FREESKIER

Featured Image: Courtesy of Ski Portillo One of the most beloved ski resorts of the Southern Hemisphere, Ski Portillo, began the 2026 season last weekend. While conditions have been rough thus far, with the Andes Mountains receiving minimal snow over the last couple of weeks, Portillo has made the most of the lackluster early season. The resort was able to offer three runs, Plateau, Las Lomas and Corralito, for skiers to enjoy during the opening weekend.

Featured Image: Courtesy of Aspen Snowmass In the face of climate uncertainty, ski resorts must adapt to survive. Aspen Snowmass is attempting to do just that, as the resort is now the first in Colorado to enlist the help of Finnish company Snow Secure. Plans have been in place for over a year, with manmade snow from 2025 currently sitting tarped on both Buttermilk and Snowmass mountains.

Featured Image: Courtesy of MEDIAPPINESS There's a good day of skiing. Then there's the first-ever MEDIAPPINESS Invitational high in the French Alps in the warm summer air, filled with challenge rails, good friends, live music and beaming smiles. That might take the cake as the ultimate good day of skiing. Last month, the MEDIAPPINESS crew hosted their 2026 Invitational, bringing roughly 20 invited riders out to Les 2 Alpes, France, for a proper summer shred.

All Images: Courtesy of Palisades Tahoe Good deals in skiing can seem like a long shot in today's industry, but we're here to report that hope is not lost. Palisades Tahoe just announced the return of the resort's coveted midweek pass, and if you live in the Tahoe area or even just plan on spending a week out west, it's worth a look. The Midweek Season Pass grants you unlimited riding Monday through Friday for the entire 2026/27 winter season, and it costs just $699.

Featured Image: Courtesy of Matchstick Productions If you're watching this segment for the first time, I envy you. Matchstick Production's 2014 movie "Days of My Youth" is packed with a lot of great skiing and fantastic storytelling, but this segment might stand apart simply because of its ability to capture the pure joy that comes with ripping the resort with your friends.

Featured Image: Jeremy Bernard, Courtesy of Freeride World Tour Today marks a historic moment for skiing, as freeride has officially become an Olympic-sanctioned sport and will debut on the biggest stage in the world at the 2030 Winter Olympic Games in the Alps. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed the inclusion today, July 7, 2026.

All Images: Courtesy of Deer Valley Resort One of the world's biggest ski resorts is getting bigger. Deer Valley has been on a mission to grow drastically over the last two winters, and years of planning are starting to pay off. In addition to new lifts, lodges and snowmaking, the team has doubled skiable terrain, with the total now standing at a staggering 4,500 acres for winter 2026/27. Deer Valley's growth over the last couple of seasons marks the largest ski area expansion in history.

All Images: Courtesy of Cody Cirillo You might not think of Bolivia when freeride skiing or mountaineering come up, but with summits that reach 6,000 meters (19,600 feet), the country boasts peaks that rival those of any other land. After spending four weeks there recently, Cody Cirillo can attest to the grandeur of the landscape and the magnificence of these mountains.

All Images: Courtesy of Eagle Point Ski Resort Summer after summer, record heat waves and wildfires bombard the western United States. This year is no different, as Utah, Colorado and New Mexico are all awash with Red Flag Warnings, meaning critical fire conditions exist at present, or will shortly arrive. One such fire, the Cottonwood Fire in central Utah, dealt a devastating blow to Eagle Point Ski Resort and the surrounding homes just a few days ago.

Featured Image: Sarah Giffin The end of summer marks an exciting time for a new wave of freeride talent, as the first Region 1 Freeride World Tour (FWT) Junior event of the 2027 season is just a month away. Along with the new season come updates to the Region 1 playbook, including the introduction of 4* competitions to junior events. These updates only apply to Region 1 FWT Junior events, which cover Europe, Oceania, and Asia.