Riders Spotlight: Anna Martinez, a Rising Star in Freeride Snowboarding

At just 24, Anna Martinez has already made waves in the freeride snowboarding world. Hailing from the legendary slopes of Chamonix, France, she joined the FWT 2024 roster after topping the FWT 2023 Region 1 Challenger Series. Her rookie season was nothing short of impressive, securing five podium finishes and a standout win at the Kicking Horse Golden BC Pro, ultimately placing third overall. Now, with high hopes for the 2025 season, Anna is poised to take her performance to new heights. In this interview, she opens up about her journey into freeriding, the influence of her coach, her training regimen, and the evolving goals she’s set for herself, from competing at Verbier to her newfound Olympic ambitions.

Getting into Freeride and Early Challenges

What inspired you to start freeride snowboarding?

For me, freeriding is all about the freedom to make my own choices and to ride in some incredible playgrounds.

What were your biggest challenges early in your freeride career?

Combining my life as a student with my life as an athlete has been one of my biggest challenges. Trying to achieve my goals in both areas is something I’m still working on now with my master’s degree in sports.

Who has been the most influential person in your career, and why?

I would say my coach has been the most influential person in my career. We’ve been working together for six years now, and he’s always known exactly what to do to help me achieve my goals.

Training and Preparation

How often do you train with your coach?

I train with him every week, as long as the conditions allow. We usually work together from Monday to Wednesday leading up to each competition.

What types of training do you include in your routine?

My training varies a lot. One day could be dedicated to jump training, another to memory work with binoculars, and then freestyle training another day. It changes a lot, but it keeps things interesting and challenging.

How do you prepare physically and mentally for the freeride season?

I do a lot of physical preparation, especially CrossFit, which I do four or five times a week. I also enjoy a lot of outdoor activities in the Alps, mainly around Chamonix—like hiking, climbing, skateboarding, and wakeboarding. Mentally, I’ve been working with a sports psychologist for the last three years, especially in the autumn, who also follows me through the winter.

Who inspired you to start CrossFit?

Marion Haerty inspired me! She was at my CrossFit gym, so thanks to her, I got into it.

What’s a typical off-season training day like for you?

I usually wake up around 8:30 a.m.—not too early! I head to CrossFit for a two-hour session around 10 a.m. Then I go home, have a nice meal, and stretch a bit in the afternoon between classes for my master’s degree.

Safety and Risk Management

How do you approach risk management and safety?

It’s all about knowing when to say “no” if the risk feels too high. It’s really important to know my limits.

How do you train for mountain safety and awareness?

At the start of each season, I participate in mountain safety workshops, which are incredibly important in freeriding, whether you're competing or not. This year, I’m part of the We Mountain Safety Angel program, which combines e-learning with field training to help people learn how to ride responsibly and safely.

Competition Strategy and Mindset

What’s your mindset going into a competition? Do you have any specific rituals or routines?

On competition day, I focus on my plan and avoid changing my line choice. I warm up, practice breathing exercises thanks to my psychologist, and just before starting, I put a little snow on my neck to wake me up!

How do you choose your lines during a competition?

I start by identifying the start and finish and find my most obvious line to avoid getting lost on the face. I try to include at least three jumps and segments where I can show my fluidity, technique, and speed.

How do you train for line scoping?

We scope from the bottom of the face with binoculars, each picking our lines on our own without consulting my coach. Afterward, we hike up, and on the way down, he gives us feedback and specific exercises, like “three jumps and that’s all.” He always brings a camera to record so we can review our runs together.

Do you consult with your coach before competitions?

For important competitions like Verbier Xtreme, yes. But generally, I don’t need my coach to be present during competition. I stay in contact daily, sending him photos and messages to get feedback on my lines.

How do you handle the pressure of competing at such a high level?

I definitely feel the pressure, but it’s a good kind of pressure. I see it as a continuation of the Freeride World Qualifier, so I’m confident in my skills and training, which helps me handle it well.

Personal Life and Passions

What activities do you enjoy outside of freeriding?

I love outdoor activities like climbing and hiking. Being in the mountains with family and friends helps me relax and clear my mind.

What are you passionate about outside of freeriding?

I’m really passionate about physical and mental preparation—that’s what I’m studying in my master’s program.

Is there one thing you always bring with you on a trip, and why?

Not anything too specific, but maybe my phone to capture all the good memories.

Goals and Future Ambitions

What are your goals for this season?

My first goal is to make the Cut and qualify for the Xtreme Verbier final. I’d also love to secure a win at Kicking Horse and hopefully other events too. My ultimate dream is to win the title.

Where do you see your career in the next five to ten years?

Still competing on the Freeride World Tour, and maybe even the Olympics. Alongside that, I hope to work as a physical trainer, possibly specializing in re-athletization and mental preparation.

How do you feel about aiming for the Olympics now?

It’s a new goal for me, as my biggest dream since childhood was competing on the Bec des Rosses at Verbier. But I think it’s natural that sports goals evolve, so I’m excited to see where this could lead.

Are there any new tricks or skills you're excited to debut this season?

Not new tricks, but I’d love to tackle some bigger cliffs! I’m not really into freestyle, but I’m aiming for more challenging terrain.

How do you envision the evolution of the sport, and what role do you hope to play in that change?

I see the sport becoming more professional, and I hope to keep promoting the values of sportsmanship and mountain safety as the sport grows.

Reflections and Advice

What’s been your proudest moment in freeriding so far?

It’s not one specific moment, but I’m really proud of my consistency over the last two years. It’s this mindset that helped me qualify for the Freeride World Tour in 2024, finish on the podium five times, and end up third overall.

What’s the best piece of advice you've received in the sport?

To focus on myself and not worry about what everyone else thinks about my line or me. I have a saying in French at every start: “Speed, fun, on your feet, and forget the rest!”

What role do environmental issues and gender equality play in your life and sport?

I believe that everyone has their place, both men and women, and our shared passion should bring us together. To keep this going, we need to be both ecologically and socially responsible on the mountains.

How do you handle negative comments online?

This past winter, after my run at Kicking Horse, I got a lot of negative comments. At first, it stung a bit, especially coming from people who may not understand snowboarding or skiing. But I realized their words don’t define me. I know my abilities and my experience, so I don’t let that kind of feedback get to me.

What does freeride mean to you?

Freeriding represents real freedom to me, even in a competitive setting. It’s not just a sport; it’s a connection to the mountains. Freeriding allows me to travel, meet people, and understand myself better.

How do you think your cultural background influences your style or approach to freeriding?

Growing up in Chamonix, I started snowboarding early and spent years in snowcross competitions, which helped me develop my technique and fluidity. Freeriding has challenged me to expand beyond that, especially in air and style.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Sometimes you win, and sometimes you learn. Mistakes are part of growth, and every mistake is a lesson learned.

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