SALT LAKE CITY -- When most people think of ski competitions, they think of racing in between colored flags. But, for some professional skiers, this is not the case--and some of these free riders will be at Snowbird this weekend to show off their skills.
"Freeriding is your unique way of showing your style and your creativity in skiing," free skier Kaitlin Hughes said. "It's not controlled by gates or time, but you yourself get to choose where you go and in the direction and style you want."
For Hughes, she has participated in the Subaru Freeride Series for multiple years and says that Snowbird is her favorite venue along the tour.
"It's big, it's long, it's challenging but really fun, so there is something for everyone to show off how they ski and how they like to ski," she said.
"It's a classic venue for big mountain," public relations specialist Amy David said about Snowbird. "There's open bowls where skiers can put together fast and fluid turns. There's big cliffs. There's trees to navigate down through, and skiers can throw tricks or they can just cruise down as fast as they want."
Both say that it is no surprise that Snowbird has one of the best crowds along the tour. Hundreds of people wait at the base of the mountain to see the free riders show their talent.
"Being up at the top of the venue and having an entire crowd cheering for you and you can hear it from the start gate... I don't know how that doesn't get you excited," Hughes explained.
There are plenty of things to do up at Snowbird along with watching the competition, including an after party on Saturday that everyone is invited to go to.
"All the athletes will be there so you can kind of meet and greet and hang out with all the competitors," David said.
The Subaru Freeride Series started February 5 and runs through Saturday. Click here for more details on the event.
