At just 22, Max Hitzig has already made a name for himself on the freeride scene. His breakthrough came in 2022 when he received an event wildcard for the Fieberbrunn Pro, won the event, and secured his spot on the Freeride World Tour. In only his second season, he claimed the Ski Men title, contributing to the evolution of the sport. In this interview, Max shares his journey from Montafon, Austria, to becoming a Freeride World Tour Champion, his mindset in competition, and how he continues to push the limits of freeride skiing.

Background and Early Career

What inspired you to start freeriding?

I started skiing pretty early, I think when I was two years old. My dad is a mountain guide, so he taught me skiing. When I was five or six, we went to the backcountry for the first time, and that’s how I got into freeride skiing. I also have an older brother, and he taught me a lot—I always looked up to him and wanted to ski as well as he did.

When you started your freeride career, what were your biggest challenges?

The biggest challenge was getting sponsors—that wasn’t easy. But in terms of skiing, I just skied all the time and had fun, focusing on progressing without putting too much pressure on myself. I eventually got a sponsor, joined a ski movie, and then started competing in the qualifiers. That’s how my career started.

Did you compete in FWT Junior competitions or other skiing events when you were younger?

I didn’t compete in the Junior events because I thought I wasn’t cut out for competitions. But when I was 19, I decided to try the Qualifiers. I competed in four Qualifier stops, really liked it, and knew I wanted to make it to the World Tour. Once I got on the Tour, I set my goal to win, and I’m happy I achieved that within three years.

Mentorship and Influence

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

A local guy, Fabio Studer, who was also on the Tour, has been a big influence. We ski together a lot, and he’s shown me many things. Also, Markus Eder, who won the Tour and makes amazing film projects, has been an inspiration.

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

Most people don’t see my emotional side because I don’t show it during competitions. But in real life, I’m a pretty emotional and funny guy, always doing silly things. I don’t think there’s one specific story that defines me, but I want to show people that I’m not just a ski robot.

Preparation and Training

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

Being phisically ready is the most important. In the summer, I do a lot of hiking, running, biking, and strength training. I also do hike-and-fly, where I run up the mountain and fly down with a paraglider. Once I’m physically ready, I feel mentally prepared. I don’t train my mental strength separately; it comes naturally with physical training.

How do you approach risk management and safety?

A lot of what we do in the mountains becomes automatic over time, but safety is always a priority. Every day is different, and I know my limits. If the conditions are good, I push harder, but I always keep safety in mind. My dad taught me a lot about safety from a young age. I also take avalanche courses to stay prepared.

Competition and Strategy

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

I try to stay relaxed and treat it like a normal day. I don’t have any special routines. If I’m hungry in the morning, I eat; if not, I don’t force myself. It’s all about staying calm and focused.

How do you pick your line in competitions?

I usually look for the big cliffs first, then try to find a line that goes straight down from top to bottom, connecting the cliffs. I take my time to scope the features on the face, and I often scope with Valle (Valentin Rainer). After two hours, Valle is usually done and has his line picked, but I’m still looking at all the features. Sometimes I feel pressured to finish quicker, but I think it’s worth taking the time because I’m always happy with my line choice afterward. Once I decide on a line, I stick to it.

Do you stick with the same line when you go back to a competition venue, or do you try to change it up?

I always try to do something new. Even if I’ve skied a venue before, I look for different lines. For example, in Fieberbrunn, I did a similar line last year but stepped it up a bit. But for next year, I’ll definitely look for something new.

What’s your biggest strength as a skier?

I know my limits, and I can push myself just enough without crashing. That’s important to me, especially in competitions. I rarely crash because I stay just under my limit.

You always seem to land so smoothly. Is that something you’ve trained, or does it come naturally?

I think it’s a combination of training and strong legs. I do a lot of leg strength training, which helps with landing big cliffs. There’s no secret technique—it’s just about being strong and prepared.

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

It’s tough, especially when people have high expectations on you. But as long as I’m prepared and know my limits, I don’t feel too much pressure. I focus on having fun and doing my best within my capability, which is about 97% of my full skill range. That way, I avoid crashing but still perform well.

Goals and Progression

What are your goals for this season?

Last year, my goal was to win, and I achieved that, but I didn’t progress much in my skiing outside of competitions. This year, I want to have more fun, push myself more, and work on progressing my skiing, especially in bigger lines for film projects.

What role do you want to play in the evolution of the sport?

I want to help inspire the next generation of freeriders. I get a lot of messages from young kids asking for tips on competitions and sponsors. This season, I plan to invite kids from my home resort to ski with me, maybe through an Instagram post, and show them what freeriding is all about.

Proudest Moments and Advice

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

Winning the Tour last year was a big moment, but I also take pride in adventures with friends, where we accomplish something we planned for a long time. It’s not just about competitions—it’s about the experiences and memories made along the way.

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

The advice to ski at 97% of my ability was the best I got. Flo Orley gave me that advice before my first FWT competition in Fieberbrunn, and I’ve stuck with it ever since.

Filming and the Future

How do you balance competing and filming?

Competing is a great way to start a career in freeriding, but filming offers a different kind of challenge. I think it’s possible to do both, and I’m excited to work on a film project this year while still competing on the Tour.

Personal Perspective on Freeriding

What does freeriding mean to you on a personal level?

Freeriding is all about freedom for me. It’s a sport where you can express your own style and have fun. That’s what keeps me going every day.

Family and Background

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

I wasn’t an alpine skier or a freestyle skier—I’ve always been a freeride skier. My dad and brother played a big part in that. Growing up in Montafon, skiing was just a part of life. My family, especially my dad, really shaped my skiing technique and understanding of safety, which is crucial for freeriding.

And your mom? Does she ski as well?

Yeah, for sure. My mom is probably my biggest fan and supporter. She’s been pushing me all along, and she made a lot of this possible. She’s always wanted me to succeed, and having that kind of family support has been super important to me.

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