Jib League puts a smile on Ferdinand Dahl's face. Alex Jeynes

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Cultivating Creativity: Jib League Season 3 kicks off in Austria

By: Alex Jeynes February 21, 2025

In recent years freeskiing has been moving in a direction that not everyone agrees with. A few years ago, a group of pro skiers decided to change that from the ground up. They called it the Jib League—an event series where creativity trumps competition and style speaks louder than the bass of an early-2000s banger blasting through the park. Jib League brought that ethos to life once again, ditching rigid judging panels and the spin-to-win mentality that tramples on unfiltered self-expression.

Back in Austria to kick off its third season, Jib League made the bold move from the Skyline Park at Nordkette to Muttereralm, a venue better known for hosting Crankworx than core freeski events. The resort’s open invitation set the stage for the first stop of the league. A platform for self-expression without the rules and regulations of governing bodies. The relocation didn’t just change the setting—it brought together a diverse crew of skiers from around the world, all hungry to push boundaries, get weird, and keep the soul of freeskiing alive.

Snowpark Götzen's DIY Park offered a fresh new venue with unconventional features, like Ethan Morgan's legendary VW Caddy. Alex Jeynes

Jib League’s Creative Formula

Founded by James “Woodsy” Woods, Ferdinand Dahl, and Øystein Bråten in 2023, Jib League was created to offer an alternative to mainstream freeskiing events. Where traditional comps live and breathe on spin counts and trick difficulty, Jib League values creativity, ability and awareness. This format shifts the focus from judged perfection to raw, unfiltered expression, giving skiers the space to experiment in ways that standard competitions no longer reward.

This year’s pro session brought together 33 riders—13 invited pros and 20 amateur (AM) qualifiers. While some rolled in with Red Bull helmets and noteworthy video parts, the talent pool was so deep that anyone had a shot at taking the W at the end of the week. That unpredictability is what sets Jib League apart: it’s not about points or podiums—it’s about showing up, throwing down, and letting your skiing do the talking.

At Muttereralm the setup changed daily, pushing riders beyond traditional park skiing and into a more progressive jam format. The AM session kicked off with tech-heavy rail lines, from down-flat-downs to urban setups, before shifting to a knuckle feature on day three—an all-you-can-eat buffet of butters, presses, and lofty airs.

Pär Hägglund enjoying the views of the Inn valley. Alex Jeynes

The pro session followed suit, each day bringing a new challenge. It started with the knuckle before leading into a quarterpipe-to-volcano, setting the stage for creative combinations and transfers fuelled by curiosity. On day two, a multi-option rail garden with other smaller jibs gave the riders endless options to link up combinations. Day three was in the “DIY Section” of Muttereralm with the return of a burnt-out VW Caddy, salvaged from previous Innsbruck chaos (thanks Ethan Morgan) and transformed into a beat-up jib wagon.

Jib League isn’t just about progression—it’s about keeping freeskiing raw, creative, and true to its roots.

William Bostadlokken on a mission. Alex Jeynes

Free and Open: The AM Session

One of Jib League’s standout features is its accessibility. With free entry to the Amateur session, it removes the usual barriers—no crazy entry fees, no annual memberships, no monstrous XXL booters—just an open invite for freeskiers to spend a day skiing how they want with the chance to progress into the pro sessions.

This inclusive approach shifts the focus to what really matters: creativity and individuality. There are no rankings, no pressure—just a session designed for experimentation and freeskiing expression in its purest form. Even with seasoned pros skiing in the AM session, everyone was stoked and motivated to be there, creating the perfect space for progression.

Anri Kawamura qualified through the open session to throw down with the pros. Alex Jeynes

Supported by Major Brands

The event was backed by an epic lineup of partners, including Monster Energy, Marker Products, Fortune Flavors, Capeesh Fashion House, 1000 Skis, and Phaenom Footwear. Along with some killer giveaways from the brands, Jib League offered cash prizes for standout performances in both the male and female categories for the first stop. Yes, walking away from a ski resort with more money in your pocket is nice, but for the riders at Jib League, it was clear that cash wasn’t the main motivation. While props from fellow skiers might not pay off a season pass, that respect holds serious value in the freeskiing community.

As the event unfolded and clips started stacking up, the team began to think about what fire tracks to bring the final days to life as part of a series of edits that drop on YouTube throughout the season. These videos don’t just recap the action—they capture the pulse of freeskiing, highlighting the fresh direction of the sport, showcasing grassroots talent, and inspiring a mind-expanding vision of what is possible in smaller parks.

JIB LEAGUE || SE03 E01 Official Broadcast SLVSH YouTube

The Rise of Jib League Radio

This year Jib League took a fresh approach to event coverage by introducing Jib League Radio. Hosted by Woodsy, the show gave riders a chance to talk through the sessions and share their thoughts, giving listeners a real insider’s view of how they were tackling the event. It wasn’t just about what was going down on the mountain—they also gave a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes vibes, bridging the gap between athletes and event organizers. Mid-week tune-ins like this show how the event’s relaxed, rider-driven energy shaped everything from feature design to trick choice, making it clear that it’s about connection, not just competition.

Jib League Radio | #1 Innsbruck Pregame SLVSH YouTube


Rider Expression: Creativity in Motion

At Jib League, individuality took centre stage, with each rider bringing their own unique flair to Muttereralm. Pierre Emile Rochat (@Till_I_Break_It) turned heads all week with his signature “screamin’ seamens” and techy stalls, while Alais Develay sent a massive front flip over the VW Caddy, only to take a brutal slam moments later—a subtle reminder of what’s at stake. Nico Porteous threw a jaw-dropping transfer from quarterpipe-to-volcano that redefined the feature with creative precision as he laced a floaty 180 without batting an eye. Local legend Dani B wasted no time showing his unconventional approach to skiing. With poles up to 130cm and magic stars shaved into his head, every hit he took seemed to inspire a new trick, sparking a wave of creativity for the rest of the session. Felix Klein was all about flow, proving that effortless style can outshine even the most technical spins and showing that skiing isn’t just about tricks—it’s about how you do them. Meanwhile, Liam Baxter took the Line Sakana to new heights, making the most of its contemporary shape and swallowtail with massive boosts and the occasional stylish slash/ carve. Amid all the chaos, a few riders pushed the bar, pulling off transfers no one thought were possible.

1. Dani B in fine form as always. Alex Jeynes
2. @Till_I_Break_It aka Pierre Emile Rochat doing his funky thing. Alex Jeynes

But it wasn’t just about the tricks—it was the inclusive, welcoming vibe that truly defined the week. Skiers leaned into the motto “Style over Comfort,” rocking DIY mohawks, questionable haircuts, and wardrobe choices as expressive as their riding, from shirt-and-tie getups to oversized, old-school freestyle fits. Every detail was a celebration of individuality, further solidifying Jib League’s ethos of self-expression.

1. Dani B with a fresh cut. Alex Jeynes
2. Ryan Stevenson channeling his inner Plake. Alex Jeynes


Beyond the Jam: The Jib League Culture

The day didn’t end when the skis came off. After each session, the air was filled with the smell of sausages and Semmel (Austrian bread rolls) as riders and organizers kicked back to unwind after the madness. The vibe of the event was something else, often compared to the spirit of Kimbo Sessions—shared meals, a heavy rider influence, and the crew catching the sunset over Innsbruck before heading back into the city.

The week wrapped up at the Boom Club after-party at Montague, where a few skiers decided to load up their USBs and go b2b for a set that, let’s just say, not everyone will remember.


A New Era at Muttereralm

The move from Nordkette to Muttereralm brought its own mix of challenges and opportunities. The longer bus and train rides from Innsbruck made access a bit trickier, and the shaded features meant firmer landings and less-than-ideal spots for spectators. Not that Muttereralm was exactly flooded with crowds this year—fewer people lining the sidelines made it clear that Jib League isn’t about throwing a public huck fest. Sure, anyone’s welcome to come and watch with their crew, but for most riders, the real energy comes from what’s going down on the snow.

Sessions stuck to a loose freestyle schedule, originally set for 11:45 AM but more often kicking off closer to 1 PM. The event thrived on this organic flow, giving riders a chance to catch up and feed off each other between an already-packed season of filming and competing. Jib League isn’t about adhering to a rigid timetable; the sessions started when everyone was warmed up and felt ready to get going. Each jam was supposed to go on for 90 minutes; however, Woodsy and the other organisers struggled to find the off switch, and would usually let the session roll way past that and call it when the time felt right.

Hike session. Alex Jeynes


The Future of Jib League

Jib League is more than just an event—it’s a movement driven by the spirit of style. It’s about pushing the boundaries of skiing, not just in terms of huge airs and big spins, but in terms of ideas. From massive transfers to gnarly crashes and the relentless energy of everyone involved, every aspect of Jib League speaks to the heart and soul of freeskiing.

It’s where the yin and yang of competition and creativity meet. Competitive skiing is starting to mature into something truly inspirational, blurring the lines between athlete and artist. It’s no longer about huge sends; it’s about who can bring something new to the table and make it their own.

As the final session wrapped up and riders cruised back down to Innsbruck for one last send-off, it was obvious: Jib League isn’t just changing the game—it’s completely redefining what freeskiing can be. One thing’s for sure: it will continue to break boundaries, celebrate creativity, and keep the true spirit of freeskiing alive—all without the limitations of XL kickers and formulaic judging.

Season 3 of Jib League continues this April with a stop in Colorado.