We proudly present our new KJUS Teamrider: Stefan Häusl, another successful and uncompromising Freerider, supports our KJUS Team.
Stefan, professional freeride skier since 2005,  is travelling the world, capturing his skiing action on film. His strength is to stay calm in difficult situations. He is very fast and one of the most technical riders of the Freeriding World Tour. And he does it in a very stylish way.
He’s the “allrounder” in the freeriding scene. Started as a race skier in his early years but quickly developed his passion for freeriding. Today he’s one of the best freeriders of the World Tour and is living his dream.
“My life revolves around freeriding. And I want to share the sport that I love so much and my passion for freeriding with everyone out there!”

Stefan, how did you end up in freeriding? Did you always dream about becoming a freeride professional?
Well, I started with ski racing when I was a kid – as all Austrian kids do. I was talented but after two years break due to injuries I stopped. In these days freeriding was not really developed in Europe so I did not even know that this existed.
When I did my ski instructor and guiding exams, I started to love off-piste skiing. The skis were thin at this time and the first time for me on “faties” was in Canada. Then I started to dream about it. It took a few years to develop from my race skiing to real freeride skiing. Since a few years now I can make a living out of it. I love it and appreciate it.

You finished 4th in last years world tour season. What is your goal for this season?
After leading the tour at the last stop of the Freeride World Tour I was close to win the title. But I crashed in Verbier. Since then my goal is clear: the title. I do know now that it is possible for me.

What was your biggest success so far?
Winning the Freeride World Tour stop in Austria (Fieberbrunn). To win in your home country is a dream for every professional athlete. It was a great feeling to stand on top of the podium.

What do you think is the main difference between classic ski racing and freeriding?
There is not so much of a difference. Skiing is skiing. We do our sport on the big mountains and racers do it on hard slopes. We have to deal with all the danger around us. The racers can focus on their performance. But we do it all for the same reason: to enjoy the moment and to push boundaries. I think all skiing athletes love that! We love the adventure we are going through.

Rumors tell that freeriding is all about "Party" and that "these guys don't take it seriously"! What's your opinion on that?
Freeriding is a very serious sport these days and we have to train hard to be able to compete in the top class. 
Of course we love to party, but after the adventure. If you do something exiting and you managed it well, you should celebrate. But we are sporty people and there is always a day after the party!

How does your perfect day look like?
To be first on the lift on a powder day when it is still snowing. Preferable in my hometown St. Anton am Arlberg! Tree skiing all day long with good friends.

Which moment in life would you compare to the perfect freeride experience? 
The arrival of our little daughter.

How does a typical training routine look like?
In summer I get up at 7am. Eggs for breakfast ;-) At nine to the gym. Home for lunch and then back on the road bike or mountain bike. Stretching in the evening and dinner with my little family. Beside that I have to write emails and organize the season. In winter I try to spend as much time as possible on the mountains. That is the best time of the year!

How often do you work out?
8 to 9 times a week in summer!

How was the beginning of your career, when becoming a freeride professional? And where is the freeriding scene heading?
At the beginning people did not even know what I did.  Now with all the media interest about Freeriding things changed a lot. Now even the postman knows what I do for living. Very funny now ;-)

Where do you see yourself in 10-15 years?
I see myself in developing equipment and clothing and showing people our beautiful mountains.

Can you give us an overview on how the perfect freeriding outfit should be like? Are there special needs?
Yes, there are special needs. Light and breathing material and a cool style. For me it is important that you can zip the jacket and pants together. That keeps the snow and the cold away from your body. The cut needs to be baggy to feel free out there. The KJUS freeride collection has it all. I’m loving it already!

Speaking of outfit, what do you expect from KJUS clothing?
I expect highest quality, maximum freedom of movement and a cool look.

Is there anything else we should know about you?
I love to ski on racing skies in November! But not anymore in December ;-)

Where can people find out more about you?
www.stefanhausl.com and www.world.kjus.com/stefan-hausl/item/194-get-to-know-stefan-haeusl

 Last but not least, some quick ones: 

Beer or Wine?
Beer in summer, wine in winter!

Morning or Evening?
Lunchtime 

Sunglasses or Goggles?
Goggles

Swim or Surf?
Surf, but I am a mountain man!

Hot or Cold?
Cold!

Thank you Stefan and good luck for the upcoming season!