Rider profile

Name: James "Woodsy" Woods

Hometown: Sheffield, England

Birthdate: 19 January 1992

Skis
Salomon Suspect and Pro Pipe

Favourite trick?
I have so many! But big, slow switch 720s and cork 900s are hard to beat

Best accessory
My gold Adidas sunglasses

One of Britain's top freeskiers and show regular, James "Woodsy" Woods, will be giving it his all on the Trespass Big Air Competition kicker at the Show. We grabbed him for a quick chat

How many years have you been competing on the show kicker?
This year will be my sixth.

What’s the best trick you’ve pulled on it so far?
Probably a switch cork 900.

What have you got up your sleeve for this year?
Ah, that’s a surprise. You wouldn’t want me to spoil it for you.

Aside from the kicker, what’s your favourite part of the show?
I always have a great time. Apart from checking out all the new gear for the next winter, it’s a great place to catch up with friends and meet loads of new people involved in the industry who share the same passion for our sport.

Do you get a lot of encouragement from the crowd?
Every year there are tons of really enthusiastic spectators. Call me a show-off, but when the crowd is cheering and loving what I’m doing, there’s absolutely nothing like it. They get me so amped up to throw down the best tricks I can. It’s an incredible feeling for me.

What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to you at the show?
The funniest things usually happen when the demos are going on. All the riders are running up the stairs as fast as possible with boots on and skis and boards in hand. We’re all tripping over each other – it’s such a funny sight. There are skis and boards all over the place, people dropping in, me nearly falling down the drop-in ramp – it’s crazy. Luckily, the crowd can’t see this part.

Have you ever had a scary moment?
Yeah, I’ll never forget it! My first time competing at the show was when I was 12 and the kicker seemed so much bigger to me back then. It was the first time I’d ever performed in front of a crowd, and going from nothing to thousands of people expecting me to deliver on cue was really tough, the pressure was unreal. I always try to help out the riders who are new to the show because the kicker needs getting used to and the pressure is so great when you’re not accustomed to it. Now it really doesn’t feel like a big deal at all, but I’ll always remember that first time.

What’s the best thing about competing here?
The crowd, no doubt. Once you’re used to performing in front of so many people, the pressure becomes an aid. It’s encouraging rather than intimidating. There’s not much in this world that can compare to people cheering and supporting you for doing what you love, so thanks everyone.