Today the IOC confirmed freeride for the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps. Thirty years ago, IFSA was founded with the radical idea that this sport should be run by athletes, for athletes. Now we’re home to the largest junior freeride community in the world and we’re standing on the biggest stage freeride’s ever had.
The International Freeskiers & Snowboarders Association (IFSA) was founded in 1996 by Shane McConkey and Lhotse Merriam Hawk. They believed that freeride athletes would be best served by an athlete-owned organization. 27 years later, we continue to work and play by Shane’s guiding vision – the freerider is our bottom line.
Today, the IFSA is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), focusing on driving exceptional quality and integrity across our sport, as we sanction junior and adult big mountain competitions in North and South America.
Founded in 1996 by Shane McConkey and Lhotse Merriam Hawk, we’re the only nonprofit governing body in freeride. We serve athletes, not shareholders.
4,320 junior athletes, 7,000+ members total.
From Alaska to Patagonia – across the United States, Canada, Chile, and Argentina, 70+ resort partners.
U12 → Junior → Collegiate → Qualifier → Challenger → Freeride World Tour.
Same face. Same lines. Same cliffs. Men and women are judged on identical terrain with no modifications.
In 2024, FIS recognized it as a discipline. In 2026, the first FIS Freeride World Championships were held in Andorra. The U.S. put more athletes on the podium than any other country. Every one of them came up through the IFSA pipeline.
We’re the only organization livestreaming junior and qualifier events all season long. It’s the future of freeride, delivered to fans anywhere in the world. No lift ticket required.
Every step of the competitive path. Every sanctioned event across the Americas. All of it runs on the structure IFSA built, protects, and grows. We are the foundation of the sport.
Become an IFSA member. Pursue your freeride dreams at over 150 competitions, held on mountains across The Americas, from Alaska to Argentina.
Ready to see how you stack up against the world’s best freeriders? The IFSA Rankings for Adults and Juniors are your ultimate competitive rating system, designed to showcase the skill, dedication, and triumphs of every athlete in Freeride competitions!
These dynamic rankings are a direct reflection of your individual performance, achievements, and placements across all IFSA-sanctioned events. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a rising junior star, the IFSA Rankings empower you to track your progress, celebrate your successes, and compare your standings globally. It’s more than just a number—it’s a testament to your hard work and a clear path to pushing your limits in the exhilarating world of freeride!
Ready to stand in the start gate? The IFSA sanctions events for every level of freerider. Check out our events calendar.
Progress your profession! A library of resources for our coaches, judges, technical directors, and athletes.
The IFSA moves with your help. Get involved, volunteer, and donate to support the future of freeriding.
The International Freeskiers and Snowboarders Association (IFSA) is the primary sanctioning, judging, and ranking organization for junior and adult big mountain Freeride events in North and South America.
The IFSA has built and unified a network of events that allow athletes to earn points and compete in regional, national, and world tour events.
We’ve been doing this for over 30 years, and we’ve learned a lot along the way. Push your knowledge of the sport with content about coaching, judging, technical direction.
Junior athletes are the foundation of the IFSA, and every one of them partners with a credentialed coach, whether that be through an established freeride club, or independently. We believe that strong coaches are essential for the safety, success, and progression of the sport.
