Max Hitzig, the wildcard who won it all

A Max Hitzig story

Some stories sound too improbable to be true and yet, they are. Max Hitzig’s journey is one of those, of a champion who almost missed his career. The young German, barely out of his teenage years, started competing on the freeride circuit almost by chance. In February 2022, at just 19 years old, he received a wildcard for his very first FWQ 4* competition in Silvretta Montafon, his home resort. The excitement was at its peak, but his adventure ended quickly: a fall after two turns, a lost ski, and the feeling of a dream shattered before it even began. 

Two days later, he refused to stop there. Captivated by the adrenaline of the start gate, he wanted to prove his worth. He registered for the Nendaz Freeride 3* Qualifier, but his lack of points placed him on the waiting list. Fate intervened: a last-minute spot opened up. Max seized the chance and delivered an exceptional run, earning the “Line of the Day”… before being disqualified for crossing a forbidden zone. A rookie mistake, but a clear message: the talent was real.

Thanks to that performance, he received another wildcard for the Nendaz Freeride 4*, the first stop of the FWQ Finals. This time, he left nothing to chance: two perfectly landed backflips and a brilliant victory. The machine was set in motion. A few days later, he finished second and secured his ticket to the Freeride World Tour 2023. And as a taste of what was to come, Max was invited as a wildcard to the prestigious Fieberbrunn stop on the pro circuit. Against all odds, he won it. First participation, first victory: a powerful statement, the freeride world had just discovered a new prodigy. 

In 2023, for his debut on the Tour, Max impressed everyone: a win in Kicking Horse with his now-famous backflip off the Rodney Pyramid, the title of “Rider of the Year,” and a 4th place overall. At only 20 years old, he established himself as the face of the new generation. 

In 2024, he reached another level: five competitions, five podiums, two victories, including one on the mythical Bec des Rosses in Verbier, though not during the Xtreme. To top it all off, a FWT Champion title at 22.

Everything seemed possible. But freeride, like the mountain itself, always reminds one of humility. In 2025, Max suffered a serious injury. Season over before it even began… 

His return is awaited like that of a hero. In 2026, he is ready to come back stronger, more mature, and determined to sign another streak of podiums. Determined to confirm what everyone already knows: Max Hitzig is not just a passing phenomenon. He’s a prodigy.