As freeride skiing and snowboarding edge ever closer to Olympic recognition, one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most respected competitions is preparing to return to the mountains where many of the sport’s future stars first made their mark.
Entries have officially opened for The North Face Frontier 2026, with the event returning to The Remarkables near Queenstown during a weather window from 28 August to 3 September. Featuring both 2-star and 4-star Freeride World Qualifier events, The Frontier remains one of the most important freeride competitions in the Southern Hemisphere and an increasingly significant stop on the international calendar.
For many sports, Olympic recognition represents the pinnacle of achievement. Freeride, however, has always been different. Its roots lie not in stadiums or carefully manicured courses but on steep mountain faces where creativity, technical skill and mountain judgement matter just as much as speed or points. The sport has been built by skiers and snowboarders seeking new lines, bigger terrain and a more authentic connection to the mountains. While official recognition by the International Ski Federation in 2024 has accelerated discussions around Olympic inclusion, events such as The North Face Frontier have been quietly developing athletes, building communities and preserving the culture of freeriding for more than two decades.
The event’s own history mirrors the evolution of freeride itself. It began in 2005 as part of the pioneering New Zealand Freeski Open, a competition that brought together freeride, slopestyle and halfpipe disciplines at a time when freestyle skiing and snowboarding were still establishing themselves on the world stage. As the sport matured, freeride developed its own identity and The Frontier evolved with it, eventually becoming one of the most respected competitions on the Freeride World Qualifier circuit.
Over the years, The Frontier has earned a reputation for identifying talent before the rest of the world notices. Athletes from 17 countries have stood on the podium since the competition began, and five competitors who first tasted success at The Frontier have gone on to become Freeride World Tour champions. Among them are New Zealand stars Jess Hotter and Ben Richards, athletes who have helped establish New Zealand as one of the sport’s most influential nations despite its relatively small population.
The numbers behind New Zealand’s success are remarkable. Kiwi athletes have amassed 33 victories and 88 podium finishes throughout the event’s history. Wānaka freeride pioneer Janina Kuzma remains the most decorated competitor the event has seen, claiming seven titles including six consecutive victories between 2005 and 2010. More recently, Jess Hotter became the first New Zealander to secure a Freeride World Tour title, while Ben Richards elevated New Zealand’s standing even further by capturing both the Freeride World Tour title and the inaugural FIS Freeride World Championship crown in 2026. These achievements are not isolated successes but evidence of a country that continues to punch well above its weight in one of the world’s most demanding mountain sports.
Part of that success can undoubtedly be attributed to New Zealand’s mountains. Local athletes grow up riding terrain that demands adaptability, technical ability and confidence in rapidly changing conditions. Yet the country’s influence extends beyond geography. The culture surrounding New Zealand freeriding has long emphasised creativity, exploration and mountain awareness, values that continue to resonate even as the sport becomes increasingly professional.
Snow Sports New Zealand Chief Executive Nic Cavanagh believes competitions such as The Frontier are critical to ensuring that legacy continues. As freeride enters a new phase of international growth, he says the event provides a pathway for emerging athletes, a platform for established competitors and an opportunity for New Zealand to continue playing a leading role in shaping the future of the sport.
The 2026 edition also marks another milestone for one of the longest-standing partnerships in New Zealand snow sports. The North Face has been associated with The Frontier through much of its history, supporting athletes and helping the event grow from its grassroots beginnings into a globally recognised competition. Organisers say the partnership has endured because both parties share a belief that elite performance and authentic mountain culture can coexist, even as freeriding becomes more mainstream.
For competitors, the challenge remains as demanding as ever. The event opens in Shadow Basin before shifting to the legendary Alta Chutes for the 4-star competition. With steep pitches, narrow couloirs, exposed terrain and technical cliff features, Alta Chutes has earned a reputation as one of the most spectacular freeride venues in the Southern Hemisphere. It is a venue that rewards commitment and creativity while punishing hesitation, making it a fitting stage for athletes chasing valuable qualification points and international recognition.
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While competition sits at the heart of The Frontier, the event has always maintained a strong community atmosphere. Spectators are encouraged to head up the mountain to experience the action first-hand, with live commentary, music and the traditional mountain sausage sizzle helping create an atmosphere that reflects the sport’s grassroots origins. Rookie Day, Women’s Day, social gatherings and the famous Frontier after-party ensure the event remains as much a celebration of mountain culture as it is a high-performance sporting contest.
As freeride continues its journey towards greater international recognition, The North Face Frontier stands as a reminder that the sport’s future is built on foundations laid many years ago. Long before Olympic conversations began, athletes were hiking ridgelines above Queenstown, searching for new lines and testing themselves against steep terrain. The Frontier continues that tradition today, providing a stage where the next generation of talent can emerge while celebrating a culture that remains deeply connected to adventure, exploration and the mountains themselves.
