Baqueira Beret, global epicenter of freeriding with the FWT 2026

The Baqueira Beret resort is once again at the center of the international snow scene with the Freeride World Tour, the most prestigious freeride competition on the planet. The event, officially known as the Baqueira Beret Pro by Movistar, not only kicks off the 2026 season of the world circuit, but also consolidates its position as one of the most powerful promotional activities for Spanish skiing on an international scale, projecting the image of the Pyrenees and Spain as a territory fully integrated into the snow sports elite.

From early in the morning, the attention of the international freerider community has been focused on the Tuc de Bacivèr, a location that has become emblematic of the tour due to its technical demands, steep slopes, and the variety of lines it offers riders. The images captured today -imposing alpine faces, abundant high-quality snow, windy areas, and spectacular lines in a high-mountain setting- leave no room for doubt: Spain is also a snow country, capable of offering settings, organization, and conditions on par with the great Alpine and North American destinations.

In this context, Baqueira Beret reinforces its position as the leading resort in the Pyrenees with its 173 km of slopes, demonstrating that top-level freeriding not only finds exceptional terrain here, but also a platform for international visibility that benefits Spanish skiing as a whole, its athletes, and its industry.

A technical and demanding setting: Tuc de Bacivèr

The Tuc de Bacivèr, with an altitude of around 2,650 meters, has an approximate elevation gain of more than 400 meters and slopes that exceed 40% in some sections. It is a face that combines open sections, rocky areas, changes in slope, and multiple line options, forcing participants to demonstrate not only technique, but also terrain reading, commitment, and fluidity.

These characteristics make the Baqueira event one of the most comprehensive on the calendar, particularly relevant as it is the first stop on the tour, where riders seek to establish their dominance from the start of the season.

Excellent snow conditions: a decisive factor

Recent snowfall in the Val d’Aran has left a generous and uniform blanket of snow, creating optimal conditions for freeriding, although not without complexity. As is customary in this type of competition, the organizers have worked closely with safety teams, guides, and slope services to ensure a balance between spectacle and risk control.

The final choice of competition day within the official window was based precisely on this detailed analysis of snow conditions, wind, and snowpack stability, a key factor in events of this level. Although some areas were somewhat windy, the snowpack was spectacular throughout the resort’s ski area and particularly noteworthy at Tuc de Bacivèr.

Women’s Snowboard Ranking FWT Baqueira Beret by Movistar 2026

The victory went to American snowboarder Mia Jones. Her run stood out for its unusually direct line, made challenging by the large number of rocks and her speed, which was far superior to that of the other competitors, elements that allowed her to dominate the Tuc de Bacivèr. The Palisades Tahoe rider’s reading of the terrain and her fluidity between technical sections made the difference in a descent where every decision had a decisive impact on the final score.

For her part, French rider Anna Martinez, who finished second, delivered a very solid and progressive run, opting for a balanced combination of safety and ambition. Her clean and consistent execution allowed her to stay very close to the lead, confirming her consistency and ability to compete at the highest level since the start of the season.

In third place was Australian Michaela Davis-Meehan, who had a great descent that included a well-executed run in terms of fluidity and rhythm, as well as a great flight on a cut.

Her performances set a particularly high competitive standard, which allows us to gauge the sporting value of the fourth place achieved by Spain’s Núria Castán. The local rider was the first to start, taking on added pressure and tackling a complete and demanding line, which she completed with fluidity, control, and several high-quality technical grabs. When everything pointed to a podium finish, a fall after tackling a double in one of the most technical sections of the descent penalized her final score, ultimately relegating her to fourth place, although this did not prevent the entire audience from chanting her name at this great Freeride festival. A descent that, beyond the result, confirms her competitive level and her ability to take risks in a highly demanding setting.

Men’s Snowboard Ranking FWT Baqueira Beret by Movistar 2026

The victory of Verbier rider Liam Rivera, with a score of 88.67, was built on a very fast descent, marked by a direct line and particularly aggressive speed management from the start. His choice of line, combined with a clean and confident execution in the most exposed areas of Tuc de Bacivèr, allowed him to set a pace that the rest of the competitors were unable to match. To top it all off, the Swiss rider performed a huge backflip that propelled him to the top of the podium.

The second place finish by Frenchman Sacha Balicco from Les 7 Laux reflected a slightly more strategic approach, prioritizing fluidity and continuity of line without sacrificing high-value technical sections. His run, which was very solid from start to finish, confirmed his ability to remain competitive in demanding, high-pressure scenarios.

Completing the podium, Big Sky rider Holden Samuels delivered a powerful and consistent performance, standing out for his control on complex terrain and his ability to link sections with ease. In a very close classification, his score highlights the high average level of men’s snowboarding and the minimal difference between the riders who competed for the podium in this inaugural Freeride World Tour event in Baqueira Beret.

Women’s Ski Classification FWT Baqueira Beret by Movistar 2026

The victory of Mont Saint Saveur rider Justine Dufour-Lapointe, with 86.33 points, confirmed her status as the undisputed leader in women’s freeride skiing. The Canadian rider delivered a run of great competitive maturity, combining an ambitious line with an extremely clean execution of a backflip halfway down the descent, in one of the most technical sections of Tuc de Bacivèr. Her ability to manage speed, absorb the terrain, and maintain fluidity on demanding ground was decisive in setting her apart from the start.

Second place was a complete surprise. Rookie skier Zoé Delzoppo from La Clusaz performed like a true veteran, executing a solid and progressive descent, with a very fine reading of the terrain and a choice of line that prioritized continuity and safety without compromising on commitment. Her descent, well constructed from start to finish, allowed her to establish herself as a rider who promises to put on a great show.

Completing the podium, French rider Lou Barin from Val Thorens opted for a more direct line, with steep sections and powerful skiing, taking risks that were appreciated by the jury. Her third place finish highlights the high level of competition in women’s skiing, where small details in execution make the difference and where falls are heavily penalized.

Off the podium, the performances of Argentine skier Chapelco, Agostina Vietti and American Snowbasin, Wynter McBride, completed a very close classification, confirming that women’s skiing on the Freeride World Tour is undergoing a period of professionalization and very high technical demands. Overall, the Baqueira Beret event left a clear message: experience, precision, and the ability to adapt to the terrain are now decisive factors in elite women’s freeriding.

Men’s Ski Classification FWT Baqueira Beret by Movistar 2026

The victory of Benjamin James Richards (Ben Richards), with 86.67 points, was decided by extremely narrow margins, reflecting the extremely high level of competition at Tuc de Bacivèr. The New Zealander, a rider from the Treble Cone resort, delivered a high-intensity run with a magnificent backflip and several very clean 360s, excellent speed management, and clean execution in the most technical sections of the course. His ability to maintain fluidity without losing aggressiveness was key to his victory in the category.

The second place finish by Sun Valley Idaho rider Toby Rafford, just 0.17 points behind the winner, demonstrated a run of the highest technical level, with powerful and very well-structured skiing. Rafford, aged just 22, opted for a different line to the other riders, cresting an endless diagonal and treating spectators to fabulous views of the Baqueira Beret ski resort and its snow-covered mountains. He began his descent by tackling a huge cornice, then linked sections of steep slopes flanked by rocky areas, where he demonstrated a very precise reading of the terrain, as well as a high degree of confidence and control. He finished the run with the intention of ending on a high note with a 360º on a large cliff, which he failed to land cleanly. Had it not been for this last mistake, his performance clearly placed him as one of the main contenders for victory, in a descent that bordered on perfection in terms of commitment and execution.

In third place was Whistler Blackcomb rider Weitien Ho, who finished just a few tenths of a second behind the winner after a very complete and well-executed run, in which his fluidity and great skiing stood out, as well as the several 360s he performed before perfectly landing a beautiful backflip. His third place confirms the competitive intensity of men’s skiing, where the smallest detail in execution can alter the final order of the podium.

Overall, the men’s ski podium at Baqueira Beret sent a clear message: high-level freeriding today is decided by precision, fluidity, and commitment, in a setting that leaves no room for error and once again positioned the Aranese resort as one of the most demanding terrains on the circuit.

Abel Moga: courage, spectacle, and risk-taking define a unique personality in freeriding

In this inaugural event of the Freeride World Tour 2026 in Baqueira Beret by Movistar, Abel Moga once again showed why he is considered one of the most spectacular and daring freeriders on the circuit, although this time his audacity led him to finish 17th in the rankings after attempting a risky frontflip that he failed to land successfully. His unique style -combining big tricks with aggressive lines on the mountain- has defined his career since his beginnings in professional freeriding.

Nicknamed “The Ultimate Showman” Moga became known to the general public on the circuit in 2022, when he made his FWT debut on his home turf in Baqueira Beret and achieved an impressive second place, which we had the pleasure of witnessing. His style follows in the footsteps of greats such as Aymar Navarro, combining solid technique with a clear desire to put on a show with high-impact tricks. At Baqueira Beret 2026, however, his most ambitious attempt took its toll. The fall after the risky frontflip relegated him from the top positions in a classification where every mistake is significantly penalized. Even so, that decision also reinforces Moga’s identity as a freerider who does not choose the safest path, but the wildest, willing to push the limits of mountain skiing even at the cost of less favorable results.

This combination of technical talent, high commitment, and spectacle in every line has made Abel Moga an indispensable figure in modern freeriding, someone capable of attracting fans beyond the competitive arena, offering a style that is as daring as it is inspiring.