Mia Jones, 2026 Freeride World Tour Women's Snowboard Champion, FIS Freeride World Champion, & FWT Rookie of the Year
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In this episode of the Blister Podcast, host Jonathan Ellsworth sits down with Mia Jones, the 2026 Freeride World Tour Women's Snowboard Champion, FIS Freeride World Champion, and FWT Rookie of the Year. Mia recounts her groundbreaking rookie season, marked by a whirlwind of competition across Europe and Alaska, culminating in her becoming the first woman to win all three titles in a single season. She shares candidly about the mental and physical challenges of transitioning from a summer mindset back to elite competition, her evolution from anxious junior competitor to calm, confident athlete, and her philosophy of focusing on lines she loves rather than external pressure. Mia also discusses her academic journey at Dartmouth College, her time studying abroad in Copenhagen, and how she balances elite sports with higher education. Her insights into line selection, slough management in Alaska, and the power of drone footage for navigation reveal a deeply thoughtful and strategic approach to big mountain riding. The conversation underscores her maturity, self-awareness, and ability to thrive under pressure while staying true to her identity.
Reframe competition as an opportunity to ride lines you love, not just to win.
Mental preparation and self-awareness are more important than technical perfection in high-stakes freeride events.
Use available tools like drone footage to reduce uncertainty and build confidence on unfamiliar terrain.
Balance elite athletic performance with academic goals by choosing schools that support both.
Independence from family influence is key to building personal identity in elite sports.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome & Introduction to Mia Jones
Jonathan Ellsworth introduces Mia Jones as the 2026 Freeride World Tour Women's Champion, FIS Freeride World Champion, and Rookie of the Year, setting the stage for a deep dive into her historic rookie season and personal journey.
The Rookie Season: From Zero to Champion
“I went into the season, I didn't really know what to expect. I was like, we'll see what happens.”
Mental Shift: From Nervous Junior to Confident Champion
“I don't need to win this comp. Like you don't need to do the sickest line you've ever done. Like you really like just don't need to crash.”
Hanes, Alaska: The Ultimate Test of Line Reading & Slough Management
“I got to the bottom and I was like that was the sickest run I've ever done in my entire life. Like not like me like doing the sickest thing but like me like wow I can't believe I just got to like ride that.”
Andorra & the World Championship: A Low-Stakes, High-Reward Moment
Mia discusses the unique mindset of competing in the first-ever FIS Freeride World Championship—no tour points, no pressure—where she could focus purely on the experience and still emerge as world champion.
“I got to the bottom and I was like that was the sickest run I've ever done in my entire life. Like not like me like doing the sickest thing but like me like wow I can't believe I just got to like ride that.”
“I don't need to win this comp. Like you don't need to do the sickest line you've ever done. Like you really like just don't need to crash.”
“I don't want people to get the impression that, oh, it's Mia and she lives with her family, and all they do is snowboard together.”
Host
Guest
Mia Jones
person
Jonathan Ellsworth
person
Freeride World Tour
organization
Dartmouth College
organization
FIS Freeride World Championship
other
Hanes
place
Blister Podcast
media
Copenhagen
place
Verbier
place
Bekteros
place
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