Featured Image: Sarah Giffin
The end of summer marks an exciting time for a new wave of freeride talent, as the first Region 1 Freeride World Tour (FWT) Junior event of the 2027 season is just a month away. Along with the new season come updates to the Region 1 playbook, including the introduction of 4* competitions to junior events. These updates only apply to Region 1 FWT Junior events, which cover Europe, Oceania, and Asia. Region 1 is managed by FWT while Region 2 is managed by the International Freeskiers and Snowboarders Association (IFSA). But Region 2 athletes can still compete in Region 1 events, and vice versa, as long as they have the proper license.
The addition of 4* events allows junior athletes to compete on more technical terrain and earn more points that count towards season standings. It also allows athletes to prepare for the elite freeride circuit as those events are more challenging. The FWT Juniors is for athletes ages 10 to 18. Once an athlete turns 18, they can either compete in the Adult Qualifier/Collegiate Series events or continue competing in the Junior Series. When an athlete turns 19, they have to compete in the Adult Qualifier event.
FWT Qualifier Series uses “Star Levels” as a categorization system that reflects both the venue's difficulty and the number of points an athlete can earn. Until now, FWT Junior events were limited to 1*, 2* and 3* competitions. But now, junior athletes can compete at the highest level: 4*. Events rated 4* have the most challenging terrain of any competition, often featuring giant cliffs, exposed faces, and no fall zones. Competing at 4* events also lets athletes earn more points and bigger prizes but this also means that entry into the event is more strict.
Registration for 4* FWT Junior events is only allowed through a seeding process via an athlete's best three competitions. The seeding list is based on the results from the past 52 weeks of competition. This means that beginners or riders that have not competed before need to collect points in lower-level 1* and 2* events before they can make it high enough on the seeding list to enter 4* events or even 3*. Before one can earn points, though, they need to become a FWT member, create a profile, and purchase an annual FWT license. Most 4* events are held at the end of the season and vary from one competition to the next. For example, the FWT Qualifier and Challenger circuits often feature 4* events, as these are among the last competitions of the season where amateurs can try to earn a spot in the FWT Pro.
With the incorporation of 4* competitions, new safety protocols are being added to the playbook. Mandatory avalanche airbags are now required at all 4* junior freeride events. Airbags are already mandatory for FWT Pro, FWT Challenger and FWT Qualifier 3* and 4* competitions.
The Next Generation
Each new generation of freeride skiers brings us new tricks and styles from the generation before. Many former FWT Junior athletes, like Noah Peizerat (France) and Hannah Baldwin (USA), had impressive 2025 FWT Junior seasons, earning high rankings and points that led them to the elite circuit. Both of these athletes are part of the new generation of skiers incorporating more spins and tricks into freeride. Peizerat threw huge 360s on the challenging Quellspitze face in Kappl, Austria, securing him a gold medal at the 2025 YETI Freeride Junior World Championship.
Hamish Henderson (New Zealand) and Jane Hausl (Austria) are two Region 1 FWT Junior 2027 athletes to keep on your radar this season. Henderson is the reigning 2026 Junior World Champion after landing the first clean 720 at the competition and also hitting one of the biggest cliffs on the face. Hausl is one of the most decorated female athletes in Junior FWT, having been the 2024 Junior World Champion and returning in 2026 with two clean 360s, making her a two-time Junior World Champion. It will be an interesting season watching these Junior athletes take on 4* terrain, putting their skill to the ultimate test and potentially securing them a spot on the pro circuit.
