Freestyle skiing

“Best snowpark in France” – Tess Ledeux, French Slopestyle champion

The Vars snowpark, acclaimed by numerous athletes including 2022 Olympic vice-champion Tess Ledeux, offered optimal conditions for the competitions held throughout the week. With red and black lines adapted to different levels, skiers were able to express their full potential in the Varspark.

Monday, March 3, 2025 saw the finals of the second stage of the French Freestyle Slopestyle Cup. The competition brought together riders from all over the Alps to score valuable points for the French Cup standings.

Tuesday March 4 and Wednesday March 5 continued with the French SlopeStyle Championships. Around a hundred riders battled it out on the Vars snowpark, putting on an impressive show. Athletes were judged on the cleanliness of their tricks, the diversity of their rotations, and the amplitude and technicality of their tricks.

Among the standout performances was 23-year-old Tess Ledeux, triple world champion and Olympic vice-champion, who once again put her experience to good use by winning the French Slopestyle title. With a strategic approach, she relied on perfectly mastered tricks to secure victory, while remaining true to her style.

Thursday March 6 saw the start of the French Big Air Championship, an event that lived up to all its promises in terms of spectacle and performance. Riders had to push their limits on the Varspark ‘s third black bump, performing high-level tricks.

High-flying performances

In the men’s category, Albert Chapuis took victory with a technical run consisting of a double 14 left and a double 14 right, executed with exemplary cleanliness.

In the women’s category, Poppy Mcgree won with a switch 540 japan and a 720 safety, two very well executed tricks. In this competition, she was one of the few riders capable of executing a switch 540 with such fluidity and ease, ensuring her a well-deserved first place.

The freestyle week came to a close with the young riders aged 10 to 13, competing in the Slopestyle categories for Pupils and Benjamins.

There were 80 of them at the start. 80 seeds of champions coached by their trainers, with their benevolent eyes and sound advice on how to ride safely. And they had nothing to envy of the big boys: they performed some very impressive and technical aerial tricks, proving that the next generation is well and truly here.

And in this respect, it was two local youngsters who came out on top today. Both from the Vars Glisse Académie, Vars’ freestyle club, Georges Billy (little brother of world speed skiing champion Simon Billy) won in the Poussins category, and Louis Guidon in the Benjamins.

The young Varsincs made the difference with their committed, diversified and clean tricks.