Parkin Costain Secures Wildcard Spot for FWT Kicking Horse B.C.

As of yesterday, it was announced that Teton Gravity Research rider Parkin Costain is heading to Kicking Horse B.C. to compete as a wildcard in the Freeride World Tour (FWT). Lately, Parker has been dropping features on features in award-winning ski films but next week, Parker is switching it up and will be battling it out at the first North American stop of the FWT season.

Photo: Freeride World Tour/Jeremy Bernard

Though Costain has built a reputation as a film athlete, he’s no stranger to competition. He has competed at Kings & Queens of Corbet’s a handful of times over the years and in 2020, Costain won the event with a massive double backflip.

However, his wildcard entry at Kicking Horse presents a new challenge. The FWT roster is stacked with top-tier talent, including a mix of rising stars and seasoned veterans. With his aggressive yet fluid style, Costain is sure to bring the energy and creativity that fans have come to expect from him.

The FWT Kicking Horse Golden BC Pro has a weather window from February 7 to February 13. Organizers will choose the optimal day based on snow conditions and visibility, announcing the official competition date 48 hours in advance.

The last FWT event took place in Val Thorens, France, where competitors charged down the Lac Noir face in near-perfect conditions. While deep snow conditions proved challenging for some, others pushed the limits of this competition exhibiting freeride and freestyle techniques. In the women’s field, Astrid Cheylus took first place, landing a flawless backflip mid-run. She was followed by Justine Dufour-Lapointe and Lena Kohler. On the men’s side, Martin Bender claimed the top spot, with Valentin Rainer and Marcus Goguen rounding out the podium.

Following Val Thorens, Valentin Rainer leads the men’s overall rankings, while Cheylus and Dufour-Lapointe are currently tied at the top in the women’s division. With Kicking Horse on the horizon, the competition is heating up, and Costain’s wildcard presence only adds to the excitement.

Photo: FWT

Kicking Horse offers a few potential venues for the competition. One of the most iconic is Ozone, a massive face on the skier’s right side of the resort that has delivered some of the FWT’s most memorable moments including Max Hitzig's incomparable backflip.

However, in 2024, FWT organizers opted for a different venue, T1 South, due to challenging conditions on Ozone. Whether the competition returns to Ozone this year remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—athletes will be ready to put on a show no matter the venue.

Kicking Horse B.C. - 2024. Photo: Ian Greenwood

With Costain joining the FWT as a wildcard, Kicking Horse promises to be an unforgettable stop on the tour. Whether you’re a die-hard freeride fan or just discovering the sport, this event is one to watch. Stay tuned as the FWT selects the competition day and the world’s best freeriders drop in for an electrifying showdown in British Columbia.