Rising Stars Shine at Base Wānaka Junior Freeride in Cardrona

The future of southern hemisphere freeride was on full display at Cardrona Alpine Resort as the Base Wānaka Junior Freeride competition brought together the top developing skiers and snowboarders from across the Wānaka and Queenstown regions.

Organized with the ongoing support of BaseNZ Wānaka, the event provided young athletes an off-piste arena to test their skills on hard-packed snow and natural mountain features. Designed to bridge the gap between recreational riding and competitive freeriding, the event featured age brackets ranging from Under-8 up through Under-16 divisions.

Scoring the Next Generation

Judges evaluated riders across six core freeride criteria: line, control, fluidity, technique, air, and style. Across all age brackets, young riders demonstrated technical maturity, charging through steep lines and stomping features in front of crowd-filled sidelines of parents, coaches, and local supporters.

• Hard-Packed Terrain: Competitors navigated technical off-piste conditions, forcing an emphasis on edge control, line choice, and clean landings.

• Grassroots Progression: The single-day event serves as a foundational stepping stone for athletes aspiring to join national talent pathways and the Freeride Junior Tour.

Division Winners & Key Results

With the 2026 winter season well underway across the Southern Alps, events like the Base Wānaka Junior Freeride underscore the strength of the local snowsports community, nurturing young athletes who are well-positioned to step onto the international stage.