Lausanne, SWITZERLAND – In a monumental milestone for the sport, freeride skiing and snowboarding will debut at the 2030 Olympics. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) made the announcement Tuesday in Lausanne, Switzerland.

This is exciting news for Lake Tahoe and its robust community of freeride athletes, including many competing in the Freeride World Tour pro circuit, like Truckee’s Mia Jones, who is fresh off winning her rookie year.

“I’m really stoked freeriding is now part of the Olympics. This is such a huge opportunity for all the athletes and the entire sport. The energy surrounding the Olympics is truly unlike anything else, so I can’t wait to see it all go down! Mia Jones shared, 2026 FIS Freeride World Champion and 2026 FWT Champion.

North Tahoe High School graduate and Team Palisades Tahoe alum Ross Tester won third place in the 2026 FIS Freeride World Tour men’s ski division.

Also in his rookie year, Shayne Blue Sandblom of Lake Tahoe and Silt, Colo., placed sixth and was a top U.S. finisher in the 2026 Freeride World Tour in the men’s snowboard division.

In women’s ski, South Lake Tahoe’s Molly Armanino placed third in the inaugural FIS Freeride World Championships Andorra 2026.

All three have qualified for the 2027 Freeride World Tour, along with Palisades Tahoe skiers Delila Quinn, Kai Morgan and Tyler Curle.

The region has one of the strongest Freeride communities in the country, with youth clubs and academies, in addition to its long resume of professional athletes.

Freeride’s incorporation into the Olympics reflects the sport’s growth—once a small competitive scene, and now a worldwide discipline with a rapidly expanding base of athletes and fans.

The sport’s use of natural terrain minimizes its impact on the Olympic Games.

The debut at the Alpes 2030 Olympic Winter Games will feature four events, creating first-time Olympic opportunities for 44 athletes (22 women and 22 men).