FIS Freeride Junior World Championships 2026 – Qualification System Revealed!

The new road to the FIS Freeride Junior World Championships 2026 is set! The world’s best junior freeride athletes will compete for the prestigious title, with qualification now officially outlined and aligned to the adults’ system. Here’s everything you need to know about the path to earning a spot at this elite event.

Who Can Compete?

To be eligible, athletes must:

•  Be born between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2011.
• Have competed in at least one FWT or IFSA Junior 3* (or higher) event.
• Qualify within their Continent in the Regional rankings.

How Many Spots Are Available?

A total of 67 athletes will qualify, with spots allocated as follows:

• Ski Men – 24 athletes
• Ski Women – 16 athletes
• Snowboard Men – 16 athletes
• Snowboard Women – 11 athletes

Each nation will be represented bya maximum of 16 athletes, up to 4 athletes per category.

How to Qualify?

Athletes can earn a spot mainly through Continental Quotas – Riders qualify within their continent (Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America) and . Quotas per continent are allocated based on the cumulative points on the National Rankings.

Qualification Timeline

• May 1, 2024 – April 30, 2025: Qualification period.
• May 30, 2025: FIS publishes the list of qualified athletes.
• June 15, 2025: Athletes must confirm participation.
• September 30, 2025: Final adjustments and wildcard allocation.
• December 31, 2025: Final deadline for athlete replacements.
• January 2026: The FIS Freeride Junior World Championships 2026 take place!

Competition Format

The format remains the same, the event will take place on a single competition day within a 4-day weather window to ensure optimal conditions. Each athlete will have one run to prove their skills and claim the championship title.

This is the ultimate proving ground for the next generation of freeride legends. Do you have what it takes? Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the big event!

Join Our Q&A Session!

We will be hosting a Q&A session where riders, coaches, and NSAs from both Region 1 (Europe, Asia, Oceania) and Region 2 (Americas) can learn and ask anything about the new process. This is your chance to get clarity and ensure you're on the right track for qualification.

📅 Date & Time: February 19th, 2025 - 7pm CET, 11am MST,
3am JST, 5am NZD
📍 Where: Google Meets

This is your chance to get all the information you need and ensure you're on the right track for qualification! Stay tuned for more details.