Rider’s Spotlight – From Rookie of the Year to Big Mountain Contender – Ross Tester’s Meteoric Rise in Freeride Skiing

A.K.A BOSS ROSS

His debut on the Tour started off impressively, securing a spot on the top tier of the podium not once, but twice. Ross Tester, an American native, was born with a passion for skiing, and it remained the central focus of his life during his formative years. His journey into big mountain skiing and competitive skiing began through his involvement with the local freeride club.

As the years passed, Tester honed his skills, adding both speed and a repertoire of thrilling tricks to his skiing repertoire. Earning the prestigious "Rookie of the Year" title during the FWT21 season and finishing 3rd overall in the FWT22, Tester is ready to make his comeback as a Season Wildcard for the 2025 season.

Early Inspiration and Challenges

What inspired you to start freeriding?

I grew up in the Truckee-Tahoe area, which is a pretty legendary spot for skiing. There are tons of ski movies filmed here, and many legendary skiers came from this place. I looked up to them, and they were doing some really cool stuff. I just wanted to try my best to follow in their footsteps.

What were your biggest challenges early in your freeride career?

My biggest challenge when I first started freeriding was getting my parents to let me quit racing. We made a deal: if I won this race, I wouldn't have to race anymore. I won the race, and that was the beginning of my freeride journey.

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

I wouldn’t say there was one specific influential person, but growing up, I had many amazing coaches who inspired me and got me stoked to ski. They were the most influential in my life. Also, Scott and Rob Gaffney were super important because they wrote the Squallywood book, which mapped out all the lines at my home resort. That really got me fired up to ski.

How does it work in North America in terms of coaches and teams?

We’re really lucky to have great teams and freeride coaches here. They keep us safe and help us progress on the right track. It’s all about learning new tricks, going over lines with them, and progressing safely. They push us in the right direction, which is awesome.

What’s a story about you that most people don’t know, but defines who you are?

I don’t think there’s one specific story, but I’ve always been super driven. I’ve had this competitive spirit since I was a kid. I’m always looking for ways to push myself and do things that make me better.

Preparation and Training

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

Physically, I follow a structured lifting program three times a week. I also spend a lot of time outside riding my mountain bike, hiking, and running. I think that helps with both the physical and mental aspects. Mentally, I try to stay grounded and focused on the process.

How do you see the sport evolving?

The sport is definitely evolving, and people are going bigger than ever. You see that at events like Rampage—riders are pushing the limits. The inevitable evolution is for people to go bigger, but to do that safely, you need to train harder and be more prepared than ever. So, it’s super important to be at the top of your game.

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

No two days are the same, but typically, I’ll go hiking, biking, or running. Anything that gets me in a flow state, moving through the mountains, helps with both my mental and physical game. On top of that, I’ll hit the gym for some structured weight training.

Do you do any mental preparation for the season?

I don’t really talk to mental coaches. It’s all about relying on myself. I do talk to coaches during competitions, but on a day-to-day basis, it’s all about trusting myself and staying focused.

Risk Management and Mindset

How do you approach risk management and safety?

I take risk management very seriously. I love skiing, and it’s not worth taking risks that could end my season or worse. When I inspect a line, I make sure it's 100% safe. In the gym, I think about the big airs I’ll need to stomp. Safety is always my priority.

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

I’m pretty competitive, but my mindset is just to treat it like any other day. I keep it simple—normal breakfast, and trust in myself. I don’t overthink it. It’s just like any other run, and that helps me stay calm and focused.

How do you choose your lines during a competition?

When I’m choosing my lines, I take a methodical approach. I usually identify a few key areas on the venue and narrow down where the highest-scoring lines will be. Once I’ve decided on an area, I make sure I know exactly where I am. If something goes wrong, I need to know where to go. It’s all about being prepared for anything.

What do you think is your biggest strength on the mountain?

I think my biggest strength is inspection. I’m able to spot lines that maybe others won’t consider, and I think that gives me an advantage. It’s about finding those unique spots that create that “wow” factor.

Did you go through all the qualifiers in North America before the tour?

Yes, I did. My first two seasons on the tour didn’t go as well as I’d hoped. I had some injuries and wasn’t quite dialing things in. But by the third season, I was starting to figure it out. Then COVID hit, and the season got cut short, but I was in first place at that time, so it worked out in a weird way.

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

The pressure is always there, but I just focus on what’s in front of me and trust my process. I try not to think about the external pressure—like the cameras or the thousands of people watching online. If you start thinking about that, you lose focus, and that can lead to mistakes.

Lifestyle and Personal Interests

What do you do to unwind when you’re not on the mountain?

When I finish skiing, my favorite thing is to have a good warm meal, maybe watch some ski videos, or read a book. It’s all about relaxing and recharging.

Is there a cause that you’re passionate about outside freeriding?

I try to stay aware of what’s going on around me, but I don’t have one specific cause I focus on. I donate when I can or sign petitions if I believe in something. It’s all about staying informed and helping where I can.

Is there one thing that you always bring with you on a trip?

When I travel to Europe, I always bring hot sauce. I’ve learned that Europeans don’t really like hot sauce, so I always make sure to have some with me.

What are your goals for this season and do you have any specific achievements you’re aiming for?

The goal is always to win, but also to have fun and not force anything. Last season, I took some time off, but I’m coming back this year with a big goal—to win the tour. I’ve never done that, so that’s my main focus.

How do you feel about missing one year of the FWT and coming back when the level is so high?

Taking the winter off was crazy. Watching everyone push the limits really gave me a sense of where I need to be with my game. I’m excited to push myself in the off-season and see how I stack up once everything comes together.

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

It’s tough to say. Injuries, sponsorships—it’s all so unpredictable. But I’m going to keep pursuing skiing as long as I can. I have a lot of ideas for the future, and I’ll keep working hard to make it happen.

Are there any new tricks you’re excited to debut?

I have some tricks in mind that I haven’t done in competition yet. I’ll be working hard on them this off-season, and hopefully, I’ll get the chance to show them off in the upcoming season.

How do you see the sport evolving, and what role do you want to play in this evolution?

The sport is definitely moving toward bigger, more extreme tricks, but we still need to keep form and line choice in mind. I want to keep bringing that element to skiing, while also pushing the boundaries in terms of size and speed.

Proudest Moments and Advice

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

My proudest moment was definitely my first season on tour, back in 2020-2021. I finished second overall, which I never expected. It was an incredible experience and a huge achievement for me.

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

The best advice I’ve received is simple: make it down safe and have fun. At the end of the day, that’s the most important thing.

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

I think gender equality is super important, and I want to see everyone happy and pushing the sport. I also think it’s important to stay mindful of environmental issues. I don’t have one specific cause that I focus on, but I believe in staying aware and supporting important causes when I can.

What does freeride mean to you at a personal level?

Freeride, for me, is all about having fun with friends. It’s about pushing each other, celebrating each other’s achievements, and just enjoying the ride.

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

Both my parents were athletes, so I’ve always had that drive to perform. Growing up in such a great place, surrounded by influences and opportunities, really helped shape me as a skier and a freerider.