Qualification system
Competing in the Freeride World Championships is a dream for many riders, but only a few manage to make it.
There are five qualification categories that allow athletes to earn a spot in the FIS Freeride World Championships Andorra 2026 by Mammut, taking place in the iconic setting of Ordino Arcalís.
Each of these pathways offers different opportunities to access the event, ensuring a fair and globally representative selection of riders.
Group 1 – FWT Pro Ranking
The riders with the highest scores in the FIS Freeride World Tour 2025 ranking qualified directly for the World Championships.
All Group 1 athletes meet the official FIS eligibility criteria and were invited by the federation at the end of the season. In case of withdrawal, the corresponding National Ski Association (NSA) must select a replacement within the same category.
Group 2 – Continental Quotas
To ensure global representation, five continental spots (Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and South America) were added to the list. Each spot was awarded to the highest-ranked athlete on the Qualifying Global Seeding List, excluding injured athletes with frozen points. All Group 2 riders were assigned directly by FIS in coordination with their respective national federations.
In total, Groups 1 and 2 form the core of the list, with 47 athletes representing the best of the 2025 global freeride season.
Group 3 – NSA Quotas
14 athletes earned their spots through quotas granted to National Ski Associations (NSAs), allocated to countries without any qualified athletes in Groups 1 and 2 (or only one in Men’s Skiing). The quotas were distributed based on a national ranking, determined by the international results of the top 100 athletes per discipline.
Each eligible NSA nominated one athlete who meets the FIS eligibility criteria. This system ensures greater international diversity while maintaining a high level of competition.
Group 4 – Wildcards
In addition to the NSA quotas, four invitations were granted for the FIS Freeride World Championships 2026, one per discipline. These wildcards were assigned directly by FIS Freeride due to injury, media exposure, or national interest. All wildcard athletes must be members of a Federation. In case of withdrawal, FIS Freeride appoints a replacement, who may come from another country if necessary.
Group 5 – Host nation invitation
The final and 66th spot was allocated by the Federació Andorrana d’Esquí (FAE) as the host country’s wildcard, ensuring local representation and officially completing the list.
