By Staff Report
After an injury cut her 2024 season short, Killington native Taylor Dobyns is back on the Freeride World Tour (FWT), ready to reclaim her place among the world’s best freeride skiers. Dobyns, who qualified for the prestigious FWT Pro Circuit last year, received a season wildcard for 2025 and has already made a strong return with a seventh-place finish at the Baqueira Beret Pro in Spain.
“I’m thrilled to be back on the FWT after such a challenging start to my professional freeride career,” said Dobyns. “I’ve worked hard to stay focused, recover, and come back stronger. This season, I’m ready to show everyone what I’m capable of.”
From Killington to the global stage
Dobyns’ skiing career began with Alpine racing at Killington before transitioning to freeriding while attending the University of Denver. There, she played a key role in founding the school’s freeride team, balancing her studies with her growing ambitions in competitive skiing. Now a public defender for the State of Montana, she draws parallels between the high-pressure environments of the courtroom and elite-level skiing.
Her bond with her sister Tory Dobyns, also a competitive skier, has played a significant role in her development. The duo has pushed each other to new heights, with Taylor proving her ability on the FWT Challenger Series, where she took second place overall in 2023 to earn her spot on the FWT Pro Circuit.
A comeback season to watch
The 2025 FWT season is more than redemption for Dobyns—it is also a qualifying year for the inaugural FIS Freeride World Championships in 2026. With six stops on the FWT, each event presents an opportunity to prove her skills and work toward a podium finish.
Upcoming events include:
Val Thorens Pro, French Alps – Jan. 27 – Feb. 1
Kicking Horse Golden BC Pro, British Columbia – Dates TBA
As Dobyns continues her season, local fans can also look toward Stowe’s IFSA events, where young skiers compete for their own shot at the Freeride World Tour. The 2025 Stowe IFSA Junior takes place on Jan. 31, followed by the 2025 Stowe IFSA Qualifier on Feb. 21. These events showcase rising talent, much like Dobyns when she first began her journey on the FWT Qualifier (FWQ) circuit.
Bringing Vermont’s spirit to Freeride’s global stage
Dobyns’ return highlights freeride skiing’s growing recognition as a potential Olympic sport for 2030. Her comeback season will be closely watched as she represents Killington on the international stage, carrying Vermont’s legacy of skiing excellence into the future.
Follow Dobyns’ journey at freerideworldtour.com.
