Legends

So who is the best freerider of all times? Is it a classic old-timer like Emile Allais, a true extreme skier like Sylvain Saudan, a mountain entertainer like Glen Plake, a modern master like Seb Michaud or a relative newcomer like Swedish champion Henrik Windstedt? Hard to tell.

And how do you compare them to a versatile skier-cum-mountain-guide like La Rosiere’s Manu Gaidet. Or to a true adrenaline junkie like Tignes’ Guerlain Chicherit. And what about the newcomers to the tour this year – big-mountain ragers like Thomas Diet or Canadian Brett Crabtree. These guys are ready to do just about anything to push the limits of the sport – and they do it for the sheer joy of discovering new sensations. Should they be considered in the mix too?

And the snowboarders? Is American Steve Klassen the best freerider of all times? How do his countrymen Matt Goodwill, Shaun Palmer and Jay Liska stack up? Or can we make an argument for French eccentric Antonin Lieutaghi or all-round champion (and World Freeride Tour ’08 champion) Xavier de la Rue? How about the Swiss trio of Alex Coudray, Cyril Neri and Jonas Emery? They’re no slouches either. So many names; so much talent…

As for the women, they’re improving their freeride game all the time. Think of pioneers like Kim Reichhelm, Wendy Fisher and Swiss ace Francine Moreillon. They definitely set the freeride bar high back in the mid-‘90’s. What about the new crop of riders? Alaskan Elyse Saugtsad certainly showed she had it going on last year when she stole the overall title from under the noses of her more experienced rivals. Her Swedish counterpart, Marja Persson also needs to be considered. Then there are wild card entries like Whistler’s Jenn Ashton or Squaw Valley’s Jamie Burge who will have to be reckoned with this season. The field is deep. Very deep.

As for the female side of the snowboard list, the names are just as impressive. Think back to the early 1990’s at what Montana hard-girl, Julie Zell was doing in Alaska. Consider the lines Renaissance woman Tina Basich pioneered in California. And what about defending WFT champion Ruth Leisbach of Switzerland? Seems like she has a pretty good claim to top rider status. Ouf. And then there’s…

Stop. They’re all great. Each one, in their own time and place, has shown the world not only what sliding on snow is all about but also what living life to the fullest really means. For in the end, freeriding stands for far more than just another way to compete for glory and make money. It’s a way of life too. And all these riders – whether Windstedt or Michaud or Crabtree or Klassen or Saugstad or Leisbach – are star ambassadors for that kind of existence. So give it up for the world of freeriding and its crazy denizens. They might not have the answer to the world’s current economic problems. But they certainly know how to have fun!