New York

Ask anyone who follows the Freeride World Tour for the skier who best represents the future of the sport, and they’ll point you to Max Hitzig. Just a few years in, Hitzig has already garnered a reputation for seeing things in the terrain that his competitors don’t and doing things on that terrain that his competitors won’t. But behind this relatively unknown is a classic Austrian mountain boy who’s excited to show us his backyard: The Arlberg Massif. Max grew up with his Austrian dad and German mom in the Montafon with some of the world's best freeride conditions. He began freeriding at eight, which he learned from his mountain guide father. After his win in '22 and '23 on the FWT, then claiming the overall title in 2024, the Max seems only to be getting started. 

A snowboarder with an origin story straight out of an 80s action sports movie, Henriquez is a 15-year-old phenom from Brooklyn, NY who learned to snowboard on the indoor slopes of New Jersey's Big Snow facility, and has risen all the way to the Burton team with a bag of tricks riders twice his age needed the world's best parks to learn. In this segment, we're taking Henriquez on a bucket list dream trip for any skier or snowboarder: a Japanese powder fest with Zeb Powell and Selema Masekela.

Name a person who inspires you to be a better skier?

The person who inspires me to be a better skier is my dad because he’s very good at skiing and encourages me to be better and always supports me.

What would you do if you won the lottery?

If I ever won the lottery, I would buy an expensive gaming setup and get into investing and save the rest.

Breakfast of Champions?

My breakfast of champions is Cinnamon Toast Crunch. I eat this a lot because it gives me the sugar that I crave on and off the slopes.

Favorite chairlift and why?

My favorite chairlift is a gondola. I like the gondola because it provides protection from the outdoors and a lot of people can get in it.

The most interesting thing you’ve read or seen this year? (books, podcasts, TV shows)

The most interesting book I’ve read this year is Lewis and Clark: through Indian eyes. This book portrayed the events as they happened as seen by America’s indigenous people.

Fictitious character you most identify with from a book, movie, etc. and why?

The fictional character I identify myself with is The Flash. I always wanted super speed, if I ever got superpowers, I’d save the world. He’s also my favorite superhero.

Highlight memory from filming with WME for this year's film?

The highlight from this year’s film was having fun with the photographers and skiing with my friends.

Gear you are loving right now, on or off the ski slopes, and why?

The gear that I like most are Leki poles, Hestra mittens, Twin tips, Shred buffs and Head boots. I like these because they’re comfortable and they fit my style a lot.

What is a cause you care about that you'd love to share with the Warren Miller audience?

A cause that I care about is St. Jude Children’s Hospital. They research kids with cancer and help them adapt and do new things that they couldn’t do before. The thing I love most about this charity is the smile on the parents faces knowing that their children are in good hands.

How do you think the year 2020 will shape the future of skiing?

The 2020/2021 season was different because of Covid-19. We had to always wear masks. The lodge wasn't open to sit down and eat inside. They reduced the number of people allowed on a chairlift.

What is your vision for the future of skiing?

My vision for the future of skiing is to see more people of color winning competitions and being successful in the ski industry.

What do you do to calm your butterflies before a big line/race/moment? 

What I do to calm myself down in racing is, I take a deep breath and remember my inspection of the course, then I think I am prepared and ready to do the best that I can do.

-

Don't miss Henri Rivers IV in our 72nd film, Winter Starts Now, dropping Fall 2021!

FEATURED ATHLETE: HENNIYAH RIVERS

Name a person who inspires you to be a better skier?

A person who inspires me to be a better skier is my dad! My dad has been teaching me how to ski since I was a baby. He has been my coach for a while and has seen me improve every year. He is very supportive and is not hard on me. He wants us all to strive to become amazing skiers.

The most interesting thing you’ve read or seen this year? (books, podcasts, TV shows)

A book I thought was very interesting was just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. It taught me about the injustices in our society today. I learned that people can be falsely accused and almost put to death. We need to change our society to become more thoughtful and kinder to one another.

Gear you are loving right now, on or off the ski slopes, and why?

The gear I love on snow right now are augment GS and slalom skis. They are amazing. I love how they feel and they're responsive.

What is your vision for the future of skiing?

My vision for the future and skiing is to become the best I can be.

-

Don't miss Henniyah in our 72nd  film, Winter Starts Now, dropping Fall 2021!

FEATURED ATHLETE: HELAINA RIVERS 

Name a person who inspires you to be a better skier?

People that inspire me to become a better ski racer are my dad, Mikaela Shiffrin, Sofia Goggia, Anna Swenn-Larsson, Lindsey Vonn and Wendy Holdener.

What would you do if you won the lottery?

If I won the lottery I would buy more ski gear, an apple watch, and the rest of the money would pay for highschool, college, and a house for me when I am older.

Favorite chairlift and why?

My favorite chairlift at Windham Mountain is B-lift because you get to have long conversations with your friends and watch people ski down ” Wheelchair”.

Gear you are loving right now, on or off the ski slopes, and why?

I enjoy skiing on Atomic skis because they are responsive and complement my skiing style. I also enjoy wearing my Briko helmet.

How do you think the year 2020 will shape the future of skiing?

My 2020/2021 ski season was very different because we had to keepour faces covered for our safety. We had less races than a normal season. Covid had a major impact on my ski season this year. I plan on skiing in college and hopefully competing in higher level competitions. I would like to become an accomplished skier and outdoor person.

-

Don't miss Helaina in our 72nd film, Winter Starts Now, dropping Fall 2021!

I was born in Jamaica, New York in the very early sixties. Growing up and experiencing the sights and sounds of urban New York, no mountains in sight. My parents moved our family to the Catskill mountains, to a little-known town called Big Indian. Just 6 miles away from a ski area, which became my favorite playground.

I had no idea what skiing was or why so many people wanted to be outside in the cold every day. After finding ski equipment in the attic of our house I tried to figure out how to ski, I’m still trying to figure that out to this day. 

During the early seventies, we had major snow falls every November, Thanksgiving break, I knew I would be skiing. Before long skiing became my winter delight. 

Every opportunity I had I would go to the mountain and try to improve my skiing. 

My senior year of high school my family moved back downstate to Long Island.  I went to college and after graduation I returned to Long Island and began navigating and experiencing real urban city life. Skiing was on the back burner for a few years.  

In the nineties I became involved with the National Brotherhood of Skiers and held many positions within the organization. I started as the club President of the International Sisterhood of Skiers and Athletes (first Caribbean club) and moved on to become the Midwest Region Competition director. In 2003 I became a USSA coach for the national team, “Team NBS” and in 2008 I was appointed the Olympic Scholarship Fund Administrator. During my tenure as OSF administrator the national team grew to 15 athletes. In 2016 I was appointed the National Competition Director and in 2018 I was voted in as the Executive Vice President of the National Brotherhood of Skiers. I served for two years and was elected National President of the NBS in March of 2020.

I am a member of The Jazz-Ma-Tazz ski club in New Orleans, Louisiana in the Midwest Region. 

Fortunately, I married Karen Rivers, also a ski instructor and coach and we are the parents of four children, most notably the Rivers’ Triplets, Helaina, Henniyah and Henri IV all Alpine and Skier Cross athletes for Team NBS.

Skiing and enjoying the outdoors will always be in this family’s DNA.

 

Don't miss Henri Rivers in our 72nd film, Winter Starts Now, dropping Fall 2021!

FEATURED ATHLETE: CHRIS DELUMYEA

 

What would you do if you won the lottery?
Buy a ski resort. 
 
Breakfast of champions?
Wildflour cinnamon roll and smoothie.
 
Highlight memory from filming with WME for this year's film?
Working with Tom Day and the drone drivers.
 
Gear you are loving right now, on or off the ski slopes, and why?
 
What is your vision for the future of skiing?

Guests will need to make reservations!

What do you do to calm your butterflies before a big line/race/moment?
Listen to my ipod music play list.
 
Favorite classic ski film and why?

Day Dreams. The first movie to show the Palisades at Squaw Valley.

 

-

Don't miss Chris in our 72nd film, Winter Starts Now, dropping Fall 2021!