2022 women’s ski freeride world champion Jess Hotter (Ohakune, 32) will be competing in the women’s ski category. Ben Richards (Wānaka, 25), current Freeride World Tour athlete with multiple elite freeride podiums under his belt, and 2026 Freeride World Tour rookie Fynn Powell (Queenstown, 23) will compete in the men’s ski competition, while 2025 Freeride World Tour athlete Conrad Niven (Auckland/Aspen, 32) will be holding down the snowboard category for New Zealand.
The Kiwi athletes each bring an impressive track record of accolades and achievements as accomplished freeriders, including multiple Freeride World Tour podiums and previous World Championship titles.
The FIS Freeride World Championships, launching in 2026 under the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), represent the pinnacle of freeride skiing and snowboarding competition.
This landmark event is a further step forward in the integration of freeride into FIS as the newest of its winter sports disciplines.
— Allied Media
