Under perfect bluebird skies, the 20th edition of the X OVER RIDE delivered high-level freeride skiing on the iconic Kitzsteinhorn.
When Maxime Chabloz lands in sixth place with a stomped run, you know this comp was heavy.
Luca Jaenichen
Event News
Challenge accepted
Bluebird freeride action on the Kitzsteinhorn at the X OVER RIDE Challenger 2026
As the third stop of the Freeride World Tour Challenger series presented by Orage, the event marked a key moment in the 2026 season—and a historic one, as the Langwied face was ridden in competition for the very first time.
Following intense showdowns in Silvretta Montafon and Nendaz, the pressure was on. With rankings tight across the board, every run counted in the race for qualification to the Freeride World Tour.
A New Face, Endless Possibilities
The Langwied face (2,260 m) proved to be a worthy addition to the tour. Featuring gradients up to 40 degrees and over 300 vertical meters, the venue offered a mix of steep terrain, natural cliffs, and playful features. Riders were rewarded for both creativity and control, making line choice as essential as execution.
Kitzsteinhorn's Landwied face: playful is an understatement.
Pflanzl Media
Ski Men: Zwischenbrugger Extends His Lead
Austria’s Simon Zwischenbrugger once again proved he’s the man to beat this season. Combining speed, fluidity, and technical precision, he put down a commanding run that earned him 95.67 points and another victory.
Originally entering the season as a wildcard, Zwischenbrugger has quickly turned into a serious contender for the overall title—and potential promotion to the Freeride World Tour.
France’s Noah Peizerat secured second place (93.00 points) with a bold run that kicked off with a clean backflip straight out of the gate. He maintained momentum throughout, linking freestyle elements with confident riding.
In third, Valentin Rainer made an impressive Challenger debut this season. His composed and technical line, featuring both 360s and a backflip, earned him 92.00 points and a well-deserved podium finish.
Leo Drouet styles out a 360.
Luca Jaenichen
Ski Women: McNab Dominates with Big Mountain Style
In the Ski Women category, France’s Mia McNab took the win with a standout performance (88.67 points). Going bigger than anyone else in her field, she used the terrain to its full potential, linking multiple features with confidence and flow.
Austria’s Ulla Gilot followed in second place (85.00 points), impressing with a fast, fluid line that combined strong technical skiing with smart feature selection.
Spain’s Maria Castellví Bono completed the podium in third (81.33 points), choosing a creative ridge line packed with features and executing it with precision.
Elly Olsson bags a clean drop.
Luca Jaenichen
20 Years of X OVER RIDE: A Proven Freeride Stage
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the X OVER RIDE once again demonstrated why it holds a firm place on the freeride calendar. The terrain on the Kitzsteinhorn offers a rare blend of big-mountain exposure and freestyle-friendly features—ideal for modern freeriding.
With standout performances, a motivated field, and perfect weather, the 2026 edition delivered a memorable contest and set the tone for the second half of the Challenger season.