The first ever FIS Freeride World Championships went off yesterday, squeezing almost all of the competitors into a tight weather window on the Basser Negre face at Ordino Arcalis in Andorra. More than a couple of feet of new snow led to a significant weather delay at the start of the event, and hid many of the smaller rocks throughout the steep, technical face, which would plague competitors for most of the event.
Known as one of the best heliskiing destinations in the world, Haines features steep spines, deep powder, and faces that redefine the term big mountain. The Freeride World Tour has previously visited Haines in 2015, 2016, and 2017, but ran into unsuitable conditions, even with extended weather windows. Alaska is a freeride stage like no other, and the reintroduction of the venue this season will add an extra dose of the drama and mind-blowing skiing the Freeride World Tour is known for.