After some news about the iXS Dirt Masters 2025 was published in December and the waves were sometimes high, some clarity should now be provided once again. The fact is that the festival remains true to itself and the changes can be seen as a further development.

This year marks the eighteenth edition of the iXS Dirt Masters. In this long history, the festival has often been a pioneer and has set and established several new trends. For example, the downhill and slopestyle/dirt jump sections have been part of the program since the beginning in 2007. This will not change in the future. However, there will be conceptual changes in the trick disciplines. The reasons for this have been sufficiently explained elsewhere.

This year, visitors can look forward to several competitions in the slopestyle area, including the TSG Rip the Hip, which already caused a lot of excitement at last year's edition. There will also be a new format in the Bowl and an additional Best Trick Contest. In addition, the VPACE Rookies Jam will be held for the third time, where the next generation will be able to show off their skills. This means that there will be a daily competition for all airtime fans.

It has already been made clear that downhill is as much a part of the festival as braking waves in a bike park, and so the PROPAIN Rookies Cup and iXS Downhill Cup series will once again be making guest appearances in Winterberg. The VPACE Kids Cup is back for the youngsters, this time with two event days to meet the high demand.

The Specialized Chili Enduro Series, the enduro discipline, is also part of the programme, as Winterberg was also a pioneer in this area and hosted a race in 2012, when this relatively new format did not even exist in Germany. Last year, an E-Enduro race was held for the first time with the Orbea Wild Ride and, of course, this story will continue.

The iXS Dirt Masters is characterized by a variety of disciplines that can hardly be found at any other festival. And it is precisely for this reason that another highlight will be added to the program. For the first time, there will be an event for this target group with the MAXXIS Gravel Masters. In a separate village, it's all about lifestyle, cycling and a special atmosphere, somehow away from the festival hustle and bustle, but also right in the middle of it.

The festival's evolution also includes the fact that there will be no Whip Off Contest in 2025. This competition was introduced in 2013, at a time when many of those who were surprised by this decision were not even at school. Now, after more than ten years, it is time for a further development, because one thing the festival should definitely not be is boring.

But the iXS Dirt Masters Festival will also have plenty to experience apart from the sporting highlights. Every year, the huge expo area with over 100 exhibiting brands forms a centerpiece, which will be redesigned in the future to make it even more attractive for visitors. Of course, there will also be pop-up events such as the Bunny Hop Contest, Braap Off, Slomo Race, Bag Jump Contest, Puk Offs, etc. And of course, the iXS Dirt Masters wouldn't remain true to itself if there wasn't the option of a musical after hour with Mountain Reggae Radio after the sporting events and Expo opening times.

So, if you take a closer look at the program and don't immediately start ranting after reading some social media posts, you can see that the festival is evolving, retaining its character and becoming anything but boring.

Statement Festival Organisation