7 January 2026

IFSA Region 2 Challenger by Orage Series Announces Qualification Pathways for 2026 Season

As the anticipation builds for the 2026 Region 2 Challenger by Orage Series, IFSA has outlined the comprehensive qualification system that will bring together the world's top freeride athletes. Unlike standard IFSA competitions, the Region 2 Challenger by Orage Series operates as an invite-only championship, drawing talent through five distinct pathways designed to showcase the best riders from across the competitive landscape.

Each IFSA Region 2 Challenger by Orage event hosts up to 80 athletes across all divisions, with minimum per division targets of 30 Ski Men, 18 Ski Women, 16 Snowboard Men, and 12 Snowboard Women. Of these 80 starts, four spots per event are reserved for Event Wildcards. Invitations are issued in waves across the categories outlined below.

2026 ifsa REGION 2 challenger by orage series pre-qualified riders

ski men

IFSA QUALIFIERS PRE-QUALIFIED FROM 2025

FSA - 1st and 2nd

SERIES WILDCARDS

SKi women

IFSA QUALIFIERS PRE-QUALIFIED FROM 2025

FSA - 1st and 2nd

SERIES WILDCARDS

  • Ana Eyssimont (USA)

Snowboard men

IFSA QUALIFIERS PRE-QUALIFIED FROM 2025

FSA - 1st and 2nd

Snowboar women

IFSA QUALIFIERS PRE-QUALIFIED FROM 2025

FSA - 1st and 2nd

SERIES WILDCARDS

How Athletes Qualify for the Ifsa Region 2 Challenger by orage Series

1. Invitations via season rankings

Most of the IFSA Region 2 Challenger by Orage field qualifies based on current season IFSA Qualifier Rankings. The number of invitations per division may adjust depending on how many athletes accept invitations through other pathways. The ranking cutoff for Challenger invitations typically occurs shortly after the final 4* event of the season.

2. IFSA Qualifiers pre-qualified from 2025

The top 30% of each division from the previous season’s IFSA Region 2 Challenger by Orage overall standings receive an automatic invitation to the following year’s IFSA Region 2 Challenger Series by Orage. These athletes are identified at the overall podiums at the conclusion of the previous season. As Freeride World Tour invitations are confirmed, the next eligible athletes receive direct invitations into the next year’s IFSA Region 2 Challenger by Orage field.

3. FSA (Freeride South America) 1st and 2nd

Seven dedicated positions in the IFSA Region 2 Challenger by Orage Series are reserved for top performers from the South American Series: first and second place finishers in Ski Men, Ski Women, and Snowboard Men, plus the first place finisher in Snowboard Women.

4. FWT Cut Athletes

IFSA Region 2 athletes who compete on the Freeride World Tour but do not advance to the FWT Finals receive a direct invitation to the current season’s Challenger by Orage Series. This pathway ensures that top performing Qualifier athletes and FWT level riders compete together for the titles and gives the FWT cut athletes a second chance at protecting their spots on the FWT!

5. Wildcards

The IFSA Region 2 Challenger by Orage Series includes two types of Wildcards. Event Wildcards, four per stop, are selected jointly by IFSA and the Event Organizer to highlight local talent and elevate the field. Series Wildcards are allocated by the IFSA Wildcard Committee throughout the season based on athlete performance and series objectives.

With South American Champions, pre-qualified athletes, and the first round of Series Wildcards already confirmed, the IFSA 2026 Region 2 Challenger by Orage Series field is taking shape. Athletes qualifying through season rankings and the FWT cut pathway will receive their invitations in March as the championship events approach.

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