2026 FWT Challenger Region 1 Calendar And Roster Announcement: A Strong Line-Up For Six Elite Stops Across Europe

The Freeride World Tour (FWT) is excited to unveil the 2026 FWT Challenger by Orage Region 1 calendar and roster. The circuit is the final proving ground for athletes aiming to qualify for the prestigious FWT 2027.

● 6 events across iconic freeride destinations in Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and France
● 66 riders set to compete in Region 1, including FWT veterans and rising stars
● Only 9 athletes from Region 1 will qualify for the FWT 2027

Featuring nine high-stakes stops across two competitive regions, the Challenger Series showcases the next generation of freeride skiing and snowboarding talent, alongside seasoned riders seeking redemption and a path back to the Pro Tour.

Now in its second year under the updated format, the FWT Challenger by Orage continues to prove its value, delivering strong competition and a clearer pathway to the FWT Pro level. The two-region structure ensures accessibility, and fosters deeper regional rivalries.

● Region 1 (Europe-Asia-Oceania): Six events from January through April. Riders’ best four results count toward their final ranking.
● Region 2 (Americas): Three premier events in March held across North America.

Each region will host approximately 60–80 riders, including top finishers from the FWT Qualifier Series and FWT Pro Tour athletes who missed the 2025 Cut, all vying for limited spots on the FWT 2027 roster.

Only the very best will make the jump:

● Top 4 Ski Men
● Top 2 Ski Women
● Top 2 Snowboard Men
● Top 1 Snowboard Woman per Region will qualify for the FWT 2027.

An additional Snowboard Woman may also be selected at the discretion of the Organization, based on performance and potential.

2026 FWT Challenger by Orage Region 1: Roster Overview

The Region 1 lineup promises intense battles, featuring former FWT champions, hungry young talent, and seasoned veterans, setting the stage for one of the most competitive Challenger seasons to date. This second-tier league has truly matured into a formidable proving ground that mirrors the FWT Pro Tour in both skill level and intensity.

Ski Men

Out of 28 riders, seven are former FWT Pros, including 2022 FWT Champion Maxime Chabloz (SUI), returning after a missed 2025 season. Also joining is Mickaël Bimboes (FRA), the 2018 Xtreme Verbier winner, whose depth of experience adds gravity to the field.

Challenging these legends are rising stars like Noah Peizerat (FRA), the 2025 FWT Junior World Champion, stepping up to the big leagues at just 19 years old, and the youngest athlete on the roster.

Qualified riders:

• Tenra Katsuno (JAP)
• Mathys Fornasier (FRA)
• Joan Aracil (AND)
• Simon Perraudin (SUI)
• Edvin Olsson (SWE)
• Paul Dentan (SUI)
• Maxime Chabloz (SUI)
• Rudy Collet (FRA)
• Douglas Nordqvist (SWE)
• Alex Hackel (USA)
• Noah Peizerat (FRA)
• Anthony Cot (FRA)
• Max Zimmermann (GER)
• Nemo Plagne (FRA)
• Arnaud Reymond (FRA)
• Jacob Müller (AUT)
• Gabin Siau (FRA)
• Mikkel Brandt (DEN)
• Simeon Pavlov (BUL)
• Léo Drouet (FRA)
• Noé Monier (FRA)
• Noé Vouillamoz (SUI)
• Milton Holmqvist (FIN)
• Xavier Scherwey (SUI)
• Jordan Ray (GBR)
• Alex Williams (SUI)
• Mickaël Bimboes (FRA)
• Benoît Lamour (FRA)

Ski Women

The women’s field mirrors the men’s in depth and generational mix. The 14-rider roster features both emerging talent and returning champions, including Elisabeth Gerritzen (SUI), 2022 FWT Champion, who brings elite-level experience back to the Challenger stage.

Riders to watch include Maria Castellví Bono (ESP), a breakout star from the Qualifier circuit, and a host of persistent veterans eager to convert past Challenger experience into Pro Tour breakthroughs.

Qualified riders:

• Elisabeth Gerritzen (SUI)
• Mila de Le Rue (FRA)
• Eva Battolla (SUI)
• Clémence Philippart (FRA)
• Kelly Berthon (FRA)
• Zanna Farrell (AUS)
• Elisabet Marina (ESP)
• Maria Castellví Bono (ESP)
• Elly Olsson (SWE)
• Ulla Gilot (AUT)
• Mia McNab (FRA)
• Mona Falkner (AUT)
• Vilde Fimreite (NOR)
• Léa Chapuis (FRA)

Snowboard Men

The men’s snowboard category is stacked with fierce competition among 14 riders. Prominent names include Kea Chretien (FRA), a three-time FWT Junior World Champion, and Rémi Benamo (SUI) and Timm Schröder (GER), both of whom scored second-place finishes on the FWT Pro Tour last season. Expect a high-stakes clash between youthful ambition and seasoned drive.

Qualified riders:

• Rémi Benamo (SUI)
• Timm Schröder (GER)
• Christophe Charlet (FRA)
• Gabin Bouzanne (FRA)
• Marc Robert (SUI)
• Kéa Chretien (FRA)
• Arvid Gustavsson (SWE)
• Hugo Serra (FRA)
• James Veitch (GBR)
• Kealan Venning (IRL)
• Pol Sabidó Juvé (ESP)
• Vaughn Hardwick (AUS)
• Macéo Peresson (FRA)
• Florian Handschuh (GER)

Snowboard Women

This category features 11 riders, nearly all with extensive competition experience. Jacquelina De Jong (NLD), the youngest at 19, will need to hold her own against names like Estelle Rizzolio (FRA), recently relegated from the Pro Tour but highly motivated to return, and Tiphanie Perrotin (FRA), the 2022 FWT Champion, widely seen as the rider to beat.

Qualified riders:

• Estelle Rizzolio (FRA)
• Celina Weber (GER)
• Anna Orlova ( )
• Tiphanie Perrotin (FRA)
• Mikaela Hollsten (FIN)
• Briony Johnson (AUS)
• Lou Ruiz (FRA)
• Jacquelina De Jong (NLD)
• Giulia Bottazzin (ITA)
• Gosia Śniegórska (POL)
• Laurence Barrau (FRA

2026 FWT Challenger by Orage Region 1: Calendar overview

This year’s Region 1 tour spans four freeride countries, each offering unique terrain and world-class conditions. A new stop in France adds fresh energy to the Series, as returning venues promise more iconic moments.

Stop 1: Open Faces Silvretta-Montafon Challenger, Austria - January 26–29, 2026

Back for its second year, this Vorarlberg venue boasts diverse alpine terrain: exposed ridgelines, wide powder fields, and steep technical zones, set in one of Austria’s most scenic valleys.

Stop 2: Nendaz Freeride Challenger, Switzerland - February 28 – March 3, 2026

In the heart of the 4 Vallées, Nendaz’s big-mountain terrain and ever-changing snow conditions make it a vital test of adaptability and line choice for all riders.

Stop 3: X Over Ride Kitzsteinhorn Challenger, Austria - March 14–17, 2026

A legendary glacier venue offering everything from powder bowls to narrow couloirs. With reliable snow and 3,000-meter summits, it’s a highlight of the Challenger season.

Stop 4: Open Faces Obertauern Challenger, Austria - March 21–24, 2026

Now a Challenger staple, Obertauern delivers a potent mix of consistent snow, complex lines, and big drops, ideal for high-drama competition.

Stop 5: Monterosa Freeride Paradise Challenger, Italy - March 26–29, 2026

Surrounded by the towering Monte Rosa massif, this stop features high-altitude ridges, steep bowls, and technical chutes, demanding strategy and skill from every rider.

Stop 6: Le Sauze South Line Series Challenger, France - April 2–5, 2026 (NEW)

The newest addition to the circuit, Le Sauze brings the soul of French freeride into the Challenger mix. Its dynamic terrain and vibrant freeride culture make this a thrilling finale to the Region 1 season.

Follow the full roster of FWT Challenger freeriders throughout the 2026 season at www.freerideworldtour.com and on social media channels. Stay tuned for updates on Region 2 Calendar and Roster, and catch the action at www.freerideworldtour.com. Subscribe to the FWT newsletter to stay in the loop with all the latest updates.