From Europe to Japan the World Rookie Tour kicks off a key February phase
Two continents, one goal: earning points and qualifying for the World Rookie Finals
February marks one of the most important phases of the World Rookie Tour season, with a dense, international calendar of events across Europe and Asia. The month brings together several key competitions that highlight the Tour's global reach and its role in connecting emerging talent with high-level international events.
The schedule opens on 12th February with two events held simultaneously on different continents: the Balkan Rookie Fest in Bulgaria and the Washigatake Rookie Fest in Japan. The Tour then continues in Europe with the Ogau Rookie Fest in Germany, followed by the Innsbruck Rookie Fest in Austria and the Slovakia Rookie Fest. February also includes two additional strategic stops with the X-Jam Rookie 2026 in Japan and the Hungarian Rookie Fest, further expanding competitive opportunities for young riders throughout the month.
Balkan Rookie Fest 2026: snowboarding takes over Malyovitsa
On 12th February 2026, the Balkan Rookie Fest takes place at the Malyovitsa Ski Center, in the heart of the Rila Mountains, standing out as one of the key rookie snowboard events of the winter season.
The event marks the official opening of the new Fun Park Malyovitsa, built on the iconic Mecha Polyana slope and featuring a modern slopestyle and rail setup designed according to international safety and competition standards, offering ideal conditions for progression, style and control in a true alpine environment.
From Bulgaria to Japan: rookies takes the stage worldwide
On 12th February 2026, the Washigatake Rookie Fest arrives at Washigatake Snow Resort in Gifu, Japan, marking the World Rookie Tour’s first-ever stop at this Asian venue.
This event brings the Tour’s competitive format to the Japanese snowboard scene, with a fresh slopestyle setup tailored to progression, flow and technical performance, blending strong local riding culture with an international competitive framework.
Innsbruck Rookie Fest 2026: alpine freestyle at the heart of the tour
From 21st to 23rd February 2026, the Innsbruck Rookie Fest returns to Austria at the iconic Nordkette Skyline Park, one of the most spectacular urban-alpine venues on the World Rookie Tour calendar.
For the first time, the event will feature both snowboard and freeski, marking a significant step forward for this flagship competition, where a technical slopestyle setup and a unique alpine backdrop bring different freestyle disciplines together at a high international level.
February confirms itself as a defining moment of the World Rookie Tour season, where intensity, rhythm and international diversity come together to push the level higher at every stop. Across Europe and Asia, these events create momentum, confidence and competitive sharpness, setting the tone for the decisive weeks ahead.
As the Tour moves forward, everything built during this key month converges toward the World Rookie Finals in March with the Freeski Finals in Madonna di Campiglio (Italy) and the Snowboard Finals in Kaprun (Austria), where the next generation of freestyle riders will step onto the biggest stage of the season, ready to turn progression into performance.