Public Freeride Competitions

FWT took over everything just like FIS. No more open slope comps, no more open freeride comps. You must be pro or pay us lots of money to compete. Rich kids only sorry.

ifsa/fwq/fwt took over

i compete ifsa but tbh I do not like the format at all. Basically, if u wanna qualify for norams u have to the full 6 comps (3 regional, 3 national)

It's so hard to travel for like 6 weekends if u don't live in places like telluride or Jackson hole which is close to the comps

Sometimes feels like pay to win. local comps would help w this and be so much fun

It's a lot more complex than that.
We unfortunately now live in a world where we have to deal with lawsuits so insurance needs to get involved. An "open to the public" freeride comp is not very appealing to insurance companies and even then, those that would approve of it will charge huge premiums that a $20 entry fee is not going to cover.

The reason FWT, IFSA and FIS have been able to take over is that they have strict qualification criterias and insurance companies are willing to work with them. This also takes a lot of the liability off of the mountain itself.

A really obvious event is the Aspen Open. This comp takes place on the X-Games slope course and in the past it was open to any Tom, Dick and Harry that wanted to enter. Now it's a FIS NorAM event and only open to competitors that have qualified on the NorAM circuit. This prevents serious injuries and allows the sport to keep progressing without the major issues of insurance.

Pipe_MunkyIt's a lot more complex than that.
We unfortunately now live in a world where we have to deal with lawsuits so insurance needs to get involved. An "open to the public" freeride comp is not very appealing to insurance companies and even then, those that would approve of it will charge huge premiums that a $20 entry fee is not going to cover.

The reason FWT, IFSA and FIS have been able to take over is that they have strict qualification criterias and insurance companies are willing to work with them. This also takes a lot of the liability off of the mountain itself.

A really obvious event is the Aspen Open. This comp takes place on the X-Games slope course and in the past it was open to any Tom, Dick and Harry that wanted to enter. Now it's a FIS NorAM event and only open to competitors that have qualified on the NorAM circuit. This prevents serious injuries and allows the sport to keep progressing without the major issues of insurance.

Outside of the obvious liability, the resort would likely see no increase in profits even if 100 ppl entered a $20 event, any decent sized resort wouldn't be interested.

**This post was edited on Mar 1st 2021 at 1:23:08pm

King of The Mountain in revy is always a banger, it’s all the locals who you see every now and then throwing down that work normal jobs and aren’t pros on a dope freeride course with built lips one day and the park the next day both right under the chair. Pretty sure anyone can enter

Public comps used to be a thing at a lot of mountains even small local mountains with prizes like a free pair of skis for first place. Really sad this sort of thing doesn’t really happen or exist, would help a lot of skiers also get their name out

My local hill used to do an event which was a big mountain event at the top, then into a speed trap, then a GS course, then a jump section, then a rail section all in one run. Most fun event ever

AGOFMy local hill used to do an event which was a big mountain event at the top, then into a speed trap, then a GS course, then a jump section, then a rail section all in one run. Most fun event ever

Go Bowl! Wish they would bring it back.

Pipe_MunkyThe reason FWT, IFSA and FIS have been able to take over is that they have strict qualification criterias and insurance companies are willing to work with them. This also takes a lot of the liability off of the mountain itself.

Also, the insurance companies for IFSA are pretty damn strict. and I believe there is only one that is willing to work with them, so they have a monopoly. It is a massive reason that competition prices are skyrocketing. Insurance rates keep going up.

does GS skis rail, rails?

Totally understand the insurance liability holding something like this back but is it honestly more dangerous to have a free ride competition with 3 “natural” hits than 2-3 whole terrain parks?

I know they are separate but if you can escape liability via waivers a park terrain parks why can’t you do it for a competition? FYI I’m genuinely curious...

It's different because in terrain parks skiers are hitting features of their own free will. In a comp setting skiers are required to hit features so contest organizers are assuming the liability for the course or "field of play" for a freeride comp.

In freeride there are more unknown factors because you are dealing with so many more unknown factors like a possibly unstable snowpack, hidden rocks, trees, etc... When it comes to a park, skiers/snowboarders are in a controlled area maintained by the resort.

DesertStixTotally understand the insurance liability holding something like this back but is it honestly more dangerous to have a free ride competition with 3 “natural” hits than 2-3 whole terrain parks?

I know they are separate but if you can escape liability via waivers a park terrain parks why can’t you do it for a competition? FYI I’m genuinely curious...

I mean I get all that but as an insurance company, you’re looking at minimizing the amount of money you’ll have to pay out regardless of where the incident is on the mountain. Seems like a terrain park with XL jumps open to 1 trip/year gapers is way more likely to end in a possible suit than a free ride comp with 20 riders signing waivers knowing EXACTLY what they’re getting into.

Pipe_MunkyIt's different because in terrain parks skiers are hitting features of their own free will. In a comp setting skiers are required to hit features so contest organizers are assuming the liability for the course or "field of play" for a freeride comp.

In freeride there are more unknown factors because you are dealing with so many more unknown factors like a possibly unstable snowpack, hidden rocks, trees, etc... When it comes to a park, skiers/snowboarders are in a controlled area maintained by the resort.

The Village Ski Hut Freeride competition during the Coldsmoke at Whitewater was an open contest. However it was just one hit and skiing wasnt really judged. Sick little contest that fizled out...

Why can’t they do an event on hill not sanctioned by one of these orgs? Like a rail jam, ya know? Those are covered by the mountains insurance policy (presumably or they wouldn’t exist) and happen all the time.

Profahoben_212Also, the insurance companies for IFSA are pretty damn strict. and I believe there is only one that is willing to work with them, so they have a monopoly. It is a massive reason that competition prices are skyrocketing. Insurance rates keep going up.

I work with an insurance adjuster for the Tell A Friend Tour and it comes down to amount of people and age.

To hold an event with 75 people with some of them being under 18 it's about $1,500 to $2,000. Each person needs to have a signed waiver, no inverts and helmets.

Resorts insurance would probably cover something like this. Also NS has insurance that would cover an event like this. When I ran the tour with them they had baller insurance, and it was never an issue.

Ski the East had a cool freeride tour. I don't think their insurance for it was an insane amount. I can't remember why they stopped but it had to do with whatever organization now runs all those events. Now if you want to do something cool you need to pay more money. Yay! More money!

Also yes, something like this would make money.

DesertStixI mean I get all that but as an insurance company, you’re looking at minimizing the amount of money you’ll have to pay out regardless of where the incident is on the mountain. Seems like a terrain park with XL jumps open to 1 trip/year gapers is way more likely to end in a possible suit than a free ride comp with 20 riders signing waivers knowing EXACTLY what they’re getting into.

There’s a rad contest at this little resort a few hours east of me where basically you just sign up then at the end of the day meet everyone at the op of the mountain and some people take all of your skis and poles and hide them in a tree well, so you all start off running to find your gear then when you find your gear you have to click in and be the first one to touch the lodge, it’s fucking rad, some cocksucker threw one of my skis like 30 feet last year and sandbagged me out of 1st smh

I wonder if you could just host something like this yourself like get your friends to all hype it up on social media and have like some homies judge, idk if you’d get in trouble or something tho

I love the idea but you know someone will be getting helied out before the comp was even halfway done.

ToddlerBodyBagI love the idea but you know someone will be getting helied out before the comp was even halfway done.

Extremely debatable, Ski the East used to have the freeride tour which was on the east coast so your not dropping 30 plus foot cliffs. It would all come down to the type of terrain, skill and weather could play a factor. Just have different terrain based on skill level like USASA comps have jumps side by side so if you cant hit the large jump (usually on the left side of the knuckle) you hit the smaller jump on the right side. Take an all mountain area and divide it so the less skilled skiers don't go near any huge cliffs etc. Make the criteria however you want with sectioning off the specific area or area's for that specific heat of riders. Then for the higher level heat take the ropes down and open up the terrain based on whatever criteria. You would need some way of demonstrating you belong in the big boy heat.
This is one of the biggest problems I see with both action sports and skiing is that there's no tryout's similar to those that team sports have which is good and bad. Back in the day it wasn't necessary as everyone would just send it since no one gave a shit about lawsuits, insurance etc. It was all about fun and if someone got hurt that's what happens. Now that times have changed there need's to be a "vetting process" so mountains don't have to deal with some dipshit showing up to a Big Air, Rail jam, slope comp, All mountain etc "going for broke" and destroying themselves. For smaller comps/events I don't think this should be a priority but for bigger comps on larger features and larger terrain this definitely needs to happen as it will make mountains more open to the idea of hosting events/competitions.
Since you signed the wavier and also bought the lift ticket the mountain isn't liable but they still don't want to go through the hassle of dealing with you based on lawsuits and insurance. There needs to be a system that gives the mountain/event holder prior background information on each competitor. Thus the mountain knows the competitor is suited to be in the competition which takes risk away from both the competitor and the mountain. There need's to be some sort of criteria made that the event holder would look at prior to the event but unlike FIS/ and other governing bodies this would not require massive fee's memberships etc. All the fee's/memberships etc are a complete bullshit scam that's in "their" best interest with them profiting and also making them control the comp scene/ entire market. They have all the U.S Team spots and run the point systems etc plus keep costs high in order to profit and keep out the riff raff so skiing stays exclusive which is most bullshit part. End Rant.

I think we should organize one together lol get @me if you’re out west but sounds like you’re not :/

PeteMahnExtremely debatable, Ski the East used to have the freeride tour which was on the east coast so your not dropping 30 plus foot cliffs. It would all come down to the type of terrain, skill and weather could play a factor. Just have different terrain based on skill level like USASA comps have jumps side by side so if you cant hit the large jump (usually on the left side of the knuckle) you hit the smaller jump on the right side. Take an all mountain area and divide it so the less skilled skiers don't go near any huge cliffs etc. Make the criteria however you want with sectioning off the specific area or area's for that specific heat of riders. Then for the higher level heat take the ropes down and open up the terrain based on whatever criteria. You would need some way of demonstrating you belong in the big boy heat.
This is one of the biggest problems I see with both action sports and skiing is that there's no tryout's similar to those that team sports have which is good and bad. Back in the day it wasn't necessary as everyone would just send it since no one gave a shit about lawsuits, insurance etc. It was all about fun and if someone got hurt that's what happens. Now that times have changed there need's to be a "vetting process" so mountains don't have to deal with some dipshit showing up to a Big Air, Rail jam, slope comp, All mountain etc "going for broke" and destroying themselves. For smaller comps/events I don't think this should be a priority but for bigger comps on larger features and larger terrain this definitely needs to happen as it will make mountains more open to the idea of hosting events/competitions.
Since you signed the wavier and also bought the lift ticket the mountain isn't liable but they still don't want to go through the hassle of dealing with you based on lawsuits and insurance. There needs to be a system that gives the mountain/event holder prior background information on each competitor. Thus the mountain knows the competitor is suited to be in the competition which takes risk away from both the competitor and the mountain. There need's to be some sort of criteria made that the event holder would look at prior to the event but unlike FIS/ and other governing bodies this would not require massive fee's memberships etc. All the fee's/memberships etc are a complete bullshit scam that's in "their" best interest with them profiting and also making them control the comp scene/ entire market. They have all the U.S Team spots and run the point systems etc plus keep costs high in order to profit and keep out the riff raff so skiing stays exclusive which is most bullshit part. End Rant.

Wait OP are you suggesting resorts do something to cater to park rats?? Are you crazy keep those drug dealers away from our family friendly establishments!!

I Looked into what happened to the Ski The East Freeride Tour, and it's pretty much what you would expect. From what I gathered, IFSA took over and changed the event from what STE wanted, making them see no point in continuing to be involved with what had become just FWQ events.

"Being primarily an apparel business, Ski The East hit a crossroads in 2019 where our down-home STEFT event series had shifted from its original vision due to various outside influences, and we needed to determine if we were going to continue our passion project. With that very difficult choice in mind, we decided that the 10th anniversary of the STEFT was a perfect milestone to conclude our journey."
https://www.skitheeast.net/pages/freeridetour


It sucks how commercialized freeride has become, but I feel like a fully independent resort-operated event could be successful. I know that myself and a few friends would definitely want to enter an event like this, while we have basically no interest in any FWQ event. I feel like there are lots of similar people that this would appeal to. There would be some costs for the mountain, and I don't know anything about running a ski resort but I feel like the marketing value could be worth it.

Purgatory is doing something like that this weekend with their Hollywood Huckfest!

[URL]https://www.purgatoryresort.com/events/hollywood-huckfest[/URL]/

I just hope it's a bird local winning the 4 star even there this year. My friend Nick is entering, and he could legitimately win it.

BigPurpleSkiSuitI just hope it's a bird local winning the 4 star even there this year. My friend Nick is entering, and he could legitimately win it.

817265For reference

Thanks for the insight. Does the insurance provider offer coverage for inverts at a higher premium? I doubt that’s something you even worry about at TAFT but telling free ride competitors they can’t get inverted wouldn’t be ideal haha
Seriously wondering if this is something I could organize at my local...

WormracerI work with an insurance adjuster for the Tell A Friend Tour and it comes down to amount of people and age.

To hold an event with 75 people with some of them being under 18 it's about $1,500 to $2,000. Each person needs to have a signed waiver, no inverts and helmets.

Resorts insurance would probably cover something like this. Also NS has insurance that would cover an event like this. When I ran the tour with them they had baller insurance, and it was never an issue.

Ski the East had a cool freeride tour. I don't think their insurance for it was an insane amount. I can't remember why they stopped but it had to do with whatever organization now runs all those events. Now if you want to do something cool you need to pay more money. Yay! More money!

Also yes, something like this would make money.

Man that would be so tight, free ride is the one genre of skiing I take seriously enough to wanna compete in and go hard

I just saw on Ig that Purgatory has an event called the Hollywood Huckfest every March that is essentially what we’re talking about. “Terrain enhancements” on a free ride inbounds course. Looks like so much fun...

DesertStixI just saw on Ig that Purgatory has an event called the Hollywood Huckfest every March that is essentially what we’re talking about. “Terrain enhancements” on a free ride inbounds course. Looks like so much fun...

Competed in this last weekend and can confirm it’s a super sick event! More mountains should do this

How’s you do boss? I want to see some footage damn, course looked sick!

buck_nastyCompeted in this last weekend and can confirm it’s a super sick event! More mountains should do this

DesertStixHow’s you do boss? I want to see some footage damn, course looked sick!

I had a blast but no lie I got my ass kicked by the youngsters. Guys were throwing down super hard! Sorry no footie tho. Course was so much fun. I grew up skiing at purg so to hit that run with the features built up like that was sick. Hoping to get the whole old man crew back together out there next year!

I half ass considered entering but I’m in the old man crew and didn’t want to get lit up by 14 year olds. They had a 19+ though right?

buck_nastyI had a blast but no lie I got my ass kicked by the youngsters. Guys were throwing down super hard! Sorry no footie tho. Course was so much fun. I grew up skiing at purg so to hit that run with the features built up like that was sick. Hoping to get the whole old man crew back together out there next year!