FIS and Freeride World Tour join forces

The Freeride World Tour (FWT) just announced it has merged with the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), which is acquiring FWT properties. The two organisations, which are both based in Switzerland, will join forces starting from the 2022-2023 season.

FIS is the governing body for international skiing and snowboarding, founded in 1924 during the first Olympic Games in Chamonix, France. Recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), FIS manages the Olympic disciplines of Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Ski Jumping, Nordic Combined, Freestyle Skiing and Snowboarding, including setting the international competition rules.

By acquiring the FWT, FIS will further unite all the disciplines in skiing and snowboarding, giving them more strength and power to develop on the global stage.

FWT Management SA, based in Verbier-Switzerland, is organising world-class sports events in mountain resorts and regions since 1996. Founder of “Verbier Xtreme”, iconic event in freeride skiing and snowboarding, FWT Management SA, has taken in 2008 this stand-alone event to create several Series of international freeride competitions totalling over 200 events around the globe for professional, amateur and junior riders and over 6,000 licensed riders. 

FWT will continue to run the daily operations of the Tour, remaining committed to its core values of safety, performance, responsibility, inclusivity and fun. Moreover, the competition format, offering a fair path to every athlete, from grassroots to elite events, and the judging system, remain unchanged. FIS will place its focus on the marketing and governance of the FWT, instilling a structure that follows the guidelines of recognised Olympic sports.

Click here to read the full FWT press release.

ThinkSport is currently supporting the Sport Innovation Challenge by Haskins Sport Society, organised in partnership with the Freeride World Tour (FWT). In October, the Challenge invited 35 student teams to provide fresh ideas in the areas of business development, marketing, fan engagement and inclusion to the FWT at this crucial time for freeriding. The best ten teams were selected last week to go toe-to-toe at the final pitch session on 9 December in Bern! Participation is for free but requires registration via this link.