Ben Richards, Freeride World Champion. Video Profile

Mountainwatch | Video Profile

Kiwi skier Ben Richards dominated the 2026 Freeride season, winning the inaugural FIS Freeride World Championships in Andorra and, after winning three FWT comps, claiming the Freeride World Tour men’s ski title.

Richards was back home in Wānaka when Reggae Elliss caught up with for this interview. It’s a wide-ranging conversation covering the Freeride World Tour, competition versus filming, Wānaka’s mountain culture, and freeriding’s debut at the 2030 Winter Olympics.