The first of six Region 1 FWT Challenger Comps is coming quickly with the Open Faces Silvretta-Montafon Challenger in Austria January 26–29. Region 1 comps will be held on iconic freeride venues across Europe in Austria, Switzerland, Italy & France and will feature 66 riders from Europe, Asia & Oceania; all vying for 9 spots on the 2027 FWT.
“The Challenger circuit is the final proving ground for athletes aiming to qualify for the prestigious 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.” – Freeride World Tour
How the two regions differ in their approach to the Challenger Series:
● 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.”
9 athletes per region will quality for next year’s Tour:
● 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)
See the Region 1 athlete roster and full schedule below
2026 FWT Challenger by Orage Region 1 Calendar
Stop 1: Open Faces Silvretta-Montafon Challenger, Austria – January 26–29, 2026
Stop 2: Nendaz Freeride Challenger, Switzerland – February 28 – March 3, 2026
Stop 3: X Over Ride Kitzsteinhorn Challenger, Austria – March 14–17, 2026
Stop 4: Open Faces Obertauern Challenger, Austria – March 21–24, 2026
Stop 5: Monterosa Freeride Paradise Challenger, Italy – March 26–29, 2026
Stop 6: Le Sauze South Line Series Challenger, France – April 2–5, 2026
2026 FWT Challenger by Orage Region 1 Roster
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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
