Rider’s Spotlight: Sybille Blanjean – From Verbier Local to Xtreme Verbier Champion

Raised in the heart of Verbier, Sybille’s parents instilled in her a deep passion for the mountains from a young age. At 12, she was faced with a defining choice: to join the structured alpine ski racing program or to embrace the newly launched freeride program in Verbier. Opting for freeride, Sybille’s decision proved to be a game-changer. Her unwavering dedication and natural talent led to a remarkable achievement—she claimed 1st place at the Xtreme Verbier during the 2022 FWT.

Alongside her successful skiing career, Sybille is also pursuing a degree in physiotherapy, balancing her academic and athletic ambitions with the same determination that has propelled her in the mountains.

Early Inspiration and Challenges

What inspired you to start freeriding?

Growing up in Verbier, I was surrounded by freeride culture and history. I started with alpine skiing, but I would watch the Xtreme Verbier every season as a kid. Then, I began seeing older kids I knew competing in junior competitions. Eventually, I got a bit tired of alpine skiing and thought, “Why not try freeriding?” That’s how I started.

What were your biggest challenges when starting your freeride career?

There were a few different steps to face. Initially, competing as a junior and learning how to deal with the stress, especially being alone on the mountain and having to ski down by yourself, was tough. Then, transitioning from juniors to qualifiers was hard, especially for me. That year, I lost my best friend, Ellie Souter, who tragically passed away. We’d been competing together for years, and moving up to the next level without her was incredibly difficult. So, the biggest challenge was not just the category changes, but also processing such a loss.

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

There are so many people who inspire me and push me every day. It’s hard to name just one. First, I’d say every rider on the tour, both past and present, has had an impact on me. My family has always been there, supporting and pushing me. Then, my best friends, like Lianne, who I ride with every day, are also a huge influence. It’s really a collective effort, and many different people inspire me in different ways.

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

When I was in my fourth year of high school, I decided to drop out and finish my studies by teaching myself at home. I was struggling to balance school with skiing and decided that self-learning was the only way I could finish school while continuing to pursue skiing. My dad was furious at first, worried I wouldn’t get a degree. But I was determined. It showed me that when I set my mind to something, I’ll do whatever it takes to make it happen. That period really defined my determination and belief in myself.

Preparation and Training

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

I work with both a physical coach and a mental coach. My physical preparation starts in June with strength and cardio training, including specific exercises and simulated altitude training (hypoxia). For the mental side, I work on shutting off my brain with techniques like hypnosis and talking through various strategies with my coach.

How do you see mental preparation growing in the freeride culture?

Mental preparation is definitely becoming more important in the freeride community. Not all athletes have mental coaches yet, but many are starting to recognize the significance. I’ve worked with a mental coach since my early qualifiers, and I’ve seen firsthand how essential it is. I’ve learned that no matter how ready I think I am mentally, there’s always room to work on it before the season starts.

When you say you get to the first competition and you’re not feeling ready at all, what’s in your mind?

Last year, I felt mentally unprepared when I got to the first competition, and I was struggling to trust my body. I knew the conditions were tricky, with fast snow and challenging terrain, and I was scared of crashing. I spent the whole time focusing on not going too fast and avoiding injury. That’s when I realized how important it is to trust your body and mind before competing. You need to be 100% confident to perform well in such a high-pressure environment.

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

I start the day with a good breakfast, then hit the gym for strength and explosive training. Afterward, I go for a bike ride or do another outdoor activity. In the evening, I catch up on emails and have a good dinner before resting and doing it all again the next day.

Risk Management and Mindset

How do you see the evolution of freeriding, particularly with the younger generation taking it more seriously in terms of preparation and training?

I think the level of freeriding has grown tremendously. Many riders now take their training seriously, with physical coaches and a much more professional approach to their preparation. The sport is evolving so quickly that you need a strong physical base to handle the speed and impact. Everyone is becoming more serious about their fitness to keep up with the progression of the sport.

How do you approach risk management and safety on the mountains, both in competition and training?

Risk management is all about listening to your instincts. I always analyze the situation with my experience, but ultimately, I trust my gut. Even if the conditions are green-lighted by the organizers, if I don’t feel right about it, I’ll trust my instincts and pull back. It’s better to say no and be safe than to take unnecessary risks.

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

My mindset is always to have fun. Freeriding is ultimately about enjoying yourself. The day before a competition, I do a few warm-up exercises, listen to specific music, and focus on feeling good. The morning of, I continue with my playlist and do some breathing exercises to feel ready.

Which music do you listen to?

I like fun, easy music that I can sing along to, like Katy Perry or Ed Sheeran. It helps me relax and get into a positive headspace without overthinking things.

How do you choose your lines during a competition?

First, I look at the venue and pick out one or two features that I want to include in my line. I try to pick a line that’s relatively straightforward, top to bottom, rather than zigzagging. I always go back to my first instinctive line, even if I explore other options in the beginning.

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

I’ve been told that my skiing technique is one of my biggest strengths. I’ve worked hard on that, and it’s something I pride myself on.

Do you think growing up with alpine skiing helps develop your technique for freeriding?

Absolutely. Alpine skiing provides a solid base for all types of skiing, whether it’s freeride, freestyle, or ski cross. If you have a good alpine foundation, you can apply that technique to any discipline.

Lifestyle and Personal Interests

What do you do to unwind when you're not on the mountain or during the off-season?

In the off-season, I enjoy activities like kitesurfing, road biking, trail running, and going to the gym. I love being outdoors and staying active, even when I’m not skiing.

Is there a cause or an issue that you’re passionate about outside freeride?

Mental health is something I care deeply about, and I’m an ambassador for the L.E.C. I think mental health is an important topic in sports, and we need to talk about it more openly. There’s this misconception that freeriders are invincible, but we all have mental struggles, just like everyone else.

What’s one thing you always bring on a trip and why?

I always bring my teddy bear, my "doo-doo." I can’t sleep without it, so it’s always with me when I travel.

What are your goals for this season, is there any specific achievement you’re aiming for?

My main goal is always to have fun and make it to Verbier. But, I also want to push myself technically in terms of speed, air, and style. Of course, the overall podium is always a goal, but the most important thing is to enjoy the ride.

Is your goal also to win Xtreme Verbier another time?

Absolutely. Winning Xtreme Verbier is always a big goal for me, and I’ll do everything I can to make it happen again.

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

In five to ten years, I hope to still be competing, but I’m also interested in other opportunities like filming projects and showcasing my riding in new ways. The Olympics might also be a possibility, who knows?

Do you think filming is a natural progression from competition, or do you see the two paths complementing each other?

I think competition is a great foundation for filming. It teaches you a lot, both as a rider and as a person. Competitions help build your skills and confidence, which then translate well into filming. I see both paths complementing each other rather than competing.

How do you see your progression in the sport with the Olympics coming up?

The Olympics represents a huge recognition of an athlete’s work and progress. It’s not something I dreamed about growing up, but now that it’s a reality, I see it as a natural progression for the sport. Freeriders are now athletes in the true sense, and competing in the Olympics will help legitimize us even more.

Any new tricks or exciting plans for this year that you'd like to share?

I’m working on some new tricks, but the venue and conditions always play a big role in what’s possible. I’ll see how things unfold during the season.

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

The sport is becoming more professional, and with that comes greater safety, better training, and higher levels of performance. I want to be a part of that evolution, helping to show the younger generation the importance of preparation, both physically and mentally. As a physiotherapist, I understand the importance of injury prevention, and I want to pass that knowledge on.

Proudest Moments and Advice

What is your proudest moment in freeride so far?

Winning the Xtreme Verbier is, without a doubt, my proudest moment in freeriding.

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

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received is to always trust my gut. If something doesn’t feel right, listen to that instinct.