JAMES ‘WOODSY’ WOODS
The most successful freeskier the UK has ever produced, the King of Spins shares his Olympic hopes and how it feels to live the dream every single day
‘A dream come true’ is how Woodsy describes his career
MY JOB IN A NUTSHELL…
I’m a professional freeskier and it’s my dream come true!
HOW IT ALL BEGAN...
At the Sheffield Ski Village dry slope when I was 10 years old – I found skiing and a bunch of inspirational people. The combination of flying around as fast as I liked and the positive influence of those around set me on this path, I remember realising this is what I wanted to do and I’ve never stopped chasing it.
As a grom I did a lot of different sports and loved trying everything. I think that’s such a privileged position to be in – to have the opportunity to try different things and find your passion as a kid. I did skateboard as well and was really attracted to the action/extreme sports/rock ’n’ roll kind of culture.
MY TYPICAL DAY…
There is no such thing as a typical day for me to be honest. I try to create some consistencies after waking up, like doing some breathing exercises and stretching before breakfast, however after that every day is different. I don’t actually have a base, I’m always moving around – so I always wake up in a different place, in a different country, eating different foods – it’s a bit weird but amazing. I’m very happy living out of bags.
I usually have to remind myself where I am and what I’m doing, but the mission is the same: to be the best I can be today and keep working towards my goals. It’s rare that I’ll have a day without activity, which is obviously usually skiing, however I’m not afraid to stay in bed all day eating chocolate if I feel like I’ve earned it!
THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY CAREER SO FAR…
Honestly, the fact that I have a career as a professional freeskier is the highlight. This is my dream come true, no doubt in my mind at all.
MY THOUGHTS ABOUT BEIJING 2022…
Of course I’m excited for the Olympics – it’s a rad opportunity and I want to give it my best effort. It’ll be the third Olympics that freeskiing has been a part of and I’ve been lucky enough to have competed at the last two. So I hope to go and have the opportunity to give it my all, that’s always the goal in contests for me.
WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT MY JOB...
My life is completely orientated around what I want to do. Of course there are some bad days thrown in there – like getting injured, which is the worst thing, and although it’s an accepted part of the game, nothing hits harder than being shut down. But when I zoom out, the only reason that I’m here, there or anywhere is because it’s what I want to do. I’m the boss. I call my own shots and get to ski every day that I want to. I’m just so lucky and it’s my mission to never forget it.
THE HARDEST PART IS...
Finding a washing machine on the road!
IF I HAD TO CHOOSE ONE PLACE TO SKI FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE...
At this moment I truly cannot choose. There are so many wonderful places to enjoy and honestly I’m still so intrigued to go and find new places and figure them out.
From Sheffield Ski Village to the 2022 Olympics: ‘A rad opportunity’ says Woodsy of Beijing 2022
PHOTOS DANNY WARLEY, BEN KINNEAR