BAQUEIRA BERET, Spain – January 20, 2024: The FWT is disappointed to announce that the first event of the season – the Baqueira Beret Pro – has been canceled due to snow conditions. Despite recent snowfalls and good conditions on-piste, there is insufficient snowpack off-piste to safely conduct a freeride competition. Conditions in the backcountry will likely deteriorate further, given the warm weather forecast in the coming week, with no precipitation expected.
Organizers have chosen to cancel the event to ensure the safety of all riders, which always remains at the forefront of every decision made at the FWT. The Baqueira Beret Pro will not be replaced with another event, meaning that if all upcoming stops take place, the best two results out of three will count towards points to make The Cut, which guarantees qualification to the FWT Finals. The FWT Ordino Arcalís Pro is still projected to proceed, and the FWT safety team will continue to assess conditions, with ample time – 19 days – before the competition weather window ends.
Baqueira Beret is a resort that despite the difficult conditions, goes out of its way to organize grassroots competitions, and this is a great value for the Freeride World Tour organization. Despite the present situation FWT and Baqueira Beret are aiming to continue organizing the Baqueira Beret Pro competition for the next years to come. The Spanish Pyrenees has quickly become one of the most anticipated events on the calendar, with varied freeride terrain and a lively atmosphere generated by the thousands of spectators that flock to the event each year.
With five more exciting events on the FWT calendar, there is still plenty of explosive freeride action on the way, and the FWT can’t wait to kick off 2024 in style. Be sure to stay tuned to the FWT social media channels and visit www.freerideworldtour.com to keep pace with all the latest news as it drops.