STORY BY: Hedvig Wessel
LOCATION: Láhko National Park, Norway
Ambassador Hedvig Wessel is a big mountain charger, spending her days skiing some of the most hostile high-alpine terrain on the planet. Freeriding is her chosen path, a sport with a playing field strewn with cliffs, rocks, and unpredictable snow, where she relies on her experience and training to succeed.
Growing up in Norway, I had little choice but to embrace skiing, surrounded by snow in an active family – and not to mention my kindergarten had a ski lift. What started as fun turned into a passion and then a career, and soon I was competing in the Olympics and the World Cup. Freeriding came along and I was hooked; addicted to the connection with nature and the freedom that comes with the sport. After competing on the Freeride World Tour (FWT) for four years, I took a year off to focus on personal projects and filming opportunities, but I’m back for the 2024 season and excited to compete again.
I could never stay away for too long. The FWT is more than just a competition; it’s a family, a great crew of people who know how to have fun. But when it’s go-time, the competitive spirit kicks in, and this is why I returned: I crave competing at the highest level, the rush that comes with competition, and seeing the fruits of my rigorous training regimen.
“WITH ONLY FIVE OR SIX FWT STOPS, I MUST BE AT THE TOP OF MY GAME AT EACH EVENT… I BUILD UP MY STRENGTH AND POWER IN SUMMER AND FALL, THEN FOCUS ON ENDURANCE AND RECOVERY IN WINTER.”
5 WAYS I STAY READY TO LAUNCH
Freeriding isn’t like most sports, with numerous competitions spaced out over a calendar year. The FWT only has a handful of events per season – most consisting of a one-run format – but they are intense, requiring fitness, strength, and concentration. To climb to the top of the podium, that single line in each event takes year-round commitment and dedication. Here’s what I put into my training to ensure that I’m ready on comp day:
Photo: Borja Azurmendi
Photo: Borja Azurmendi
1. BE LIKE THE MOUNTAIN GOAT
We don’t always score deep powder on comp day. In fact, the snow is sometimes hard packed and variable, which can be brutal on the knees. One thing is guaranteed: we are at the mercy of the mountains, so it’s crucial to train in all the conditions Mother Nature dishes up. That’s why you’ll find me out there come hail or shine, jumping cliffs and skiing lines.
2. DISCIPLINE IN ALL DISCIPLINES
It’s not all about sending cliffs. I engage in various formats – from piste and park to ski touring – over the winter months, finding they perfectly complement my freeriding. Piste skiing polishes my technique, while the park allows me to fine-tune my tricks. I ski tour as much as I can for endurance, and I still ride purely for fun, finding time to shred with my friends between comps and training sessions.
Photo: Jeremy Bernard
3. SUMMIT MOUNTAINS IN THE GYM
Never miss leg day. This saying is more pertinent in freeriding than most sports, so I dedicate extensive time to doing Olympic lifts. They boost my power, balance, and control, which are essential for the heavy compressions in stomping cliffs and skiing fast in control. The core is also vital for stability and strength, allowing me to navigate varied terrain and adjust my direction at high speed.
4. INHALE CONFIDENCE, EXHALE DOUBT
My training isn’t all heavy lifting. I wake up every morning with a yoga routine – between 10 and 30 minutes – before launching into my day. I stretch whatever feels good and end the session with Wim Hoff breathwork. I try to channel this calmness before dropping into a line.
Photo: Borja Azurmendi
5. DRAW STRENGTH FROM ALL OUTLETS
During the pre-season, I spend a lot of time biking and running to build my endurance, and then taper these sessions in winter and use them more for recovery. Whenever possible, I also like to climb and surf. These activities are great for balance, core, and upper body strength, and there is no better way of being mindful and present than spending time in the ocean.
“TRAINING GIVES ME THE CONFIDENCE I NEED BEFORE DROPPING INTO A LINE. I KNOW I AM STRONG. I KNOW I AM PREPARED. EVEN SO, I STILL GET NERVOUS, BUT I JUST BREATHE AND USE IT AS FUEL.”