New Qualification Process Announced for 2026 YETI Freeride Junior World Championships

The road to the YETI Freeride Junior World Championships is evolving. With a focus on fairness and global representation, the 2026 edition of the prestigious junior event will welcome athletes through a revised qualification process inspired by the FIS Freeride World Championships model.

Taking place from January 17–23, 2026, in Kappl, Austria, the YETI Freeride Junior World Championships will host 64 of the world’s best young freeriders across four categories: Ski Men, Ski Women, Snowboard Men, and Snowboard Women.

A Broader, Fairer Qualification System

To ensure a more inclusive and representative lineup of athletes, the new qualification framework calculates quotas based on the total number of active riders per sport and their competitive results. This method allows for a more accurate reflection of each region's strength and activity within the sport.

Breaking from the traditional FWT Region 1 and Region 2 division, the 2026 qualification system now aligns with FIS standards, introducing five global regions:

• Asia
• Europe
• North America
• Oceania
• South America

By adopting this model, the event ensures that each region has the opportunity to be represented on the world stage, helping nurture the next generation of freeride talent across continents.

What This Means

This reimagined approach allows the YETI Freeride Junior World Championships to stay at the forefront of junior freeride progression. Not only does it level the playing field, but it also celebrates the growing international reach of the sport—making space for rising stars from all corners of the globe.

As anticipation builds toward January, the stage is set for an exciting and diverse edition of the YETI Freeride Junior World Championships in Kappl. One mountain, five continents, and 64 young athletes ready to drop in.