10 November 2026

62 riders confirmed for the new Challenger season

The Freeride World Tour (FWT) is delighted to reveal the 2027 FWT Challenger Region 1 athlete roster. The circuit is the final proving ground for athletes aiming to qualify for the prestigious FWT 2028.

2027 FWT Challenger Region 1: Roster Overview

Former FWT Champions, ambitious newcomers and seasoned competitors make up a stacked Region 1 field, setting the scene for a fiercely contested season. With its growing depth and increasingly high level of riding, the Challenger Series has established itself as a true battleground, where the intensity and standards come closer than ever to those of the FWT Pro Tour.

Ski Men

From returning riders to former FWT Champions, the Ski Men category is packed with exciting action. Having missed out on making the Cut during last season’s Pro Tour, Paul de Pourtalès (SUI), Virgile Didier (FRA) and Oscar Mandin (FRA) are back in force. Adding another layer of intensity to the mix, former FWT Champion Valentin Rainer (AUT) will push the younger generation to their limits, setting the stage for an exciting showdown.

Qualified riders:

© Mia Knoll

Ski Women

The Ski Women category is set for a generational battle, bringing together 2025 YETI Xtreme Verbier by Honda winner Jenna Keller (SUI) and two-time Freeride Junior World Champion Jana Hausl (AUT). The roster promises an exciting mix of experience and emerging talent, with rising riders ready to challenge established names and stand out on the Challenger circuit.

Qualified riders :

© Pflanzl Media

Snowboard Men

The Snowboard Men field brings together young and experienced riders ready to grab the top spot. Leading the pack is Kea Chretien (FRA), a three-time Freeride Junior World Champion, alongside former FWT rider Rémi Benamo (SUI). The category is shaping up for a fiercely competitive season, where experience and the next generation will go head-to-head.

Qualified riders :

© LLOYE

Snowboard women

The season is set to be an exciting one, with two former Pro Tour riders completing the line-up. Sarah Bacher (AUT) and Núria Castán Barón (ESP) return to the Challenger circuit with plenty to prove and a place back among the elite in their sights. But with a strong field of women eager to make it to the highest level of competition, the 2027 Challenger series is set to be fierce from the very first stop.

Qualified riders :

© Pflanzl Media

Recap of the competition format

Each region will host approximately 60–80 riders, including top finishers from the FWT Qualifier Series and FWT Pro Tour athletes who missed the 2026 Cut, all vying for limited spots on the FWT 2028 roster.

Only the very best will make the jump:

  • Top 4 Ski Men
  • Top 2 Ski Women
  • Top 2 Snowboard Men
  • Top 1 Snowboard Woman per Region will qualify for the FWT 2028.

An additional Snowboard Woman may also be selected at the discretion of the organization, based on performance and potential.

In addition, FWT riders who do not make the 2027 FWT Pro Cut will be invited to compete in the Challenger Series for the rest of the season. They can choose to join the remaining Challenger events, with their Pro results carried over into the Challenger rankings, or save their spot for the following season. If they choose to defer, they will automatically be placed at the top of the Challenger Qualifying Ranking.

@lucajaenichen

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