Xaver Gehring
Xaver Gehring is a young Bavarian new-school skier that is shaking up the world of freestyle skiing thanks to his powerful and technical ability in the air and on rails. Despite his young age, Gehring has already gained a huge amount of experience by traveling and skiing as far afield as North America and New Zealand. Considered by many to be part of the next generation of new-school skiers, the German is looking to emulate the feats and achievements of his skiing idols including Tanner Hall and Candide Thovex. Whatever happens next, you can count on Gehring to remain true to his own distinctive sense of style. In the off-season, Gehring makes the most of the sunny weather by chilling out back home with his family and often goes climbing with his friends to unwind.
Q: What has been the biggest highlight of the past 12 months for you?
A: Being part of the Nine Knights Big Air session.
Q: What's the best thing about riding for a living?
A: It's so nice to be in a position to do what you want every day and explore the great outdoors. It's all about just having fun and enjoying what I do so much.
Q: Who do you enjoy riding with the most, and why?
A: I definitely have a blast skiing with my friends. It´s always relaxad and really fun every time when we're out there, scoping for jumps in the backcountry or in the park. It's always great, no matter what we're doing.
Q: Other than home, where is your favorite place to ride, and why?
A: My favorite place is anywhere in the backcountry surrounded by big mountains. I just really enjoy being out there.
Q: What are your main goals and plans for the next 12 months?
A: This year, I want to make sure I make it to the end of the season without injuring myself, that's for sure! And I´m also really looking forward to the Nine Knights session - it's super fun to be able to ride big kickers.
Q: How do you see your sport evolving in the next few years?
A: I´m not really sure where it's going at the moment. For me personally, there's way too much spinning going on. Style for me is so much more important than simply spinning as much as you can until landing. I´m not that stoked on the way spinning dominates the sport at the moment.
Q: Have you got any plans to film a new video part, and if yes, with which film company?
A: Where I come from there's a film crew called Hzu. It's a group of young, motivated guys so I´m looking forward to seeing what we come up with by the end of the season.
Q: What do you do for fun when you are not riding?
A: I enjoy being in the mountains in the summer too - just chilling or enjoying nature.
Q: What achievement are you most proud of so far in your career?
A: Well there are quite a few things I like to think back to. In particular, I'm proud of a few kickers we've built and ridden to death. Those kind of days in the backcountry make me feel kind of proud.
Q: If you didn't ride for a living, what would you have liked to be doing now for an occupation?
A: Hmm. I don´t really know what I'd be doing. Skiing is what I live for, so it's kind of hard to think of anything else to be honest.
Q: What trick do you enjoy the most?
A: I enjoy hitting a jump really fast and knocking out a mellow cork 3. That always feels great.