FREERIDE WORLD TOUR CALENDAR UPDATE

With international travel becoming increasingly difficult due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Freeride World Tour (FWT) and local organizations have decided to cancel the 2021 events in Hakuba, Japan and Kicking Horse in Golden, B.C. This decision was made to ensure the health and safety of the athletes, staff, partners, fans and local organizers.

Although the epic conditions in Japan and Canada will be missed, the FWT is already in discussions with various European resorts to replace these cancelled events. Minimizing travel between competitions will limit the risk and make it easier to comply with international travel restrictions.

Based on the information at hand, there will be no changes to the last three stops, with the new calendar to be finalized in the upcoming weeks.

UPDATED FREERIDE WORLD TOUR 20201 CALENDAR

HAKUBA, JAPAN
Elite competition cancelled and locally replaced by a FWQ 4*.

“As Freeride World Tour’s number priority is “Safety First”, now is the time to enjoy freeriding in your hometown or places close to you. Winter comes every year, and the spirit of freeriding will never die. We are looking forward to hosting the elite competition again, and in the meantime we will still be hosting the FWQ 4* in Hakuba from January 12th – 15th, 2021.” —Yojiro Fukushima, Director of the Tourism Commission of Hakuba village.

KICKING HORSE GOLDEN BC, CANADA
Elite competition cancelled.

“Though it is extremely disappointing that the 2021 Freeride World Tour event in Golden, B.C. at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is being cancelled, it is the right course of action. Thank you to the FWT and all stakeholders for trying to have it take place this year. We are already excited to welcome the FWT back to Kicking Horse in 2022! I wish everyone a safe, and hopefully powder-filled winter.” —Mike Rubinstein, Area Manager of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.

“Although deeply disappointed, we fully support the Freeride World Tour’s difficult decision to cancel the 2021 Kicking Horse Golden, B.C. event. This is a responsible decision that takes the safety of their staff, athletes and our community into account. Over the past three years, the staff and athletes have made a lasting impression on our community and we look forward to welcoming everyone back in 2022.” —Joanne Sweeting, Executive Director of Tourism Golden.

ORDINO ARCALÍS, ANDORRA – FEBRUARY 22-27

FIEBERBRUNN, AUSTRIA – MARCH 6-12

VERBIER EXTREME, SWITZERLAND – MARCH 20-28

The FWT would like to thank their local partners in Hakuba and Kicking Horse in Golden, B.C. for their support and tireless help in exploring all possible alternatives to try and make these stops happen.

The 2022 calendar promises to be back to normal with five international stops confirmed. Until then, the FWT is working hard on a new scenario for 2021—to be communicated in the upcoming weeks.

As health and safety is the priority for FWT organizers, they are actively working in conjunction with local authorities to make sure each competition is compliant with current regulations.

Competition broadcasts will be available on freerideworldtour.com. Until then, stay tuned and follow the FWT on social media channel (@freerideworldtour) for all the latest news as the countdown to winter continues.