This is the final 2026 Freeride Guide episode of the season! We recap all the news and highlights from a challenging year for the Freeride World Tour. Cancelled events, rookie domination and rulebook controversy are all on tap.

We're also joined by 2023 FWT Snowboard Champion Katie Anderson to talk about the confusing Wildcard selection process, and how more SB Women should be added to the tour. Thanks for tuning in this season and enjoy getting into this one!

00:00 Welcome

3:30 - Surefoot

5:55 - FWT Event Cancellation

13:10 - FWT Return to Alaska & Toby Rafford

16:53 - Rookie Domination

20:00 - Season Highlights

21:14 - Agostina Vietti

23:43 - Verbier

28:50 - Has Derek almost missed a comp?

32:39 - World Championships

45:57 - NST Ski

56:20 - Thoughts on Wildcards

1:05:17 - Welcome Katie Anderson

1:36:38 - Mark and Derek's Seasonal HEAD'S UP Riders Award

BACKSLAP Inbox

1:40:00 - Finishing Runs with No Poles?

1:44:45 - Why Aren't More South Americans on Tour?

1:50:20 - Mark Backslaps

1:51:47 - Will Judging Become Harmonized Across Regions?

Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/g3xPiTYbqQI

The Freeride Guide is Supported By:

Surefoot Custom Ski Boots

HEAD -Tyrolia KORE Collection

Send us an email to the BACKSLAP INBOX - Tell us what your hot take is and we might read it on the show. backslap@freerideguidepodcast.com

If you like the show, please SUBSCRIBE and Listen to every new episode!

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About the Hosts:

Mark Warner is the Host of the Low Pressure Podcast: The Podcast for Skiers. Derek Foose is the FWT Broadcast Announcer and Head Coach at Whistler Freeride Club and both are huge Freeride Fans.

Follow on Instagram

@freeride_guide

@red_mark

This is the Full RECAP of the second edition of Natural Selection Ski. NST originally planned on holding the competition on, "Spine Cell", a gnarly, big mountain Alaskan face. Due to weather, and an avalanche, the organization had to do a hard pivot to a safer, rolling venue that resembled a backcountry terrain park set up. The shift from a freeride venue to one more suited to freestyle worked perfectly as the athletes put on a show to remember.

We're joined by guest host and former FWT rider Tom Peiffer to break down all the action!

00:00 Welcome Special Guest Host - Tom Peiffer

5:24 NST Ski - Venue Changes 14:09 - Super Sessions - Palisades Tahoe

19:40 - NST Alaska Judging - "CREDO"

25:10 - Competition Format

44:48 - Ski Men - Rounds 1&2

59:36 - Ski Women - Rounds 1&2

1:10:09 -Ski Women Final

1:16:28 - Ski Men Final

Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zuaqMte6Rvs

The Freeride Guide is Supported By:

Surefoot Custom Ski Boots

HEAD -Tyrolia KORE Collection

Send us an email to the BACKSLAP INBOX - Tell us what your hot take is and we might read it on the show. backslap@freerideguidepodcast.com

If you like the show, please SUBSCRIBE and Listen to every new episode!

--------

About the Hosts:

Mark Warner is the Host of the Low Pressure Podcast: The Podcast for Skiers. Derek Foose is the FWT Broadcast Announcer and Head Coach at Whistler Freeride Club and both are huge Freeride Fans.

Follow on Instagram

@freeride_guide

@red_mark

The 2026 IFSA FWT Region 2 Challengers by Orage were condensed into 5 days, 3 events, 3 venues and 2 towns in British Columbia. Its where the riders who have been competing and building points all year on the qualifier circuit and the FWT riders who got cut, meet for a final showdown to find out who will make it to the Freeride World Tour in 2027. This is the RECAP of the overall series.

4:30 - Intro to the Region 2 Challenger Events

9:30 - The Venues

16:00 Hand Signals

24:35 - Explaining Dual Panel Judging System

33:00 - Stop #3 - Kicking Horse & Ozone Face

35:18 - Ski Women

41:20 Judging hypotheticals

52:03 - Snowblades & Telemark Skis

55:12 - Back to Ski Women

59:50 - Snowboard Women

1:04:30 - Ski Men

1:10:25 - Cornice Break

1:13:46 - Back to Ski Men

1:16:54 - Snowboard Men

1:20:00 - 1st Ever Snowboard DNF?

1:22:33 - 2027 FWT Qualified Riders

Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Z9VD6PUmIH0

The Freeride Guide is Supported By:

Surefoot Custom Ski Boots

HEAD -Tyrolia KORE Collection

Send us an email to the BACKSLAP INBOX - Tell us what your hot take is and we might read it on the show. backslap@freerideguidepodcast.com

If you like the show, please SUBSCRIBE and Listen to every new episode!

--------

About the Hosts:

Mark Warner is the Host of the Low Pressure Podcast: The Podcast for Skiers. Derek Foose is the FWT Broadcast Announcer and Head Coach at Whistler Freeride Club and both are huge Freeride Fans.

Follow on Instagram

@freeride_guide

@red_mark

The 2026 YETI Xtreme Verbier was everything we hoped it would be. The final event of the FWT26 season bucked the trend of cancelled events, shortened events and unfortunate weather. The riders were welcomed with sunny, blue skies, cold temps and 50cms of fresh snow on the famous Bec des Rosses. They took advantage of these perfect conditions to battle for the right to be crowned the FWT 2026 World Champion... and they put on a show!

0:00 - INTRO x Event Set Up & Weather

9:05 - SNOWBOARD MEN

21:11 - SKI MEN

31:27 - BACKSLAP Inbox

44:07 - SKI WOMEN

57:30 - SNOWBOARD WOMEN

1:03:00 - HEADS Up Moment

1:06:00 - Fun Bet Results

1:09:53 - Challenger Series Updates

Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lj5SK9HMuHE

The Freeride Guide is Supported By:

Surefoot Custom Ski Boots

HEAD -Tyrolia KORE Collection

Send us an email to the BACKSLAP INBOX - Tell us what your hot take is and we might read it on the show. backslap@freerideguide.com

Join our Freeride Guide Podcast FUN BET League: https://peakperformance.pronosticgames.fr/tribe/fac0332d-6096-469c-8859-08dd35506ec2

-Go to link above -Click Leagues -Find the The Freeride Guide League -Join in and play along!

If you like the show, please SUBSCRIBE and Listen to every new episode!

--------

About the Hosts:

Mark Warner is the Host of the Low Pressure Podcast: The Podcast for Skiers. Derek Foose is the FWT Broadcast Announcer and Head Coach at Whistler Freeride Club and both are huge Freeride Fans.

Follow on Instagram

@freeride_guide

@red_mark

The Freeride World Tour returned to Haines Alaska for the first of two final events. This is the full EVENT RECAP.

The riders here have not only qualified for the final two events this season but they've also punched their tickets to the tour in 2027. For some, the pressure was off so they could really push their limits. For others the possibility of becoming FWT Champion has only added more pressure. This is the first time in 8 years the FWT riders had a chance to prove themselves on a true Alaskan Face. They did not dissappoint!

3:30 - Comp Day Conditions

12:55 - Snowboard Men

19:00 Snowboard Women

23:07 Derek's Head's Up Moment

28:53 - Ski Women

41:15 - Ski Men

1:00:00 Mark's Head's up Moment

1:02:07 BACKSLAP Inbox

1:08:00 FUN BET

1:09:40 IFSA / Challenger Series Updates

Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/X6JZkStsGPQ

The Freeride Guide is Supported By:

Surefoot Custom Ski Boots

HEAD -Tyrolia KORE Collection

Send us an email to the BACKSLAP INBOX - Tell us what your hot take is and we might read it on the show. backslap@freerideguidepodcast.com

Join our Freeride Guide Podcast FUN BET League: https://peakperformance.pronosticgames.fr/tribe/fac0332d-6096-469c-8859-08dd35506ec2

-Go to link above -Click Leagues -Find the The Freeride Guide League -Join in and play along!

If you like the show, please SUBSCRIBE and Listen to every new episode!

--------

About the Hosts:

Mark Warner is the Host of the Low Pressure Podcast: The Podcast for Skiers. Derek Foose is the FWT Broadcast Announcer and Head Coach at Whistler Freeride Club and both are huge Freeride Fans.

Follow on Instagram

@freeride_guide

@red_mark

This is one instance where the third time definitely isn't a charm. The Fieberbrunn Pro was cancelled adding another failed event to the pile after two attempts to run the Georgia Pro. Once in Georgia and once in Kühtai, Austria.

In a season where the athletes expected four events before The CUT, they only got two and it shook things up! We talk about who made it and who didn't, including a tidal wave of rookies going to Alaska and and a few former FWT Champions who won't be moving on.

0:00 Welcome

5:53 - Fieberbrunn Pro Cancelled - 3rd Event in a Row

THE CUT

17:00 Snowboard Women

24:38 Snowboard Men

28:00 Challenger Region 1 & 2 Format Discussion

33:25 Ski Women

41:30 Ski Men

Watch This Episode on YouTube:https://youtu.be/XPRNXQNvugo

The Freeride Guide is Supported By:

Surefoot Custom Ski Boots

HEAD -Tyrolia KORE Collection

Send us an email to the BACKSLAP INBOX - Tell us what your hot take is and we might read it on the show. backslap@freerideguide.com

Join our Freeride Guide Podcast FUN BET League: https://peakperformance.pronosticgames.fr/tribe/fac0332d-6096-469c-8859-08dd35506ec2

-Go to link above -Click Leagues -Find the The Freeride Guide League -Join in and play along!

If you like the show, please SUBSCRIBE and Listen to every new episode!

--------

About the Hosts:

Mark Warner is the Host of the Low Pressure Podcast: The Podcast for Skiers. Derek Foose is the FWT Broadcast Announcer and Head Coach at Whistler Freeride Club and both are huge Freeride Fans.

Follow on Instagram

@freeride_guide

@red_mark

The FWT has had to make some difficult decisions this season. Suspending the World Championships with 5 riders still to drop. Cancelling the Georgia Pro event in Georgia. Choosing a replacement event in Kühtai and then having to cancel that event. Those decisions partly fall on the shoulders of FWT Commissioner, Lolo Besse.

In this exclusive interview he guides us through the process of making these decisions and the variables that informed them.

0:00 - Intro

6:26 - Welcome Lolo Besse

8:30 - World Championships

11:45 - Possible adjustments in drop order and how drone footage runs could judged

21:00 - Georgia Cancelled Twice - Adjustment to Kühtai

24:55 - Potential Controversy in Kühtai

Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lULzG8Rz2fk

The Freeride Guide is Supported By:

Surefoot Custom Ski Boots

HEAD -Tyrolia KORE Collection

Send us an email to the BACKSLAP INBOX - Tell us what your hot take is and we might read it on the show. backslap@freerideguidepodcast.com

Join our Freeride Guide Podcast FUN BET League: https://peakperformance.pronosticgames.fr/tribe/fac0332d-6096-469c-8859-08dd35506ec2

-Go to link above -Click Leagues -Find the The Freeride Guide League -Join in and play along!

If you like the show, please SUBSCRIBE and Listen to every new episode!

--------

About the Hosts:

Mark Warner is the Host of the Low Pressure Podcast: The Podcast for Skiers. Derek Foose is the FWT Broadcast Announcer and Head Coach at Whistler Freeride Club and both are huge Freeride Fans.

Follow on Instagram

@freeride_guide

@red_mark

If it weren't for bad luck the FWT wouldn't have any luck at all this season. The cancelled FWT Georgia Pro event was quickly restaged in Kühtai, Austria. Once again though, the competition was cancelled due to incontestable snow conditions and the athletes are leaving without putting down a run... well, most of them are.

After the only two riders of the day, Ben Richards and Joey Leonardo, crossed the finish line with really disappointing runs, the potential controversy begins there. The broadcast audio picked up a message from an operations microphone that instructed the two riders to go back up in order to take their runs again when the snow gets better. That's where things get interesting!

00:40 - Welcome Welcome Welcome

5:15 - Georgia restaged in Kühtai Austria

8:47 - "Schoffi" Competition Face

10:44 - Same Comp Cancelled Twice?!

14:37 - Competition Start & Controversy

50:33 Backslap Emails

Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/JraOqpZpjAQ

The Freeride Guide is Supported By:

Surefoot Custom Ski Boots

HEAD -Tyrolia KORE Collection

Send us an email to the BACKSLAP INBOX - Tell us what your hot take is and we might read it on the show. backslap@freerideguide.com

Join our Freeride Guide Podcast FUN BET League: https://peakperformance.pronosticgames.fr/tribe/fac0332d-6096-469c-8859-08dd35506ec2

-Go to link above -Click Leagues -Find the The Freeride Guide League -Join in and play along!

If you like the show, please SUBSCRIBE and Listen to every new episode!

--------

About the Hosts:

Mark Warner is the Host of the Low Pressure Podcast: The Podcast for Skiers. Derek Foose is the FWT Broadcast Announcer and Head Coach at Whistler Freeride Club and both are huge Freeride Fans.

Follow on Instagram

@freeride_guide

@red_mark