All Photos: Sarah Giffin
The place does freeride stay? There’s in all probability no sole appropriate reply to this query. The game has grown in a brief few many years to incorporate thousands and thousands of individuals scattered across the globe, with sizzling spots and cultural epicenters teeming from New Zealand to Australia to North America and again once more. Maybe the higher query is who, on this marvelous sport, is shepherding the way in which ahead? Who, or what, is offering the platform to proceed this development?
As soon as once more we’re met with many solutions, however a standout amongst them can be IFSA. The Worldwide Freeskiers and Snowboarders Affiliation is a non-profit that has been giving younger riders a gateway into freeride competitors for over 25 years. Based by the legendary Shane McConkey in 1996, the group has cultivated a neighborhood second to none, giving opponents way more than an opportunity to be on the rostrum.
What higher solution to discover this freeride haven than via two latest occasions—the IFSA Qualifier 4* Competitions in Revelstoke and Kicking Horse, British Columbia. FREESKIER tapped into the wealthy community of freeriders, pulling collectively exceptional photos from photographer Sarah Giffin and phrases from longtime IFSA athletes Kelly Hilleke, Selby Corridor and Avery Bernholtz. The result’s a first-hand account of what makes this neighborhood particular, and the way its true worth goes far past mastering the descent.
“I’ve been competing in junior [freeride] occasions since I used to be 12, hoping to sooner or later have a shot at competing within the Freeride World Tour. Like most of my buddies, I’ve watched the FWT occasions since I used to be a child. That is my first yr competing with adults, and I now really feel like I’m nearer to my childhood dream than ever earlier than.
The 4* [competition] in Kicking Horse was an ideal storm for me. I used to be coming off a sixth place end within the Revelstoke 4*. After that end result, I used to be feeling good about my odds of qualifying for the FWT Challenger sequence in April, which meant I may lay all of it on the road in Kicking Horse and never fear about crashing.
Since I dropped first within the Ski Males’s area they usually had been utilizing a twin panel judging system, I used to be with a mixture of skiers and snowboarders, women and men, on the prime of the venue. It was so sick to see the camaraderie amongst the opponents lengthen previous the divisions. Everybody on the prime of the T1 South [comp face] that day was HYPED to ski (or experience) down there and leap off one thing. No one was nervous about successful or dropping, we simply needed to do one of the best we may do as people.
And that is why I really like competing. The combo of creativity, technical talent, and psychological fortitude it takes to place down a run you’re pleased with is a problem you may’t discover in lots of different sports activities. Plus, the freeride neighborhood is epic—everyone seems to be supportive, and though we’re competing, we’re all cheering one another on. It’s extra about expressing your self on the mountain than simply chasing podiums. However greater than that, it’s in regards to the individuals. You meet buddies, study from skilled riders, and grow to be a part of a neighborhood that’s bigger than life and really stoked for each other.” – IFSA Athlete Kelly Hilleke, First Place on the Kicking Horse IFSA Qualifier 4*

“This previous occasion at Kicking Horse was actually thrilling for me, as I used to be let in final minute to the 4* occasion. I skied a run I used to be actually pleased with and ended up coming in second place! The extent of expertise and pleasure is on one other degree this yr, so I couldn’t have extra stoked.
I’ve been competing with IFSA since I used to be 13, and I proceed to do it as a result of it pushes me out of my consolation zone. It’s one of the best feeling to hang around on the backside after a fantastic run and watch everybody else crush their strains. For those who’re excited about becoming a member of any of the IFSA competitions, you undoubtedly ought to. I can’t say that sufficient. It’s a good way to make lifelong buddies and push your snowboarding to the following degree.” – IFSA Athlete Selby Corridor, Second Place on the Kicking Horse IFSA Qualifier 4*
“The competitions in Canada had been a blast, per common. Outcomes are all the time a blended bag, however I used to be blissful to stroll away with a win at Revelstoke, and though I misplaced a ski throughout my run at Kicking Horse, I used to be stoked in regards to the line I selected to aim. You win some you lose some, because the saying goes! That’s one thing competing with IFSA has taught me through the years, and it’s a lesson I’ll carry with me for the remainder of my life.
I’ve been competing in freeride since I used to be 10, and to today I nonetheless benefit from the sport and its distinctive potential to carry individuals collectively and foster a supportive, energized surroundings. Touring to new and acquainted locations and reuniting with previous buddies whereas additionally forming new relationships has been an extremely invaluable a part of the freeride expertise for me.
I feel freeride supplies younger riders with a way of neighborhood that extends everywhere in the globe. The rapidly rising sport is exploding with expertise, and competitions like these present a supportive house to showcase stoke, in addition to a method for everybody concerned and everybody watching to get impressed. I really feel so fortunate to be part of it, and I hope that anybody who’s excited about becoming a member of IFSA does so.” – IFSA Athlete Avery Bernholtz, First Place on the Revelstoke IFSA Qualifier 4*
IFSA Qualifier 4* – Revelstoke, British Columbia















IFSA Qualifier 4* – Kicking Horse, British Columbia















