Pete Forras is a legend of the Aussie snow industry, Buller born and raised, ex-racer and Winter Olympian, co-founder of Australian snow brand XTM performance and a full on snow frother!

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RRP $1,349

This review appeared in Chillfactor Magazine 2025. Grab your copy here

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Over the past year, the organisation has grown from four volunteers to over 40, delivering several fundraising efforts over the 2023 winter season where we raised $65k. With this money, we have invested in a new climate change impact report in conjunction with the Australian National University’s Mountain Research Facility. 

READ: Moments from an Australian winter

The first of its kind, this report shows the at-risk nature of Australian winters and investigates the broad range of impacts that a lack of snow coverage will have on snow sports in Australia, the businesses that surround it and the broader regional communities that rely on snow run off. 

Who is impacted by climate change?

Australia’s snow sports industry is the largest in the world at direct and short-term risk as a result of climate change. What we call for is not only greater action at the community level when it comes to combatting our own carbon footprints, but also greater coordination to make government and society realise the substantial impact that climate change has the potential to have on our environment, livelihoods, and regional communities. 

Our vision is for a future where our alpine playground and the communities and businesses that depend on it still exist. 

How is Protect our Winters fighting climate change?

Protect our Winters first and foremost is a community-based organisation. We are grounded in the team of individuals that support us to spread our message and develop new ideas to advocate for greater climate change action. This exists in the Protect our Winters Jindabyne local alliance which we set up last year and will continue to run this year, but also exists in the communities built around ski lodges, university clubs, competitive snow-sports, local businesses, schools and so much more. 

Through fundraisers, awareness-raising and having those conversations with the communities we’re all a part of, we can start to shift the dial in creating greater awareness of how critical climate change action is to our mountains. 

READ: The affects climate change is having on skiing in the alps

In 2023, we delivered our biggest year yet. This year, we go further. Through fighting for cultural change in our community and raising awareness of climate change, lobbying government for greater recognition of its impacts on our communities, and partnering with businesses, we take steps towards protecting the unique alpine environment we love. 

Our goal this winter is to truly unite our community and the many organisations that are its building blocks to fight for more action against climate change. For that we need your help. By following us on social media, buying our merch, donating, volunteering your time or simply talking to the people around you, you help us in achieving our goals for the 2024 season and beyond. 

More from Australian Winter 2024 Season:

Best ski gear from 2024
The anatomy of a ski turn
The freeride force is strong in the youth

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Best Ski Gear from 2024

• Anon Sync Goggle
• Anon Windham WaveCel Helmet
• Dahu 01 Ski Boot
• Dynastar M Pro 100
• Giro Tenet MIPS Helmet
• MT610G Personal Locator Beacon
• Lange Shadow All Mountain Ski Boot
• Mammut Haldigrat Hooded Jacket
• The North Face Summit Stimson FUTURELIGHT Jacket
• Milo Action Communicator
• XTM Palladium 3.0 Mens Shell Snow Jacket

Why are these picks the best ski gear for 2024?

Our Chillfactor team spends a lot of time in the snow and are fortunate enough to test some of the coolest gear from all different brands. These are our top 11 picks for best ski gear in 2024.

READ: Moments from a winter

Anon Sync Goggles ($299.99)

The terrain-defining clarity of Perceive optics and the simplicity of M-Fusion for fast, easy lens changes. The Anon Sync Goggles offer the terrain defining-clarity of Perceive optics and the convenience of our M-Fusion magnetic latch system to secure and guide lenses into place. Full-perimeter venting ensures maximum airflow for a clear, fog-free view in all conditions. They are over-the-glasses compatible for wearing with eyeglasses and include a bonus lens for cloudy conditions plus a microfiber bag for storage and lens cleaning.

Read more here

Anon Windham WaveCel Helmet ($329.99)

Leading safety features, a durable hardshell design, and one-hand fit adjustability for distraction-free comfort.Anon’s Windham WaveCel Helmet pairs everyday hardshell durability with the advanced impact protection of WaveCel technology. WaveCel is a collapsible cellular structure that lines the inside of the helmet. It’s designed to flex, crumple, and glide to reduce rotational and direct impact forces. A 360° BOA® Fit System offers a quick, micro-adjustable fit with the turn of a dial, and the Fidlock® magnetic helmet strap buckle allows for easy one-hand operation, even with gloves.

Read more here

Dahu 01 Ski Boot ($1,399)

Redefining the relationship between on-hill performance and comfort, the Dahu ski boot integrates a winter boot that is both protective & comfortable with a high performance 3-Piece shell.  Awarded the Silver Medal by America’s Best Bootfitters, the Dahu 01 is not only the most comfortable boot you will ever try, it is also the easiest to enter & exit with their Corsair Entry. 100% Grilamid materials ensure there is no compromise on performance.

Read more here

Dynastar M Pro 100 ($1,399)

Produced in France, the skis in the M-Pro range are traditional freeride skis incorporating a new structure that reinforces the front and rear rocker for even greater fun and easier pivoting without losing any power underfoot or compromising the renowned stability of the M-Pro range.   The new M-Pro 100 Ti and M-Pro 94 models have been designed for intermediate to expert skiers and feature the eco-designed Hybrid Core 2.0 technology. The Hybrid Core 2.0 technology is found in a new wood layer design (placing them in three directions instead of just one: longitudinally, vertically, and transversally), to replace the mechanical properties provided by composite materials such as glued fiberglass, reducing the proportion of this material in the ski while improving Dynastar’s unique skiability.

Giro Tenet MIPS Helmet ($359.95)

Designed for all-mountain pursuits, the new Tenet features our hybrid construction to deliver the lightness of the in-molded lower and the durability of the hard-shell upper. The result is comfort and mobility for multiple long seasons on the hill. Featuring advanced protective technology, the Tenet is powered by Mips®, which can reduce rotational energy during certain impacts through our unique two-part construction. For adapting to changes in the weather, we integrate our adjustable Thermostat Control to give you the power to regulate your temp. Armed with In Form 2 Fit System and our breathable Ionic+® Fleece, the Tenet lets you dial in your fit and comfort quickly.

GME MT610G Personal Locator Beacon ($410)

The MT610G is a super-compact, lightweight PLB, offering an impressive 7-year battery life and a 6-year warranty. Featuring an integrated 72 channel GPS receiver, zero warm-up time, high-intensity LEDs, IP68 Ingress Protection, and an inherently buoyant design, the MT610G has not compromised the safety features included.

The MT610G has been designed, engineered, and manufactured in Australia, to provide the outdoor adventurer with a GPS PLB solution that is compact, easy-to-use, and affordable.

Lange Shadow All Mountain Ski Boot ($1149)

More power and more control with less energy. The Lange Shadow ski boots bring a new level of power transfer, vibration absorption and comfort to all-mountain skiing. Our Assisted Performance System amplifies your input to the boot through the mechanical advantage of our Dual Pivot and Suspension Blade technology. The boot’s clean, consistent flex is combined with increased shock absorption through the shell for enhanced snow feel and contact. Together with a 120 or 130-rated flex, this boot gives expert skiers every advantage for skiing any terrain on the mountain. At 97mm wide, our low-volume last complements the thermoformable liner for a comfortable performance fit.

Mammut Haldigrat Hooded Jacket ($999.95)

Whether you’re in resort or exploring the backcountry, when you’re on the hunt for the perfect line, this hardshell’s got your back. The Haldigrat is light enough for the ascent and burly enough for the descent. Thanks to a soft, sustainable outer fabric made from durable post-consumer recycled nylon and a Drytech Pro Technology waterproof membrane. A free-ride inspired long cut offer laid back style loaded with features (and pockets).

The North Face Summit Stimson FUTURELIGHT Jacket ($1,100)

The Summit Series Stimson FUTURELIGHT Jacket is a Breathable-waterproof, seam-sealed 3L shell versatile piece ideal for backcountry tours and extended stays on the mountain. Its lightweight back panel and built-in venting allow for comfortable wear while carrying a heavy pack. Features include stretch powder skirt, and secure-zip pockets, attached, helmet-compatible hood with a bonded brim and riveted cord-lock adjustment system; Two-way, #5 YKK® VISLON® AquaGuard® center front zip with an internal draft flap and laser-cut perforations at chin.

Milo Action Communicator ($399)

It enables hands-free, multi-way, group voice conversation, allowing adventurers to speak while on the trails, slopes or water. No phones or Wi-Fi needed. The patented MiloNet network allows everyone in the group to talk at the same time. Attach Milo securely to your clothing or handlebar using one of the purpose-designed clips leaving your hands free.

Milos create their own mesh network, so you don’t need Wi-Fi or a phone signal. The range between two Milos is 600 m (2000 feet) depending on the terrain. The MiloNet mesh network can extend that range when your group of 3 or more spreads out.

XTM Palladium 3.0 Mens Shell Snow Jacket ($499.99)

The Palladium 3.0 Mens Shell Snow Jacket combines ultimate performance with low-volume design. And, the jacket is now made and retailed in DERMIZAX fabric

 The durable, 4-way stretch outer shell fabric is PFC-free and made from 94% recycled PET bottles. Windproof plus 20K waterproofing and 15K breathability, means maximum protection and comfort.

Equipped with RECCO® technology, YKK zips, a snap away powder skirt, fixed hood, pit zips to dump heat and a freeride fit. Layer up with our Back Country Jacket for extra warmth on colder days. If you’re seeking a soft-shell that performs as hard as you do, this is it. All Technical outerwear : 100%  PFC-free DWR coatings, 100% carbon neutral and XTM is a B Corp Certified business!

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You can only get to Alaska’s state capital by air or ferry and you’d be forgiven for not realising Juneau is technically a city. The vibe here is small town, and in the winter months it’s not exactly bustling. 

The main street has a rustic charm and you get the feeling it doesn’t look a hell of a lot different now to when the hunt for gold brought prospectors, including Joe Juneau, this way back in the 1880s when the town was established. Indigenous Tlingit (pron: clink-it) and Haida (pron: high-da) Indian tribes have been fishing these salmon-rich waters for centuries and as you walk through town Tlingit names are on signs, buildings and maps. 

As I’m exploring the main drag I’m trying to picture what’s it’s like in summer when half a dozen cruise liners pull in each day and tourists swarm through town. I’m definitely here in the off-season – and that’s how I like it. 

I feel like I’m getting in on a well-kept secret, because just over the bridge on Douglas Island there’s a rad ski mountain, and this whole area is surrounded by amazing heli-accessed terrain and there is barely anyone here. I made my first visit to ski Eaglecrest – they call it a ski hill, it’s 640 acres with 1620 feet of vertical – last year and I’m fired up to be back so soon. 

Could this be a unicorn; a seriously good ski destination that hasn’t been overrun (yet?)  What it doesn’t have ticks a lot of my boxes – no lift lines, no traffic snarls on the 22-minute drive from town, no parking dramas, no wanker attitude and no frills. What it does have is darn good skiing, friendly locals, a huge almost empty ski area and at the end of the day plenty of great old school bars and places to get a great meal back in town. 

I’m not going to spin some line or say the snow is always epic – it gets it all here; deep dry powder, creamy dreamy soft snow, a bit of crust and crud and the occasional dollop of mashed potatoes and a smattering of hard pack. As skiers we are all gamblers, but I’d put a bet on this place any day.  And that’s why after my first taste I was keen to get back, and I brought a few mates with me.

Our group of skiers and boarders from Mt Buller consisted of Moz Bardas, Mal and Harry Hart, Mt Buller legend Hannes Grimus and his Austrian mountain guide mate Peter Breitfuss – and it was certainly an eye opener for everyone.

It was Hannes’s first trip to Alaska and as we planned this mission he was frothing on every detail. When he’s not freeskiing or running the ski shop in his family’s business, Pension Grimus on Mt Buller, Hannes spends his life around ski race courses, initially as an FIS alpine racer and more recently as a World Cup/Olympic coach. Hannes convinced his mates Moz and Mal to join the trip. Both Moz and Mal are seasoned Alaskan heli skiers who have scored both hits and misses on heli skiing trips up this way. When you’re working with Mother Nature, the Alaskan wilderness and helicopters you know you are buckling into a rollercoaster ride that can be the biggest thrill of your life or an expensive and frustrating disappointment. Most heli trips require a willingness to accept a level of risk and reward in equal measure – but the good news for our group was, we found a way to tilt the odds a little more in our favour.

Most heliski operations in Alaska are tucked out in remote locations. A helicopter, its pilot and engineer are out in these far-flung spots every day of the heli season – which is a cost to the operation. It doesn’t matter if the heli doesn’t leave the ground, there are fixed expenses and they are passed on to clients. No surprise there.

Alaska Powder Descents are a little different because the helicopters they use are based out of Juneau airport and they only pay for the time they fly. For us, it meant instead of sitting in a heli lodge waiting anxiously for those fly-days we had tonnes of options that made for an epic week’s stay. When we weren’t getting in turns at Eaglecrest we were poking about in downtown Juneau, slotting in some hunting and fishing adventures and getting up to retail mischief in the epic outfitter stores (more Carhartt and guns than you could ever imagine). It’s pretty extraordinary to have a heli trip with such low ‘skunk factor’ in the mix, and the ‘local ski hill’ here is a big part of that insurance.

Eaglecrest’s inbounds terrain is a seriously good time and on their (Alaskan) rating has about 40% advanced terrain with another 40% intermediate. Then you take a peek at the side and backcountry and realise you need a lot more time here. Once you set your sights beyond the generous amount of groomed runs and steep off-piste terrain within the marked ski area, you are tempted with a smorgasbord of big, steep, Alaska-sized peaks and terrain features where short hikes or a tour from the top of the Ptarmigan lift will put you into some of the best terrain any serious freeskier could imagine. As a bonus, you get to ski back to the lift. 

I don’t think I’m going too far out on a limb to say this place is a legit adventure ski destination that I would put high on any North American list, if not at the top. The fact that it’s completely off the radar only makes it more off the hook. 

Anyway, I’m getting you distracted, from the main event – the promise of heli lines that brought our posse of powder-seekers all the way from Australia. In the case of Moz, Mal and Harry they’d literally just landed when we got the call that it was on. Hannes and Peter had at least had a couple of days to get their AK bearings, but for the others we scooped them from the arrival hall fresh off their international flight and made the short drive 500m to the Temsco Heli base where Alaskan Powder Descents (APD) were ready to deliver us to the top of some fresh lines.

APD are a small operation and it gives them the advantage of being really nimble. When conditions align they can act fast. Our group hustled into action, the sky was blue, there was powder in the mountains waiting and no better way to shake jetlag than a whiff of Jet-A, the scream of a turbine and face shots to boot.

It’s such a dance with the weather and terrain in Alaska as you strive for that ‘goldilocks’ alignment of snow falling and weather clearing and the hope that blasting wind doesn’t undo it all. It can often happen that as the low-pressure storm system moves out high pressure can build in the interior. This pressure imbalance will suck in frigid arctic air that funnels down valleys at a blistering speed, hammering whole swathes of terrain turning dreams of powder turns into nightmares. These weather events also send the mercury plummeting making for insanely cold days. Despite this exact scenario happening during our window we struck gold, just like those early pioneers, with a number of drainages that had escaped the onslaught of the wind. We feasted on bountiful, long powder filled runs in dead-calm conditions to the valley floor. The bliss of being in these sheltered seams of powder while witnessing the gale force winds stirring up a swell on the Lynn Canal below us was mesmerizing.  

After three days of flying and gorging on untracked vertical another North Pacific storm system made its way to us. It was time to say goodbye to our rotor-spinning ways and get our kicks finding fun off the Ptarmigan chair at Eaglecrest. Good times were had exploring the terrain, and fair to say that ‘local ski hill’ has plenty going for it as we slayed tree lines and kept the stoke levels sky high. I was hoping to get the boys out past “The Ridge” on to Hogs Back and over to Mt Stewart but the weather had other ideas.  I guess we’ll just have to do that next time.

I can only imagine what it would have been like to kick along Colorado Street in Telluride, Elk Avenue in Crested Butte or Main Street Park City back in the days when they were still low-key ski towns before winter tourism really took hold and changed them into the destinations they are today.

I feel pretty lucky to be strolling down South Franklin Street in Juneau, rolling into an old-school bar with no line outside and no fancy cocktails inside. It’s cool to experience somewhere special before everyone else cottons on to what a gem it is. If you like your skiing solid and simple and are up for the kind of untamed adventure that Alaska offers this might be something you’d like too – just don’t go telling too many people.

PS: The local tourism website shares a cautionary message that ‘once you visit you may not want to go home’. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

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Finn finished the 2024 season, his second year in tour, fourth on the world rankings and while he may not have won an event, his skiing is pushing the refresh button on big mountain freeride competitions. Reggae Elliss caught up with Finn a few weeks ago when he was in Haines Alaska on a film shoot for Matchstick Productions’ 2024 release.

Hey, Finn, I know you’re busy, thanks for taking the time for a chat. You’re up in Alaska now, filming with Matchstick Productions, how has that been? 

Insane, definitely one of the best trips of my life. It’s a humbling place to come ride as a skier, the sheer magnitude of these mountains and the scale of the terrain is hard to grapple with until seeing it in person. This trip has given me a whole new perspective on what’s possible in the mountains. 

What other athletes are involved? 

I’m up here with Colby Stevenson, Karl Fostvedt, Emily Childs and a full production crew from MSP Films. The crew has been going hard up here, stoked to show ya’ll the shots we got in the new movie coming out this fall.

Let’s get back to the start of it for you. You grew up in Wanaka and come from a skiing family, can you remember when you started skiing? 

My first memories of skiing track as far back as I can remember. I was plonked on skis at just two years old and spent most of my childhood chasing around my older brother, Hank at Treble Cone & Snow Park NZ. 

What was it like growing up in Wanaka and who did you ski with as a kid? There is a lot of talent there and a strong older crew – Sam Smoothy, the Wells bros – Who did you look up to and was anyone a particular influence? 

Growing up in Wanaka was a huge privilege and definitely has had a huge impact on not just my skiing style but the way I approach life today. There’s ample amount of opportunity to do so many different types of activities and I was fortunate to be surrounded by a motivated crew of grommies that were keen to do exactly that. I ripped around lots with my older brother, Hank and the likes of The Porteous boys, The Wells Brothers, Craig Murray, some of the NZ Snowboarders like Carlos Garcia-Knight & JJ Rayward. We were all inspired by the older generation of Kiwi pro’s and were lucky to have mentorship from guys like Jossi Wells, Sam Smoothy, Will Jackways and OG’s such as Geoff Small. All of those people have had a huge influence on me in life. 

The place is such a hot bed of talent and then you have the option of skiing the freeride terrain in Treble Cone or the Cardrona, which is renowned for its terrain parks. Best of both worlds. Did you split your time between the two? 

For sure. The variety of terrain is one of my favorite parts about Wanaka, there’s always something to do not matter what the conditions cater for. Growing up, I would spend a fairly equal amount of time between Snow Park and Treble Cone. 

You made your name as a park and pipe skier, made the NZ team for Youth Olympics, Junior Worlds and then the PyeongChang Olympics in 2018 and Beijing Olympics in 2022. Did you have a goal as a kid to be a pro skier?

My parents always encouraged chasing what you love and as a byproduct I became a Pro Skier. There’s been lots of hard work along the way and so many people who have helped make that dream become a reality. However, I think that cliché rings true. I remember watching the old Poor Boyz Productions films religiously and being so drawn to the lifestyle and energy of freestyle skiing. I was probably six or seven years old when I knew I wanted to dedicate a lot of my life to this sport. 

You scored an invite to the Aspen Xgames in 2019, which is the biggest freeski event on snow. Was that a big moment, was that when you thought you were a pro skier? 

It was definitely a gratifying moment being invited to the X-Games. However, I find you’re so focused and there’s a lot going on at those big events that you don’t have much time to digest those moments. I remember more clearly flying out of the New Zealand after finishing High School and you have to write down your occupation on your departure card. I could no longer write ‘student’ and was like “damn, I guess I’m a pro skier now”, ha ha. 

Classic. That would have been a cool moment. While you may have made your name as park skier, it’s fair to say you’ve always been an all-rounder. You did the NZ junior freeride series when you were a kid and then in 2019 entered the freeride qualifying events in the Remarkables, winning the two-star and then fourth in the four-star. That was during a period between the 2018 and 2022 Olympics – at that stage did you think you’d stay in park and pipe? 

Skiing has always been multidisciplinary to me. As I got older, specialising in a singular discipline became more encouraged. The competition schedules began to overlap, and it was really challenging to be at everything all at once. I didn’t want to spread myself too thin, so I had to start prioritising different events. When I was 16-years-old, I’d actually qualified for the Junior Freeride World Championships but couldn’t attend as I had also qualified to represent NZ at the 2016 Youth Olympic Games. Looking back this was one of the first major decisions I had to make on which pathway to go down. 

When did you decide to make the change to freeride full-time? 

Although the Park and Pipe schedule was busy I’d often be able to sneak away for a few pow trips between contests. However, once Covid sunk in, this was no longer a possibility as we were under strict guidelines from our National Team as to where and who we could travel with during our off time. I really didn’t enjoy these restrictions and having to be more singular focused on Park and Pipe. Throughout those years of travelling through the Covid pandemic was ultimately when I realised that I was craving some change. I was given the opportunity to compete as a Wildcard in Fieberbrunn stop of the FWT just two weeks after competing in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. It was the perfect opportunity to dive back into the Freeride scene. That event was super fun and I was stoked to be back in that community, so I decided to keep chasing it the following year. 

Your brother Hank is an awesome skier and he did a few years on the FWT and he lit it up with some radical lines. Did his success inspire you to switch to freeride? 

For sure. I think watching both my brother Hank and Craig Murray ski on the Freeride World Tour made it seem far more attainable. I’ve skied with both of them so much growing up that I could begin to relate to the lines they were skiing. 

How did you find the tour when you first competed? Did you know many of the other athletes? 

It was exciting, compared with the structure of Olympic programs the Freeride World Tour felt far more loose and honestly, just a damn good time! Riders want to do well and they’re going to push themselves in the contest, but they’re also there to mess around, have fun and party a bit. ha, ha. I was lucky to have known a bunch of the riders before joining the Freeride World Tour as I’d met them through my brother in previous years. Unfortunately, my brother was no longer competing on the FWT when I joined but I was super grateful to have the likes of Craig Murray, James Hampton & Jess Hotter competing at the same time as they helped me get my head around the contrast and similarities of competing in the Freeride World as opposed to the Park & Pipe World. 

You’ve brought progressive skiing to the FWT – it has always been about big mountain lines, aggressive skiing, big cliff drops etc. It still is, but did you go on tour with the intention of shaking it up? 

Thank you. I saw my wildcard invitation last season as an opportunity to showcase maybe a different style of skiing on the Freeride world Tour. I find the Freeride Judging Criteria wants to funnel you into a certain style of skiing and I tried to think less about the results and more about trying to ski lines that represented the style of skiing that I’m most drawn too. Maybe a little less fall line, more cross court and freestyle. I like seeing those creative, fluid lines on large exposed faces. 

I reckon that has freshened up the tour and the audience love it. There’s a pretty rad crew of young guys on the tour – Max Hitzig, Marcus Goguen, Ben Richards, Maxime Chabloz, Max palm etc. It’s pretty inspiring. Do they push you? 

No doubt! The level of riding this season was insane! Those guys are all animals, it’s been a cool era of the FWT to be a part of and I’m stoked/scared to see where it goes in the future ha-ha. 

What’s the story with Kiwis and success in freeride? There’s a heap – first it was Sam Smoothy and now it’s you and Ben Richards, your brother, Blake Marshall, Craig Murray, Jamesa Hampton. Jess Hotter was 2022 women’s world champ. 

Good question. I’d say it’s a combination between having access to so much amazing  terrain, skiing in subpar snow conditions and, most importantly, the community that supports Freeride Skiing in NZ. We’ve got a really strong network of riders, supportive parents and guidance from NZ Junior Freeride Tour organiser and judge – Dion Newport. Without all of those people, I don’t think any of us Kiwi’s would’ve had half the opportunities we’ve had. The pathway to the World Stage is only getting stronger so I’m sure you’ll see plenty more Freeride Rippers from NZ in the coming years. 

You’re up in Alaska now, filming with Matchstick Productions, how has that been? What other athletes are involved?  

Insane, definitely one of the best trips of my life. It’s a humbling place to come ride as a skier, the sheer magnitude of these mountains and the scale of the terrain is hard to grapple with until seeing it in person. This trip has given me a whole new perspective on what’s possible in the mountains. I’m up here with Colby Stevenson, Karl Fostvedt, Emily Childs and a full production crew from MSP Films. The crew has been going hard up here, stoked to show ya’ll the shots we got in the new movie coming out this fall.

You’ve now done two years on the FWT. What’s your plan now – keep competing and mix it up with filming?  

I’m going to take a few weeks to decompress after this Northern Hemisphere Winter and then start to figure out what next season is going to look like for me. I’m really enjoying the direction I’m going with my skiing at the moment, so I’ll be looking to spend more time in the backcountry with good friends and family. I’ve also got some new visions and concepts I’d like to bring to life with my sponsors. We’ll see how much competition plays into that plan. 

What about this southern hemisphere season? 

I’ll be back home in Wanaka, New Zealand in late July. Have got a few projects in the  works so looking forward to getting stuck into those and being back in my home mountains. See ya out there! Thanks legend!

Thanks Finn, good to have a chat.

Thanks legend, See ya out there. 

The post Finn Bilous is Setting the Freeride World on Fire appeared first on Chillfactor.

Zanna Farrell is a 24-year-old freeskier from Sydney, who finished third on the 2024 Freeride World Tour qualifying rankings, winning two events, along the way. However, prior to entering an event in Japan in Feb 2023, Zanna, a racer in her teenage years, had never competed in a freeride event. She won that comp in Japan which encouraged her to enter the two North Face Frontier events in the Remarkables, NZ last winter, where she podiumed in both and her freeride career was underway…

Zanna, you burst onto the scene out of nowhere and got a second and a third in the Frontier events in New Zealand last year. What had you been doing before those events?

Just skiing with friends, really. Freeride happened accidentally in a way. I grew up skiing in Thredbo and raced when I was younger. I was on the national team for maybe three or four years, but I stopped when I was around 16, during my first or second year in FIS. I took a big break from skiing, went to university, worked a bit and took a couple of years off.

How did you end up competing on the Freeride Qualifier tour?

I ended up going on a ski trip with some friends last year to Japan and Canada. At the end of it, I did a comp just for fun in Lotte Arai in Japan. It was a three-star event at the very end of the season and there weren’t many people, so I got in and put down a really good result. And then, with only one result, I was able to do the two-star in New Zealand off that. I came second there, so they gave me a wild card for the four-star!  That was my trajectory into freeride, and that gave me the opportunity to come here to Europe. But it was honestly a total accident, and I was just skiing with friends on holiday.

That’s extraordinary. As an ex-racer you’ve obviously got the technical skills. So, tell me about the second event in New Zealand.  The Remarks has some varied, steep and challenging terrain, and of course it’s NZ, so it’s not necessarily great quality snow.  How do you deal with that? 

I put no pressure on myself because I’d never really done it before, and I didn’t have expectations on my performance.  It really took the pressure off relative to what I’d experienced in racing. Obviously, the start gate experience is similar, and I’m used to skiing that kind of variable snow. I just made a plan in the morning and tried to stick to it. But, yeah, there wasn’t a whole lot that went into it. 

New Zealand was my first big hurdle to overcome mentally, in terms of dropping in, and changing quite a lot in the way that I ski to fit into the freeride mode. Really dialing back the speed, focusing on navigation, and speed control is a big one. Not just to handle the terrain, but also to find your landmarks. Honestly, the New Zealand faces were nowhere near as hard to navigate as the ones I’ve skied here in Europe this season, on that course you could pretty much see most of it from the top.

So, you’ve done the New Zealand events and podiumed in both and gathered quite a few points on the rankings.  You say “Wow, okay” Then you decide to head to Europe… But let’s take a step back, what were you doing at the time – work? university?

I’m working, I’m in my last year of a Master’s in Law. I studied politics, philosophy, and economics as an undergrad and I’m working at the Attorney General’s office in international investment law. I didn’t ski at all for about two or three years after I stopped racing, and it was challenging. I had multiple surgeries, and just the classic racer story of ACL and being a bit burnt out. So, really, I took two or three years off skiing before I took this long ski trip with my friends. And I just really started enjoying myself again. It’s a completely separate life.

Reggae:  Totally. So, you headed to Europe to compete but again you were carrying a knee injury at the start of this season? 

Yeah, so it was MCL and also possible ACL. I had mixed advice from different surgeons saying I needed a reconstruction, saying maybe I could get away without it, but I ruptured the MCL for sure as well. So that put a hole in the plans. Because after New Zealand I decided, “Okay, I’m going to go to Europe and I’m going to do the four-star events and see how it goes. I was training in Jindabyne on the airbag around the end of November. I got injured on my second jump, which was super unlucky. I ruptured my MCL and then pretty much wasn’t able to ski until the end of January.

So, it was really stressful, because in missing the four-star events it’s really difficult to get enough points to make the challenger events because they only run five of them. One of them is in Japan and it only leaves two. So essentially the first half of the season was botched, and I just did heaps of rehab. I was still pretty motivated; when you’re doing rehab in the middle of a season when you’d really like to be skiing, it’s quite motivating.  Then I was ready, so I came over here to Verbier and did all my competitions. I think I did eight comps in three weeks or something crazy like that. Really, I did so many comps, and probably way more than recommended.

What, so you did all the smaller events to try and chase the points?

Yeah, I couldn’t do the four-stars. So, I did three-stars and two-tars, and basically just tried to win each event because, otherwise, you can’t get enough points.

Yeah. So that builds up points to get a start in the four stars. And then you won the Nendaz event in Switzerland. So, you’re back competing, talk us through your results…

I did a comp in Tignes, that was a bit early to come back and I was pretty injured, so that didn’t go so well. The next two were both in Verbier and Bruson, and I crashed both of them, so I’m not looking so good. We’re in mid-February now. Then, I actually had some friends who were going to Kazakhstan for some comps, so I thought, “Okay, cool, let’s go.” I did a two-star and a three-star there and won both of them. Then I came back to Nendaz. I did the three-star. I came second, I think. And then did the four-star and I won. Prior to the four-start I was completely below the cut, so I think I had to come first, second, or third to even make the cut for the challenger events. So, it’s been quite a lot of pressure this season, a lot more than I really wanted it to be. It was just a case of try and squeeze everything into February and I pulled it off, and just slid in at the end.

Yeah, right. And then, tell us about the challenger events, so where did you end up?

Yeah, I ended up third. The challengers were okay. I had the first one in Italy. I crashed the first two, actually. First one was honestly probably the best run of my life until the bottom. So that one, even though technically I crashed, I still count that as a win because I definitely dropped the biggest cliff I have all season and was feeling really good. On the second one, I crashed. The third one in France, I didn’t do so well. I got a bit lost. At that stage I think my confidence was a bit low, to be honest, from the previous two. My head game wasn’t quite there. And then the last one, in Austria, I came third. I finally put down a run, landed a run, and was super happy about it. I think I found a good medium between pushing a little bit harder and just dialing it back a little bit. I just wanted to put down a run – so that was my challenger journey; not so good.

When you think about it, you’ve really had only a year’s experience in freeride competition. It’s pretty amazing for someone coming in without any experience in junior freeride events.  So, you start at the Lotte Arai in February ’23 and now, here you are, knocking on the door of the Freeride World Tour 14 months later. That’s pretty amazing.

Kind of. It’s been a really, really steep learning curve though. I’ve learned so much about my skiing, myself, everything.

Yeah. Well, you mentioned before the airbag and hurting yourself. Obviously, in freeride now, there’s a lot of progression in it, 360s and back flips. That’s something you wouldn’t have done as a kid, I suppose, much with your race training. Is that the plan to come back down here to Jindy and do some more training, hopefully uninjured this time?

I think so. I really enjoy the freestyle part of skiing. And it’s something I’ve been wanting to progress for a while, and something I’ve done throughout my life in a very ad hoc way, and just sending it on big days without a lot of direction. So that’s something I’m keen to develop in a safe and structured way. And, for sure, the level of competition with women is going through the roof right now. 

I’m super, super open to that side of the sport and it’s something I’ve been developing for a while. Just it’s been a bit difficult to put into comps this year with my injury. The advice was not to rotate and not to put any more strain on the ligaments. So that’s been a little bit frustrating for me, personally, just have not been able to progress that at all this season. I do feel like I have lots of time. I think I’m really at the beginning, I’m still learning how to navigate faces and everything.

Okay, so you’re coming back to Australia soon, back to work in Canberra. What’s the plan? Are you going to New Zealand again for the comps in August and September?

Hopefully. It depends mostly on finances and scheduling, stuff like that. I’m looking to get a bit more support this year and, hopefully, start some longer -term relationships with companies that are really care about freeride. I actually am going to work, or I’m going to be associated with Thredbo this year as an ambassador and do a bit of stuff with them.

So yes, I hope to go to New Zealand. I’m hoping to compete, but it just depends on a few logistics that I’ll need to work out to make it happen.

Yeah. And what about the knee? Is that an issue now? 

Not really and hopefully I can avoid surgery. I’ve had trouble with my ACL for a long time and I play a lot of AFL. I play for Ainslie in Canberra.

Footy as well? 

Yeah, so normally, at home, I’m playing footy a lot.  I went to ANU so I’ve been in Canberra for five or six years which makes it easier to go to the snow too.  I’m planning to play footy there and am signed on to play at a high level, more semi-professionally, when I get home.

I love footy, it keeps you really strong. Because I think freeride is, in a way, a contact sport, in terms of the impact on your body. I know it’s no one tackling you, per se, but it’s funny how it’s similar on your body as footy. So, it’s good training and it’s nice to play a team sport. 

Well, you’re not the standard 24-year-old corporate lawyer. So, if you get back to Europe next season, you want to compete, make the cut for the challengers again. Long-term – the Freeride World Tour, is that the goal?

I’m thinking about it now. But to be honest, at the beginning of the year it never even seemed a possibility. Now I’m thinking about it as a goal, and it doesn’t seem so impossible, having done a season here and getting a bit of experience, and understanding what it means to be successful in the comp setting.  It’s so different to freeskiing with your friends and skiing in a comp. I’m starting to understand the way the judging works, And I’m really getting a sense of the best way to approach the comps, and for me to adjust my skiing. For example, I went way too fast in a few events; I had this ticking time bomb in my head where I’m thinking, “I have to get down,” and that’s just not realistic or useful. So just these little things are all elements I am learning. 

I definitely think the World Tour is a possibility, but I want to find a bit of support. And I think the most important thing for me is to find a team of other riders. I think that’s what we’re lacking in Australia is a community of freeriders and people to train with to push yourself. 

* You can listen to the full interview with Zanna in an upcoming Chillfactor podcast.

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Also, the peak snow depth for a season is usually reached in August or September and this year, for the second time since 2014, it was July that saw the apex before things started to slide.  Last time that happened was 2021 when late July was the peak with 183cms.

However, like all seasons in Australia, there were plenty of fun days on the hill, including a good run of powder days and cold winter snow in late June and early July, a rare bonus for the busy school holiday period.

The back half of July was all about ripping turns on piste while the freeski crew enjoyed plenty of sunny days with light winds and the terrain parks were the hub of the activity, energy and fun.

However, due to El Nino induced warm temps there was a slow but steady decline in the snowpack during that period, with minimal snowmaking, warm northwest winds and a couple of rain events. That trend continued in August which saw a couple of teasing 10cm top-ups, but unseasonably warm weather in between.

The meltdown continued in September although a strong storm on September 8^th dropped 25cms of snow across the Snowy Mountains – the biggest storm since early July – resulting in one of the better mornings of the season. 

Now while the stats on snowfalls and base depth put the comparative season rating into the lower tiers, there were some definite highlights and if you were there at the right time there was good fun to be had. As usual, to score those magic moments it’s all about putting in the time, taking chances and being on the hill.  You need to make your own luck, especially in these tricky seasons.  Let’s hope we’ve paid our dues with a few not-so-great ones in recent years and we’re ever-hopeful a good one is on the way.

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With a high five to a sluggish lifty, I ski straight onto the chair. My goggles fog, my gloves drip, water runs down the back of my leg. If I keep my head down and hood on, my neck will stay dry.  

At the top of the chair the wind is strong, whipping through the snow gums. Leaf confetti adds contrast to the snow. I push off the chair and point my skis down the fall line. The snow is consistent, creamy and forgiving. 

With every turn and air, I wonder where everyone is. I wonder if they know what they are missing. I make the most of the frail snow pack, cherishing every turn. If the rain keeps falling, they may be my last of the season. Time for another lap.

The post There are old skiers and bold skiers, but no old bold skiers. appeared first on Chillfactor.

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