Argentina’s Las Leñas ski resort just wrapped up an epic week of freeride skiing and snowboarding competitions, with athletes from around the world shredding the slopes while earning Freeride World Qualifier points. Las Leñas is getting very close to the end of their season, with their closing date currently set for September 20th, but the conditions on the mountain were still top-notch for a wild week.
2025 FA Las Leñas IFSA Qualifier
The 2025 FA Las Leñas IFSA Qualifier ran from September 1st through September 9th, offering qualifier points to competitors hoping to move their way up the rankings. Chilean skier Pablo Epple won the men’s category while Argentinian skier Manuela Roncallo won the women‘s. In the snowboarding, Argentinian Karina del Ciancio won the women’s while Andorran Albert Manresa won the men’s.
About the Freeride World Tour
For adults competing in the International Freeskiers & Snowboarders Association, there are three levels of competition. Those hoping to work their way up the ranks start in the Freeride Qualifiers. There are around 100 events around the world, separated into two FWT regions. Athletes begin with 1* events with very little exposure and small features. As they compete and begin to earn points, athletes move onto 2* events, then 3*, then 4*. 4* is more-or-less the semi-pro level.
The FWT Challenger Tour includes a series of events that determines the final list of riders for the Freeride World Tour, or the professional level. The competitions see the top riders of the Freeride Qualifiers competing against the the bottom-ranked riders from the FWT Pro tour. 19 total athletes qualify for the World Tour.
The Freeride World Tour is the professional level, with 6 events worldwide and 2 final events occurring after a mid-season cut. This makes up the best of the best, with the world’s greatest freeride skiers and snowboarders pushing the limits.
