Freeride World Tour Returns to BC With More Front-Row Thrills for Fans
The international ski and snowboard event kicks off on February 14.
The Freeride World Tour returns to Golden, BC, in less than a week. The town has hosted the FWT since 2018 on its Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. This year, competitors are set to fly down the Ozone run, where they’ll be judged on their route, technique and style.
The athletes won’t be alone on the slopes; to reflect the event’s increasingly popularity, organizers have worked hard to make the competition more accessible to spectators—giving fans the chance to get up close to the action before, during and after the event.
Dominique Daher
There are two viewing areas for fans looking to experience the FWT in-person: Redemption Ridge and the new and improved Fan Zone. Both spaces are accessible to intermediate ski and snowboarders, but fans will need their equipment and a mountain pass to reach them.
Fans who want front-row seats to the start of the run should head up to Redemption Ridge. Here’s how to get there:
- Take the Golden Eagle Express Gondola up from Golden
- Use a blue (intermediate) run to get to the Stairway to Heaven Chairlift
- Take the Stairway to Heaven Chairlift to the top of Redemption Ridge to watch the action!
Fans should also check out the Fan Zone at the bottom of Ozone. This space is also accessible from the immediate run; just keep skiing down the slope past the Stairway to Heaven Chairlift. Spectators in the Fan Zone can expect:
- Comfy seating, live music, an announcer and food
- A first-hand view of athletes bombing down the run towards them
- The best seats in the house to watch the hero moments… and a couple of wipeouts, too
- A chance to mingle, crack jokes and kick back with athletes after they’ve completed their runs
Whether you’re standing on Redemption Ridge or hanging out in the Fan Zone, you can look forward to plenty of jaw-dropping moments from more than 50 world-class athletes.
Dominique Daher
The FWT doesn’t have a set opening date yet; the event’s organizers are looking for a bluebird morning—an optimal day for ski and snowboarding when the sun is out, the skies are clear and the slopes are shining with clean, powdery snow.
Finding that right day isn’t easy; a number of ski resorts around the province have faced closures due to inclement weather. And previous stops on the 2024 FWT in Andorra and Spain were cancelled. But the event’s organizers remain confident that they’ll get their bluebird morning sometime during the weather window between February 14 and 20. Organizers will announce the day of the event no later than 24 hours prior to the race.
Jeremy Bernard
While you wait for the event to start, the town of Golden will be alive with plenty of opportunities for avid fans, including:
- Free screenings of the Freeride documentary What the FWT and Light in the Shadows at the Golden Cinemas on Tuesday, February 13
- An athlete meet-and-greet and autograph session
- Opening ceremonies at the Golden civic centre
- The Peak Performance Activation at Whitetooth Brewing Co. on Wednesday, February 14
- An official ticketed afterparty on Thursday, February 15
During the weather window, you can catch athletes doing pre-runs in preparation for the event; look for the Red Bull helmets that some of the competitors will be wearing!
Stay tuned for a detailed schedule of events from organizers.
In the meantime, check out the official event trailer for this year’s Freeride World Tour at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort!
