Val Thorens: The Next Stop on the Freeride World Tour 2026

After the circuit kicked off in Baqueira Beret, the international freeride elite head to the French Alps to tackle one of the calendar's toughest and most technical venues. The event marks the return of high-level freeriding to France, with Val Thorens reaffirming itself, for the second consecutive year, as a Tour host.

Located at an altitude of 2,300 meters, in the heart of Les 3 Vallées ski area, the resort offers high-mountain terrain characterized by technical couloirs, wide faces, and steep slopes—an ideal setting for a competition where the ability to interpret the terrain and proper risk management are decisive.

Riders are keeping their focus on Cime Caron (3,200 meters) as a potential venue for the competition, although its selection will always be conditioned by snow evolution and safety parameters.

One of the main draws of the Val Thorens Pro will be the return of Léo Slemett, who will participate as a wildcard in the men's ski category. The French freerider, Freeride World Tour champion, makes a temporary comeback to competition after focusing his career in recent years on audiovisual projects and overcoming an injury.

In the men's snowboard category, four-time Tour champion Victor de Le Rue will try to reverse a less-than-expected start to the season, boosted by the local crowd's support. In women's snowboard, reigning champion Noémie Equy faces the competition with the goal of claiming victory at her home resort for the first time.

The lineup is completed by the return of Enzo Nilo, winner of the Val Thorens Pro in 2025, and the presence of young siblings Lou Barin and César Barin, who continue to solidify their progression after their debut in Baqueira Beret, where they already delivered very promising performances.

This presents a pivotal moment in the championship, where consistency and adaptability to the terrain will make the difference. With the first leaders already established in each category, the stop in the French Alps will begin to more clearly define the authentic title contenders.

The specific competition date will be confirmed within the established window, based on safety criteria and snowpack stability. The event can be followed live through the official channels of the Freeride World Tour.