OVER 100 RIDERS COMPETE FOR NATIONAL TITLES IN KAPPL
The participants for the 2026 Dutch and Belgian Freeride Championships (NK and BK Freeride) have been announced. During the Poederbaas Freeride Festival, held from March 14 to 21 in Kappl (Austria), freeriders from the Netherlands and Belgium will compete against each other on a steep off-piste face in the Austrian Alps.
In various categories - ski and snowboard, men and women - over a hundred riders will vie for national titles. The starting list includes a mix of experienced freeriders, new talent, and some well-known names from the Dutch and Belgian winter sports scene.
JUDGING CRITERIA
During the Dutch and Belgian Freeride Championships, participants get one run to prove themselves. The competition face is usually announced only the day before the event, after which riders must determine their line.
A jury judges each run based on five criteria:
- Line choice - How original and technical is the chosen line?
- Control - Does the rider maintain control in steep and technical terrain?
- Technique - How strong is the ski or snowboard technique?
- Fluidity - Is the line ridden smoothly, or are there many stops?
- Air & Style - How are cliffs, drops, and jumps executed?
The focus is primarily on technique, creativity, and control in high mountain terrain.
WELL-KNOWN NAMES AT THE START
The participant list also includes several familiar names. For example, Belgian snowboarder Seppe Smits is competing in the BK Freeride Snowboard. Smits is an established name in the snowboarding world. He previously won world titles in slopestyle and represented Belgium multiple times at the Olympic Games.
Also, Susan Beks will be at the start of the NK Freeride Ski for women. Beks has been a well-known face in the Dutch freeride scene for years and is known for her strong lines in technical terrain.
In addition, Daan van Leeuwen will also participate in the NK Freeride Ski. Van Leeuwen was born and raised in Rotterdam but has been skiing in Austria for eight winters now. This year marks his first participation in the Poederbaas NK Freeride.
POEDERBAAS FREERIDE FESTIVAL
The Dutch and Belgian Freeride Championships are part of the Poederbaas Freeride Festival, which has grown into one of the largest freeride events for Dutch and Belgian winter sports enthusiasts.
In addition to the competitions, the week also includes freeride clinics, workshops, guided ski tours, and parties. As a result, the event attracts a large group of winter sports enthusiasts to Kappl every year.
Because each rider only gets one chance to complete their run, one mistake can make the difference between a podium finish or an early exit. This makes the NK and BK Freeride a spectacular competition every year.
MARCH 18 & 19: FREERIDE QUALIFIER & FINALS
Wednesday, March 18, is dedicated to the qualifiers where riders will compete for a spot in the finals. At the end of the day, it will be announced who has qualified for the finals.
On Thursday, March 19, the best riders from the qualifiers will compete against each other during the NK/BK Freeride Finals. You can follow the final live on the mountain from the spectator area, which is accessible to everyone. Here, you can also enjoy snacks and drinks that we have prepared for you.
PARTICIPANT LIST POEDERBAAS NK/BK FREERIDE 2026
The participants for the 2026 Dutch and Belgian Freeride Championships have been announced and are listed alphabetically below.
NK Freeride Ski - Men
Abel Pothoven
Alexander Achterberg
Arnoud Lammers
Bart Roosenberg
Boudewijn Bousema
Brad Bijtjes
Bryant Huissen
Camiel de Mol
Casper Bartels
Christiaan van Poppel
Daan van Leeuwen
Dee Pothoven
Hugo van Kester
Jasper Dijkstra
Jelle Mertens
Jesse Dijkstra
Joep van Noort
Joeri Dorrestein
Kaya Tap
Koos Westendorp
Lars van Laar
Marin Bloemhof
Mikal Zozmann
Ollie Weeda
Peer Aldenkamp
Pim van Doorn
Remco Mensinck
Rob Pels
Robert André
Stefan de Vries
Stefan Swinkels
Sven Langeveld
Thijn van Heijnsbergen
Timo Hoekstra
Wouter Gijzen
NK Freeride Ski - Women
Anouk van Amerongen
Christel de Jong
Danique Schoonveld
IJsel Pothoven
Iris van den Berg
Jessie Rekker
Kirsten Kuntz
Luna Lambriex
Nicole van Jaarsveld
Paola Reinerie
Pien Bierens
Sanne de Jong
Sanne Mertens
Sarah van der Glas
Senna Rabou
Sterre Bal
Susan Beks
Tamar van Delen
Yvette Kroon
NK Freeride Snowboard - Men
Alard Bergmans
Alexander Rieff
Bas van Zanten
Daan Gorter
Daniël Spierenburg
Dirk Brouwer
Folkert Slump
Jelle Lautenbag
Lars van de Laar
Leon The
Leonard Taris
Lukas Vervoort
Nick Suyker
Rick Lautenbag
Robin Houwing
Ruben Visser
Sam Houwing
Sebastiaan van Bremen
Stijn Kwinkelenberg
Timber Langeveld
Toine Groot
Tom van Bremen
Vincent Cieraad
Vincent Visser
Viggo ten Have
Wiktor Molka
NK Freeride Snowboard - Women
Anne Dijkstra
Femke Kraan
Frenneke Blokker
Juul Rinsema
Lieke Ekelschot
Lima Dusseldorp
Romy Kasten
Tessa Knoef
Zora Zantman
BK Freeride Ski - Men
Arne Reynaert
Bram Cooreman
Frederic Magnus
Martin Pollé
Mathieu Verlinden
Michiel Moyaert
Nick Moons
Sam De Vries
Sander D'Helft
Sander Wouters
Sebastiaan Haven
Thomas Stessens
Tobias Hectors
Ward Nelissen
Ward Verstappen
Wolf Boone
BK Freeride Ski - Women
Luna Wiericx
Sofie Hintjens
Troede De Beule
BK Freeride Snowboard - Men
Arne Broekaert
Arne Demeester
Frederick Vergotte
Gert Goelen
Joris van Lieshout
Obe Mortelmans
Sebastian Roemendael
Sebastien (Seppe) Smits
Simon Hollevoet
Thomas Oelbrandt
Tijs Gerritsen
BK Freeride Snowboard - Women
Beth Berckvens
Ellen Biesemans
Karlien Abbeel
Kato Pasteels
Linde de Boe
Maja Vanroy
POEDERBAAS FREERIDE FESTIVAL
The Dutch and Belgian Freeride Championships are part of the Poederbaas Freeride Festival, which has grown into one of the largest freeride events for Dutch and Belgian winter sports enthusiasts.
In addition to the competitions, the week also includes freeride clinics, workshops, guided ski tours, and parties. As a result, the event attracts a large group of winter sports enthusiasts to Kappl every year.
Because each rider only gets one chance to complete their run, one mistake can make the difference between a podium finish or an early exit. This makes the NK and BK Freeride a spectacular competition every year.
More information about the Poederbaas NK/BK Freeride? Click here.