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New Olympic pathway opens for Kiwi freeride athletes

Sport

Rebecca King
Ben Richards
Freeride skiing and snowboarding will make its Olympic debut at the 2030 Winter Olympics   J Bernard/Freeride World Tour

From steep mountain faces to the Olympic stage, freeride skiing and snowboarding are entering a new era.

The International Olympic Committee confirmed in July that freeride skiing and snowboarding will make its debut at the 2030 Winter Games in the French Alps.

New Zealand world champion skier Ben Richards could be among those chasing Olympic gold.  

Fresh off an outstanding season, Richards heads into the next chapter of his career as the reigning men's ski world champion, having claimed the title at the inaugural FIS Freeride World Championships.

A Wānaka local, Richards has grown up in a town renowned for producing some of the world's best freeride talent.

Speaking to Metro News, Richards said Wānaka's close-knit freeride community plays a key role in developing the next generation of athletes.

“I think conditions are a part of it, but mostly it's the community. Having a small community means everyone, from top-level riders to juniors, gets the opportunity to meet, ask questions and learn from those who have done it before them.

“It creates a pathway in the next generation's head that seems feasible. I think that's a big reason why I got to where I am today,” Richards said.

Ben Richards
FIS Freeride World Champion Ben Richards Freeride World Tour

Despite the excitement surrounding Olympic inclusion, his focus remains on what comes next in his career. 

With qualification still four years away, the prospect of competing for an Olympic medal is still uncertain. 

“It still feels super far away. It’s going to be interesting to see how the sport evolves with the Olympic inclusion, and whether or not it’s something I want to keep chasing,” Richards said.  

Freeride skiing has traditionally been built around individual expression, with athletes choosing their own lines down challenging mountain terrain. 

Unlike traditional alpine skiing, where competitors race against the clock on a set course, freeride athletes descend across ungroomed natural terrain, choosing their own routes.  

Judges score athletes on factors including line choice, control, technique, fluidity, and style.  

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The International Olympic Committee confirmed the addition of freeride skiing and snowboarding to the Winter Olympics in July 2026 Freeride World Tour

Its inclusion in the Olympic programme could bring the sport to a much wider audience, while also creating new opportunities for athletes to compete at the highest level. 

Snow Sports NZ chief executive Nic Cavanagh says the decision marks a significant moment for the sport and its future in New Zealand.  

“Freeride definitely deserves to be there, it’s one of the newest action-packed sports that’s going around. I think it's going to draw in a massive crowd, in person and on television screens as well,” Cavanagh said. 

Athletes will also have access to greater financial support, with eligibility for direct government scholarships, alongside campaign funding allocated by Snow Sports NZ. 

The additional support could help ease some of the financial pressures associated with competing internationally, including travel, training, doctors and physio visits and equipment costs. 

“Snow Sports NZ be working through that with our elite freeride athletes to understand what they need to be the best versions of themselves,” Cavanagh said. 

With the 2030 Winter Olympics on the horizon, the focus now turns to qualification, and which Kiwi athletes will make free ride history on the Olympic stage.