In the shoes of Juliette Willmann, french women's freerider
For her second year on the Freeride World Tour, Juliette Willmann, the rising star of French freeriding, is aiming for the top. Her first winter was a steep learning curve, finishing in 7th place—an “encouraging but far from satisfactory” position. At 23, this ambitious athlete embodies the relentless drive of champions, coupled with a strong character that manifests in her powerful, elegant, and precise technique. Her technical mastery, shaped by a decade of alpine skiing in her native Southern Alps, led her to switch from downhill to freeriding four years ago to fulfill her love for powder snow and the great outdoors.
Now partnering with Sidas, Juliette, who sees foot comfort as a performance booster, shares her goals for the season, her perspective on freeriding, and her experience with our insoles, which she recently tested during her trip to Chile.
Interview with Juliette Willmann, a freerider with a passion for the mountains, especially on fat skis.
2020: Aiming for a top-three finish on the Freeride World Tour
Last winter was your first year in the “big league” on the Freeride World Tour. What are your thoughts on your debut season?
My performance was mixed; I wasn’t fully satisfied with the results but am happy with all that I’ve learned. I gained valuable experience and grew as an athlete. After winning the European circuit in 2018, I felt thrown into the deep end, somewhat unprepared. I lacked self-confidence initially, but by the end of the season, I reached the technical level I had been aiming for, which is promising.
What are the main lessons from your first season on the Freeride World Tour?
The leap from the European circuit to the Freeride World Tour is huge. Everything is amplified—the skill level, media attention, and pressure. It takes time to adjust to this new intensity and manage it effectively. I worked a lot on my mental game and gained confidence in myself.
With these lessons, what are your ambitions for the coming season?
(Immediate response) A top-three finish! And to showcase my skills by skiing beautiful lines. I’m ready and excited for the new season.
With the experience from this first year, what do you see as your strengths and weaknesses against the world’s best?
My biggest strength is my background in downhill skiing—I competed in slalom for nearly ten years, which gave me a solid technique. However, I have less experience with freestyle skills, so when it comes to jumps and tricks, I’m still learning. I spend time at the park and on trampolines to improve.
Skiing without foot discomfort: a key to high performance
Why is comfort in your boots crucial for skiing well?
Feeling comfortable in my boots is the most important factor. There’s no point in having great skis if your boots don’t fit well, as you’ll lack control. Proper foot support defines the intensity and precision I can put into my skiing and turns.
Does freeride skiing put specific strain on a skier’s feet?
Comfort is especially important in freeriding, unlike downhill skiing, where boots are extremely rigid. In freeriding, you wear your boots all day, handling a range of activities—climbing, jumping, big powder turns. You ascend, descend, sweat, get hot, then cold… Freeride boots are slightly less rigid but more comfortable, which is essential.
Why did you choose SIDAS insoles?
There are two main reasons: my knee injury in 2016, where I tore my ACL, and my shoe size—I wear a size 36! It’s hard to find boots that fit without feeling “lost” in them. Insoles have become essential to maximize boot performance.
Which insoles do you use? What was it like trying them for the first time?
I switch between two options depending on the activity. This autumn, I spent almost three weeks in Chile for ski touring on volcanoes, with incredible conditions and fresh powder daily. We hiked between 1 to 4 hours a day, so I used my injected inner boots for ski touring. Back in Europe, I switched to custom thermoformed insoles suited to the demanding conditions of freeride competition.
What are the main benefits of these insoles?
My feet feel perfectly supported in my boots, with no “give” or empty space. This results in two major benefits: comfort, allowing me to focus solely on skiing, and performance, as I’m more precise and responsive in my lines. I feel my entire foot in contact with the boot, with perfect arch support. This extra comfort increases my confidence in my gear, allowing me to perform better mentally.
Do you use other SIDAS products besides the insoles?
Yes! I add three SIDAS products to my ski boots: the insoles, the Sidas Booster Strap for additional shin support, and a shin protection gel to reduce pressure. I’m sensitive on my shins, and this combination lets me ski without discomfort. I’ve also just received their full range of socks, which I’ll be testing during the pre-season to find the best ones for competition!
Our insoles: freeride skiing without foot discomfort
1 / Foot Support
The insoles ensure the foot fills all space in the boot, with no empty spots. This adds comfort and boosts performance with greater precision and energy in your lines.
2 / Zero Friction
Perfect arch support reduces friction and prevents blisters, especially crucial for the ascending required in freeriding.
3 / Zero Pressure
Proper foot support eliminates excess pressure, cocooning the foot without needing to overtighten the boots. This prevents painful compression points, improves blood circulation, and protects against the cold.
4 / All-Day Comfort & Warmth
Freeriding is demanding on the feet with constant movement. Our insoles provide durable comfort and warmth, especially when lined with Merino wool.
5 / More Enjoyment
Being comfortable in your ski boots means forgetting about your feet and focusing entirely on your skiing, fully enjoying each moment. Our goal is to make your life easier.
