Kappl, Austria
Poederbaas freeride festival
NK & BK Freeride
March 14-21st, 2026
The Poederbaas Freeride Festival is a week-long event in Kappl, a small resort with endless possibilities to go freeriding & close to Ischgl. Go skiing or snowboarding, test ski's, join clinics and close the day off at our legendary après-ski party's. For those who like a challenge, there are 3 open competitions during the week: the NK/BK Freeride, NK/BK Vertical Skimo & Waterslide contest. Explore new terrain, push your limits & become part of the community!
How to join in on the fun
To join the Poederbaas Freeride Festival you need a ticket, which will be available soon. You arrange your own accommodation, liftpass, travel, gear & food/drinks. We have 3 types of tickets:
Festival ticket (49,95) - Includes access to the festival area, the OutdoorXL testcenter, clinics/workshops, participation of the Waterslide contest, a Poederbaas goodie, a BBQ & access to the closing party.
NK/BK Vertical Skimo ticket (59,95) - Includes everything that's included in the Festival ticket, and participation of the NK/BK Vertical Skimo competition.
NK/BK Freeride ticket (149,95) - Includes everything that's included in the Vertical Skimo ticket, and participation of the NK/BK Freeride competition.
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What the week looks like
- Saturday - arrival & welcome party
- Sunday - clinics, test center & après-ski
- Monday - Vertical Skimo, clinics, test center, après-ski & theme party
- Tuesday - clinics, test center, après-ski & Riders meeting
- Wednesday - Freeride qualifier, test center & après-ski
- Thursday - Freeride finale, test center & après-ski
- Friday - test center, waterslide contest, prize giving & closing party (weatherday)
The programme of the week always depends on the weather conditions, so it can slightly change. Friday is a weatherday, meaning that the competition can also be moved to friday.
Is this event something for you?
YES! Everybody is welcome during the Poederbaas Freeride Festival. Whether you're an experienced freerider or prefer to stay on the slopes, we guarantee you'll have a great time. Bring your friends or come by yourself and meet new friends.
To join the freeride competition, you need to be able to ski or snowboard down a black slope without hesitation/stopping. It's good if you have some freeride experience but you don't need to be a pro. If it's your first time, joining one of the snowsafety clinics is mandatory. If you have any questions about your participation please don't hesitate to contact us!
Check Kristy's first time joining
Kristy from Wintersport.nl joined for the first time 2 years ago. If it'll be your first time, watching this video might help to get a feeling of how it works.
"Absolute favorite week with absolute favorite people 🩷"– Danique Schoonveld (@daniqueschoonveld)
"I cannot describe how much fun we had this week. After the competition everybody was just sending it over the waterslide, so much stoke all around!"- Remco Mensinck (@remcomensinck_skier)
"WHAT A WEEEEEEK!! Still trying to wrap my head around it 😂 An explosion of pure joy, laughter and love for the snow!"– Ellen Biesemans (@ellenbmns)
Everything you need to know
Over the years, the Poederbaas Freeride Festival grew into a big event with multiple competitions and enough to do. For more information on specific elements, scroll down, and if you have any questions feel free to ask them by sending us a message on instagram or an email to info@poederbaas.com.
NK/BK Freeride
In the Dutch/Belgium Freeride Championships riders get one chance to do a run on a face that is communicated the day before the competition. Their run is judged by a panel of judges based on 5 criteria;
- Line-choice: is this a unique line? Different or more technical than others?
- Control: Control is crucial in big-mountain riding. Having it means success, while losing it can be fatal.
- Technique: Does the rider have a good technique or are they side slipping?
- Fluidity: Is the athlete riding their line in one run or does he/she stop all the time?
- Air & Style: if the athlete takes cliffs does he stick them or is this too much risk for him and causes a crash?
The competition consists out of a qualifier and finale day. Every participant joins the qualifier and based on their performance the judges select the riders that qualify for the finale.
NK/BK Vertical Skimo
In addition to the NK/BK Freeride, we also host the NK/BK Vertical Skimo. This is an exciting time-based competition where participants race each other on tourski's and splitboards. It's the newest discipline on the Winter Olympics. The track is 3,5km and 600hm and usually finished in about 90 minutes. This is a nice challenge to join if you're fit or a runner, and you don't necessarily have to have a lot of experience touring. If you have a ticket for the Freeride competition, you can join the Vertical Skimo for free.
Clinics & OutdoorXL test-center
During this Poederbaas Freeride Festival there are a lot of side activities which you can join as a visitor of this event. We focus on Snowsafety clinics which will be given by our valuable ski- & snowboard guides. With their many years of experience they share their knowledge with the visitors and athletes. Do you want to learn how to freeride ski- or snowboard? Sign up for the freeride clinics and we'll hook you up with one of our guides. More clinics will be announced later.
At our partner OutdoorXL you can test the newest ski's & snowboards from all the big freeride brands. Ask their experts for their advice and they'll help you find a ski that fits your needs!
Questions about the program & timings? Wait till the end of November and we will inform you when & where to tune in!
Waterslide contest
Put on your most original outfit & join the waterslide contest! Race down on ski's or a snowboard and splash through our waterpool in the most original way. Laughs guaranteed. There is a judge and prize-giving, so bring your best outfit and go for it!
Fun with friends
The best part? Meeting a lot of sport-minded people with the same mindset. Ride powder with people who have the same passion as you & become a part of the community!
