Whitefish freeskier Townsend Reed competed in the YETI Freeride Junior World Championships in Kappl, Austria, on Jan. 13. 

Reed was ranked fifth in the world going into the competition that included 64 elite junior athletes from 16 countries. The event took place at the Quellspitze venue, at an altitude of 8,825 feet, with a 1,150-foot vertical drop. 

The fourth male skier to take off from the dramatic peak, Reed was putting down what experienced commentator Flo Orley described as the winning run of the day, when he fell, just before the finish.  

"Reed Townsend with one of the most amazing runs I have seen in my whole life down the Quellspitze,” Orley exclaimed. “Had he landed that, I would have given him a 95 right away.” 

Reed’s run opened with what Orley described as a “flawless” and “incredible” jump, followed by another “huge” 360 spin. 

Nearing the finish, he carried speed into a jump from a shelf and nearly saved the landing but fell. His right ski hit a rock and he lost his left ski. The ride had been spectacular, with giant air, lots of speed and a uniquely chosen line. 

“He was flying for 70 feet or more and putting it to his feet like it was nothing,” Orley raved after the run. “Thanks for the show, Reed, we’re running out of words to describe what we see.” 

COMPETITORS AT THE Junior Worlds had only one run to show their skill. The two days leading up to the competition are inspection days when participants are allowed to inspect the run from the bottom of the course but they are not allowed on the course.  

“That was a first. It's definitely like a whole different sport,” Reed said. “Usually, we get to go on the face and take pictures. 

“Trying to make landmarks and figuring out the skiing is really tough,” he added. “It definitely makes it pretty nerve-wracking, too, but it feels really cool to ski it like that, and the snow conditions were amazing.” 

Once on the course, Reed had to recall what he had studied from the bottom of the slope. 

“I was trying to know my landmarks but not think about it too much,” he said. “You kind of just have to go for it.” 

The field included men and women skiers and snowboarders under 18 years of age, and many of them crashed. Reed said everyone was trying to push it and that each year, the level of difficulty goes up a notch. 

“If your ski comes off, it’s immediately a no score,” Reed said. “If you crash and your skis stay on, it’ll definitely be a low score, but you do get a score.” 

The rest of the scoring is based on five criteria: Choice of line, fluidity, jumps, control and technique.  

“I was bummed but I still had an amazing time,” Reed said of his first and final time competing at the Junior Worlds. 

Now that he is 18, he moves on to compete at the adult level where backflips are permitted. He said competing as an adult opens a new world of tricks. 

With the rest of his gap year, Reed will be competing in freeride world qualifiers in Utah, New Mexico and Colorado. He is working toward being able to compete in the Freeride World Tour, the pinnacle of his sport. 

“That's a huge goal of mine and I'd love to make it there someday,” he said. 

BEFORE KYLE TAYLOR started the Flathead Freeride Club in 2011, Reed had been freeskiing around the Big Mountain for years, modeling his skiing on local role models. 

“Before then, it was just looking up to skiers like Parkin Costain and Gardner Dominick from Whitefish,” Reed said. “They'd been competing in freeride their whole lives without the team as well.” 

“They took me under their wing and it was really cool to learn from those guys and really look up to them and try to do what they were doing,” he added. 

Reed said Costain was a huge inspiration. 

“My whole childhood, just seeing him come out of Whitefish and doing all that he does now was pretty cool,” Reed recalled. “My first ever freeride comp, he was my coach and that was just unreal because he was a huge celebrity to me at the time.” 

Costain remembers being impressed by the young freeskier and helping him with line choice at one of his first competitions in Big Sky.  

“He's definitely super naturally gifted on skis and it's something that comes through when you watch him. He just looks so comfortable,” Costain noted. “From day one, that’s what I noticed.” 

Costain said even though Reed fell at Worlds, his skiing stood out. 

“Everyone was like, wow, this kid can charge and he’s really comfortable and stylish,” Costain said. “I think he’s going to have a cool career and I'm excited to see him grow into it in the next few years.” 

REED SAID THE Flathead Freeride Club allowed him and his friends to travel together and have coaches to show them how to train. He said he is thankful for the amazing job that Taylor has done with the team. It is a relationship brimming with mutual respect. 

“I was extremely proud of Townsend for qualifying and proving to the world that he not only belonged there, but he is ready for the next step up to the Freeride World Tour,” Taylor said. “It was great for the Flathead Freeride Club to qualify an athlete in its third season.” 

Reed’s parents, Nikki and Doug, and his sister Kendall were in Austria to watch his championship run. 

“Townsend threw down an amazing run,” said Doug. “Obviously, it's that last hit that got him, but we couldn't be more proud. 

“That landing was wicked because his right ski hit that rock, but he almost landed it, still,” Doug added. “Nikki and I are super glad that he’s OK.” 

Reed expressed gratitude for the support of his friends, family and the local ski community, including Whitefish Mountain Resort, the Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation and Andy Connelly, who helped spark Reed’s passion for skiing.  

“Such a good place to grow up as a skier,” Reed said of Whitefish. “I just continue to be amazed by the community and how close everyone is.” 

Watch Reed’s Freeride Junior World Championship run at replay at 2025 YETI Freeride Junior World Championships Kappl by Dynastar – Freeride World Tour.