Freeride World Tour 2014

The 2013-14 Freeride World Tour will take place at the same six stops as the previous season. Each stop has a five to eight day weather window designed to provide optimal competition conditions. The tour will start at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, CAN (Dec. 18, 2013) and then cross the Atlantic to Courmayeur, ITA (Jan. 18, 2014) and Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, FRA (Jan. 25, 2014). From there, the tour will continue in Europe at Fieberbrunn PillerseeTal, AUT (Feb. 1, 2014) before returning to North America at Kirkwood Mountain Resort (March 1, 2014). After the Kirkwood stop an athlete cut will be made determining which riders will advance to the Swatch Xtreme Verbier by The North Face® (March 22, 2014) and compete to be the new Freeride world champions. Additionally, the tour is thrilled to have the continued support of its title sponsor, Swatch, and presenting partner, The North Face.

In addition to top tier Freeride World Tour competitions, nearly 50 Freeride World Qualifier (FWQ) events ranging from one to five stars will take place around the world providing opportunities for talent to develop and emerge. The first FWQs will take place in the Southern Hemisphere in New Zealand and Chile. Riders participating in FWQ events throughout the season will earn points, which could potentially advance them to the 2015 FWT.

VIDEO: The Best of Freeride World Tour 2013

"After the very successful 2013 edition of the newly unified Tour, both in terms of the level of the competition itself and the communication with an everyday growing audience for the sport, we are very excited to confirm our support to big mountain freeriding and the entire The North Face team is very much looking forward to a second edition that will surely bring us again amazing riding and new heights in engagement with the fans." said Eric Pansier, VP Marketing EMEA The North Face.

FREERIDE WORLD TOUR 2014 Competition Calendar

1. Swatch Freeride World Tour Revelstoke by The North Face®
Dates: Dec. 18, 2013; Location: Revelstoke, CAN
Disciplines: Men's and Women's Ski and Snowboard

2. Swatch Freeride World Tour Courmayeur by The North Face®
Dates: Jan. 18, 2014; Location: Courmayeur, ITA
Disciplines: Men's Ski and Snowboard

3.Swatch Freeride World Tour Chamonix-Mont-Blanc by The North Face®
Dates: Jan. 25, 2014; Location: Chamonix-Mount-Blanc, FRA
Disciplines: Men's and Women's Ski and Snowboard

4. Swatch Freeride World Tour Fieberbrunn PillerseeTal by The North Face®
Dates: Feb. 1, 2014; Location: Fieberbrunn PillerseeTal, AUT
Disciplines: Men's and Women's Ski and Snowboard

5. Swatch Freeride World Tour Kirkwood by The North Face®
Dates: March 1, 2014; Location: Kirkwood, USA
Disciplines: Men's and Women's Ski and Snowboard

6. Swatch Xtreme Verbier by The North Face®
Dates: March 22, 2014; Location: Verbier, SUI
Disciplines: Men's and Women's Ski and Snowboard

INFO: Freeride World Tour

Athlete Impressions

Men’s 2013 Overall Ski Champion Drew Tabke of Seattle, USA - "I'm super excited for the 2014 edition of the Freeride World Tour. I've found the desire to continue improving my riding keeps me stoked and that feeling positive leads to good results. In particular, I'm looking forward to seeing the riders qualified from the FWQ bring new elements in riding styles to the FWT. Athletes like Rafael Webhofer (AUT), Ian Borgeson (USA) and Francesca Pavillard-Cain (USA) are going to blow people's minds."

Men’s 2013 Overall Snowboard Champion Ralph Backstrom of Squaw Valley, USA: "I plan to spend my summer getting back into shape biking, surfing and weight training for next winter’s Freeride World Tour. I hope to be able to defend my victory by having more consistent wins in the coming season."

Women's 2013 Overall Snowboard Champion Elodie Mouthon of La Clusaz, FRA: "The season has just ended and I’m really looking forward to riding again and participating to the 2014 FWT. This summer, I will go mountaineering and take part in trail running competitions in order to better understand the mountains and to be in good shape for next season. Obviously, my objective will be to keep my title but I would also like to get closer to men’s best snowboarding level."