Recap: Arc'teryx Academy 2026

Between powder, panels and perspectives: Arc'teryx Academy on the Arlberg

From Wednesday to Sunday, we were out and about at this year's Arc'teryx Academy on the Arlberg, so we were right in the thick of things instead of just being there. What makes this event so special every year is the unique mix of mountain guides, freeriders, athletes and snow sports enthusiasts who come together here. Here you can meet artists, filmmakers and creative minds from the scene, as many of the Arc'teryx athletes define themselves not only through their lines on the mountain, but also express their passion in photography, film or music.

In addition to the clinics on the mountain, the Freeride Village once again offered space for exchange, film screenings and panel talks. The Women's Community Talk on Friday evening with Lucy Sackbauer, Tonje Kvivik, Coline Ballet Baz and photographer Layla Kerley was particularly impressive. The focus was not on the perfect run, but on the reality behind professional sport. Injuries, setbacks and dealing with defeats were openly discussed and it became clear how these experiences can enable long-term growth. True to the motto "play more, fail more and then play more ", participants were encouraged to try things out, play, fall down and learn from them. Especially in a field that is still dominated by men, it was all the more inspiring to see how "badass" the female athletes are!

The subsequent Movie Night brought the day to a successful close with goosebump-inducing moments. Among other things, Maude Besse presented her new film Tandem together with one of her closest friends, Elisabeth Gerritzen, , while St. Anton local Sebi Mall shared impressions from Japan with Sweven.

But days like these are particularly challenging. Poor visibility, rutted terrain. But these are exactly the conditions that we unfortunately encounter more and more often in reality, and in which it is important to stand safely on the boards. On the day with Yvon, we not only practise jump turns, but also how to ride a mogul slope elegantly. The focus for all of us on this day is stability in the upper body. At the end of the day, we are a little frozen but satisfied and meet the Arc'teryx community in the Freeride Village. It's a great place to end the day with a delicious coffee from Unbound accompanied by relaxed DJ music, gear talk with brands such as Atomic and Jones and repairs at the ReBIRD Service Center.

Divided team, double the freeride enjoyment

On Saturday, our team split up. While Klara took her skills to a new level at Visualize Your Line with Tonje Kvivik on line selection and decision-making in the terrain, Toni was able to playfully explore the slopes of the Arlberg with Sebi Mall at the Home Playground clinic, taking sidehits, incorporating short hikes and discovering long freeride variants in untracked terrain. Sunshine, fresh powder and strong guiding teams on both sides made for a picture-book freeride day.

You can find out more about the day with Tonje here.

Where passion meets responsibility

Safety was a major factor throughout the Academy. Each day began with beacon and gear checks and the clinics were accompanied by an experienced team of around 60 mountain guides and 20 athletes, who not only knew how to find the best spots for the hoped-for powder lines, but also kept an eye on group dynamics and safety. The result speaks for itself. There was not a single accident over the entire weekend, despite the difficult snow situation, the challenging clinics and the number of participants.

The event concluded with the legendary Bird Party, which once again showed that many athletes not only perform on the mountain, but also behind the DJ controls and on the dance floor.

With over 500 clinic spots, participants from 28 nations and an expanded women's program, the Arc'teryx Academy 2026 was both international and diverse. More than 5,000 visitors flocked to the Freeride Village over the weekend to experience the clinics, panel talks, movie nights, live music and inspiring workshops. There was something for everyone who shares a passion for the mountains.

We say thank you and look forward to seeing you again!