Justine Dufour-Lapointe, a celebrated freestyle skier, has transitioned to competitive off-piste skiing, making an impressive debut by winning the championship in her first season with the Free Ride World Tour. Emphasizing her passion for adrenaline and personal growth, she reflects on the challenges of mastering free ride techniques. Following the loss of her mother, she is determined to return to competition to honor her memory and defend her title, believing her mother would be proud of her continued pursuit of skiing dreams.
Justine Dufour-Lapointe: Embracing a New Challenge
Justine Dufour-Lapointe is a name synonymous with adrenaline. After a remarkable tenure in freestyle skiing, this Quebec talent has now set her sights on the exhilarating world of competitive off-piste skiing.
In her inaugural season with the Free Ride World Tour, Dufour-Lapointe achieved an incredible milestone by securing the championship title.
A Journey of Transformation
“Returning to my roots felt truly special,” Justine shared during her interview on Quebec Matin. “People were uncertain about what to expect from me in the Free Ride World Tour, but they were aware of my skiing background and the dedication I had put in. My years in freestyle skiing certainly didn’t vanish overnight.”
Despite her wealth of experience in freestyle, transitioning to off-piste skiing proved to be a unique challenge that required immense dedication and effort to master.
“It may seem vague, but there’s extensive preparation involved in planning a free ride descent, something I had to adapt to with this career change. It involves strategizing the descent, selecting the line, and determining where to jump. In free ride, we only get one opportunity to go down the mountain, so we rely on binoculars and our own photos taken the previous day to navigate,” she elaborated.
With a chuckle, Dufour-Lapointe added, “All those backflips I’ve done throughout my career? They’re my signature!”
A Passion for Adventure
Why take the plunge into off-piste skiing at the age of 30? For Dufour-Lapointe, the answer is simple.
“I have a deep passion for adrenaline and pushing my limits. In my final years of freestyle skiing, what I cherished most was my personal growth. Skiing in the majestic mountains, away from the groomed slopes, is what truly embodies being a skier for me. It goes beyond mere tricks; it’s about understanding and respecting your environment.”
After clinching the championship in her debut season, Justine faced a personal crisis last year, stepping back from competition to support her mother during a severe illness. Tragically, her mother passed away on March 22.
In spite of the profound loss, the Montreal skier has decided to return to the competitive scene this year to defend her title from two years ago.
“This year will undoubtedly be challenging. My mother was an integral part of my life and my sisters’ lives. She always supported my endeavors in skiing with unwavering love. I believe she would be incredibly proud to see me continue to pursue my dreams and ski. That’s what I think she would want for me,” she reflected.
If Dufour-Lapointe mirrors her success from her rookie season in the Free Ride World Tour, she may very well find herself crowned champion once again at the season’s final event… on March 22.