Freeride World Tour, the biggest freeride contest in the world, is soon starting with qualifiers. Riders for the Freeride World Tour are going to be qualified in the following nine independent freeride events.

1. THE NORTH FACE MASTERS SNOWBIRD (USA), 30 January - 2 February, snowboard only, sister events of the Nissan Tram Face – Squaw Valley (USA)

2. SPYDER BIG MOUNTAIN FIEBERBRUNN (AUT), 5-15 February, sister event of the Nissan Freeride de Tignes (FRA)

3. THE NORTH FACE MASTERS CRESTED BUTTE (USA), 13-16 February, snowboard only, sister events of the Nissan Tram Face – Squaw Valley (USA)

4. WINTER MYSTICXPERIENCE (ITA), 19-22 February

5. THE NORTH FACE MASTERS KIRKWOOD (USA), 5-9 March, snowboard only

6. SALOMON EXTREME FREERIDE CHAMPIONSHIPS AT TAOS (USA), 4-7  March

7. NENDAZ FREERIDE (SUI), 13-18 March 2009, sister event of the Nissan Xtreme – Verbier 09 (SUI)

8. JASNA ADRENALIN (SK), 31 March-5 April

9. RÖLDAL FREERIDE CHALLENGE (NOR), 22-26 April, sister event of the Nissan Russian Adventure - Sochi 2010

Among these nine Freeride World Qualifiers is Nendaz Freeride, which is a new qualifier for the Freeride World Tour. Nendaz is the only stop in Switzerland to qualify for the world tour. Nendaz Freeride also becomes the sister event of Verbier Xtreme which means that the top riders of each category (ski & snowboard, men & women) will automatically qualify for this competition, which is considered the most prestigious in the world.

The reason why Nendaz was selected to represent Switzerland are probably the exceptional weather conditions, but also the professional organization of events. Another reason might be the very positive feedback provided by freeriders. The Nendaz resort has always been appreciated for the quality of its slopes and for its freeride domain, renowned amongst passionate riders. For more updates on Nendaz Freeride contact Nendaz Freeride Association’s Cyril Lanfranchi (+79 456 2222, cyril@nendazfreeride.ch).

Freeride World Tour winner will be named after four races

Who is going to be the best freerider of the world and the owner of $250,000 this year? Last year the best skiers were Elyse Saugstad (USA) and Henrik Windstedt (Sweden), while from snowboarders the winners were Ruth Leisibach (Switzerland) and Xavier de le Rue (France).

Freeride World Tour consists of four events from which the three first ones are Nissan Russian Adventure in Sochi (Russia), Nissan Tram Face Challenge in Squaw Valley (USA) and Nissan Freeride in Tignes (France). The winner of Freeride World Tour is going to be announced after the final race in Verbier in Switzerland. The legendary and challenging mountain of Bec de Rosses will once again be the final playground of this magnificent tour.

NISSAN RUSSIAN ADVENTURE - SOCHI, RUSSIA
Dates: 20-25 JAN 2009, Preliminary contest day: Wednesday 21 January
40 riders qualified + wild cards:

NISSAN TRAM FACE - SQUAW VALLEY USA
Dates: 27 FEB-05 MAR 2009, Preliminary contest day: Saturday 28 February
40 riders qualified + wild cards:

NISSAN FREERIDE DE TIGNES, FRANCE
Dates: 8-14 March 2009, Preliminary contest day: Monday 9 March
40 riders qualified + wild cards:

NISSAN XTREME - VERBIER 09, SWITZERLAND
Dates: 20-29 March 2009, Preliminary contest day: Saturday 21 March
22 riders qualified + wild cards:
- 8 best males on the FWR09 + wild cards
- 3 best females on the FWR09 + wild cards

Homeboys to report directly from Freeride World Qualifiers and Tour

Jarkko Juhani Henttonen, who is one of the Homeboy Ski partners and experienced pro freerider, is going to join Freeride World Qualifiers and Tour as an organizer. Jarkko’s duties are related to event coordination and judging. His own best position in Freeride World Tour was the second place in Verbier Extreme 2001.

Jarkko Henttonen of Homeboy Ski is going to report directly from the “battle field”, so you can expect fast news, cool pictures and breath-taking videos. Stay tuned, Freeride World Qualifiers are starting on January 2009!