Overview of the Spring 2025 Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski Committee Meetings

Vilamoura (POR) hosted the 2025 FIS Spring Meetings this past week with the FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski ‘supercommittee’ concluding its discussions on Friday (May 9).

As well as reviewing the past winter, these Spring Meetings represented an important checkpoint ahead of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. Provisional calendars for the 2025-26 season were presented although these, along with all decisions taken in Vilamoura, are subject to approval at next month’s FIS Council.

Throughout the week, subcommittee meetings were held for Snowboard Cross, Ski Cross, Park & Pipe, Freestyle, and Alpine Snowboard, alongside advisory group discussions with judges, technical delegates, media, marketing, PR, and advertising stakeholders.

FIS and Azerbaijan’s State Tourism Agency agreed to a landmark partnership that positions the country as snow sports’ Global Destination Partner. As of the 2025/26 season, Azerbaijan will be the premium partner of all FIS World Championships, as well as a title partner of the FIS World Cup in Moguls, Aerials, Ski Cross, and Snowboard Cross.

The restructuring of FIS social media to offer dedicated Instagram and TikTok channels for Freestyle, Park & Pipe, Snowboard Racing, and Ski Cross yielded impressive growth in the previous season. The decision to expand digital staffing to facilitate this paid dividends, with short-form video posts performing exceptionally well on the new platforms.

Additionally, the distribution of high-quality competition footage to athletes and National Ski Associations (NSAs) to share on their social media via the new FIS Content Exchange Platform has helped boost interaction significantly, as well as improve content accessibility and stakeholder coordination.

Generally, the committee was able to hail “one of the most successful and consistent winter seasons in recent years”. Provisional calendars were presented for 2025/26 with only minor adjustments expected.

Snowboard Cross

The Snowboard Cross Subcommittee reflected on a “strong and highly intense” 2024-25 FIS World Cup season with 12 competitions in seven stops in seven different countries. After the unfortunate early-season cancellation in Dolní Morava (CZE), Beidahu (CHN) stepped in at just over a month’s notice to put on a double-header the following weekend.

The circuit also returned to Erzurum (TUR), delivering two fine races. But the highlight was the Engadin 2025 World Championships with St. Moritz (SUI) hosting a superb spectacle. Athletes from 20 nations competed in Snowboard Cross (SBX) across individual and mixed team races. The local organizing committee ensured excellent execution with the high-quality broadcast pictures generating great publicity for the sport.

Performance levels reached new heights throughout the season with athletes pushing the boundaries of what is possible in SBX. The future also looks bright with April’s Junior SBX World Championships at Isola 2000 (FRA) featuring 102 athletes from 22 nations.

Demonstrating the sport’s commitment to expanding its reach, a successful SBX Development Camp was held in St. Moritz in early January. Some 46 athletes and a number of coaches took part and benefitted from the expert training sessions and available resources.

Due to challenging snow conditions, the SBX European Cup hosted fewer races - 12 across seven venues in four countries - than planned. However, a total of 237 athletes from 26 nations took part with the subcommittee praising the level of competition which moves ever closer to World Cup standards.

Looking ahead, the 2025-26 FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup schedule was unveiled in Vilamoura subject to approval by next month’s FIS Council. After the season-opener in Cervinia (ITA) from December 19-21, Beidahu will again stage rounds two and three, and the athletes will stay in China with Tianqiaogou hosting its first World Cup races - another double-header - on January 16-18.

The tour returns to France the following weekend for a double-header at a venue to be confirmed, and Gudauri (GEO) stages the last two rounds before the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. The Livigno (ITA) local organizing committee gave a positive update on the SBX course and setup for the Games.

At the end of February, an event will be staged in Europe - at a venue to be decided - before the circuit moves to Erzurum and then Montafon (AUT). The season finale will be held at Mt. St Anne (CAN) on March 27-29. Also taking place in March are the Junior World Championships in St. Moritz.

As with every off-season, FIS will conduct site inspections of World Cup venues during the summer. Special attention will be paid to Zhangjiakou (CHN), which will host SBX at the 2029 World Championships.

Ski Cross

Safety advances took up much of the deliberations of the Ski Cross Subcommittee in Vilamoura.

Two significant changes will be made ahead of the 2026-27; cut-resistant underwear will become mandatory for Level A (World Cup and Europa Cup) events, and new Ski Cross-specific gates will replace the current Snowboard Alpine gates.

The subcommittee has “highly recommended” that Ski Cross racers use airbags, but these remain optional.

In order to promote fairness, a new ‘No Home Base Advantage’ rule has been brought in with immediate effect. No training will be allowed on the competition course seven days before a World Cup event, and three days before a European Cup race. Also, any additional unofficial training sessions can only be organized by the organizing committee, and open to all nations.

Drones can be used to film World Cup races subject to jury approval. Every heat must be filmed for the drones to be allowed, and footage must be available to the jury, and shared with all nations. This rule applies to National Ski Associations, local organizing committees, and the media.

Goggle Cams were successfully launched at March’s Engadin 2025 FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboarding World Championships. Despite there being some technical issues, the committee was satisfied that athlete safety was not compromised and the project - hailed by Race Director Klaus Waldner as a “great innovation” for Ski Cross and broadcasters - will continue into next season.

The goal is to use the cameras at five World Cup events and implement them as standard into TV coverage. There is also the ‘Multiviewer’ option where the viewer can choose between the main broadcaster feed and the on-board perspectives of the four athletes. Discussions are ongoing with Olympic Broadcasting Services as to whether it can be implemented at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

Waldner described 2024-25 as “a very good season” with most venues delivering their best tracks to date. There was a “significant improvement” in women’s numbers participating compared to previous years. To build on that, there will be another Women’s Development Camp held in December.

Of the new venues, Val di Fassa (ITA) had “a great debut” with the circuit returning there in early January. Gudauri (GEO) faced “logistical challenges” which will be addressed, and the Georgian World Cup stop in early March could return to Bakuriani. Meanwhile, Craigleith (CAN) was noted as requiring track layout improvements.

Looking ahead, there are 20 scheduled events on the 2025-26 World Cup calendar. Kopaonik (SRB) will stage its first Ski Cross World Cup races in late February just after Milano-Cortina 2026.

Reiteralm (AUT) has been replaced by Montafon in the schedule with the former needing to improve safety measures. The World Cup season will start with a double-header in Val Thorens (FRA) on December 9-12, and end with the Finals in Idre Fjäll (SWE) from March 26-29.

Regarding Milano-Cortina 2026, the track in Livigno (ITA) is on course to be finished by November. In the absence of a test event, training will be held for Ski Cross racers on February 2-3 with the athletes staying in the Olympic Village.

Park & Pipe

Chaired by Christoph Perreten, the Park & Pipe Subcommittee and Project & Strategy Group covered a wide range of topics in Vilamoura from rule proposals and adjustments, to the changing competition landscape in view of the arrival of new, independent tours in the coming seasons.

An “extremely successful” 2024-25 World Cup Park & Pipe was highlighted by full, three-plus event Crystal Globe campaigns in Big Air, Halfpipe, and Slopestyle for both Freeski and Snowboard. There was also a thrilling Engadin 2025 FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboarding World Championships and February’s Winter European Youth Olympic Festival in Bakuriani (GEO).

Impressive increases in all metrics on social media and streaming platforms indicate that FIS Park & Pipe continues to improve as a product that key demographics wish to watch and engage with. However, it is crucial to build on that momentum ahead of international broadcast rights coming in-house under FIS control in 2026-27.

The subcommittee discussed at length how to modernize the presentation of FIS Park & Pipe competitions both in terms of broadcast and streaming, and on the ground. It also talked about the desire for increased investment in athletes’ prize money, and continuing efforts to enhance judging education, quality and compensation.

One critical asset moving forward will be the emerging FIS Rails events. The first Continental Cup competitions took place this past season - three Freeski and six Snowboard - in the European Cup, and Rails will be added to the Junior World Championships program in Calgary (CAN) with a view to establishing itself as a World Cup-level discipline and possible eventual Olympic inclusion.

One of FIS Park & Pipe’s greatest strengths is its athlete pathway through to top-tier international competition. Discussions in the Subcommittee for Youth & Children, plus in-depth conversations on women’s athletic development and participation needs within the FIS system, will go some way to furthering the inclusivity and viability of that pathway through the next Olympic cycle.

The 2025-26 World Cup calendar was submitted with the season opening with a Freeski Slopestyle event in Stubai (AUT) on November 21-22. The campaign will end with Halfpipe and Slopestyle competitions for both Freeski and Snowboard in Silvaplana (SUI) from March 25-29. The Big Air season concludes in Tignes (FRA) the previous weekend.

Freestyle

The Freestyle Subcommittee focused heavily on the future of the sport with an onus on long-term strategic development. Discussions revolved around balancing competitive excellence with sustainable growth and global inclusivity.

One central topic was the quality of judging, with positive trends in Aerials scoring accuracy due to improved data analysis and training. The ongoing implementation of remote judging demands continued investment in education and support systems, particularly ahead of major events. Efforts will be made to train both judges and technical delegates to increase the number and standard of qualified personnel across all levels of competition.

The integration of AI tools is underway with judging systems among the areas which stand to benefit. While this project remains in early development, AI looks set to play its part in optimizing event management and enhancing sport presentation.

In order to expand opportunities in lower-level Aerials events, an Intercontinental Cup framework was proposed in Vilamoura. There are currently 13 nations with competitors at FIS level, and the objective is to attract new nations to the sport through the use of FIS and Olympic Solidarity funding.

There are 23 nations represented at FIS level in Moguls, making a total of 26 in both Moguls and Aerials. These numbers are stable, and the committee remains committed to further growth.

The provisional calendar for the 2025-26 World Cup season was submitted with Ruka (FIN) staging the opener for both Aerials and Moguls on December 6-7.

Nine events are scheduled in Moguls, plus eight in Dual Moguls, which will make its much-anticipated Olympic debut at February’s Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. The season will end with the World Cup Finals at a to-be-confirmed venue in Asia on March 14-15.

Seven competitions have been scheduled in Aerials including the double-header in Lac-Beauport (CAN) on January 3-4. Its season will draw to a close in Deer Valley (USA) on January 18. Three Team Aerials have been pencilled in with the opener to take place in China - venue to be confirmed - on December 14.

The Freestyle Junior World Championships are scheduled for the end of the 2025-26 season, and the committee is considering a bid received from Switzerland for Airolo to host them from March 15-23. These would feature Moguls, Dual Moguls, Mixed Team Dual Moguls, Aerials and Team Aerials.

More immediately, expansion is planned for summer events with continued development of the FIS Freestyle Summer Grand Prix (aka Water Ramp Tour), plus a proposed FIS Alps Aerials Summer Tour to strengthen development in Europe.

Snowboard Alpine

The Snowboard Alpine subcommittee praised the “very positive direction” the discipline was taking when it met in Vilamoura last week, pointing to progress made at all levels ahead of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

The 2024-25 VISA FIS Snowboard Alpine World Cup was one of the longest in recent years with 17 races across 12 venues in nine countries. The season kicked off the first time in China, with the move well-received by the growing snowboarding community in Asia.

One standout aspect of the World Cup was the “noticeable improvement in slope preparation”, which played its part in enhancing the broadcast and photo imagery representing the sport worldwide. Also contributing to its success was the new high-resolution photo-finish system, adding excitement and drama for spectators and fans alike, while VISA’s addition as title sponsor brought new energy to the tour.

On the podium, both established stars and new talent made the headlines. The season’s highlight was the Engadin 2025 World Championships featuring three parallel snowboard events: Giant Slalom (PGS), Slalom (PSL) and the Mixed Team race.

March’s FIS Snowboard Alpine Junior World Championships in Zakopane/Suche (POL) were also a great success, showcasing outstanding young talent with over 100 athletes from 16 nations taking part. Meanwhile, the European Cup maintained a high standard featuring both PGS and PSL races across six venues and spanning 16 days of competition.

Helping to enhance the discipline’s foundation was the first Junior Regional Cup Alps Tour, a new FIS-sanctioned series positioned below European Cup level. This initiative encouraged National Snowboard Associations (NSAs) to organize high-quality races, and provided valuable competitive opportunities for junior, youth and children’s categories.

Like Snowboard Cross, Snowboard Alpine had a strong presence at January’s Snowboard Development Camp in St. Moritz (SUI). One key recommendation for future camps was to split the athletes into two performance groups based on FIS points, thereby allowing more tailored coaching and better-targeted development.

Coming into Olympic year, there were few rule changes on the agenda. Proposals which were approved included allocating additional spots in races due to injury, and providing greater clarity surrounding the number of starters in the field as well as team seedings for the Team event.

The 2025-26 World Cup calendar was presented with two PSLs getting the season underway in Mylin (CHN) on November 27-28. Yanqing (CHN) was announced in Vilamoura as hosting the first two PGS races the following weekend, but has since been replaced by Thaiwoo (CHN).

Cortina d’Ampezzo (ITA) stages a PGS on December 13, with the Olympic PGS taking place almost three months later in nearby Livigno. Next comes a PGS in Carezza (ITA) with the first half of the season looking very similar to the 2024-25 World Cup.

One change is the return of Simonhöhe (AUT) to the program; it hosts a PGS and a Mixed Team PGS on January 23-24. Then Rogla (SLO) stages the last event before the Olympic Winter Games.

After Milano-Cortina 2026, the World Cup resumes in Krynica (POL) before making its first ever stop at Spindleruv Mlyn (CZE) in early March. Then follows a trip to North America, specifically to Val. St. Come (CAN), before Winterberg (GER) again hosts the season finale.

With a total of 21 PGS and PSL races, plus at least three Mixed Team competitions, across 14 venues in 10 different countries, this looks set to be the biggest and best World Cup campaign yet. The even spacing of events throughout the season, and the Olympic Winter Games, give the committee hope that the sport can attract greater interest and enthusiasm in the months ahead.