Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT

Current place of residence: Salt Lake City, UT

When did you start your sport? How did you get into it?

I started skiing right before I turned two. I was very lucky that my family built a cabin in the Wasatch mountains the year before I was born so I grew up surrounded by snow.  With backcountry skiers as parents, skiing was just part of life. My dad used to carry me to the top of a meadow near our cabin and plop me down on skis to cruise home between the aspen trees. 

The greatest challenge and gift your sport has provided. 

The greatest challenge in skiing has been finding my limits in ski mountaineering. I always want to push a little further and a little higher and it’s been humbling to accept my fears and work with them rather than against them. The greatest gift has been creating a supportive, strong, and creative community to be in the mountains with and the ability to spend so much time outside doing what I love.

Fun fact that most people would never know about you. 

Growing up, my nickname was ‘Powder Pig’ – when I started down a slope, I’d turn around to my dad and say “me first, don’t cross my tracks!” .. it makes me cringe now, but it does make for a good story.

Why Julbo? What is most appealing about Julbo as a brand? What excites you about the brand? What separates Julbo from other eyewear companies?

I’m drawn to the drive of the company to continually improve eyewear for all disciplines – the lens technology and fit is top of the line because the designers want each product to perform the best it possibly can. I find the brand history fascinating and am proud to work with a heritage company in the industry. The most exciting aspect for me is the REACTIV lenses – I love not having to swap lenses each time the clouds come in or when it gets dark.

Sweet or salty? 

Sweet

 
One piece of advice for someone looking to get into the sport competitively, professionally, etc. 

Take learning seriously. I think backcountry skiing is an amazing sport in that you can make it as easy or wild as you want – you can play it safe all the time and still enjoy yourself or ramp it up to climbing and skiing first descents, but the safety aspect is hugely important and as more people get into the mountains, avalanche awareness becomes more and more necessary.

When not training or traveling for your sport what do you like to do? 

I love being home, cooking, doing yoga, eating out of the garden and hanging out with our chickens as well as exploring the canyons of the Utah desert as much as possible.

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