The Challenger series is the Freeride World Tour’s minor league. Before rising to the apex of freeride competition on the main tour itself, you have to prove yourself in the Challenger circuit first. The 2026 Challenger line-up includes six European stops and 66 riders.
Xavier Scherwey boosting at the 2025 Challenger event in Obertauern, Austria.
Stefan Scheitl/FWT
Event News
Challenge accepted
Freeride World Tour announces 2026 Challenger schedule & roster
This year’s Challenger series will visit Silvretta-Montafon, Kitzsteinhorn, Nendaz, Obertauern, Monterosa, and a new stop in La Sauze, France.
Each region will host approximately 60-80 riders made up of ex-FWT Pro Tour competitors who didn’t make the 2025 cut and up-and-comers from the FWT Qualifiers series. With only four men’s and two women’s spots on the FWT 2027 roster up for grabs, competition is going to be fierce.
The Challenger series showcases young, hungry talent from the future or freeriding going up against seasoned riders seeking redemption and a way back onto the Pro Tour—the stakes could not be higher.
Packed with former FWT champions and ex-slopestyle medalists making the rosters read more like the invite list to Nendaz Freeride Invitational than the second-tier league of the FWT.
With iconic contest faces and legends on the roster, the Challenger Series by Orage is an FWT lite.
Henrieke Ibing
Ski Men
Seven of the 28 riders on the list are blooded FWT pros with bags of experience. FWT 2022 overall champion Maxime Chabloz graces the list, returning as hungry as ever having missed the 2025 season. Veteran Courchevel local, winner of the Verbier Xtreme 2018 and pioneer of the famous Fieberbrunn gap Mickaël Bimboes also makes a return to competition.
Challenging them is an extremely talented group of thirsty potential usurpers. The youngest rider in the field at only 19 years old is reigning FWT Junior World Champion frenchman, Noah Peizerat, who will be hoping to step-up to the big leagues.
Alex Hackel, X Games medalist, has also qualified and will undoubtedly bring his unique style of riding to big mountain faces making him one to watch.
Freeride World Tour Challenger Series by Orage Men's Roster
Tenra Katsuno (JAP)
Mathys Fornasier (FRA)
Joan Aracil (AND)
Simon Perraudin (SUI)
Edvin Olsson (SWE)
Paul Dentan (SUI)
Maxime Chabloz (SUI)
Rudy Collet (FRA)
Douglas Nordqvist (SWE)
Alex Hackel (USA)
Noah Peizerat (FRA)
Anthony Cot (FRA)
Max Zimmermann (GER)
Nemo Plagne (FRA)
Arnaud Reymond (FRA)
Jacob Müller (AUT)
Gabin Siau (FRA)
Mikkel Brandt (DEN)
Simeon Pavlov (BUL)
Léo Drouet (FRA)
Noé Monier (FRA)
Noé Vouillamoz (SUI)
Milton Holmqvist (FIN)
Xavier Scherwey (SUI)
Jordan Ray (GBR)
Alex Williams (SUI)
Mickaël Bimboes (FRA)
Benoît Lamour (FRA)
Ski Women
The women’s roster reflects the men’s in its breadth and multi-generation talent mix. The 14-rider squad combines up-and-comers with proven winners, among them 2022 FWT Champion Elisabeth Gerritzen, who returns to the Challenger ranks with high-level expertise.
Keep an eye on Maria Castellví Bono and Mila de le Rue of the freeride dynasty, rising forces from the Qualifier series. A cadre of seasoned riders are also hungry to turn their accumulated Challenger experience into long-awaited Pro Tour success.
Freeride World Tour Challenger Series by Orage Women's Roster
Elisabeth Gerritzen (SUI)
Mila de Le Rue (FRA)
Eva Battolla (SUI)
Clémence Philippart (FRA)
Kelly Berthon (FRA)
Zanna Farrell (AUS)
Elisabet Marina (ESP)
Elly Olsson (SWE)
Ulla Gilot (AUT)
Mia McNab (FRA)
Mona Falkner (AUT)
Vilde Fimreite (NOR)
Léa Chapuis (FRA)
Maria Castellví Bono (ESP)
