, a standout on the global freeride stage, is coming off an incredible 2024 season, where he claimed second overall in the FWT rankings. Known for his fluidity, technical skill, and fearless approach, he’s poised to make a strong statement on Tuc de Baciver’s unforgiving terrain.
Meanwhile, Wei Tien Ho is gearing up to capitalize on his wildcard entry into this year’s tour. Determined to elevate his profile and prove he belongs among the freeride elite, Ho will be looking to seize every opportunity to showcase his style and grit on this demanding stage.
Representing Canada in women’s skiing is Justine Dufour-Lapointe.
From Montreal, Canada, Justine is the youngest member of the renowned “Dufour-Lapointe sisters” trio, all accomplished mogul skiers who competed together at the Sochi 2014 Olympics. Justine’s Olympic journey was particularly impressive, earning her two podium finishes – a gold medal in 2014 and a silver medal in 2018.
Seeking to begin on a new chapter in her career, Justine entered the Freeride World Tour. Leveraging her strong freestyle background, she appeared to effortlessly secure the FTW23 World Champion title, further solidifying her status as an extraordinary athlete in the world of freeriding.
Representing Canada in women’s snowboarding are Audrey Hebert and Erin Sauvé.
Hebert is a passionate snowboarder from Quebec, now a Banff local, she thrives in the Canadian Rockies, favoring runs like Emergency Room Chutes and Delirium Dive. Competing in freeride events since 2014, she embraces the unique challenges of big mountain riding, aiming to excel in the FWT. Sauvé has evolved from a snowboard instructor to a snow school director, has now added the title of FWT 2023 Region 2 Challenger Series winner to her impressive resume.
Stop 2: North American Leg at Kicking Horse
Stop two of this season’s FWT by Peak Performance is poised for action, with FWT organizers giving the green light for competition to take place on Thursday, February 15. Cold temperatures have kept the snow in primo condition, and blue skies are forecast to greet competitors, setting the stage for an explosive North American leg at Kicking Horse. With riders already building momentum from the opening event in Baqueira Beret, this stop promises to elevate the excitement even further as the world’s best freeriders tackle the rugged Canadian terrain.
Key Event Details
Location: Baqueira Beret, Spanish Pyrenees
Peak: Tuc de Baciver (2,644 meters, 424-meter vertical drop)
Event Window: January 18–23, 2025
For freeride fans, Baqueira Beret offers the perfect blend of spectacular scenery and edge-of-your-seat action. Whether you’re tuning in for the epic drops, cheering for Canadian riders, or just soaking in the freeride culture, this event is guaranteed to deliver unforgettable moments.
With the return of Baqueira Beret to the FWT schedule and the North American leg following close behind, all eyes are on the FWT to kickstart the freeride season in style. Get ready for steep lines, big airs, and the raw freeride energy that only the FWT can deliver.
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