on January 31, 2026 Serre Chevalier will host a stage of the
FREERIDE WORLD TOUR QUALIFIER
This Sunday, February 1, Serre Chevalier hosted a stage of the Freeride World Tour Qualifier. Local Maxime Buffet put in a breathtaking run that placed him on the second step of the podium in this 4-star qualifier for maximum difficulty!
AN EXCEPTIONAL EVENT ON THE NORTH FACE OF L'YRET
On February 1, 80 freeskiers and snowboarders - men and women - from all over the world will converge on the highest point of the Serre Chevalier ski area.
At an altitude of 2800 m, they will challenge the north face of the Yret in this "4-star" competition, the highest level of difficulty on the Qualifier circuit.
Selected from among all the riders registered for their excellence, these 80 athletes will be evaluated according to demanding criteria: choice and originality of line, control, fluidity, technique, not forgetting "air and style" (freestyle figures).
The points accumulated during this event will enable the best to aim for the Freeride World Tour "Challenger", then, for the elite, the "Pro" circuit.
Dates: Sunday, February 1
This first international freeride competition in Serre Chevalier brought together 80 riders of 21 nationalities. The quality of the organization was praised by the riders, who were delighted to discover the north face of Yret for the first time. The spectator zones were packed to the rafters, and the atmosphere was just right!
THE SOUTH LINE SERIES: REGIONAL MOMENTUM TOWARDS THE 2030 OLYMPICS
The South Line Series consists of four Alpine events among the 60 stages organized worldwide between China, the United States, Japan and Europe. This first dedicated regional league transforms the Southern Alps into the epicenter of European freeride.
Each competition counts towards the overall ranking. Athletes accumulate points over the four stages (based on their three best results), with the ultimate aim of finishing in the top three in their category and thus qualifying for the Challengers Grand Final in Le Sauze, April 2-5, 2026.
These events bring together an exceptional international community, with regularly more than 20 nationalities represented per event - testimony to the growing influence of freeride in the region.
HEADING FOR 2030: SERRE CHEVALIER, A BENCHMARK FREERIDE DESTINATION
This momentum is fully in line with the 2030 Olympic Games, when freeride is set to make its debut in the Southern Region as an additional event.
With its vast off-piste possibilities - between high mountain and forest - Serre Chevalier is asserting its position as a freeride destination of excellence. By hosting this major event, the resort confirms its legitimacy as a venue for major freeride events, and positions itself as a reference site for the Olympic freeride event in 2030.
LOCAL STAGE SKIER MAXIME BUFFET FINISHES 2nd!
Among riders from all over the world (China, Japan, USA, Canada, New Zealand...), local skier Maxime Buffet put in a relaxed and committed run, punctuated by a huge backflip, to finish on the 2nd step of the podium. His supporters were out in force to cheer on the man who now coaches freeride and freestyle at the Serre Chevalier ski and snowboard club.
Switzerland's Johan Bachofner won, and Norway's Pal Svendsen completed the podium. Frenchman Macéo di Giorgio came 5th and Bastien Verdet 7th.
In the women's ski category, Sweden's Ingrid Wahlberg won ahead of Denmark's Emma Ledet and Switzerland's Elfy Rouiller. France's Victoria Troubat came 7th.
Several crashes at the start of the competition - common in this extreme sport - delayed the race. After the men's and women's skiers, the men's snowboarders were able to start on the Yret face, but the competition had to be interrupted due to a slide. Both the delay and the slide prevented the women snowboarders from competing.
