The Freeride World Tour 2026 will once again kick off in the Spanish Pyrenees, on the iconic slopes of Baqueira Beret, from 16 to 21 January. For the fifth consecutive year, the Spanish resort will host the first stage of this prestigious global competition, confirming its status as a benchmark in the world of freeride skiing and snowboarding.
Baqueira Beret, a pillar of the world freeride circuit
Located in the heart of the Val d’Aran, in north-western Catalonia, the Baqueira Beret resort benefits from a topographical configuration that is rare in Europe, with north and north-west facing slopes that are particularly favourable for preserving powder snow. Its extensive domain of over 2,000 hectares of high mountains, much of which is unmechanised, offers a diversity of natural lines, rocky ridges, wooded areas and suspended slopes that allow freeriders to push the limits of their creativity and technical commitment.
The Tuc de Bacivèr, at an altitude of 2,644 metres, is a landmark on the circuit. Its narrow corridors, exposed ridges and complex micro-relief make it a particularly challenging and versatile site, capable of revealing the creativity and daring of the world’s best freeriders. Each edition of the competition takes place on different faces, which are analysed in advance to ensure the stability of the snowpack.
As the 2026 edition approaches, conditions are considered exceptional, with more than 80 centimetres of fresh snow falling in recent days and more precipitation expected.
The event fits harmoniously into a highly involved local community, mobilising guides, ski patrollers, volunteers, hoteliers and shopkeepers. This community mobilisation, combined with highly controlled logistics, contributes to the success of the event and its positive impact on the local economy. Furthermore, international live broadcasting via FWT channels promotes the natural heritage of the Pyrenees to a global audience seeking authenticity, challenge and a chance to disconnect.
An ambitious Spanish representation in 2026
The 2026 season marks a new chapter in the evolution of Spanish freeriding with the participation of three national athletes: Abel Moga, Maria Castellví (wildcard) and Núria Castán, all supported by the Real Federación Española de Deportes de Invierno (RFEDI-Spainsnow).
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Maria Castellví Bono, recipient of an event wildcard awarded by the Freeride World Tour, is one of the great revelations of the women’s freeride scene. Born and raised in the valley, she dominated the FWT Qualifier 2025 circuit, winning four events and finishing top of the overall rankings in Women’s Skiing. This performance earned her a debut on the Pro Tour on home turf, on terrain she knows like the back of her hand. Her entry into the elite ranks embodies the rise of a new generation of Spanish freeriders inspired by local figures such as Abel Moga and Aymar Navarro.
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For his part, Abel Moga returns to the slopes of Tuc de Bacivèr with the aim of equalling or even surpassing his impressive second place finish in Baqueira in 2022. Representing raw power and creativity, Moga stands out with his fluid approach, high speed and daring lines. The energy of the local crowd and the symbolism of “racing at home” make him a serious contender for the podium in this first stage.
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Núria Castán Barón, meanwhile, begins 2026 with a solid reputation: third in Women’s Snowboarding in 2025, after finishing runner-up in 2024. With two consecutive podium finishes on the circuit under her belt, she enters the season with high-level experience, but also with added motivation from the prospect of competing in front of her home crowd, within an extremely enthusiastic local freeride community.
A decade of safety with RECCO: a strengthened commitment
The 2026 edition marks a symbolic milestone in the history of the Freeride World Tour, with ten years of ongoing collaboration with RECCO, a global leader in mountain search and rescue technology. This partnership goes far beyond the scope of simple mandatory equipment: it is part of a comprehensive strategy to professionalise freeriding, where risk management becomes a central pillar of athletic performance.
At Baqueira Beret, this philosophy translates into a comprehensive safety system, deployed ahead of the competition. Specific workshops are organised in the days leading up to the event in order to harmonise knowledge, reflexes and protocols among all participating riders. Mandatory equipment checks are the first step in this process, with systematic verification of RECCO reflectors, avalanche transceivers, airbags, and essential personal equipment (shovel, probe, helmet). The objective is clear: to ensure full compatibility of rescue systems in the event of an incident.
These sessions are complemented by practical training in real-life conditions, focusing on searching for avalanche victims, coordinating rescue efforts and decision-making under pressure. Supervised by teams from the Freeride World Tour and RECCO experts, they enable athletes to update their skills and adapt to the specific characteristics of the terrain, particularly on complex slopes such as the Tuc de Bacivèr.
This initiative aims to promote a culture of responsibility throughout the freeride community. Since the partnership was launched, more than 10,000 freeriders (including around 5,000 young athletes from the Junior and Qualifier circuits) have benefited from these training programmes. This groundwork is helping to change attitudes, reminding us that the growth of freeriding worldwide depends as much on commitment and creativity as it does on risk management and collective preparation.
Baqueira Beret, a strategic stop on a rapidly expanding world circuit
The Freeride World Tour 2026 is set to be the most successful edition since the circuit was created, both in terms of the geographical diversity of its stages and the calibre of the athletes taking part. Spanning three continents (Europe, North America and Asia), the calendar reflects a desire for global reach, while consolidating the position of historic destinations such as Verbier (Switzerland), Kicking Horse (Canada) and Val Thorens (France). Within this overall structure, Baqueira Beret, the only stop in the Pyrenees, plays a pivotal role: that of opening the season, setting the first technical markers and inaugurating the overall ranking.
This strategic positioning gives Baqueira a dual responsibility: sporting, by launching the competitive dynamics in January, and media-related, by offering the general public their first immersion into the visual and emotional world of the Tour. The choice of Tuc de Bacivèr as the opening venue is no coincidence: it allows the FWT to set a high standard right from the start, while showcasing one of the most photogenic and technical terrains on the FWT circuit.
The event acts as a boost to regional visibility. For the Baqueira resort, the Val d’Aran and the province of Lleida, hosting this stage represents an opportunity for international positioning, both in the field of high-level sport and in that of premium winter tourism. The FWT attracts a global audience, made up of mountain enthusiasts, industry professionals and specialist media.
