The North Face Frontier will return to ‘The Remarkables’ ski area in Queenstown from August 28 to September 3 after a brief hiatus.
The event will run 2-star and 4-star Freeride World Qualifier (FWQ) competitions, drawing athletes from New Zealand and internationally.
Freeride skiing and snowboarding were recognised as an official discipline by the International Ski Federation (FIS) in 2024, moving the sport closer to Olympic inclusion.
The event dates back to 2005, when it formed part of the New Zealand Freeski Open alongside freeride, slopestyle and halfpipe competitions. It later became a standalone event as freeride developed its own identity, growing into one of the Southern Hemisphere's leading freeride competitions and a stop on the Freeride World Qualifier circuit.
Athletes from 17 nations have podiumed at The North Face Frontier since 2005, with five going on to become Freeride World Tour champions: Austria's Lorraine Huber, Switzerland's Elisabeth Gerritzen, France's Noémie Equy, and New Zealanders Jess Hotter and Ben Richards.
"One of the things we've learned over 21 years is that The North Face Frontier has a habit of showing you tomorrow's stars before the rest of the world catches on," event manager Jo Guest said.
The 2026 event also marks one of the longest-running partnerships in New Zealand snow sports, with The North Face having backed the competition through much of its 21-year history.
"The North Face has shared that belief from the beginning — that you can pursue world-class performance while still holding on to the creativity, community and sense of adventure that makes freeride special," Guest said.
The North Face ANZ head of marketing Sarah Hunt said the partnership reflects the brand's ongoing support for athletes pushing the limits in the mountains.
"We're proud to have played a role in delivering this world-class competition, rooted in authentic community connection, and we look forward to carrying that legacy into the future for the next generation of athletes," Hunt said.
The event will be held across two venues at The Remarkables, opening in Shadow Basin with the 2-star qualifier before moving to Alta Chutes for the 4-star competition. The programme will also include a Rookie Day, Women's Day, social events and the Frontier after-party.