Freeride. Olympic sport in Alps 2030

It's official. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed that freeride will be part of the program for the Alps 2030 Winter Olympic Games. This will be the first time this discipline, in both skiing and snowboarding, has an Olympic presence.

The program will include four events with a total of 44 athletes—22 women and 22 men. According to the IOC, this inclusion responds to the international growth of freeride, its appeal to new generations, and the use of natural settings, which reduces the impact on the Games' infrastructure.

It has not yet been announced which mountain will host the competitions or what the final format will be.

What is freeride?

Unlike disciplines such as downhill or slalom, freeride does not follow a marked course. Athletes descend an untouched slope, each choosing their own line, combining speed, technique, and creativity.

Competitions are held on steep terrain, with couloirs, rocks, and natural jumps. Judges evaluate aspects such as line choice, control, fluidity, technique, and style, in addition to the jumps performed during the descent.

Currently, the highest international circuit is the Freeride World Tour.

A step towards professionalization

Following the IOC announcement, the U.S. Ski & Snowboard federation confirmed the creation of a sports structure to prepare its athletes for the Olympic event. It will work alongside the IFSA, the organization responsible for numerous freeride competitions in America, and will give these athletes access to the same technical and scientific resources as the rest of its national teams.

It is foreseeable that other federations will develop similar programs in the coming years.

An open debate

The inclusion of freeride in the Olympic program has also reopened a debate within the community.

For some, it represents the definitive recognition of a discipline that has experienced great growth over the last decade. For others, there is a risk that the sport may lose some of the freedom and identity that have characterized it since its origins.

Whatever the opinion, Alps 2030 will mark a turning point for a discipline that has transitioned from the world's most iconic mountains to the greatest showcase in international sports.