Fieberbrunn

Anyone living the dream of freeriding in Austria can learn from the best. Snowboard vice world champion Flo Orley and FWT winner Stefan Häusl have left their active careers behind them - and are now passing on their knowledge to the next generation. Orley as co-founder of the Freeride Academy Innsbruck, Häusl as a coach for young freeride pros on the Arlberg. The impressive offspring from their own ranks proves that both are doing it right: Stefan's daughter Jana is the current FIS Freeride Junior World Champion and Flo's daughter Momo is already a two-time European Champion U14. Freeride DNA literally runs in the family in Austria.

"All good things come in threes" is often said, but it is not always true. This time, "exceptions prove the rule" would probably be more accurate. Due to the snow conditions, no Freeride World Tour contest can take place in Fieberbrunn either.

The risk'n'fun training courses sponsored by the Austrian Alpine Club are aimed particularly at young freeriders. Thanks to the funding, participants up to the age of 30 benefit from particularly low course fees. However, anyone aged 16 and over can take part; there is no upper age limit. PowderGuide took part again this year and would sign up again anytime! There are currently still places available on two Level 1 courses for anyone who would like to join.

The Fieberbrunn Pro Event in Tyrol is an institution on the Freeride World Tour. The Wildseeloder is feared for its steep and narrow passages, but is also legendary for the Häusle Cliff and the parties afterwards. Unfortunately, not everyone had something to celebrate this time, as Fieberbrunn is always the last stop for some riders. While a few riders seized their last chance, others literally crashed or didn't even get the opportunity to compete, as their event was canceled. Although—or perhaps because—the male skiers were unable to race, there were still some exciting stories worth telling.

Yesterday, Saturday, the world's best freeriders came together again to determine the winners for the fourth time in the 2025 season. This time, the elites battled it out on one and two boards in the wild Caucasus, in the shadow of the 4858 m high Tetnuldis, and threw themselves down the Kakhiani.

Winter is just around the corner - and with it the biggest freeride event of the year. In less than 20 days, this year's Freeride World Tour (FWT) kicks off in Baqueira Beret, Spain, probably on 19th of January 2025. New riders and venues, legendary comebacks and changes to the contest format promise pure excitement. So buckle up, because the freeride elite is waiting in the wings, ready to thrill us with epic lines and wild moments.

At the first stop of the finals, I had the opportunity to accompany the Freeride World Tour in Fieberbrunn and not only see the surface of a contest, but also get to know the people behind it. The entire organisational team, all the riders and some of the support staff spend the week of the weather window together in the hotel. The team does a lot of work and discusses details of the competition late into the evening. The dinners with the riders and staff have shown me that there is a very friendly relationship between the participants and the organisers.

At the fourth stop of the Freeride World Tour, riders can expect the face of the Wildseeloder in difficult snow conditions. The expected 20 cm of fresh snow overnight turns into 1 cm and the slope is frozen, especially at lower altitudes, due to the previous period of warm weather. On the day of the competition, however, the sun shone brightly and spurred on all participants. Victor De Le Rue, once again in first place, secured the title in the men's snowboard category. Canadian Erin Sauve came out on top in the women's category. Frenchwoman Astrid Cheylus and New Zealander Ben Richards came first on skis.

Last spring, the best men and women of the competitive freeride scene met in Fieberbrunn to find out who had what it takes to stand at the top of the Freeride World Tour podium two weeks later. I was also able to be part of the action, not as an athlete of course, but as a reporter who was able to provide insights into the tour and the supporting events. As part of this, I had the pleasure of conducting an interview about our favourite activity with local heroine Manuela Mandl. In 2018, she became freeride world champion in snowboarding and last year she secured victory in Xtreme Verbier, taking third place in the FWT.

A freeride camp where you have the opportunity to learn from the pros, refresh your knowledge of avalanche safety and get valuable first-hand tips on ski care and repair.

Advent Advent - the second! It's that time again and our Advent competition is entering the next round! Together with Sport Conrad, we are giving away 1x2 places for the Alpin Tiefschneetage. The biggest test festival for ski touring and freeride equipment in the Alps awaits you.

Dear PowderGuide Community, today we would like to introduce you to our new partner; Sport Conrad. We are very proud of it and there is a lot to tell. Sport Conrad is the largest online ski retailer in Europe, but comes from a family business that has been convincing with its craftsmanship and advice for 128 years and has always been one step ahead of its time.