Speed, altitude, and so much style: Watching Finley Melville Ives land a halfpipe run is like seeing the future of freeski unfold in real time. The young Kiwi ripper can lace together the most advanced tricks with that classic, 'old soul' flair. Probably because Finley and his twin brother, Campbell, were raised on skis ever since the tender age of 3. But while his twin followed in the footsteps of their parents, both snowboard instructors at New Zealand's legendary Cardrona Alpine Resort, Fin took the road less traveled and committed to freeski.
In his case, 'committed' meant going all-in – absorbing everything possible about the sport and its heroes – as Finley not only began competing in New Zealand's Junior Nationals halfpipe contests at age 5, but also built an insane trick repertoire in Big Air and slopestyle. Through it all, the superpipe is where Fin soars to unseen heights: At the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics in Gangwon, he clinched the silver medal for New Zealand and one year later stepped into the big leagues by earning gold at the 2025 World Championships in Engadin.
Just like that, Fin cemented himself as one of the main drivers of freeski progression – not bad coming from a family of die-hard snowboarders. "I am just trying to have as much fun as possible when I'm skiing and skiing is my happy place," said Fin. "The halfpipe is like a blank canvas and you're just like an artist with a paintbrush." Make sure to tune in for Finley's next masterpiece!
Speed, altitude, and so much style: Watching Finley Melville Ives land a halfpipe run is like seeing the future of freeski unfold in real time. The young Kiwi ripper can lace together the most advanced tricks with that classic, 'old soul' flair. Probably because Finley and his twin brother, Campbell, were raised on skis ever since the tender age of 3. But while his twin followed in the footsteps of their parents, both snowboard instructors at New Zealand's legendary Cardrona Alpine Resort, Fin took the road less traveled and committed to freeski.
In his case, 'committed' meant going all-in – absorbing everything possible about the sport and its heroes – as Finley not only began competing in New Zealand's Junior Nationals halfpipe contests at age 5, but also built an insane trick repertoire in Big Air and slopestyle. Through it all, the superpipe is where Fin soars to unseen heights: At the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics in Gangwon, he clinched the silver medal for New Zealand and one year later stepped into the big leagues by earning gold at the 2025 World Championships in Engadin.
Just like that, Fin cemented himself as one of the main drivers of freeski progression – not bad coming from a family of die-hard snowboarders. "I am just trying to have as much fun as possible when I'm skiing and skiing is my happy place," said Fin. "The halfpipe is like a blank canvas and you're just like an artist with a paintbrush." Make sure to tune in for Finley's next masterpiece!