LEGNEDARY LADIES: JESS HOTTER ISN'T HERE TO ASK- SHE'S HERE TO SEND
- Constance Traynor
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
“We were told girls can’t do what guys do. Now we’re proving them wrong.”
What makes someone a badass?
Is it winning the Freeride World Tour? Throwing backflips off cliffs? (Jess Hotter’s done both.) Or is it something deeper?
For Jess, being a legend isn’t just about the podiums or the jaw-dropping lines—it’s about her mindset. Her life’s motto says it all:
“Don’t tell me I can’t. If you do, sit back and watch me prove you wrong.”
When She-Shredz sat down with Jess to find out what fuels her fire, we were curious: what drives someone who’s dominated the Freeride World Tour and starred in ski films like Calm Beneath the Castles?
Jess grew up in Ohakune, New Zealand, where she spent her early years carving turns and racing gates. After landing third place in her very first freeride comp, she was hooked—and the rest is history.
“After that first competition, I thought maybe I should keep doing this and give it a go after placing third. I liked the vibe and people in the competitions—everyone was really lovely. I’m quite a competitive person, too, but this was different. It was a competition against myself, not against other people.”
From Underdog to Unstoppable
Jess didn’t grow up with Olympic dreams. She just loved skiing—and hated being told what she couldn’t do.
“I remember a ski patroller giving me a hard time about competing, and I was like, ‘Shut up—it’s my frickin’ dream.’”
That fire still burns. Whether she’s stomping backflips off Treble Cone’s summit or watching teenage girls land tricks that once seemed impossible, Jess is constantly feeding off the stoke around her.
“You’re 16 and doing that? Alright, I’m going back to train. I want to land this double backie.”
The “Fuel Send” Factor
Jess is part of a generation of women who are not just participating in freeride—they’re redefining it.
“We were told girls can’t do what guys do. Now we’re starting to break that down.”
She’s inspired by the next wave of talent, like 16-year-old Hannah Epsteyn, who threw a double backflip at the Silver Belt Classic and won the whole thing. These little moments add to new inspirations.
The Future of Women in Freeride
Jess is thrilled about the evolution of women’s skiing and the groundbreaking feats being achieved by female athletes.
“The future is bright, and it’s incredible to see how far we’ve come.”
She reflects on how events like the Silver Belt Classic at Sugar Bowl inspire her:
“Watching women throw down at events like the Silver Belt Classic is so motivating. It’s not just about the tricks—it’s about the energy, the camaraderie, and the sheer joy of pushing boundaries together.”
Jess is dedicating time to her own growth and skill development:
“I want to master the double backflips, perfect the cork 7s, and then tackle the next big challenge.”
Hate-Hucking & Internet Trolls
Pushing boundaries doesn’t shield you from the grind. After a crash at the Obsidian comp, Jess got hit with a misogynistic comment:
“Who did I sleep with to get there?”
She didn’t flinch. She got louder. That same year, she launched a massive backie off the summit diving board at Treble Cone—and went on to win the Freeride World Tour in 2022.
“That was the year I backflipped off the summit diving board at Treble Cone.”
She calls it “hate-hucking”—a term she picked up from fellow skier Andrew Pollard.
“It’s like, ‘F**k you, I can do this.’ You’re listening to heavy metal in your head and just sending it.”
It’s not just a comeback—it’s a battle cry. And if you’ve ever talked to Jess about skiing, you know: that’s her doctrine.
Coaching, Hormones & the Ski Bro Mentally Problem
Jess doesn’t shy away from the realities of being a woman in an extreme sport.“Guys are on a 24-hour cycle. We’re on a month-long one. Some days we feel like trash, some days like gods.”
She believes coaching needs to evolve—not to coddle, but to understand.
“What works for guys might not work for girls. It’s not about coddling—it’s about understanding.”
And then there’s the culture. If you’re reading this, you probably know exactly what she’s talking about. Ski culture is full of après, stoke, and hot toddies—but there’s also an undercurrent many women recognize instantly.
Like the old-timer on the lift asking why you, a woman, are skiing on a Monday, when none of the guys get that question. Or the dude twice your age, on skis 20cm longer, challenging you to a race to “see who’s faster.” (Yes, these are real examples—from just this past April.)
We as women ski differently. This isn’t a bad thing, and it’s not a handicap. Women tend to be more calculated in their risk assessments—a theme that holds for rippers like Jess.
“It’s always big-d**king. But women are incredibly smart. We’ll go for it—but we’ll also say, ‘Maybe today’s not the day.’”
That’s not hesitation—it’s wisdom. And it’s exactly that kind of awareness that’s shaping the next generation of freeride.
The Joy of the Ride
At the heart of it all, Jess is still that kid ripping around the mountain with her friends. “Freeride is just skiing whatever the hell you want it to be. It’s freedom.”
She’s not just chasing podiums—she’s chasing progression, purpose, and the pure joy of skiing.
In an age where athletes are pivoting towards nonstop social media advertisements, Jess’s approach is refreshing. She’s keeping the heart and soul of skiing alive—getting out there and just making turns.
For Jess, it’s not about chasing the perfect shot or racking up likes—it’s about the perfect turn, the shared laugh on the chairlift, the stories told over beers at the end of the day. It’s about the soul of skiing—the unfiltered, unedited joy of being on the mountain. Or even better, fueling the stoke of stomping that one line, you know the kind.
“I’m embracing the ‘f**k it’ more lately than I have in a long time.”
And honestly? We’re all better for it.
What’s your most unforgettable freeride moment? Was it a perfect line, a shared laugh, or a moment of pure stoke? Drop your story below and let’s keep the stoke alive!