Featured Image: Jeremy Bernard, Courtesy of the Freeride World Tour
The start of the 2025 Freeride World Tour is officially right around the corner. Scream it from the mountain tops, tell your pal on the chairlift and start spreading the word. It’s time to rumble in Spain! After Stop One at Baqueira Beret was canceled last year due to poor snow conditions throughout the area, there’s no doubt that both riders and fans are itching to return to this ever-exciting freeride mecca.
While the event has been held on the legendary Baciver face in the past, this year’s competition will take place on La Bamba thanks to snow safety concerns. In addition, this will be a backcountry event with no designated public viewing access or watch zone at the face. However, fans can gather at Pla de Beret in Baqueira Beret, where the competition will be broadcast for all to see.
Rising to a summit of 2541 meters and descending to a finish at 2069 meters, La Bamba is a striking face within the Vielha e Mijaran County. With an average slope of 40 degrees and sections reaching a staggering 53 degrees, this Alaska-style mountain is a freeride paradise that commands attention. Visible from the road, its imposing beauty and freeride potential have long inspired locals.
As the next best option to the renowned Baciver face, La Bamba delivers a thrilling alternative with its diverse terrain and technical demands. Massive cliffs, spines, and wind lips define the mountain, creating an ideal playground for freeriders to unleash their creativity. Freestyle riders, in particular, will find La Bamba’s natural features the perfect stage to showcase their skills and imagination.
Located near Baqueira, La Bamba perfectly embodies the spirit of freeride competition. With its mix of steep pitches and challenging natural features, it stands as an iconic venue for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the Pyrenean mountains. – Freeride World Tour
Moving the competition away from the beloved Baciver face was not an easy decision, but a wise one. “The last snowfall came with strong southwesterly winds, gusting up to 100 km/h, which scraped much of the snow from the mountains,” explained FWT Commissioner Laurent Besse. “While the venue could have worked with spring snow conditions, the upcoming cold temperatures and high-pressure forecast have left the west-facing slopes unsafe for competition. Thankfully, La Bamba provides an excellent alternative with its diverse terrain, superior snow quality, and optimal protection, ensuring an exciting and safe start to the season.”
Like all FWT events, Stop One will showcase the best from Snowboard Men, Ski Men, Ski Women, Snowboard Women, with the individual fields dropping throughout the day in the order listed above.
There have been a few major roster changes as of late. In the Ski Women’s field, Canadian Katie Anderson and Swiss rider Sybille Blanjean are out for the season due to injury, prompting a Season Wildcard being given to Elisabeth Gerritzen. The Swiss freeride icon spent seven years competing on the Tour, and as luck would have it, she’ll be back looking to secure the top spot in a field that is open for the taking.
In the Ski Men’s field, 2024 FWT World Champion Max Hitzig has suffered a season-ending injury. While this is a giant disappointment for all, it leaves the number one seat available in what might be the most competitive Men’s Ski roster we have ever seen. We wish all injured athlete’s a swift recovery and can’t wait to see them back in action soon.
Live coverage from Stop One of the 2025 Freeride World Tour will kick off on Friday, January 17th at 9:30 AM CET, with the first rider dropping at 9:45 AM CET.
