Is Freeride Skiing Right for You? Embrace the Freedom of the Mountains

Snow-covered slopes free of any tracks, mountain adventures, whether on skis or snowboard... This is what Freeride is all about. As its name suggests, Freeride is synonymous with FREEDOM! But what is freeride, really? Is it for you? Let's explore that together right now.

What's freeride skiing?

What is freeride skiing? Here, there’s no question of slaloming between gates or executing acrobatic tricks. The freerider skis on untouched snow, using trees or rocks as their markers, and the slope can far exceed that of black runs. Freeride is practiced far from groomed trails, in search of freedom, and ideally, powder. In ski touring, the goal is often a summit or a pass to reach. In freestyle, skiers showcase the most acrobatic tricks possible. For freeriding, the challenge lies in mastering and understanding a wild environment and practicing off-piste skiing. Beyond riding beautiful lines, knowledge of snow science and glacier navigation is essential.

Is Freeride Right for You?

Do you dream of freedom, wild mountains, and exploring the search for the best slopes? Then freeride is for you! But beware: just strapping on wide skis doesn’t make you a freerider. Navigating in the mountains requires a deep understanding of the wilderness.

Avoid Avalanches While Freeriding: Plan Your Trip in Advance

One of the main risks in freeride is avalanches. To prevent them, you must always check the weather conditions leading up to your trip, as well as the forecast for the day itself. This will give you a clearer idea of the snowpack's quality.

Another essential tool for avalanche prevention is the BERA (Bulletin d’Estimation du Risque d’Avalanche). Published daily at 4 PM by Météo France for the following day, this bulletin is crucial for assessing and preventing avalanche risks. These free bulletins cover the mountainous areas of the Alps, Pyrénées, and Corsica, broken down by massifs.

The BERA is issued from December 15 to April 30 for the next 24 hours and is applicable outside marked trails. It compiles snow conditions and risks (along with their potential location and evolution) using the European avalanche risk scale, featuring the well-known pictogram ranging from zero to five, from green to red. You can find the BERA at the top right of the Whympr app homepage, so there’s no excuse not to read it!

Once on the ground, here are some essential tools

Once you've checked the weather and studied the BERA, you're ready to hit the slopes! In the mountains, you must always carry the Holy Trinity: avalanche transceiver (DVA), shovel, and probe.

For more details on choosing these three tools, feel free to check out our blog article on ski safety.

**Important point**: bringing your shovel and probe, and wearing your DVA is good, but knowing how to use them correctly is essential! It’s not the time to learn in front of an avalanche slide with a friend buried underneath. It's crucial to practice avalanche search techniques beforehand. You can contact our friends at the Chamoniarde, who offer winter and summer rescue training in Chamonix.

Wearing a helmet is also highly recommended; a bad fall on a hidden rock or into a crevasse can happen quickly.

Specificity of the terrain in ski freeride

Freeride skiing will quickly take you into steep terrains where specific knowledge becomes essential. This is especially true in glacial areas. You should have a harness, ice axe, rope, and equipment for setting up a pulley system. A simple day trip can swiftly turn into an expedition! Even if the glacial portion is short or seems benign, you should always carry the tools needed to navigate safely. Once again, training with the Chamoniarde is a great way to learn how to move safely in the mountains. Depending on your region, you might also consider training with the CAF (Club Alpin Français).

The most comfortable option is often to go with a mountain guide to best explore and understand the mountains!

Constant evaluation of conditions is key. Although the weather and BERA have been reviewed beforehand, you must continually reassess the mountain's state throughout your outing. Observing your environment, communicating with your group, and remaining humble are essential conditions for a successful day of freeride skiing. And remember, sometimes, backing down is part of the adventure!

A Distinct Discipline: The Freeride World Tour

Today, freeride is no longer just an offshoot of skiing; it has established itself as a fully-fledged discipline that has gained recognition worldwide. Skiers and snowboarders across the globe traverse the most beautiful slopes in search of the perfect line. Since 2008, the top riders have been competing in the Freeride World Tour! Over the years, the Freeride World Tour has become the premier competition circuit for freeride skiing and snowboarding around the world.

The tour comprises four categories: women's ski, men's ski, women's snowboard, and men's snowboard. Each year, the Freeride World Tour takes place in five stages across various locations worldwide, from Japan to Austria, structured according to the season.

Riders are judged based on five criteria: their line choice, fluidity, control, style, and technique. Originality, audacity, pushing boundaries, and always making it look effortless to the spectators are key aspects of the competition. While the risk of accidents is never eliminated, the events of the Freeride World Tour require extensive preparation to minimize avalanche risks as much as possible. A dedicated medical staff is also present on-site during competitions to ensure the safety of all participants.

Your Turn!  🤙

With this little article, we hope to have inspired you to hit the powder! Whether you’re a spectator at the Freeride World Tour or you plan to ski the slopes close to home, freeride is a fantastic way to explore the wild side of the mountains. And don't forget, numerous Topo Pros for freeride/off-piste are available on Whympr!