Athletes

Current favorite piece/pieces of gear?
Volkl BMT 122, I am constantly impressed with how hard I ski this touring ski. Oh and my Stio Alpine Pullover because it's tight AF.

What’s your “Back in my day, we…”?
Didn't have cell phones. We'd just get dropped off at the hill and stay until we could get a ride home. Tickets were 5 bucks for the kids who didn't have passes and we knew about every deal, scam and free scrap of food you could find. We also had a sizable mental inventory of all the hot tubs we could poach. We called our selves the Alkasquawlics because we got after it every day we could (oh and we liked to party too). The ski hill was our home, we even slept in the locker rooms some nights. We had every feature mapped out so that we could get as many hits in as possible per lap. When it dumped, we went to work punching cliffs and pushing each other to try new tricks. Riding down mountains was all we thought about.

Who has inspired your skiing the most?
Skate films: "Chocolate Tour" and "Welcome to Hell." Snowboard films: "Decade" and "The Resistance." Ski Movies: "13" "Degenerates" and "Chapter 3." Skiers: Eric Pollard, Skogan Sprang, Mike Laroache, Candide Thovex.

Best recovery exercises?
Bike.

Ideal down day?
Just depends on how hard the beatings were leading up to it.

Favorite on-mountain fuel/snack?
Hi Ball Energy Water, it gets me fired up without the jitters of a strong coffee and I feel good about drinking it because the ingredients are organic and thoughtfully sourced. I'm also very addicted to the new Tender Belly pork jerky, it’s like a bacon in a bag. It's unreal.

Spiciest/most intimidating line you've skied or ridden this year?
The spiciest line was the first one I skied this winter at Points North Heli in AK. I decided to roll the dice and gap my slough on the first line of the trip (and it was my first legit line of the season), I turned a little low on the first take off because I wasn't quite skiing it with purpose and I hit a rock. I got bucked but somehow landed on my feet on my second take off and it popped me just perfectly out into the landing pad above the bergschrund.

Goals in skiing/riding this next year?
I just want to have fun and shred as hard as I can.

What’s a great book you’ve read recently?
The Way of Zen by Alan Watts.

Favorite mountain range?
Can't play favorites. I get very nostalgic thinking about the Sierra Nevadas but there are too many rad mountains to claim any one range.

The working title for the book or movie about your life?
“Let the Riding Do the Talking."

Best moment filming with WME this year?
The northern lights were as strong as I've ever seen them on our last night in AK. We stayed up late and jammed to the Dead and watched the show.

How did Warren Miller the man influence your skiing/riding career?
He must be one of skiing's most influential people of all time. I can't imagine that any other skier has been able to reach as many people as he has. I am certain that without Warren, the sport would be different than it is today. I am also certain that his films influenced a lot of the people I was influenced by. Major impact…

Current favorite piece/pieces of gear?
The new Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro boot is pretty ridiculous. So light and good to hike with, but still strong enough for proper shredding.

What’s your “Back in my day, we…”?
Back in the day I used to be drunk every day. Now I'm more into the skiing side of skiing…

Who has inspired your skiing the most?
It changes all the time. Through the years I've found inspiration in different styles, from Tomba to Nicolas Müller and everything between.

Best recovery exercises?
Small beer, small snack and small stretch.

Ideal down day?
The one that's followed by a pow day.

Favorite on-mountain fuel/snack?
I claim I'm doing the perfect sandwich. Dark toast bread, avocado, fried egg and some fine Swiss mountain cheese. I've been doing the same one for about five years, and still gets happy every time I eat it. #gettingold Ha ha.

Spiciest/most intimidating line you've skied or ridden this year?
Did a steep, hidden chute in Engelberg that turned into ice half way down it. Would have been fine if I hadn't massacred my edges on rocks the run before.

Goals in skiing/riding this next year?
I'm super keen on diving a little deeper into the big mountains around Engelberg. There are so many unknown and cool traverses to do around there. But I would lie if I said I'm not stoked to shred the resort more and harder to. There's something about laps with you buddies that a ski tour can't do. Also, since I'm from Sweden, I would really like to do some bigger spring exploring missions!

What’s a great book you’ve read recently?
Kristin Lavransdotter by Sigrid Undset.

Favorite mountain range?
I really like the northern alpine ridge and the Central Switzerland mountains. It's the variety I love. Some looks like the Dolomites, and some are jagged and pointy.

Working title for the book or movie about your life?
The world youngest old man.

Best moment filming with WME this year?
We had a pretty unreal sunrise moment at the top of Mount Titlis. There's something special about riding lifts and hiking in the dark to get to your spot. Way cooler than sunsets.

How did Warren Miller the man influence your skiing/riding career?
He seems to have been a man that, even if he did great things, never was about prestige. That's how I want to look at both skiing and my life - rather having fun than trying to do what other think is cool. That's when cool stuff happens.

FEATURED ATHLETE: SIMON HILLIS

 
Where did you grow up & where did you grow up skiing? 
I was born in Bali, then moved to Canada when I was 3 and I’ve lived in Rossland BC ever since.

 

What’s your “Back in my day, we…”?
We used to look at the lines we ski today, 

 

Who has inspired your skiing the most?
Dane Tudor and Richard Permin.

 

How did Warren Miller the man influence your skiing/riding career?
He’s the OG for ski movies. 
 
 

Where did you grow up & where did you grow up skiing?
Grew up in Vågå Norway, and learned to ski at Lemonlake, the local ski center by the Jotunheimen National Park.

Current favorite piece/pieces of gear? Why?
ULLR Powder suit from Helly Hansen (keeps you dry and is really comfy) and Kästle BMX105 HP (an all-round ski that works in every condition).

What’s your “Back in my day, we…”?
Skied around Europe in a crappy car.

Who has inspired your skiing the most?
My Crazy cousin Øystein Bakke and of course Seth Morrison.

Best recovery exercises?
PlayStation and then a lot of hours in the gym.

Ideal down day?
At a trampoline park or playing tennis.

How did Warren Miller the man influence your skiing/riding career?
He gathered a lot of good people and showed the world what was possible. The WM movies have always been inspirational!

Name a person who inspires you to be a better skier?

Kent Krietler.

 

What would you do if you won the lottery?

Move off the grid, setup an ice cream truck business.

 

What would you do if you won the lottery?

Give a lot of it away. Mo' money mo' problems.

 

Breakfast of champions?

Meal? Breakfast. Dish? Salmon poke bowls.

 

Favorite chairlift and why?

Sublette! It serves the best upper mountain powder buffet ever!

 

The most interesting thing you’ve read or seen this year? (books, podcasts, TV shows)

Joe Rogan featuring Tom O’Neil, Helter Skelter and the Charles Manson MK ultra connection.

 
Ideal down day?

Hot springs, breakfast a few times and a half day of skiing. Half days are rest days.

 

Fictitious character you most identify with from a book, movie, etc. and why?

Wayne Szalinski from 'Honey I Shrunk the Kids,' because I often feel like the world is just SO DAMN BIG!

 

Favorite classic ski film and why?

Salad Days from TGR for the soundtrack and Cast. Skiing was doing a pivot during that time and things were progressing so fast, it was so fun to see.

 

Highlight memory from filming with WME for this year's film?

Skiing Buddy Love Spines.

 

How do you think the year 2020 will shape the future of skiing?

I think people will branch out and learn to love skiing the way I love skiing and skiing will change their lives the way skiing changed my life. Skiing for the win.

 

Gear you are loving right now, on or off the ski slopes, and why? 

Kate’s Realfood dark chocolate and cherry bars, because everything is more fun with snacks.

 

What is your vision for the future of skiing?

My vision now is 20/20 and hopefully it’ll be 20/20 in the future too, but when I’m submarining through mid February Wyoming pow my vision is much much worse in fact, I can’t see anything but white and no amount of spectacles can help me.

 

What is a cause you care about that you'd love to share with the Warren Miller audience?

A cause? A global increase in awareness, critical thinking, open mindedness, adaptability and compassion. Be like water.

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Don't miss Forrest in our 71st film, Future Retro, dropping Fall 2020

Name a person who inspires you to be a better skier/rider?
People like Johan Olofsson, Noah Salasnek, and Dave Hatchett that paved the way for big mountain riding. They had true values of what snowboarding means to me and pushed the progression in the right direction. Forever respect those guys and appreciate how much they put on the line. Huge impact

In lieu of our 70th film, what’s your most memorable or favorite Warren Miller film or segment – past or present?
Not to be biased, but I would have to say the Points North Heli segment in Alaska from the 67th "Here, There, and Everywhere" was my favorite. Two Alaskans getting to ride the vast Chugach Mountain around Cordova in their home state made for a great time and a really amazing segment. Just so fun to be back in those mountains with my best friend.

What would you do if you won the lottery?
First I would donate a bunch of it to nonprofits that are trying to curb global warming and try to help keep these snowflakes falling for years to come so that we can all enjoy the magic of winter. Of course, then I would have to enjoy a few years of following endless winters and storm chasing globally. The ultimate dream right?!

Best meal you can cook?
A good fresh Salmon dinner on the grill is hard to beat, but I love cooking a good lasagna or Japanese curry

Favorite chairlift and why?
Chair 6 at Crystal Mtn. If you know, you know 😜

The most interesting thing you’ve read or seen this year? (books, podcasts, TV shows)
Crude Magazine's podcast on Patreon is doing some great interviews from Alaska. Really enjoying Cody Liska's insights on current happenings and the history of the snow world up there.

Fictitious character you most identify with from a book, movie, etc. and why?
I don't know if identifying is the right word, but Iorek Byrnison from the Golden Compass is a magic bear from Svalbard that is the true king of the panserbjorne. Bears are cool, ice bears that can talk and have there own society are even more awesome! Pick up that series, it's a fun read

Highlight memory from filming with WME for this year's film?
Ryland and I hiking up some amazing Swiss terrain and looking around to glaciers everywhere. You can ski/board right into town or apres from a '5000 vertical run accessed by tram or train. Pretty cool. Such an amazing place and so beautiful!

Gear you are loving right now, on or off the ski slopes, and why?
All of the gear I use I stand behind 100% but YES. Snowboards are really stepping up the way boards should perform, and redefining the standard of shapes & quality. Also, Ombraz Sunglasses are revolutionary, peep em!

What is a cause you care about that you'd love to share with the Warren Miller audience?
Would have to go with POW. There are a lot of passionate individuals right now in the snow sports industry trying to fight for the right side of climate change issues. Thank you all for your hard work and caring enough about the state of winter to be actively trying to make a difference for the good.

Do you have any sponsors, if yes, who?
YES. Snowboards, Now Bindings, Intuition Liners, Homeschool Outerwear, Smith Optics, Ombraz Sunglasses, Van's Snow, Aurora Projekt, Boarderline Alaska

Featured Athlete: Amie Engerbretson 

 

Name a person who inspires you to be a better skier?

My dad! He is a great skier, my favorite ski partner and as he always likes to point out, he did it on skinny skies, so it should be easy for me!

What would you do if you won the lottery?

Invent (okay find someone to invent) an electric helicopter and then take all my friends heli-skiing all the time! 

Breakfast of champions?

Sourdough toast with extra butter. Whatever else you want to pair with it is great, but good sourdough with good butter is a must!

Favorite chairlift and why?

KT-22, duh! (at Squaw) It's my favorite because it is the best chairlift on the planet! The terrain access is amazing, fall line, steep skiing. No hiking, sidestepping or mega traversing necessary. The lift access multiple aspects which is great for spring skiing as well because you just follow the sun to ski great snow all day long.

The most interesting thing you’ve read or seen this year? (books, podcasts, TV shows)

I have been on a documentary kick lately... my top three are The Fantastic Fungi, Biggest Little Farm and Miss Americana (the T-Swift doc, oh ya!).

Ideal down day?

I love to sleep in and enjoy a long morning with great coffee (and heavily buttered sourdough toast of course) on a down day. Beyond that I love spending down days with my dog Bill, snuggling and playing. If I can find a killer massage or a great bubble bath, then I am the happiest girl in the world! 

Fictitious character you most identify with from a book, movie, etc. and why?

I mean Carrie Bradshaw duh! No idea why, other than I want to! "Later that day I got to thinking about relationships. There are those that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that’s just fabulous!" - Carrie Bradshaw

Highlight memory from filming with WME for this year's film?

We scored the day of my dreams in Engelberg this year. My first trip as a professional skier was to Engelberg about 8 years ago. I have wanted to go back ever since and more specifically I have wanted to shoot with Oskar Enander at Engelberg. Well my dreams came true and we had a spectacular blue bird pow day! Oskar showed us all the goods and you know we got some banger shots!

Gear you are loving right now, on or off the ski slopes, and why?

I am obsessed with my new Spyder Solitaire Kit. I have been working with Spyder for a few years on the new Big Mountain Freeski line and we released the second generation of the Solitaire jacket and bibs and I couldn’t love them more. The kit has a great practical, athletic fit but is still super flattering and comfortable. We changed a few of the details of the garments, upgraded a few things and I love where we are at. The kit is Goretex pro and I LOVE the new colors!

What is a cause you care about that you'd love to share with the Warren Miller audience?

POW! Also known as Protect Our Winters. Keeping our planet, our climate and our winters alive and well for generations to come is cause that all of use, lovers of the mountains, can come together on. Check it out and find out how you can help!

How do you think the year 2020 will shape the future of skiing?

This year was different in so many ways and I have to say I have never been more grateful for a ski season. Skiing was the first thing I got to do that felt normal in a long time and while I didn’t travel like normal, I still found great snow and had epic days in the mountains with friends. 

What is your vision for the future of skiing?

My vision for skiing and snowboarding is a culture, an industry and a community of inclusion. I hope that rather than our sport becoming more exclusive, that we can grow the sport to include more and more people, sharing the joy of the mountains and sliding on snow with as many people as possible. I believe there is plenty of powder to go around for everyone!

Favorite classic ski film and why?

Ski Movie 1. I am not sure it qualifies as a classic but it has been my favorite for most of my life. The skiing is killer of course and I love the way all the athletes play a character and you get see their silly and goofy side. To me skiing is fun and I love movies that show that!

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Don't miss Amie in our 72nd film, Winter Starts Now, dropping Fall 2021!

FEATURED ATHLETE: Marcus Caston

Name a person who inspires you to be a better skier?

The people sitting on the chair overhead.

 
Favorite classic ski film and why?

Beyond the Edge. Classic Warren Miller. 

 

What makes for the ultimate day on the mountain?

A good lunch break! I can't remember a bad day on the mountain with a good lunch.

 

 

 

FEATURED ATHLETE: Lexi duPont

Name a person who inspires you to be a better skier? 

Michelle Parker

 

Favorite chairlift and why?

The Stoke!!!! (In Revelstoke) Hot laps on the STOKE all day baby!!!! It provides access to my favorite terrain on earth. Nothing beats hot lapping the stoke with a sendy crew on a pow day!

 

Fictitious character you most identify with from a book, movie, etc. and why?

Cookie Monster! "Friend something better than chocolate Ice-cream... maybe friend somebody you give up last cookie for." It's as simple as that.

 

Favorite classic ski film and why?

Blizzard of Aahhh's. Greg Stump changed my life with that film. After watching It I knew I wanted to ski as much as humanly possible and maybe one day grow up to ski like Kim Reichhelm. I feel like it changed skiing and action sports film making forever.

 

 
 

Train Like a Pro

For professional skiers, staying on top of the game is always a twelve month project. We asked a few stars from this year’s film about some of their most indispensable workouts for this summer.

| June 23, 2014

For professional skiers, staying on top of the game is always a twelve month project. Skiing powder, high-speed lines, and stomping cliffs, whether for the cameras or just for fun, requires year rounf physical strength and conditioning both mentally and physically.

We asked a few stars from this year’s film about some of their most indispensible workouts for this summer. However, it’s not all your standard leg press or sandbag workouts: today’s athletes are open to a surprising array of ways to stay in peak physical form. Here, five top-level skiers give us a look into some surprising moves that keep them at their best through the summer months and even throughout the ski season.

 

JT HOLMES, professional skier, ski-BASE jumper, speed flyer

In the summer, I ride my bicycles, mountain bike, road bike, and my cruiser. I also hike my brains out seeking airtime in the mountains, for speed flying and BASE jumping. But before I do that, I stretch.

If I have only a little bit of time to stretch, I do pigeon pose [from yoga]: I do three to five-minute pigeon on each side, right leg and then left. And then I am ready to abuse my body all day long!

VIDEO: http://youtu.be/VE0xmsx6EkY

 

MILES SMART, IFMGA/UIAGM and AMGA mountain guide and heliski guide

I don't do any gym training, but for training in the off-season, I do a lot of cycling. I usually try to go on three or four big road rides a week, which can run about 60 to 120 miles, with 6,500 to 9,500 feet of climbing. This type of riding is really easy to find in the Alps where I live.

Another thing I've found to be helpful is stretching. I'm not into yoga, but the "downward dog" is a great stretch for tight hamstrings.

IMAGE: http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/491

 

INGRID BACKSTROM, professional skier

The one move that always seems to be in all of my dryland training workouts is the split lunge jump: you jump up and land in a lunge with one leg forward, knee at 90 degrees over your foot, and the back leg bends down so your back knee almost touches the floor. From here, jump up and switch legs all in one motion so the other one is now forward. 

I try to jump quickly but not so fast that I'm losing form--it should be a controlled movement, using the upward jump for power and the down for squeezing and control. The main thing is to keep the core engaged, back straight, and really use those glutes. I incorporate this into other workouts but generally try to do three sets of a minute each total. It never fails to make me sore! 

VIDEO: http://youtu.be/cdFyA89Kp0Y

For upper body (shoulders and core) I like the twisting side plank. Lay on your side and then push up to a partial plank on one elbow, with your entire body in a straight line (no sagging hips!), and feet stacked on top of each other with the top arm extended straight up in the air. Keeping your whole body still and core engaged, slowly reach down with the top arm, rotating down with your body simultaneously and reach the top arm all the way under your body towards whatever is behind you.

Your hips should stay facing forward the whole time and you should only be rotating from your trunk, it's sort of a squeezing and wringing out motion while keeping the plank. This is good for your upper back, shoulders, and core. I try to do a few sets of twelve on each side--it seems easy but it sneaks up on you after several if you are doing them properly--slow and controlled.

VIDEO: http://youtu.be/hwRmic0GF80

 

HEATHER PAUL, professional skier, globetrotter, and runner

My favorite thing to do in addition to trail running at least 4-5 times a week is to add a little spice to those runs...I add intervals to make me stronger and more fit cardiovascular-wise. This is a great way to make you stronger. I usually do it with friends. I pick out a landmark...like a tree up ahead in the distance, sprint to that tree at 110 percent and then walk for 30-50 seconds. Then I lunge to the next landmark, or walk, sprint, lunge, do butt kicks, or high knees. I basically like to do a few different things to keep it interesting, mostly full speed, ass-kicking sprints! 

Another great one I do all the time is a side plank with hip dips (25 each side) everyday. This helps you strengthen your core, which is amazing for staying injury-free and resilient.

VIDEO: http://youtu.be/j9X7owkYnag

 

CHRIS ANTHONY, professional skier and non-profit director

Over the years I have changed my workout a bit based on the recovery time and injuries I’m dealing with. What I have found the best is high intensity, low impact programs, while always switching it up so the body does not get in a routine. I also try to stay off the hard surfaces [such as pavement].

Most of this has been through a combination of classes, which are mostly dominated by women who make me feel weak, including barre ballet classes. I know what you are thinking but they are great for tuning in the small balance muscles, which are often ignored.

VIDEO: http://www.shape.com/fitness/workouts/home-barre-workout

I get outside and speed hike whenever I can. I have several hikes that between 25 - 35 minutes and almost straight up.  

My other go-to is biking, both road and mountain biking. I dig hills and speed as they both cause pain and fun. Lately, I have been spending time in Italy biking through the Julian Alps. People are more than welcome to join me on one of my trips.

VIDEO: http://youtu.be/X7cbXbW8pjg

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