A SPOT at Freeride Junior World Championships in Kappl in 2025 was just a dream for Finn Jacobsen as little as six months ago.

The 16-year-old from the Mornington Peninsula, who called Hotham home for most of his junior training, stamped his authority on the Freeride Junior World Tour this winter with two wins in Spain and Austria to catapult him to the top of the world rankings.

Nick Higginson (NH), Mt Hotham Falls Creek News' on-mountain scribe,sat down with Finn (FJ) to ask the current Number 1 ranked Junior Freeride athlete in the world how he likes to ride his home mountain.

NH: Through a freeride lens, what’s your favourite way to ride Hotham? What’s your go to lap?

FJ: I’ve got a couple for sure.

Boost off the top of the cornice and into Black Snake, hitting little rollers and pops down the fall line, then once you’re into the gully riding the walls, jumping off, carving the right footer back up the wall before the D8 cat track side hit.

Another one which is perfect for freeride if the snow is on is Upper and Lower Wall of Death, boosting under the Village Chair, hitting little features and trying to hold on, shut down speed, stay in control - even when I’m not.

NH: Sounds like fun, what about if the weather rolls as it can at Hotham and we lose the visibility? What’s your contingency plan?

FJ: Probably Summit Park, work on some smaller stuff, little rails and tricks.

Or even moving into Sundowner and Off the Edge and trying to work with the variable fall line and bumps, boosting off little moguls and bushes, doing short turns, charging down everything to find the limit.

There is a wind lip in the Orchard when the conditions are right which is pretty fun.

NH: Lookers right under the chair?

FJ: Yeah, it didn’t really form up last year but that can be good place to have some fun when visibility is low.

NH: Backy practice?

FJ: Of course.

NH: Anywhere else?

FJ: Golden point is good when the conditions are on, lots of fun to be had out there.

I also like Lower Playground, boost off the top cat track and find a line down there away from the crowds.

NH: Nice, anywhere else that stands out?

FJ: Hotham is just a little playground, there’s always something fun to be had, just get out there and charge.

NH: Tip it and rip it?

FJ: That’s it.

Always obey ski patrol instructions and avoid closed areas for your own safety.

Observe slow zones, wear protective equipment, and take lessons to develop skills and push your limits this winter.

Hotham Freeski and Team Hotham both offer multi-day and seasonal programs for young athletes who want to take it to the next level this winter.