On March 27, 2026, Palisades Tahoe’s very own Mia Jones stood atop the Bec des Rosses in Verbier, Switzerland, one of the steepest and most technical freeride faces in the world. What followed was a masterclass of big mountain calculated aggression. With multiple airs and fluid line choice through “camera doesn’t do it justice” steep terrain, Mia shredded the 2,000 vertical foot venue with the confidence of a veteran.
When she crossed the finish, Mia wasn’t just the winner of the 2026 Freeride World Tour Xtreme Verbier. She was the 2026 FWT Champion, the inaugural FIS Freeride World Champion, and the FWT Rookie of the Year. Three titles, in one unforgettable season.
If the story ended there, it would already be legendary. But this is where it becomes something more. In 2005, the same year Mia was born, her father Jeremy Jones stood on top of the freeride world. Now, two decades later, his daughter has done the same. Same stage. Same title. A full circle moment that feels almost impossible to script. For a mountain community that has watched the Jones family shape the culture of snowboarding for years, it’s something special.
From the Start
Long before the podiums and world titles, Mia’s approach to snowboarding stood out. Eric Yates, one of her early coaches remembers something that hasn’t changed:
“Mia was always set on learning how to do things the right way. She had a drive to master every turn, never skipping the hard parts or rushing through the process.”
–Eric Yates, Retired Palisades Tahoe Snowboard Coach
That mindset of being precise and focused on progression isn’t something you can teach. It’s something you carry, and it showed on the biggest stage. During the Freeride World Championships in Andorra, Mia momentarily lost visibility in the technical upper section of her run, completely engulfed in snow. Still, she held her line and executed every turn exactly where she needed to. That discipline and trust in her riding are things that were present from the start.
A Dominant Debut
In her rookie season Mia won two tour stops and consistently landed on podiums throughout the season. By the time the tour arrived at the grand finale in Verbier, she had built such a commanding lead in the overall standings that she could have finished third and still claimed the championship title.
At the Xtreme Verbier, Mia was the only snowboarder in the women’s category to start from Gate 3 which includes a highly exposed, technical line that demands commitment and precision. After nearly 20 inches of fresh snowfall in the days leading up to the event, the Bec des Rosses was primed for legendary performances.
Her descent was a clinic in freeride snowboarding: aggressive yet controlled.
“I can’t believe it. I was pretty nervous riding the Bec for the first time,” Mia said after her run. “But in these conditions, the venue was just incredible. There was so much energy at the top, with everyone cheering; it was an unforgettable moment.”
What This Means for Palisades Tahoe
Mia’s victory is proof that Palisades Tahoe continues to be the epicenter of freeride progression. It’s validation that the culture and community here create world-class athletes generation after generation. And it’s a reminder that the next Mia Jones might be out there right now, clicking into skis or strapping into a snowboard for the first time at Palisades Tahoe.
The Jones family has given so much to this mountain community through Jeremy’s pioneering spirit, his advocacy for the environment, and now through Mia’s dominance on the world stage. Watching Mia carve her own path is something the entire Tahoe community can celebrate. She’s also just barely getting started.
To learn more, explore the Palisades Tahoe athlete teams and discover stories from the next generation of skiers and riders.
