Montec athlete Zuza Witych: From a late start to freeride history

Name: Zuza Witych
Bio: Freeride skier · Montec team rider
Age: 32
Hometown: Lodz, Poland
Based in: Bielsko-Biala, Poland

Most skiers start young, but Zuza Witych’s story took a different path. Growing up in central Poland, far from the mountains, she didn’t step into skis until she was 17. What began as a late introduction quickly turned into a passion that led her from freestyle laps in the snowpark to freeride lines on some of the biggest stages in the world.

Today, Zuza is part of the Freeride World Tour, bringing her unique mix of creativity, consistency, and determination to every run. From unforgettable moments in Verbier to the lessons learned through injury and recovery, her journey is proof that passion and persistence can open the door to places you never imagined.

You grew up in Poland and started out in freestyle before moving into freeride. How did that shape your journey as a skier - and how did the transition happen? What drew you into freeriding?

That’s exactly how it was. I started skiing quite late, at 17, and my first love was freestyle. I’m really happy I spent time in the snowpark, because it gave me confidence in the air and a love for jumping. Those skills are now one of my biggest strengths in freeride skiing, especially during my runs on the Freeride World Tour.

What’s been a highlight or proud moment from your skiing journey so far?

There have been many moments, but one that really stands out is my victory in Verbier on the Freeride World Tour two seasons ago. It was the first start of the season, and I was returning to the tour after a year’s break with a wild card. I tried not to put too much pressure on myself, but deep down I wanted to prove, especially to myself, that I deserved to be among the FWT competitors.

I planned my run from start to finish on my own, and right away I liked the part of the mountain I had chosen. Standing at the start, I thought about watching the replay afterwards and feeling proud of myself. From the very first turns I felt good, and in the second part of the run I sent one of the biggest cliffs of my life. I only realised how big it was during the flight, because when planning the line I hadn’t seen that it would be so huge.

That day I received the highest score in the history of women’s freeriding, and my run was called one of the best ever. I was also named ‘Rider of the Day’ among all competitors, both women and men. To this day, it’s my personal benchmark for what I want to show at competitions.

How did your connection with Montec start, and what does being part of the team mean to you?

My story with Montec began thanks to my Polish friends. First, my friend Maciek, who I was filming Zuza – Far From the Peaks with, was already riding for the team and kept telling me how great the atmosphere was and how much he enjoyed working with everyone.

That same year, I visited another friend from Poland who lives in the French Alps and was also working with Montec. She introduced me to the company for the first time, and that’s how my adventure with the brand began.

When I joined the team, I immediately felt at home. The most important thing for me is that everyone at Montec is truly passionate about winter sports. They live it, they understand it, and they respect the riders. Working with a team like that is pure pleasure, and it always motivates me to represent Montec as best I can during competitions.

Outside of competitions, what kind of skiing days do you enjoy the most?

For me, the people I ride with are the most important thing, because the team always creates the atmosphere. Of course, an epic day with perfect snow and blue skies is amazing, but let’s be honest - there aren’t many of those in a season.

It may sound strange, but I also enjoy days when the conditions are really difficult and demanding, the kind of days when most people give up and it feels almost impossible to ski. That’s when I challenge myself to ride as best and as fast as I can. I actually enjoy proving to myself that I can handle it, even when it’s tough. Days like these teach you a lot and make you appreciate the powder days even more.

How do you balance the drive to keep pushing with staying grounded - both on and off the mountain?

It’s definitely not easy, but I’m very proud to see the level of our sport constantly improving, especially women’s freeriding, which is progressing year after year. It’s motivating and inspiring to be part of that growth, but at the same time the level of risk and the pressure we put on ourselves also increases. In a sport like ours, the margin for error is very small.

I learned this the hard way at a Freeride World Tour competition, when I pushed for speed and performance and ended up with a knee injury that required surgery and a long rehabilitation. I don’t blame myself or anyone else — it was simply an accident that can happen to anyone in high-risk sports. My love for skiing hasn’t changed because of it. I’m now getting back into shape and can’t wait for next winter.

Outside the snow, I try to balance things with other projects and interests. Skiing is my greatest passion and a huge part of my work, but knowing the risks, I also like to have a secure plan B.

What’s your favorite place to ski, and what makes it special to you?

For me, it’s Verbier in Switzerland. I have so many wonderful memories there, plus lots of local friends, and the terrain is out of this world. It’s incredibly diverse, so there’s something for every type of skier.

Verbier also has a unique microclimate - it often gets snow when other parts of the Alps have very little. And of course, the après-ski scene is amazing, with great pubs and a fun atmosphere to round out the day.

Looking ahead, what are you aiming to explore or achieve in your skiing journey?

I’ve already managed to fulfil so many dreams that I never even dared to dream of, and I feel extremely lucky to have reached this point - traveling to incredible places with people who were once my idols.

One dream that’s still in my head is to be part of a big ski film production. I imagine huge mountains, steep descents, big cliffs, epic music, and then seeing my name in the credits. That would be awesome.

Anything we missed that you’d love people to know about you or your skiing?

Few people know that my skiing adventure began very late, at the age of 17. I come from a flat city in central Poland, far from the mountains, with no family background in alpine skiing. Despite all these obstacles, my passion for sport helped me reach the very top of my discipline.

With my story, I want to inspire others and show that anyone can follow their dreams. Nothing is impossible and it’s never too late to develop your passions.

Shop Zuza’s style

Moss W Ski Jacket Women Soft Pink/Black

Fawk W Ski Pants Women Black