Freeride Skiing and Snowboarding Officially Added to the 2030 Winter Olympics in French Alps 2030

The FWT Operations Office (within Earth Hopper Inc., Headquarters: Taito-ku, Tokyo, Representative: Kei Inoue) is pleased to announce that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has officially adopted "Freeride" as a medal sport for the 2030 Winter Olympics (French Alps 2030) on July 7, 2026 (Swiss local time). The FWT Operations Office will continue to dedicate itself to the operation and promotion of freeride competitions.

Freeride World Tour Announcement

https://www.freerideworldtour.com/olympic-integration/

IOC Announcement

https://www.olympics.com/ioc/news/alpes-2030-to-be-first-gender-equal-olympic-winter-games-freeride-ski-and-snowboard-and-synchro9-figure-skating-athletes-to-debut

FRENCH ALPS 2030 Olympic Integration

What is Freeride?

Freeride skiing and snowboarding is a winter sport where athletes compete by skiing down natural, untouched mountain slopes. Only the start and finish points are predetermined; riders read the terrain and snow conditions to execute their planned line and drop in. Their runs are scored based on five judging criteria: "LINE DIFFICULTY," "CONTROL," "FLUIDITY," "AIR & STYLE," and "TECHNIQUE."

Source: 2026 TOYO TIRES FWT HAKUBA QUALIFIER 4*

Freeride originated about 100 years ago in the European Alps, around Mont Blanc and Chamonix. As imaging technology advanced, the spectacle of tackling raw mountain faces spread globally, fostering an extreme skiing culture that captivated younger generations. The inclusion of freeride as an official sport in the 2030 Winter Olympics signifies the elevation of this culture into an Olympic sport. This achievement is the culmination of several milestones, including the merger of "FWT" with the FIS (International Ski Federation) in 2022, the official recognition of freeride as an FIS discipline in 2024, and the inaugural Freeride World Championships in 2026.

[Video Explanation: What is Freeride]

What is FWT?

The Freeride World Tour (commonly known as "FWT") is the only World Cup (tour format) for freeride disciplines held under the auspices of the FIS (International Ski Federation). FWT originated in Switzerland in 1996 and is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. It has grown into a global competition held in approximately 130 countries, with over 10,000 riders (freeride athletes) participating annually.

Our FWT Operations Office manages the Japanese series of FWT (commonly known as "FWT JAPAN SERIES"). Since attracting the first FWT event in Japan and Asia to Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture, in 2017, the Japan Series is now celebrating its 10th anniversary. It has grown to encompass six events nationwide, attracting approximately 400 participants (cumulative) annually. In recent years, the number of entries has significantly exceeded the available slots, indicating a much larger pool of athletes.

[Number of Participants in FWT JAPAN SERIES Tripled]

Source: FWT JAPAN SERIES. Partner companies are for the 2026 series.

FWT JAPAN SERIES not only promotes freeride competition but also serves as a platform to showcase the appeal of host resorts (such as Hakuba Valley, Yuzawa Nakazato Snow Resort, and Arai Mountain Resort) by leveraging its internationality, with about half of its participating athletes being foreign nationals. We are committed to enhancing regional value through sports tourism, as promoted by the Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Japan National Tourism Organization.

[Video of FWT JAPAN SERIES]

About FWT: https://freerideworldtour.jp/about/

Comment from Ayana Onozuka

Ayana Onozuka, a medalist at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and currently a leading figure in the Japanese freeride scene active on the world stage, has sent a message following the decision to make freeride an official Olympic sport for the 2030 Winter Olympics.

"Freeride has officially become a sport at the French Alps 2030 Olympics. Having experienced two Olympics myself, I know firsthand that the Olympic stage is a monumental event that occurs only once every four years for athletes.

"In this context, the adoption of freeride as an official sport is, without exaggeration, a testament to the fact that the fundamental essence of skiing and snowboarding, competing against untamed nature, will be tested on the Olympic stage, and the history of winter sports will change. As an Olympian, a medalist, and currently a freeride competitor, I am extremely delighted by this announcement. I also believe that the level of the Japanese freeride scene will accelerate dramatically.

"Having experienced FWT, I honestly cannot imagine the level of competition now that it's an Olympic event. From the moment this announcement was made today, everyone has a starting point to aim for the Olympics. I am already looking forward to seeing what kind of slopes, what kind of competition, and what kind of riding will be showcased."

Ayana Onozuka's run at the 2026 TOYO TIRES FWT HAKUBA QUALIFIER 4*

[Biography and Major Achievements]

Born in 1988 in Minami-Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture. Started skiing at the age of 2.

After competing in alpine skiing and ski technique competitions, she transitioned to freestyle skiing halfpipe. She won a bronze medal at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and achieved consecutive overall annual championships in the World Cup for two seasons (2015 and 2016). She won a gold medal at the 2017 World Championships, reaching the pinnacle of the sport. She finished 5th at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. In the same year, she transitioned to "freeride" for a new challenge. She became the first Japanese female skier to compete in the "Freeride World Tour (FWT)," the world's premier tour.

Currently, while active as a professional skier and a mother of one, she also works as a TV commentator and an ambassador for "POW JAPAN," an organization dedicated to protecting winter from the climate crisis. She is a leader in the winter sports community, involved in various activities such as promoting the sport, raising safety awareness, and environmental conservation.

Comment from the FWT Operations Office

(Kei Inoue, Office Representative) "We are extremely pleased that freeride will be an Olympic sport. Japan possesses world-class snow quality and a rich mountainous environment, offering excellent fields suitable for freeride. We hope this decision will inspire more young people to take up freeride and further develop the domestic competition environment and athlete development. We aspire to see Japanese athletes and Olympians achieve success on the world stage.

"Competitive freeride in Japan has developed over the past decade since our first event in Hakuba in 2017. During this time, we have been able to continue our efforts thanks to the support of various stakeholders, including judges, guides, ski resorts, patrol teams, sponsors, and participating athletes. We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to everyone involved and humbly request your continued support.

"Please follow our media channels for the latest updates:

HP: https://freerideworldtour.jp/ X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/fwt_japan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freerideworldtour_jp/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreerideWorldTourJapan

[Inquiries Regarding This Matter]

Inquiry Form: https://freerideworldtour.jp/contact/ Email Address: [email protected]

*Please note that we may not be able to respond to all inquiries.

Freeride and Sustainability

Freeride skiing and snowboarding differ from traditional sports held in standardized venues. The stage is "raw nature" itself, which changes moment by moment. We believe the essence of this sport deeply resonates with the sustainability that modern society seeks.

1. Harmony and Adaptation with Nature

Athletes do not avoid unpredictable natural environments and risks; instead, they embrace them fully to carve out the best possible line. Their movement, synchronized with changes in the environment such as snow conditions and wind direction, symbolizes resilience and true coexistence with nature, adapting flexibly to the rapidly changing modern world and aiming for sustainable growth.

2. Risk Management

Although freeride may appear dangerous and wild at first glance, it is underpinned by thorough risk management, including avalanche control, equipment checks, and meteorological analysis. The spirit of being able to ski freely (i.e., freeride) only after meticulous safety management strongly resonates with the approach individuals and corporations should take in a sustainable society.

Companies interested in partnership opportunities with FWT JAPAN SERIES for brand activation are invited to inquire via the dedicated form or email address below:

[Inquiries Regarding This Matter]

Inquiry Form: https://freerideworldtour.jp/contact/ Email Address: [email protected]

*Please note that we may not be able to respond to all inquiries.