Featured Image: Cyril Lanfranchi, Backcountry Invitational
One of the more recent freeski comps to hit the global scene, the Backcountry Invitational, announced it'll be heading back to the end of the world: Ushuaia, Argentina. The southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia is home to rugged terrain in Patagonia. After conducting a test event there last year, the group decided it was the right place to pull off their first full event outside of Europe this year.
The current weather window is from September fifth through the 26, 2026, and the event is slated to be held in the peaks around the local resort Cerro Martial. What these mountains lack in pow, they make up for in steep ascents, wild terrain and surreal, otherworldly views.
Started by Nendaz Freeride founder Cyril Lanfranchi, the Backcountry Invitational has grown in popularity over the last few winters after beginning in Nendaz, Switzerland back in 2021. So far, the group has only hosted events in Europe, though they've conducted test competitions in Treble Cone, New Zealand, Sugar Bowl, California, and Ushuaia, Argentina.
The goal was to create "the perfect day," as their tagline suggests. Easy to say, harder to accomplish, Lanfranchi and the event organizers have their work cut out for them when it comes to lining up conditions and securing a venue. They structure the comp around a 30-day weather window. "No judges. No panels. No politics. Three rounds, and at the end of the day the riders vote for the best run. Simple as that," says Lanfranchi.
Perhaps the best part of the Backcountry Invitational is that YOU can compete. While they have select athletes on their radar, the team is always looking for new faces and fresh skiers to platform. Submit an application in just a few easy steps.
There's no final submission date listed, but we recommend getting yours in sooner rather than later. Invited athletes receive accommodations for three nights, three-day ski passes, meals, hotel transportation to the mountains and airport, as well as access to every piece of content created during the event.
The list of intended riders has yet to be announced, so stay tuned to find out who's heading to the end of the world.
