Freeride skiing is an exhilarating sport that pushes the boundaries of skiing and challenges the limits of athleticism. In this episode, we dive into an enlightening conversation with Jess Hotter, the 2022 Freeride World Tour champion. She unpacks the essence of freeride skiing and what it takes to excel in this dynamic sport, and how an injury can derail a lifetime of preparation and training. In February of 2026 Hotter crashed at the Freeride World Championships tearing her ACL, MCL and meniscus, as well as straining most other ligaments in her knee. Today she and Dave discuss the physical and mental challenges of repair and rehab and the long road in their return to sport.

Understanding Freeride Skiing: What Sets It Apart?

Freeride skiing is not just about speeding down groomed slopes; it encompasses the thrill of navigating untracked terrain and challenging conditions. Jess describes it as skiing with friends while aiming for the highest point on a mountain and making the descent as stylish as possible. The aim is to choose lines that showcase skill, creativity, and control, ultimately judged on criteria like air, style, speed, fluidity, and technique.

The Journey from Casual Skier to Freeride Competitor

For those wondering how to transition from casual skiing to freeride competition, Jess highlights the importance of progression. It’s about taking small steps—starting from easy jumps to more significant cliffs and challenging terrains. By gradually pushing boundaries and learning from every experience, skiers can build the confidence and skills needed to tackle high-stakes competitions.

Key Takeaways

- Freeride skiing is about creativity and skill in navigating untracked terrain.

- Competitions are judged on multiple criteria, emphasizing style and technique.

- Preparation and visualization are crucial for a successful run.

- Progression is essential for those looking to move into competitive freeride skiing.

Freeride skiing represents the pinnacle of skiing excellence, combining creativity, skill, and a love for the outdoors. If you're inspired to explore this thrilling sport, start small, push your limits, and remember that every great skier was once a beginner.

For more inspiring stories and tips on skiing, check out Jess Hotter on instagram! https://www.instagram.com/jesshotterski

Title photo by Bella Grace www.bellagracephoto.com

Follow Bike Talk with Dave on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/biketalkwithdave/ and Facebook so you don't miss any of the fun, and you can now find every episode on your computer at www.biketalk.bike. And now available on YouTube on the Bike Talk with Dave YouTube channel!

And if you're traveling to central Iowa in 2026, bring your mountain bike and check out information about area trails as well as fun things to do on YouTube on the Pedaling Dirt channel. https://www.youtube.com/@Pedaldirt

And if you need any digital media work: photography, videography and editing, podcast production and editing, look no further than Mable Media. Connect at www.mablemedia.net to help grow your brand and connect with your audience!

Caleb Swartz has raced in the dirt for most of his life, the majority in cyclocross. The past couple of years he's migrated into more gravel and mountain bike racing and after a memorable Big Sugar in 2025 was accepted into the Lifetime Grand Prix for 2026. We caught up with Caleb in November of 25 - and due to some technical difficulties were not able to publish until now - when we're right in the middle of the Lifetime GP! Be sure to follow Caleb through his season online at https://www.calebswartz.com/ and enjoy his YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@cswartzz You can find him on all the other social too! And if you want to follow the Lifetime GP click here! https://www.lifetimegrandprix.com/

Follow Bike Talk with Dave on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/biketalkwithdave/ and Facebook so you don't miss any of the fun, and you can now find every episode on your computer at www.biketalk.bike. And now available on YouTube on the Bike Talk with Dave YouTube channel!

And if you're traveling to central Iowa in 2026, bring your mountain bike and check out information about area trails as well as fun things to do on YouTube on the Pedaling Dirt channel. https://www.youtube.com/@Pedaldirt

And if you need any digital media work: photography, videography and editing, podcast production and editing, look no further than Mable Media. Connect at www.mablemedia.net to help grow your brand and connect with your audience!

Josh Sprague is the CEO of Orange Mud, maker of hydration systems and high performance gear for endurance cyclists, runners and other athletes. On today's episode he talks about what goes into the engineering to make hydration for athletes easy and comfortable. In addition to Orange Mud, he is also the founder and CEO of Seven Clay, a screenprinting and embroidery company supplying branded goods to the race and event community. Explore all Orange Mud has to offer at https://www.orangemud.com/ Seven Clay products and services can be found at https://sevenclay.com//

Josh also joined us on Bike Talk with Dave in episode 121. https://rss.com/podcasts/biketalkwdave/1419353/

Follow Bike Talk with Dave on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/biketalkwithdave/ and Facebook so you don't miss any of the fun, and you can now find every episode on your computer at www.biketalk.bike. And now available on YouTube on the Bike Talk with Dave YouTube channel!

And if you're traveling to central Iowa in 2026, bring your mountain bike and check out information about area trails as well as fun things to do on YouTube on the Pedaling Dirt channel. https://www.youtube.com/@Pedaldirt

And if you need any digital media work: photography, videography and editing, podcast production and editing, look no further than Mable Media. Connect at www.mablemedia.net to help grow your brand and connect with your audience!