New Zealand Freeride Celebrations

Winter’s in full swing on the Southern Hemisphere and one of the highlights of the New Zealand ski season is just around the corner. The North Face Frontier event returns to Queenstown this weekend, 28 August to 3 September. Two FWQ competitions, one 2-star and one 4-star, will take place at The Remarkables ski area right above the action sports capitol of New Zealand’s South Island, but it’s not just about the contests. Expect a celebration of freeskiing throughout the week, and in case you happen to be around the area, be sure to visit and get your share of good vibes on and off the mountain.

New Zealand’s been an epicenter of the freeski movement ever since the new school took off almost three decades ago—with freeriding roots reaching even deeper. Snowpark NZ, the World Heli Challenge and a boatload of world-class skiers are all testament to this rich heritage. One of the longest running events of the current scene is The North Face Frontier with beginnings as part of the legendary NZ Freeski Open in 2005. In case you want to learn more about its eventful saga, we recommend you visit the official Frontier event website, where you find a full historical breakdown as well as all info about the upcoming 2026 edition.

In case you’re unfamiliar with the New Zealand freeski scene or haven’t encountered skiers from these islands in the southern Pacific, let us inform you that skiing is much more than a sport in New Zealand. When attending The North Face Frontier, be prepared for a serious party. In case you happen to be around Queenstown, we strongly recommend you head up to The Remarkables, watch the action, immerse yourself in the good vibes, shred the slopes and simply have fun.

In sportive terms, The North Face Frontier boasts two Freeride World Qualifier events, a 2-star contest which is supposed to run first, and a 4-star contest which opens qualification for the 2027/28 FWT for everyone who isn’t on the FWT level yet. Since freeriding has been confirmed an Olympic disciple for 2030 just lately, everyone who wants to ski under the five rings in four years time, needs to make a plan as soon as possible—the first 4-star FWQ of the 2026/2027 season, the highest level of competition just under the main Freeride World Tour level, would make for an ideal starting point. Add to this the record of outstanding FWT competitors from New Zealand in recent years—of course reigning world champ Ben Richards, but don’t forget the likes of Craig Murray or Finn Bilous—and you get a glimpse of what to expect on the slopes adjacent to The Remarkables resort.

The weather window for the 2-star contest starts on August 28, for the 4-star contest a day later. Last possible days for both contests will be September 2 and 3 respectively. To find your way to the respective venues, best visit the event website for instructions or simply drive up to the resort and take it from there. To access the 2-star venue, you need to buy a lift pass and then can get to the finish area on-piste, while there’s an option to ski tour to the bottom of the 4-star venue. Alternatively you can reach the 4-star venue taking a lift and a medium rated off-piste run. Updates on the event status can best be found on Instagram via @frontierfreeride. In case you won’t be able to visit The North Face Frontier yourself, we’ll keep you informed about all the action once the results are in the books.