Interview

1. Favorite Dalbello Boot

Krypton T.I.

2. What do you use this boot for?

Backcountry/big mountain skiing

3. Why do you like this boot?

I mean this boot has always been the bread and butter of high performance downhill ski boots across the board, and to now have it feature a pin compatible toe just makes it that much better! Similar to the binding issue in the touring realm, certain features of touring boots designed to benefit uphill travel have sacrificed downhill performance. In this case, the walk mode featured in most touring boots on the market seems to affect the flex and overall rigidity of the boot. Dalbello, being at the forefront of ski boot innovation and technology, decided to solve the problem once and for all by simply throwing a pin compatible toe on their long loved Krypton boot. This boot paired with the Marker Duke PT binding has been the answer to all my problems when trying to ski high level backcountry lines or hitting big backcountry booters.

4. Why do you like being a part of the Dalbello team?

Dalbello are heavily involved in their athletes and keeping their athletes involved in the brand, i.e. product development. They play a major role in supplying the ski community with quality built high performance skis designed by the people that know best. Plus they do a lot to support events, films, and other projects which keep the sport alive.

5. How long have you been riding for Dalbello?

Come to think of it, Dalbello has been my longest standing sponsor to this day. I’ve been with them since the beginning of my professional ski career (roughly 2007), and even before that was skiing in Dalbello ski boots from a very young age. I like to think my feet have grown in the shape of a Dalbello ski boot because they’ve spent so much time in them over the years haha. I could and pretty much do live in my Dalbello ski boots.

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6. What age did you start skiing? 

3 years old

7. Biggest breakthrough in your ski career

Biggest breakthrough moment for me would have to be winning X Games Tignes in 2013. It was my first official invite to X Games believe it or not, and a major pivotal moment in my ski career.

8. Favorite Place to ride

Interior BC

9. Your Best Ski Trip you have done

I spent a couple weeks in Valais, Switzerland filming for Level 1’s “Pleasure” back in 2016 with Laurent De Martin and friends. Had an amazing two weeks wall riding massive dams, jumping over airplane hangars, and having insane raclette feasts! A very authentic Swiss experience.

10. Ski destination where you haven’t been and would like to go?

Haines, AK. I’ve actually been there once a couple years ago but we unfortunately got skunked and didn’t get to ski anything major so getting back up there and skiing some big lines is my top priority no doubt!

11. Ski Hero/Role Model Growing up

Tanner Hall. Love what he did for the progression and direction of skiing during his prime. His emphasis on style is why I looked up to him. And he’s still going! Dude is a legend no a doubt.

12. What do you do when you are not skiing?

These days I mostly spend my time outside of skiing either fly fishing or surfing, with a bit of mountain biking in the mix. Also been trying to work out as I get older to preserve and take care of my body so I can continue to do the things I enjoy most for as long possible. I do a lot of yoga and stretching in my spare time as well. I feel it is super beneficial for both mental and physical health. Breathing and moving is the best way to keep your body and mind in tune, which leads to better performance in just about every aspect of life.

13. How do you train to keep in shape for skiing?

I’ve always been big on staying in shape by doing things that I enjoy such as mountain biking, rock climbing, and even surfing. All very physically demanding sports that build strength and cardiovascular fitness. I also feel that you get great cognitive training from doing actual sports that is much harder to mimic in the gym. That being said, as I’ve gotten older and having been on the US Team for years I’ve adopted more of a gym/lifting routine to help optimize my performance when doing all the sports I love. Aside from all the physical and mental training I do I also take my diet rather seriously. I try to eat a very well balanced clean diet and drink lots of water. Basically just being conscious of what you’re eating on a day to day basis, such as where it came from, what it’s composed of will go a long way. You are what you eat.

14. What can’t you live without

food and water

15. Motto/Words you live by

If there’s a will there’s a way.

16. Most Humbling moment

Skiing into the finish area after my first run at the 2018 Olympics. I had sustained a grade 3 MCL just 3 weeks prior, dislocated shoulder, severely bruised calf, not to mention I was first on the start list. After all that was against me, being able to put down a run for my country with my family watching at the bottom was one of the greatest moments of my career. I was nowhere near the top of my game due to my recent injuries, and didn’t end up making finals (the first finals I’d missed at a slope event in over a year), but I achieved something that I had fought harder for than anything else in my life. A humbling moment to say the least.

17. Future Goals and Plans and Ambitions

Since hanging up the jersey and retiring from competition back in 2019, I’ve transitioned to full time backcountry filming. I just recently got my debut segment with TGR in their latest film Magic Hour, and I plan to continue working with these guys over the years to come. I’ve always been a huge fan of what they do so to be a part of the crew is an honor and a relationship I hope to continue to grow. Aside from my ski career, I recently invested in a startup Yerba Mate energy drink company called Yerba Cha, and it is absolutely taking off! This is kind of my big side project/investment that I hope to fall back on when my time as a professional skier comes to an end. But that ain’t happening anytime soon as the fire is burning hotter than ever for this new chapter of my ski career.