March 6, 2026 – The FIS Freeride World Tour (FWT) by Peak Performance Commissioners and the Safety Team evaluated the FWT Fieberbrunn Pro venue, Wildseeloder face, and scoped several alternative faces in Fieberbrunn and across the Tyrol region. While Fieberbrunn, Austria still offered the best available conditions, none of the options assessed met the safety, snow quality, and contestability standards required to stage a FWT Pro competition.
Freeride is one of the few professional sports that does not control its arena. Competition takes place on natural mountain faces shaped entirely by the elements, and when conditions do not allow for safe and fair competition, the event cannot run.
With this cancellation, the current Overall Rankings, based on two results out of two as outlined in the FWT rulebook, determine The Cut and qualification for the FWT Finals. The FWT Baqueira Beret Pro in the Spanish Pyrenees and FWT Val Thorens Pro in the French Alps, took place January 15 and January 26 respectively, earning the athletes the points needed to now take on the new FWT YETI Alaska Haines Pro and FWT YETI Xtreme Verbier Finals events. Following The Finals events, a FWT World Champion will be crowned in Snowboard Women, Snowboard Men, Ski Women, and Ski Men.
While the FWT Pro competition will not take place in Fieberbrunn, Austria, the event village remains open throughout the weekend, and a FWT Junior competition will be held on Saturday, March 7, making a great weekend to celebrate Freeride nonetheless. See below for a letter from FWT Officials regarding the safety decision.
Athlete Quotes Regarding Making The Cut
“It’s always the main goal of the season (to make The Cut) so even though it’s kind of a bummer that we didn’t get all of the events off, it’s nice to achieve the goal of getting to Alaska” said Ski Men leader, Ben Richards (NZL).
“I’m excited to go and ski for the first time in Alaska and then try to do my best at home in Verbier. I’m super excited for the rest of the season” explained Ski Men athlete, Victor Hale-Woods (SUI).
“I am thrilled to make The Cut. That was my goal coming into the season so I can go ski in Alaska!” commented Ski Women athlete, Wynter McBride (USA).
“Making The Cut was a goal of mine. I think being very focused on having a good, clean start saved me because I didn’t want to risk too much yet. The plan ended up helping since we competed in two competitions out of the potential four. I feel sad for those riders who didn’t get another chance. I’m excited for what’s coming next and really grateful to make it to The Finals and represent Argentina. The best part is that a team from SSCV (Ski & Snowboard Club Vail) will come to watch with two coaches, one of them my partner” shared Ski Women leader and first women Argentinian on the FWT, Agostina Vietti.
Letter from FWT to the athletes, partners, and fans:
This season has been particularly complex, forcing us to adapt more than once. Until last weekend, conditions on the Wildseeloder in Fieberbrunn were promising. However, increased humidity and new snowfall changed the snowpack and triggered an avalanche that affected a large part of the venue. We waited for clear nights that could have allowed the snow to stabilize and transform, but those conditions did not materialize.
FWT Commissioners and the Safety Team evaluated the Wildseeloder face and scoped several alternative faces in Fieberbrunn and across the Tirol region. While Fieberbrunn still offered the best available conditions, none of the options assessed met the safety, snow quality, and contestability standards required to stage a Freeride World Tour Pro competition.With no meaningful improvement in conditions expected in the days ahead, the Fieberbrunn Pro is cancelled.
Freeride is one of the few professional sports that does not control its arena. We compete on natural mountain faces shaped entirely by the elements, and when conditions do not allow for safe and fair competition, we cannot run the event.
With this cancellation, the current Overall Rankings, based on two results out of two as outlined in the FWT rulebook, determine the Cut and qualification for the FWT Finals.
While the Pro competition will not take place, the event village remains open throughout the weekend, and we are holding a Junior competition on Saturday, making it a great weekend to celebrate freeride together.
We understand this is disappointing, but maintaining consistent standards is essential to the credibility of the Tour and the Overall Title.
We would also like to sincerely thank the Local Organizing Committee and Fieberbrunn Partners for their hard work, flexibility, and continued support throughout the week.
Thank you for your trust and commitment to freeride.
The FWT Team
