Featured Image: Jeremy Bernard | Skier: Ben Richards

The start of ski season is marked by many things, but the first stop of the Freeride World Tour is always a sure sign that we're off to the races. On January 15, we got our first taste of the 2026 FWT with the Baqueira Beret Pro by Movistar live from Spain. The snow was fast and firm, but the stacked lineup of riders took to the start gate with something to prove.

The competition face, the Tuc de Baciver, has been seen on the Tour before. This is the third time the face has been in play over the years. The technical components of this venue rival any other found in freeride, and when the snow lines up, it opens a world of possibilities. While the snowpack proved to be punchy in areas, that didn't stop these riders from throwing down. Backflips, 360s, straight lines and more; let's dive into the full recap from the Pyrenees Mountains below.

In the Ski Women’s Field, a recognizable cast of faces were joined by four rookies in the start gate. Canadian powerhouse Justine Dufour-Lapointe has been the favored riding, as she won the overall title in 2025. She came out hungry and ready to claim the top spot with a furious line that included multiple airs and a smooth backflip right to her feet. The judges appreciated her control, awarding her a total score 86.33 to secure the top spot.

The next generation of French freeride, rookies Zoé Delzoppo and Lou Barin secured second and third places respectivley. Barin claimed a smooth 360, showcasing style and control. Shoutout to rookies Agostina Vietti and Wynter McBride, who took home fourth and fifth place. It was a day for the young guns, putting pressure on veterans like Molly Armanino, Zuzanna Witych and Astrid Cheylus who will be looking to bounce back strong at the next stop in Val Thorens, France.

“I was really nervous at the start because of the snow, but it turned out much better than expected. Landing the backflip in such an exposed spot was way outside my comfort zone, and I’m really proud of that because pushing my limits is my goal this year. Finishing with big airs and celebrating with the Baqueira crowd, where everyone can see the face, made this win incredibly special and one of my favorite places to take my first victory.” - Justine Dufour-Lapointe, 2026 Baqueira Beret Pro by Movistar Ski Women winner

In the Ski Men’s Field, it was a different story. The rookies didn't have the same success as in the women's field, as familiar riders Ben Richards, Toby Rafford, WeiTien Ho, Ross Tester and Max Hitzig rounded out the top five. The winning formula was a blend of technical riding and stylish embellishments, as Richards took the top seat and didn't relinquish it thanks to his score of 86.67. He began his line with a Lincoln Loop flip that sent the crowd into a frenzy, and topped it off with a dialed 360 and beautiful fall line riding.

Just 0.17 points behind Richards came Rafford, who put together maybe the most creative approach of the whole day. After traversing far lookers right on the course, he tackled and extremley difficult cliff section while controlling his speed. He then aired a massive 360 and managed to ride out, though he was docked points for a backslap in the landing. Finally, Ho took third place with a run that was packed with expert line selection as he threaded together multiple features and tricks, including two 360s and a backflip. To say the bar has been set high for the ski men is an understatement, and we can't wait to see what the rest of the season holds.

“My run went well, even though it felt a bit loose and sketchy at times. The conditions weren’t ideal for showing our best riding, so I’m just happy to have made it down. Being back in Baqueira is awesome, and competing in front of this crowd is really special.” - Ben Richards, 2026 Baqueira Beret Pro by Movistar Ski Men winner

Below, you’ll find the podium results, winning runs and a full photo gallery of the event.

Click here to watch the full replay from the Baqueira Beret Pro by Movistar on the official FWT website.