17 October 2025

The roster is complete: 14 NSA Quota Riders and 5 Wildcards announced for the FIS Freeride World Championships Andorra 2026 by Mammut

The Group 3, Group 4 and Group 5 selections bring the athlete roster to 66 out of 66 ahead of freeride’s historic World Championship debut in Andorra

  • 14 riders qualified through NSA quotas (Group 3), allocated to nations with no qualified athletes (or only one in Ski Men) in Groups 1 & 2
  • Group 3 quotas were distributed based on the Nations Ranking, with each NSA selecting one eligible athlete per competition
  • 4 wildcard entries (Group 4) were granted by FIS Freeride (one per competition) for media, injury, or national interest reasons
  • 1 host nation wildcard (Group 5) was granted by the Andorran Ski Federation (FAE)

The lineup is complete for the first-ever FIS Freeride World Championships, set to take place in Andorra, in February 2026. Earlier this year, 47 riders earned their spots through Groups 1 and 2, based on FWT Pro Rankings and Continental quotas. With the announcement of Group 3 NSA Quota Riders, Group 4 Wildcards and Group 5 Host Nation Wildcard, the roster now includes 66 of the 66 total athletes who will compete for World Champion titles.

The FIS Freeride World Championships, launching in 2026 under the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), represent the pinnacle of freeride skiing and snowboarding competition. Unlike the Freeride World Tour by Peak Performance, which functions as a season-long circuit, the World Championships will crown official FIS Freeride World Champions in a single-event format. The inaugural edition will run from February 1–6, 2026, bringing the world’s top freeriders to the renowned and challenging terrain of Ordino Arcalís in the Pyrenees.

©DDaher

Groups 1 & 2 – FWT Pro Rankings and Continental Quotas

The first wave of qualified athletes for the 2026 FIS Freeride World Championships was determined through Groups 1 and 2, representing the top freeriders from the 2025 FWT season and the highest-ranked athletes from each continent.

Group 1 – FWT Pro Ranking:

The top-ranked riders from the 2025 FIS Freeride World Tour Pro standings earned direct qualification for the World Championships. All Group 1 athletes meet the official FIS eligibility criteria and were invited by FIS following the conclusion of the 2025 season. Should any athlete be unable to participate, their National Ski Association (NSA) is responsible for selecting a replacement within the same competition category.

Group 1 - Qualified riders:

Ski Men:

Ski Women

©JBernard

Snowboard Men:

Snowboard Women:

©DDaher

Group 2 – Continental Quotas:

To ensure global representation, five continental quotas (Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and South America) were added to the start list. Each quota was awarded to the highest-ranked rider on the Qualifying Global Seeding List, excluding injured athletes with frozen points. All Group 2 athletes were personally allocated by FIS, in communication with their respective NSAs, which also oversee potential replacements if necessary.

Group 2 - Qualified riders:

Ski Men:

Ski Women:

Snowboard Men:

Snowboard Women:

Together, Groups 1 and 2 account for 47 athletes, forming the core of the roster and representing the very best of the 2025 freeride season worldwide.

©DDaher

Group 3 - NSA Quotas: broadening global representation

14 riders have earned their place via National Ski Association (NSA) quotas, granted to countries that do not already have qualified athletes (or only one in Ski Men) from Groups 1 and 2. These quotas were distributed based on a Nations Ranking, calculated using international results from the top 100 athletes in each discipline.

Each eligible NSA was invited to nominate one rider, who must meet FIS Freeride eligibility criteria. This system ensures increased global representation while maintaining the competition’s elite standards.

Group 3 - Qualified riders:

Ski Men:

Ski Women:

Snowboard Men:

Snowboard Women:

©DDaher

Group 4 - Wildcards: four athletes added to the lineup

Alongside the NSA Quota Riders, four wildcard athletes (one per discipline) have been awarded a place at the 2026 FIS Freeride World Championships. These Group 4 Wildcards are allocated directly by FIS Freeride to address needs such as injuries, media visibility, or national interest.

FIS Freeride confirmed the allocation of four wildcards, awarded to the following athletes:

Ski Men:

Kai Jones (USA)

Ski Women:

Manon Loschi (FRA)

Snowboard Men:

Blake Moller (USA)

Snowboard Women:

Marion Haerty (FRA)

All wildcard athletes must be members of a National Ski Association, and in the event of a withdrawal, FIS Freeride will designate a replacement, potentially from another nation.

©DDaher

Group 5 - Host Nation Wildcard: the final spot

The final and 66th rider spot comes through the Host Nation Wildcard, allocated by the Andorran Ski Federation (FAE). This final selection ensures representation for the host country and officially completes the lineup.

Ski Men:

Joan Aracil (AND)

©MIAKNOLL

About the FIS Freeride World Championships Andorra 2026 by Mammut

  • Date: Weather window from February 1–6, 2026, with one competition day selected for optimal conditions
  • Location: Ordino Arcalís, Andorra, a renowned freeride venue in the Pyrenees
  • Format: Four competitions: Ski Men, Ski Women, Snowboard Men, Snowboard Women /one run per athlete
  • Total athletes: 66 riders will compete

This landmark event marks the official integration of freeride skiing and snowboarding under the governance of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), establishing freeride as a globally recognized discipline.

Related news

1 / 3
See all