Freeride is a sports discipline that needs intense physical effort. It consists of going down the slopes that present maximum difficulty at full speed. Freeride skiing is done off-piste on raw slopes that are entirely natural.
More supported than skiing, freeride skiing needs optimal physical capacities. Freeride skiing needs to be started with a physical program to prepare your body and this week before you leave for the mountains, you should do cardio and breathing exercises. It is necessary to do some specific exercises to warm up before getting on the powder and to let your metabolism adapt to the very cold conditions. The freerider has to master all ski techniques and also master the techniques for all types of turns.
The freeride skier has to have an aptitude to be able to make the movements required to be able to anticipate all situations that could present themselves, being on the lookout for all that happens around him, facing serenely at all dangerous situations and having the capacity and disposition to help.
Because freeride is known for its total liberty, numerous freeriders find advantages in the sensations and fun in conquering, alone or in a group, the unknown zones and wild areas, far from the safe environments. However, freeride skiing is generally done off-piste. Best is thus to be accompanied by a guide or instructor to assure yourself to not get lost and to benefit from a minimum of security.
It is done in a very snowy area where the snow layers are entirely left in their natural and wild state, freeride skiing requires specific skis, bigger and larger than the classic skis. Freeride is also a speed discipline. At the same time, the skis must be at the same time comfortable, strong and agile. They thus have to be rigid skis so you can move on the snow layers but also light so they do not hinder the freerider’s movements especially when launching.
Being well covered is a required conditions to freeride in all security. The freerider’s clothes must be perfectly easy so they do not hinder him in his movements, and comfortable to keep warm. Skiers who practice freeride must choose technical undergarments made from fabrics that offer a good thermal isolation and that evacuate transpiration correctly. Outerwear, like the others, must provide optimal protection for the change of temperature and notably against the humidity and cold winds. You will thus need clothes (jacket and pants) that do not let in wind, preferring a resistance of 20 000 mm of water without forgetting to keep in account reparability and flexibility. In case of big colds and harsh climatic conditions, freeriders need to wear enough layers. And, they need to wear a polar jacket or a synthetic duvet between the outerwear and undergarments. Finally, accessories should not be neglected: gloves, hat and warm and thick shoes to protect the body from the cold extremities.
Freeriders need a backpack to travel and transport their personal belongings. They need a backpack with many compartments, made from water-resistant materials. Freeride is a sport that tests the body in a harsh milieu. Stress and cold lets you dehydrate quickly. Also, it is essential to have a bottle of water. Security equipment are indispensable devices for a skier who practices freeride. The latter disposes of several security devices good to know: DVA, shovel and probe.
Freeride skiing is generally done off-piste, on untouched and roughest slopes, on legit snow. These last years, ski resorts point out specific zones to respond to the needs of liberty of the freeriders while still offering optimal security. The Alps and the Pyrenees present notably the best climatic and environmental conditions to practice freeride.
Most of the ski resorts in the Northern Alps dispose of good slopes for freeride. The famous winter sport resort Chamonix offers numerous rough spots situated in the flanks of Mont Blanc for practicing freeride, not to mention the slopes of Grands Montets or those of the Blanch Valley, tour Mont Blanc. Thanks to the quality of the slopes, Chamonix organizes sport events regularly dedicated to freeride ski. Tignes and Val d’Isere are part of Espace Killy, a privileged zone to practice freeride skiing. Serre Chevalier and Les Menuires, in the Southern Alps, offer also fun freeride zones with optimal sunshine and good snow during the winter season. Les Menuires dispose of a specific space: the DVA Park. Serre Chevalier houses numerous untouched zones spread over the fir woods. The Paradiski domain formed by the ski domains of La Plagne and Les Arcs are the first areas where freeride skiing was done. La Grave-La Meije in the Hautes Alpes is also a great place for freeride ski.
The most important ski resorts in the Pyrenees like Cauterets, Les Angles, Font Romeu and Ax 3 Domaines, dispose for the most part of non-marked zones for the practice of freeride as well as special parks for this practice. The route Pic du Midi represents the best off-piste slopes in the Pyrenees and features the favorite slopes of freeriders in the whole world.
