Skiers and riders on the Freeride World Tour are easily some of the most well-rounded in the world. Ya gotta be fast, ya gotta have hops and stomps, and you gotta do it on a course that has no ropes or gates or manicured features. They tour the globe with less mainstream attention, yet are arguably some of the most talented snow athletes alive.
These big-mountain chargers have only one shot per contest to essentially save their seasons. They don’t just shred the gnar – they’ve got to do so with style. Earning a spot on this podium is as difficult as the road to Beijing — these athletes rise to the top of their field without sporting federations and their countries supporting their every move.
Lexi Dupont started her career on the Freeride World Tour, gaining top spots in those formative first years out of college. But that was over a decade ago now. In the time since she’s become a fixture in ski media, living a dream that is the envy of many as she’s explored mountains around the world, notching first descents and an unconscionable number of pow turns.
But something was calling her back, and a decade after eschewing the contest scene she received a wildcard on the tour this season. For her, it was about connection. “Competing again has been such a profound experience,” she told me. “I’ve grown and progressed in more ways than I ever expected. The women’s ski field is absolutely crushing and we are pushing each other to step outside our comfort zone and challenge ourselves every time we stand in the start gate.”
Kicking Horse is one of the best freeride mountains in North America, with plenty of hike-to terrain for every type of rider. But during the recent 2022 stop of the Freeride World Tour, conditions were firm, to say the least. Most of the West has gone without snow since January. Competitors carried on, though, in some of the most bullet-proof conditions many had ever ridden in competition. We mic’d up Lexi and let the camera roll as she made the best of the challenging conditions with her fellow riders. She brought much-needed levity to an otherwise hard-pack affair.
Find all the results from the Kicking Horse stop of the Freeride World Tour here.
