which is part of the Freeride World Tour (FWT), the highest competition for the world's top freeriders,
will open in Japan as the 2025 TOYO TIRES FWT JAPAN SERIES.
The first FWT event was held in Switzerland in 1996, and its scale has expanded as the number of freeride fans has increased. It is now recognized as the only and largest freeride world tour in the world.
By the way, the top image is the key visual for the 24-25 season. By coloring the lines and sprays, we express the image that when each line drawn by an artist (rider) on the snow reaches the final runner, the event itself becomes a work of art.
2025 TOYO TIRES FWT JAPAN SERIES. , held at 3 venues and 6 tournaments
The tournament schedule is as follows. The difficulty level of the slope is set from 1* to 4*, and the number of points awarded for each competition differs. It can also be said that this system is unique to FWT, as the ability to participate in the following year's tournament is determined based on the number of points accumulated after a goal is reached.
Tournament name: 2025 TOYO TIRES FWT HAKUBA QUALIFIER 4*
Date: Monday, January 27, 2025 - Thursday, January 30, 2025
Venue: HAKUBA VALLEY (Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture)
Sponsor: Shiba Village Tourism Bureau, Pioneerwork Co., Ltd.
Tournament name: 2025 TOYO TIRES FWT YUZAWA NAKAZATO QUALIFIER 2* 1* / JUNIOR 1*
Date: February 1, 2025 (Saturday) - February 4, 2025 (Tuesday)
Venue: Yuzawa Nakatoshi Snow Resort (Minamigo, Niigata Prefecture
Numa District) Sponsored by: Yuzawa Nakatoshi Snow Resort
Tournament name: 2025 TOYO TIRES FWT ARAI QUALIFIER 3* / JUNIOR 3*
Date: Thursday, February 27, 2025 - Sunday, March 2, 2025
Venue: ARAI MAOUNTAIN RESORT (Myoko City, Niigata Prefecture)
Sponsor: ARAI MAOUNTAIN RESORT
HAKUBA QUALIFIER 4*, a location that rivals the real thing
When you watch the 2025 TOYO TIRES FWT JAPAN SERIES, where famous riders from all over the world will be participating, you should especially pay attention to the HAKUBA QUALIFIER 4*. It is one of the few 4* tournaments in the world held in the Alpine area of Hakuba, which is comparable to countries in Europe such as Switzerland, where the FWT originated.
For several days before the race, local security teams will be working to protect the slopes of the race barn, so skiing will be restricted not only for regular riders but also for athletes. Therefore, it is difficult to watch the race while sliding down the slope, so we recommend watching the race from the goal area, which can be accessed by hiking.
The tournament slope will not be finalized until two days before the event, but you should be able to see the entire tournament slope from the finish area.
It is the only place where you can witness the moment when a small player jumps out of the starting gate, runs through the goal gate full of adrenaline, and appears in front of you.You can also see the players praising each other in the goal area up close. It is also a premium experience to be able to see it.
*The tournament slope will be announced on the FWT JAPAN official Instagram
Ski resort develops slope suitable for FWQ "YUZAWA NAKAZATO QUALIFIER 2* 1* / JUNIOR 1"
For those who find it difficult to watch games in backcountry areas, we recommend watching games at Yuzawa Nakazato Snow Resort or Lotte Mountain Resort, where the tournament slopes have uncompacted snow areas within the ski slopes. Both ski slopes have lift access, so you can watch the games while riding the lifts on the ski slopes, and get close to the start and finish areas.
In particular, at Yuzawa Nakazato Snow Resort, the slope where the tournament will be held is right in front of the rest house at the entrance to the ski resort. This slope is
a special slope that has been maintained since summer by Yuzawa Nakatoshi Snow Resort, the sponsor of the FWT Qualifier/Junio, to make it suitable for the tournament, and is a special slope that will welcome the participants.
In the summer, the track is used as a working road, so it is uneven due to the snow and is studded with jumping points, making it a highlight to see how the athletes line their lines to show their individuality.
Additionally, Yuzawa Nakazato is easily accessible from the city center by Shinkansen, making it the perfect environment for watching freeride competitions.
“ARAI QUALIFIER 3* / JUNIOR 3*” where you can feel the tension of the athletes in the starting area
Another reason why 3* tournaments held at Lotte Mountain Resort are easy to watch is that you can take a lift to the start area.
Last season, the ``Zentana Bowl,'' which was only open on days with heavy snowfall, became the slope for the tournament. This slope is vertically wide with stream terrain, and is characterized by a steep slope with a maximum slope of 41 degrees. If you watch the riders descending from the finish area, you can witness the sense of speed with your own eyes.
Furthermore, since many athletes from juniors to adults participate, many of them can be seen warming up on the slopes while running the ski lifts while waiting for their turn to ski. You may be able to see not only one race in the competition, but also the riding of the participating competitors.
This year, let's visit each ski resort according to the tournament schedule.
■FREERIDE WORLD TOUR JAPAN https://freerideworldtour.jp