Freeride World Tour 2021: Calendar changes

Verbier, Switzerland - November 5, 2020: With international travel becoming increasingly difficult due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the FWT and local officials have decided to cancel the 2021 Tour events in Hakuba, Japan and Kicking Horse, Golden, BC (Canada). This decision was made to ensure the health and safety of athletes, staff, partners and local organizers.  

The fantastic conditions of the slopes of Japan and Canada will certainly be missed on the next tour. But the FWT is already in negotiations with various European ski resorts to find replacements for the canceled events. The shortest possible travel distances between competitions should limit the risks and facilitate compliance with international travel restrictions. 

According to the available information, there are no changes in the last three planned tour stops. The new calendar is to be announced in the coming weeks.

1) HAKUBA, JAPAN - CANCELLED - REGIONAL REPLACEMENT: 4* FWQ FROM JANUARY 12-15, 2021

"In the Freeride World Tour, it's always 'safety first.' Right now, it's better to freeride at home or close to home. But winter returns every year and the spirit of freeriding will never die. We look forward to hosting the FWT Elite event back at our place at another time. In the meantime, we will host a regional 4* Freeride World Qualifier in Hakuba from January 12-15, 2021."
Yojiro Fukushima, Director of Tourism Commission Hakuba
 

2) KICKING HORSE, GOLDEN, BC, CANADA - DEFERRED

"We are very disappointed with the cancellation of the FWT 2021 event in Golden, BC, at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. But it is definitely the right decision. Thank you to the FWT and everyone involved in trying to make the event happen this year. We look forward to welcoming the FWT back to Kicking Horse in 2022!I wish everyone a safe winter with hopefully lots of powder!"
Mike Rubinstein, Area Manager of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Golden, BC
 
"The disappointment is great. But we fully support the Freeride World Tour's difficult decision to cancel the event in Kicking Horse, Golden, BC, for 2021. It's a responsible decision that takes into account the safety of FWT staff, athletes and our community. Over the past three years, the FWT staff and athletes have left a lasting impression on our community. We look forward to welcoming them all back here in 2022."
Joanne Sweeting, Executive Director of Tourism Golden
 
3) ORDINO ARCALÍS, ANDORRA - 22-27 February 2021  
 
4 FIEBERBRUNN, AUSTRIA - March 6-12, 2021
 
5) XTREME VERBIER, SWITZERLAND - 20-28 March 2021
 
The FWT thanks its partners in Hakuba and Kicking Horse, Golden, BC, for their support and tireless search for alternatives in trying to make the stops there possible after all.  

The calendar for 2022 promises a return to normality with five confirmed international tour stops. Until then, the FWT is working hard on a new scenario for 2021, which will be announced in the coming weeks.

Health and safety are top priorities for FWT organizers. They therefore work closely with the respective local authorities to ensure that each competition complies with the locally applicable regulations.

The competitions are held on www.freerideworldtour.com transmitted. There and on the FWT's social media channels, you can also always get the latest news about the FWT.