For at least a week now, rumours have been circulating that Tanner would be on the the receiving end of an FWT Wildcard, and the the news has finally been confirmed. Following in the footsteps of Candide and others, going from 'freeski' comp superstar to big mountain slayer, Tanner is set to take on some of the best freeriders on the planet this coming winter. Indeed, just a few months ago, NS Journalist Matt Sklar asked whether it was success on the FWT that put Candide on a pedestal above Tanner as the greatest of all time. Now we get to find out how Tanner will fare on the notoriously challenging freeride circuit. Having skied with him a bit at Kimbosessions, I have no doubt that his passion and drive to succeed are as strong as they ever were and he hasn't lost anything in terms of skill. In fact, he's still progressing at an amazing rate, so I can't see any reason he couldn't go all the way. If you have any doubts...

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/904016/-TRIUMPH--a-Tanner-Hall-Film

Full Freeride World Tour press release:

One of the most influential skiers of all time will get a chance to throw down against the world’s top freeriders during the 2019 FWT!

Tanner Hall (34), one of the world’s most decorated veterans of freestyle and freeride, will be granted a season wild card to compete alongside the planet’s top freeriders on the five stop international tour in 2019.

Originating from Kalispell, Montana, USA, with a career spanning nearly two decades, Hall is often credited with being one of the original prodigies of the freeski movement; pushing the limit with never-before-seen tricks and progressive lines that earned him admiration and accolades across ski disciplines. Tanner came into the spotlight at a young age, with victories in freestyle skiing competitions that paved his way to groundbreaking movie segments and numerous X-games medals in slopestyle and halfpipe.

Hall’s expertise more recently has evolved to the backcountry, where he is known for combining his ultra-smooth riding style with technical lines and stylish airs. With such vast list of accomplishments and a wide quiver of freestyle expertise, Hall will undoubtedly be one of the top names to watch on this seasons’ tour.