Ski

January 16, 2026

After more than a meter of snowfall in recent weeks, followed by strong winds, much of the face was stripped back to challenging conditions, with wind-packed snow, exposed rocks, and punchy, unforgiving landings. It was a day where control, confidence, and smart line choice mattered most for the riders on the face.

Ski Women: Clean skiing and a historic first

Agostina Vietti made history as the first Argentinian woman to compete on the Freeride World Tour. The HEAD athlete, with a strong technical background shaped by years working as a ski instructor in Aspen, delivered a calm and composed run in tricky snow. Skiing the fall line, managing variable conditions, and stomping a big bottom air, she scored 69.67 points, went straight into the hot seat, and finished 4th in her very first FWT start.

Lena Kohler came into Baqueira off a strong season, finishing fourth overall last year. She brought her aggressive style into one of the more technical zones on the face, dealing with hidden sharks and wind-affected snow. A few rocky sections slowed her down and affected her flow, but she stayed composed and finished 9th with 52 points on a demanding face.

Jenna Keller arrived in Baqueira after finishing second overall last season. She skied the top section strong, committing to a big cliff with speed. A backseat landing into a tricky snow pocket on the next feature caused a lost ski and a no score. Even so, the run showed the solid technique and control that define her skiing. Last season proved that setbacks like this do not stop her from being right at the top.

The Ski Women category closed with hometown wildcard Maria Castellvi Bono. After a standout Qualifier season with multiple wins and no result worse than second place, she fed off the local crowd energy from start to finish. A technical mid-face air and a stomped lower cliff highlighted her local knowledge. She finished sixth with 67.67 points, in front of a crowd that made it feel like a podium.

Ski Men: Big airs, experience, and holding it together

Max Hitzig returned from a back injury with one of the strongest runs of the day. The reigning World Champion threw down a massive backflip and an even bigger crosshill 360, landing backseat but bringing it back under control. His committed skiing earned 84.33 points, kept him in the hot seat for much of the day, and landed him in 4th place.

Abel Moga once again proved why he is one of the most exciting riders on Tour. Dropping to a roaring home crowd, he sent a massive Superman front flip off a huge cliff near the bottom of the face. A punchy landing caused a loss of control and limited his score to 49 points, but the energy and reaction were unforgettable.

Carl Regner Eriksson showed his experience in his ninth season on Tour. Linking a technical 360 into a narrow chute, followed by a clean backflip and smooth outrun, he finished seventh with 74.33 points.

Jack Kolesch confirmed the strength of the new generation. The Lake Louise rider adapted quickly to visual inspection only and linked a stylish 360 in an exposed section with a big bottom feature. His controlled run scored 74.5 points and earned him a top-ten finish in his FWT debut.

Snowboard: Opening strong in difficult conditions

Nuria Castán Barón opened the competition with a technical double cliff, recovered quickly from a tricky landing, and finished clean to score 63 points and take 4th place.

In Snowboard Men, Cody Bramwell charged from the top. After fighting a backflip landing in inconsistent snow, he rode it out with flow and control, scoring 76 points and finishing 7th.

What’s Next on Tour

With the first stop of the season in the books, the Freeride World Tour now moves deeper into the winter. The next stop in Val Thorens will bring a very different style of terrain, with higher altitude, colder snow, and more exposed faces. It will be another demanding test where consistency, decision-making, and smart riding will matter more than ever.