Women on the FWT have been pushing the limits since the very first Xtreme Verbier in 1996. Yet, as in many other sports, gender equality remains a challenge. That’s why we’ve committed to taking concrete actions to foster a more inclusive and balanced representation in our sport.
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PUSHING THE SPORT SINCE 1996
celebrating the achievements of our female FWT athletes and how they continue to inspire us by pushing the limits of Freeriding.
our responsibility
As a Sports League, we believe it is our responsibility to promote an equal practice of the sport and remember what values make freeride so special: disruption, progression, exploration, are all words that know neither race, gender or sexual orientation. The purpose of the equality program is to implement actions that boosts the participation of women across all areas of freeriding
OUR ACTIONS
• Equal prize money Since the 2020 season, men and women receive equal prize money on the FWT Pro, FWT Challenger and Qualifier tours.
• Annual reports to track representation across all stakeholder groups.
• Financial support for women-led initiatives, such as all-women freeride camps.
• Organizing all-women judging training sessions to foster diversity in event juries.
• Women-only freeride clinic at Xtreme Verbier, in partnership with Peak Performance and Recco — 50 women joined the 2025 edition!
• Women-only competition during Verbier Freeride Week with Elisabeth Gerritzen and Eva Battola as the event’s ambassadors.
• Amplifying the visibility of women in freeride through dedicated media and content initiatives.
• Integrating gender equality guidelines into the Riders Handbook at all FWT levels: Pro, Qualifier, and Junior.
• A dedicated Gender Equality Task Force actively working to promote fairness and inclusion in freeriding — including measures like a unified start area for men and women.
• An anonymous hotline available to report any form of gender-based discrimination experienced or witnessed at FWT Pro, Challenger, Qualifier, or Junior events.
ABOUT WOMEN IN FREERIDING
At Freeride World Tour, we are committed to gender equality and we recognise the radical impact that we have on our community. For that, our commitment extends to providing equal opportunities, representation, and a culture of respect for all athletes, transcending gender boundaries. We’re taking action with all-female competitions, a dedicated Gender Equality Task Force, a comprehensive strategy plan to hold us accountable, and continuous governance improvements to ensure our commitment becomes reality.
Hailing from the iconic slopes of Verbier, Elisabeth has long held a dream close to her heart - winning the prestigious Xtreme Verbier competition. With her impeccable style and fearless approach to challenging runs, she fulfilled her dream by conquering the Bec des Rosses in both 2019 and 2021, and, to top it off, she clinched the title of Freeride World Tour Champion in 2021.
While making her mark on the snowboard cross World Cup circuit, Katie made a bold shift to freeride competitions. Her talents were recognised when she was crowned the FWT Rookie of the Year in 2020, and she has consistently graced the podium in numerous competitions throughout the years, eventually winning the world title in 2023.
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. 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.
Native of Lake Tahoe, Lily learned to ski on the slopes of Palisades and achieved victory in the Americas FWQ21. As a rookie on the Tour in 2022, she had a remarkable breakout year, emerging as one of the youngest competitors to watch. Lily's talent shone bright with two podium finishes, securing a 3rd place in Ordino-Arcalìs and a sensational 1st place in Kicking Horse.
Straight outta Siberia, Anna Orlova spent three consecutive years on the Qualifier circuit, honing her skills and determination. In 2018, her hard work paid off as she secured an FWT event Wildcard, landing an impressive second place. Anna's ascent in the sport continued, as she earned the title of FWT Vice-Champion in 2019, showcasing her exceptional talent and dedication. Remarkably, she repeated this feat in 2023, solidifying her status as one of the top athletes in the world of freeride skiing.
Raised in Verbier, Sybille's parents cultivated her deep-rooted passion for the mountains from a tender age. When she reached the age of 12, she faced a pivotal decision, as she was offered the opportunity to pursue her skiing journey within the structured framework of the regional alpine ski racing program. However, at the same time, a new freeride program emerged in Verbier. Sybille's choice to dedicate herself to freeriding undoubtedly proved to be a wise one. Her commitment and talent culminated in a victory, as she earned the 1st place at the Xtreme Verbier during the FWT22.
Have you witnessed or experienced gender-based discrimination at an FWT, Challenger, Qualifier, or Junior competition? Share your testimony anonymously on the link below. + link
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