Hardfacts
Date: Check here
Category: Ski & Snowboard
Region: Worldwide
Time frame: November - April
Age: 0-18 years
Athletes can qualify for the World Rookie Finals through the iconic “World Rookie Fests” (worldrookietour.com) and via the official World Rookie Rank (worldrookietour.com/ranking). The ranking has become one of the key gateways to the pro-scene, allowing riders to climb their way to the Finals even if they don’t secure a podium spot at a tour stop.
The prizes speak the language of progression: from professional film and photo shoots to freeride road trips, from wildcards to world-class events like X Games or Swatch Nines, all the way to fixed starting places in FIS World Cup competitions. For many up-and-coming athletes, the WRT is where they take their first real step into the international spotlight.
Over the years, the tour has revealed riders who later became household names: Roope Tonteri, Christian Haller, Sven Thorgen, Kokomo Murase, Ulrik Samnoy among them. More recently, future stars such as Hiroto Ogiwara (World Rookie Slopestyle Champion 2021 and 2022), Zoe Van Essen (World Rookie Girl Slopestyle Champion 2022 and 2024) and the new wave of 2026 champions continue to prove how powerful this platform is in shaping the next generation of freestyle talent.
But the World Rookie Tour is more than a competition circuit. Fun and education sit at the core of WRT philosophy. Every event blend sport progression with cultural activities and workshops covering topics like avalanche awareness, photography, video creation, sustainability, and mental wellbeing. The goal is simple: help young riders grow not only as athletes, but as thoughtful, responsible, and confident members of the global community.
Registration: worldrookietour.com/registration/
Calendar: worldrookietour.com/calendar/
Follow: instagram.com/worldrookietour/