Skiing’s best competition kicks off its 2019 season this weekend when the Freeride World Tour drops in to Hakuba, Japan.

Last year’s Japan stop was cancelled due to weather and made up at the Kicking Horse, B.C. stop later in the year.

Every indication is that this year’s event will go on as planned and if last week’s qualifying event is a sign of things to come, we are in for a great season opener.

Freeride World Tour has a who’s who of skier and boarders and they actually get to compete. Skiing has racing and park competitions routinely, but big mountain competitions are unique and exciting.

It combines the competitive elements that you know and love from other sports, but gives the riders the opportunity to showcase their creativity on their way to the bottom.

In other great news, Travis Rice has entered the Hakuba stop as a wild card in the mens snowboard competition. In other star power news, Tanner Hall will ski as a wild card entry this season, too.

Here’s what else you need to know to watch skiing’s best competition.

WHEN: The weather window is from Jan. 19-26th in Japan, which means the comp could start as early as Friday night the 18th back here in the Midwest. Hakuba is 15 hours ahead of the Midwest.

The competition will begin when weather permits in that week-long window, so stay tuned to their website and their social media to find out when the comp begins.

WHERE: Hakuba, Japan, in the Japanese Alps.

WATCH: Freerideworldtour.com and YouTube.