It is truly every freerider’s dream to make the trip to Alaska’s snow-stacked peaks and ride some of the most beautiful, steep, and thrilling lines in the world. For the 33 remaining qualified riders on the Tour after the first cut in Fieberbrunn Kitzbüheler Alpen, Austria, this dream is about to become reality.

 

 

 

The FWT returns to Haines, Alaska, after an incredible inaugural stop last year to host a competition like no other. Haines has long been known as one of the foremost locations of heli-riding exploration and hosted some of the awe-inspiring displays of talent in the North American and international freeride scenes. A small coastal fishing village of just 1,300 residents, this quiet corner of American wildness is among the most inspiring and scenic of all ski destinations.

 

14 ski men, 7 snowboard men, 7 ski women, and 5 snowboard women will make the journey from Europe to soaring peaks of Alaska and compete on a remote competition face accessed only by helicopter. This elite assembly of top riders is not off the hook as they still must put forth their best effort to make the second and final cut which allows the top 12 ski men, top 6 snowboard men, top 6 ski women, and top 4 snowboard women to qualify for the final stop in at the Xtreme Verbier on April 2nd.

 

The competition window will stretch from March 17-25 to allow organizers and riders to operate in the highly variable, extreme maritime weather and remote Alaskan backcountry. Stay tuned to FWT Facebook and Twitter channels for the exact competition date and time. Despite being miles from the nearest town, all FWT fans can view the live webcast the day of the competition on freerideworldtour.com, dailymotion.com, or youtube.com. Follow your favorite riders and share their lines with the new live tagging system and make sure to set your alarms because Haines, Alaska is ten hours behind Central European Time!