Featured Picture: Jeremy Bernard, Courtesy of the Freeride World Tour
Cease Two of the 2025 Freeride World Tour has been confirmed for Wednesday, January 29 in Val Thorens, France. The second cease of the 2025 season brings the FWT again to France after 9 years away, with this being the first-ever Val Thornes FWT Professional.
With all of the unbelievable snowboarding discovered all through the French Alps, Val Thorens can generally fall below the radar. However the space is a freeride playground, with the city totaling over 250″ of snow per yr, and the excessive peaks receiving much more. After an outstanding kick off of the 2025 FWT season, wherein riders threw down regardless of difficult circumstances, the joy is excessive for Cease Two.
This yr’s occasion will probably be held on the Lac Noir face. “This dreamy face is a haven for freeriders, boasting a mean steepness of 37 levels and a most pitch of 43 levels,” the official FWT press launch learn. “Fixed snowfalls over the previous week have blanketed the mountain in deep powder, setting the stage for an explosion of turns, unbelievable jumps, and delicate landings that can undoubtedly elevate the riders’ performances.”
The realm has had an general optimistic snow yr up to now, with constant storms all through the earlier month. Over the past 5 days, Open Snow stories Val Thornes has seen 16″ of contemporary snow. Chilly temps and precipitation are slated to stay over the approaching days, with 27″ forecasted to fall by the tip of Wednesday, January 29 (the day of the competitors.)
Will probably be fascinating to see how circumstances play out. The Tour is thorough with regards to avalanche mitigation and snow security, so don’t be stunned if a obligatory delay is carried out. Nonetheless, if there may be contemporary snow that’s protected to experience, it’ll make the occasion all of the extra thrilling.
Whereas many stops on the FWT circuit lend themselves to serving up good chalky snow, there have been loads of pow days prior to now. Georgia has constantly offered stellar snow circumstances, resulting in loads of large sends from the riders.
If the incoming climate seems to be advantageous, Cease Two of the 2025 FWT needs to be legendary. The Lac Noir face is extra playful in methods than different Tour venues, such because the steeps of Verbier, Switzerland or Baqueira Beret, Spain. The ridge affords numerous choices, with the fluidity of the terrain and enormous options serving as a pure canvas.
At present, Ross Tester leads the Ski Males area, adopted by Toby Rafford and Ben Richards. Justine Dufour-Lapointe is the highest seat for Ski Ladies, with Astrid Cheylus and Zuzanna Witych shut behind. One among simply 4 French skiers on the Tour and the one French girl, Cheylus will little doubt look to capitalize on this home-court benefit.
Make sure to verify again and livestream the occasion proper right here on Freeskier.com
