Freeskiing is more than a sport—it’s an art form that blends travel, language, sensory connections, and a profound awareness of the natural world. Few embody this ethos as fully as Arianna Tricomi. Hailing from Alta Badia, Tricomi is a three-time Freeride World Tour champion, a multifaceted skier, and multilingual storyteller. Her ever-evolving relationship with the mountains has become a rich mosaic of exploration, creativity, and self-expression.

The latest chapter in her journey takes the form of Arianna’s Van Life Diary, a YouTube series that transforms her itinerant lifestyle into a narrative canvas. Through it, Tricomi invites viewers to experience the peaks as she does—not just as natural wonders, but as spaces for shared discovery and meaningful connection.

To celebrate this hybrid adventure, we sat down with this Red Bull athlete to delve into the philosophy of a sporting excellence who has mastered the mountains and redefined what it means to tell their stories. Her approach is one of elevation, both literal and metaphorical, as she brings the beauty and essence of the mountain universe to a global audience.

You often refer to the mountain as your ‘great teacher.’ With Arianna’s Van Life Diary, you’ve added travel as an integral part of this journey. How do these two elements—mountains and travel—combine to shape your philosophy and approach to life?

“It’s true—the mountain is my greatest teacher. I think it’s a sentiment many can relate to because mountains have this unique way of humbling you. They shrink your ego, your sense of self, and even your problems. Everyday issues often feel monumental, but standing in front of a towering peak puts everything into perspective. It’s a sensation I’m constantly on the lookout for in my life.

This connection naturally ties into my love for travel. Arianna’s Van Life Diary made that connection even more local, as we stayed close to my roots in Italy and Austria. But the van has become more than transportation for me—it symbolizes freedom. During the pandemic, it gave me a sense of liberation when the idea seemed so shaky.

I love the simplicity of taking my ‘home’ with me, even if it comes with its challenges. Whether it’s keeping warm on freezing days or dealing with the unpredictability of van life, it’s all part of the experience. And while it’s always nice to come back to a ‘real’ home for a proper shower without worrying you’ll be kicked out or forced to move on, the van has introduced me to so many people and moments I wouldn’t trade for anything.”

You’ve shared some details about your van life, and it’s clear that you’re the type of person who looks for meaning in the details, in images and sensations connected to your sporting world—and beyond. How has this search evolved, and what role does it continue to play in your life?

“I think it’s both necessary and beautiful to keep a childlike perspective in life—to notice the small details that make a place, a situation, or even a race unique. This curiosity makes life exciting, which my parents instilled in me, whether consciously or not. My mother especially gets enthusiastic about life’s little moments; even now, she’ll point out the shapes of clouds and make me stop to appreciate them.

I think this same curiosity influences how I approach freeskiing. As riders, we are free to express a certain style and interpret a course in our own way. I love observing how everyone’s got a different approach—how a single slope can be visualized and tackled in countless ways. Freeskiing has a deeply subjective component, and that’s what draws me to it.

In my preparation for events, I always follow my personal flow, listening to what my body, spirit, and mind need. Of course, after turning 30, the physical side of training becomes more crucial—if you want to keep up with the younger generation, you can’t ignore it. But I’ve learned that my body naturally follows when my head and spirit are in the right place. The opposite is far more challenging to overcome.

For me, the keyword is always ‘balance’—in life as in sports.”

Reflecting on everything you’ve shared, how has your relationship with sports evolved, and how has it deepened or changed?

“I was just talking about this with some friends. Compared to the early days, my relationship with skiing has changed immensely—mostly because I never expected to get this far. It’s all been a series of surprises. I went to college and skied in every way imaginable, but there was never a moment when I told myself, ‘Okay, now I’m going pro.’ It all happened naturally, and for that, I’m grateful. Of course, taking that leap brings new dimensions to the sport and your passion. You start encountering aspects that aren’t as enjoyable as the pure love for skiing—logistics, pressures, and everything that comes with the professional side. The challenge has always been to keep that passion alive by surrounding myself with the right people.

But thankfully the mountains are endlessly vast, offering countless opportunities for discovery—both in the terrain itself and through the sport. They continue to excite me and fuel my growth. I’ve transitioned from downhill to park skiing, to freeskiing, and now I’m exploring ski mountaineering. It feels like a new chapter. Out there with ice axes and crampons, I feel like I’m rediscovering the sport all over again. The opportunity to keep evolving within the same environment is something I really cherish.”

In some videos, we hear you speaking Ladin, a rare language strain, along with several other languages. How do you embrace and navigate this polyglot identity of yours?

“Numbers and math were never my strong suit, but languages were definitely my thing. Growing up in the ‘Valle,’ I was fortunate to be immersed in three languages from an early age: Italian, German, and Ladin. That multilingual environment was the perfect foundation for embracing other languages later in life. While learning them took effort and commitment, I always had a natural flair. They’ve become a gateway for me to immerse myself in experiences, connect with local people, and navigate unexpected challenges—like a recent trip to Mexico. The Freeride World Tour also played a significant role in keeping my linguistic skills sharp, allowing me to build better relationships with other freeskiers.”

Building on that, have you ever considered skiing a form of language? And how do you approach your role as a communicator—or rather, storyteller—a role further amplified by Arianna’s Van Life Diary?

“Absolutely, skiing—and especially freeskiing—is a language in itself. Freeskiing reveals a lot about a person’s character. Some approaches are fluid and gentle, others aggressive and radical. There are straight lines and surf-inspired curves; it’s a form of communication that blends sport and art.

As for being a storyteller, I genuinely enjoy sharing my experiences and drawing people into my world. I’ve realized that my lifestyle resonates with many, even if it feels totally natural to me because it’s how I was raised. My mom is adventurous; I remember sleeping in the car during road trips with her.

However, communicating through social media carries responsibility. Over time, I’ve become more mindful of what I share and how I share it. My goal is education. A lot of young people watch videos of awesome rides without really understanding the preparation, experience, and safety measures behind them. Dreams can quickly turn into disasters without the proper foundation. For instance, I’m about to take another avalanche safety course. I’ve done countless courses but I know the importance of continued learning. Focusing on safety and preparation is part of setting a good example.

This philosophy is reflected in Arianna’s Van Life Diary. In every episode, I make a point of working with a mountain guide—not necessarily because I need one, but to emphasize the value of relying on professionals. These experts possess thorough knowledge of the mountains and are crucial in reducing risk, even for experienced adventurers like myself. It’s all about respecting the environment and showing that beauty and adrenaline must always be paired with preparation and awareness.”

How does it feel to influence the younger generation’s knowledge and approach to the mountains?

“It warms my heart to think I can inspire someone to get outside, breathe fresh air, and reconnect with nature. At its heart, it’s the most straightforward and instinctive thing we can do—aligning with the natural elements and remembering that we, too, are part of it. It shouldn’t even be necessary to get people motivated; everyone should trust their instincts and the desire to feel good.

In terms of sports, sometimes I’m blown away by the sheer talent of the new generation. Many of these young athletes blow right by me (laughs). I hope they, in turn, set an example that goes beyond just adrenaline and thrill-seeking.

Lastly, I’m excited to see how the Freeride World Tour is going to evolve, especially as more women enter the sport. It’s encouraging to see freeskiing increasingly embraced by female athletes globally, though, in Italy, we’re still lagging behind. Through interviews like this one, I hope to inspire more young people in my country to discover and fall in love with freeskiing—and skiing in general.”