Inside Zuza Witych’s freeride adventures

Meet Zuza Witych, a dynamic force in the world of freeriding. Hailing from Poland, Zuza's passion for skiing was ignited at a young age amidst the snowy peaks of her homeland. With an insatiable appetite for adventure, she quickly made a name for herself in the freeride community.

Zuza's fearless approach to skiing has earned her numerous accolades, including podium finishes in prestigious competitions like the Freeride World Tour. Known for her technical skill, creativity on the mountain, and unwavering determination, Zuza continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in freeride skiing.

Join us as we delve into the world of this trailblazing athlete, gaining insights into her training regimen, mindset, and the thrills and challenges of competing on the global stage.

Let’s dive right into the details of this season. How did it feel to be back and part of the 2024 FWT?

The fact that I was given a wild card out of so many applicants was an incredible honour and an appreciation of what I have achieved so far. At the same time, it was a very big motivation for me to prove with my riding that I deserve a place in the FWT.

What’s the biggest challenge that you overcame this winter?

The pressure I was putting on myself related to an overwhelming desire to show what I was capable of, and it was sometimes difficult to balance the level of risk I was taking with a strategic approach to certain competitions.

You famously said, "Jest gotowa zrzucić klify," ahead of the tour, and you didn’t disappoint with your stunning run in Verbier, which won you first place. How did you prepare for that run?

It was a line that immediately caught my eye when I first saw the mountain this year.

This part of the mountain had not been used much in previous years, and to be honest, I wasn't really aware of the size of the cliffs; it was only in the air that I realised they were much bigger than I thought haha!

Before the start, I was thinking about riding smoothly so it would be a nice "image". I wanted to be proud of myself at the finish line, and that was the feeling I was thinking about during the ride.

You’ve had a fantastic career to date. You were twice third overall in the '21 and '24 Freeride World Tour, a Gold medal European Champion, and an eight-time first-place Freeski Polish Champion…

How did you get into competing in Freeride after being a successful freeskier?

I didn't plan my freeride career at all. I first put on freeride skis when I moved to Switzerland 6 years ago. There, I just skied with a local team, and they introduced me to freeride. At some point, my friends started to really encourage me to try my hand at FWQ competitions, and that's how it all started: I won my first competition, and I loved the sport straight away. I managed to climb the FWQ competition ladder pretty quickly, and in just two seasons, I managed to qualify for the FWT for the first time - it was a dream come true.

And… Is there one moment that really stands out among all of your achievements or a favourite moment from your career so far?

I think my first-ever win in the FWT during my first season. It was in Fieberbrunn, Austria, and it was all the more special because this result gave me the general ranking podium for the first time in my career.

Looking ahead to the next season, what moment are you most looking forward to, or do you have any goals or ambitions you can share with us ahead of the next season?

I'm just really looking forward to the start of the next season, especially as I had to end this one a bit prematurely due to a knee injury. Well, maybe let the summer last for a month or so, and it could be another winter already ;)

When it comes to goals, I think every FWT rider dreams of winning a world title.... and this is also the case for me :)

How do you prepare for the upcoming season during the summer months? Or what do the summer months generally look like for you?

I try to stay active throughout the whole summer, biking, training outdoors, doing lots of different sports. However, I start my specific preparation for the season around July/August, and I usually go to the glaciers, on the snow around November.

What advice would you have for someone looking to take their freeriding skills to the next level, or any tips and advice for anyone out there who wants to enter their first competition?

My advice to those looking to improve their freeriding skills is to ride a lot in challenging and difficult conditions and learn to enjoy it. Such conditions will teach you much more than a month in perfect powder. If you start to enjoy the challenge of skiing in the most difficult conditions possible, firstly, you will become a much more complete skier, and secondly, you will appreciate 3 times more when you hit a day with perfect snow.

When it comes to competitions, the most important thing is not to be afraid to try your hand. Think, firstly, that others most likely have the same thoughts and doubts as you. Also, you have absolutely nothing to lose. In the worst-case scenario, is that this type of competition doesn't suit you, you don't have to continue… Although I'm almost certain you'll fall in love with the sport as much as I did ;)

We hear that Verbier is your favourite place to ski. What makes that resort so special for you?

It was certainly a very lucky place for me this year, I achieved two of my best results there this year: 1st and 2nd place. I love Verbier for the terrain it offers, the atmosphere, and the people. I have lots of friends there, and it's not far from where I live :)

Looking back over your lifetime of skiing, what is your favourite ski memory? It could be a time you headed out with friends, family or a competition moment that really stands out in your mind.

And that's just a tough question! There are plenty of such moments, and it's hard to choose one particular one. But if I had to pick one, I remember one perfect spring day at the snowpark when I learnt lots of new tricks, everything was working out, and we were there with a whole crew of friends, and we ended the day with a barbecue on the mountain until sunset and a torchlight descent after dark :)

That day out sounds dreamy! Finally, what are your favourite MONTEC pieces for a day on the mountain?

I absolutely love the Fawk pants and Moss jacket for freeriding, and my favourite set for a day in the park is Dune jacket and Kirin pants ;)