Tim Durtschi has been announced as a wildcard for the FWT20.

For the first time Tim will be competing in the Freeride World Tour this season. Although having competed in Xgames, Redbull Linecatcher and many other competitions, Tim Durtschi is perhaps most well known for his long list of film segments with Teton Gravity Research.

We caught up with Tim to find out a little more about him and his motivations for the FWT20.

Photo: Nic Alegre

Hi Tim, can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?

I grew up in Alaska riding the entire mountain of Alyeska Resort. I started skiing when I was 2 and have not been away from the mountains since. Skiing in Alaska taught me everything and allowed me to experience all types of skiing. I am lucky to have skied with so many amazing people during my career including JP Auclair, Julien Regnier, Sage Cattabrigga, Pep Fujas, and Seth Morrison.

Freeride skiing has been the space where I have been able to truly express myself and I am beyond excited that my journey has led me to the FWT.

What brings you to the Freeride World Tour?

I have competed in many different disciplines of skiing, like racing and slopestyle and have never been truly passionate about them. I have always enjoyed Freeriding contests than most and I am excited to dedicate my season to the tour. The timing is right and I can’t wait.

Photo: Nic Alegre

What are you looking forward to most during the FWT?

I am looking forward to scoping the face and finding a line! I love when the brain gets filled with ideas and you have to piece it all together in your mind. I know all the venues from photos and videos, but it is going to be different showing up to the location and being ready. I am looking forward to adapting to the face as it appears in front of me on that given day of the comp.

Having filmed groundbreaking segments with companies such as TGR, and Poorboyz; and having competed in events such as Redbull Linecatcher, do you think these experiences will help you compete in the FWT?

I think everything I have done in my ski career will play a roll in my decision making when riding the faces of the FWT. My skiing has evolved and changed over the years and I feel like if I didn’t try so many different types of skiing I wouldn’t be as prepared for the tour as I am. From dedicating my entire season to urban, Slopestyle events at the X games and Heli trips with TGR I know that it will all help. Finding the line is one thing but feeling confident about that line is what matters.

Which FWT stop are you looking forward to most?

Well, Verbier would be the one I am looking forward to most because its the final and is steep and gnar and that is a challenging face I want to ski. Going to take it one stop at a time though, which means I am looking forward most to Japan since its the first stop and Japan is one of my favorite places I have been to film and ski powder. See ya in Japan!

Thanks very much Tim!

You can catch Tim Durtschi as well as all the other FWT20 riders in Japan for the first stop of the Freeride World Tour 2020 from the 18th - 25th January 2020.

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