Ordino Arcalís celebrates the inclusion of freeride in the programme of the 2030 Winter Olympic Games, a historic milestone that marks the culmination of the international recognition of a discipline the resort has helped develop for nearly two decades. From the first edition of El Dorado Freeride in 2006 to hosting the inaugural FIS Freeride World Championships in 2026, the Andorran resort has been one of the sport’s most influential venues, playing a key role in both its sporting and institutional development as freeride reaches the highest level of international recognition.
The confirmation that freeride will join the programme of the 2030 Winter Olympic Games represents a landmark moment for snow sports and the culmination of a long journey towards international recognition for a discipline that has evolved remarkably over the past two decades. Throughout this journey, Ordino Arcalís has been one of the sport’s driving forces, establishing itself as one of the world's premier freeride venues while actively contributing to its sporting and institutional growth.
The vision first embraced in 2006 became firmly established in 2015, when the resort joined the Freeride World Tour calendar. Over the following ten editions, Ordino Arcalís became one of the circuit’s most iconic venues, renowned for its unique terrain, exceptional snow conditions and consistently outstanding organisational standards.
That journey reached another historic milestone last winter, when Ordino Arcalís hosted the FIS Freeride World Championships Andorra 2026 by Mammut — the first-ever Freeride World Championships organised under the umbrella of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS). The event marked a turning point in the sport’s history and represented a decisive step in the international recognition process that has now culminated in freeride’s inclusion in the Olympic programme.
"Seeing freeride become part of the Olympic programme is an incredible source of pride. It is also recognition for everyone — athletes, organisers and institutions alike — who has contributed to the growth of this sport. We are extremely proud to have been part of this journey," said David Ledesma, Marketing Director of Grandvalira Resorts.
A New Chapter for the Athletes
Freeride’s Olympic debut also opens an exciting new chapter for the athletes. Riders such as Joan Aracil, who represents Ordino Arcalís and is one of Andorra’s brightest freeride talents, will now have the opportunity, for the first time, to qualify for the Olympic Games — a goal that until now simply did not exist for competitors in the discipline.
"For me, it's incredible that freeride has finally become an Olympic sport. We've been waiting for this news for a long time, and yesterday it came completely unexpectedly. It's a huge motivational boost and makes me even more eager to keep competing at the highest level. Personally, it has given me a new lease of life," said Joan Aracil.
Beyond the competitions held to date, freeride’s inclusion in the Olympic family represents the definitive recognition of a sport that has managed to preserve its deep connection to high-mountain terrain while evolving to meet the highest international sporting standards. Throughout that evolution, Ordino Arcalís has been much more than a competition venue; it has been one of the places where that transformation became reality.
With this latest milestone, Ordino Arcalís brings to a close an extraordinary chapter that began nearly twenty years ago while reaffirming its commitment to the future of freeride. The resort remains one of the world's leading destinations for the sport and continues to support its next generation through events such as the JAM Extreme FWT Junior.