2025 Freeride World Tour - Baquiera Beret Stop One Full Recap

Featured Image: Jeremy Bernard, Courtesy of the Freeride World Tour

The Tour is back, baby! When you think of freeride, Spain might not be the first place that comes to mind. It’s time to change that. Baquiera Beret is consistently one of the most entertaining stops on the Freeride World Tour circuit. While the snowpack can be dicey (leading to the cancelation of last year’s event) when it’s good, it’s good. Today’s event was moved from the Baciver face to La Bamba due to unstable conditions on the Baciver. Nevertheless, riders shifted their game plans and had ample time to scout out their finest run down from the 2,541 meter summit. Making its debut with gradients as steep as 53-degrees, La Bamba did not disappoint. Named in honor of Spanish freeride legend Aymar Navarro, one would expect this pitch to be as challenging and rewarding as it is. The rugged Pyrenees Mountains serve as the ultimate playground for the world’s best freeride skiers, so let’s dive into all the action from January 17.

In the Ski Women’s Field, we saw a few familiar faces rising atop the podium. The field is packed with six rookie riders this year, so you can bet that we’ll see some of those new riders claiming the top seat eventually. However, sometimes that experience can serve immense value, and today was one of those days. Canadian Olympic mogul skier turned freeride queen Justine Dufour-Lapointe put on a clinic and with an outstanding line complete with several airs and big backflip off the windlip. The 2023 FWT Champion didn’t hold back on the first stop of 2025. Second place went to Astrid Cheylus; the young French freerider has developed a reputation for fast and fluid style in her runs, and this was the case in Spain. She recently took the win in the Nendaz Backcountry Invitational, stomping a historic double backflip. Clean navigation of mixed conditions and a backflip earned her a score of 77.00. Just four points behind was the veteran competitor and the only Polish rider on the Tour, Zuzanna Witych.

“At the top, I felt nervous, but I reminded myself to trust my body, follow my heart, and ski with a smile on my face.” – Justine Dufour-Lapointe, Baqueira Beret Pro by Movistar Ski Women winner

In the Ski Men’s Field, it was a day for the good ‘ol US of A. Ross Tester the Boss made his grand return to the FWT after taking a year off and being awarded a season wildcard for 2025. Laying down a wildly technical and tick-heavy run, Tester was awarded a score of 92.67. Making only a few turns and aiming for big airs, he confidently tapped his way down La Bamba, highlighted by a gigantic laid-out 360 off one of the two wind lips. Second place went to the young American Toby Rafford, who is in his first season on the Tour and already leaving a big mark. He started his run with a big flat 3 off a cliff with practically no lip, laying it out with composure and followed up by a double flatspin. His freestyle background gives him a deep bag of tricks, and if he can boost his Line score to match his Air & Style score, the rest of the field better lookout. Kiwi Ben Richards snagged third place with a score of 89.00. Every smooth and skiing the fall line, Richards is now the only New Zealand rider on the Tour and he did not drop the torch.

“The venue was super fun, and though the conditions seemed a bit odd at first, everything came together really well. I’m stoked about it.” – Ross Tester, Baqueira Beret Pro by Movistar Ski Men winner

Below, you’ll find the podium results, winning runs and a full photo gallery of the event.

Click here to watch the full replay of Stop One on the official FWT website.