Interview

What is your fondest childhood memory? Summertime backpacking with my family and wintertime playing ice hockey on frozen lakes in Minnesota, where I grew up.

What was the most memorable moment of your life?. My most memorable moment so far has been the recognition that “I took the road less traveled…” to follow my childhood dream of becoming a professional skier. When I first told my friends and family what I intended to do, they thought I was a little crazy. It hasn’t always been easy (there’s no job security or health insurance and injuries are common), but when I watch the sunrise from the top of a mountain peak covered in a thick layer of fresh powder or see myself on the cover of a magazine or on the big screen, I know that “…it has made all the difference.” I hope to inspire the next generation to get out and explore their backyards on skis, foot or stand up paddle boards. I love working with the “raddest” outdoor companies, shooting with the best photographers and filmmakers, and hanging with the most passionate individuals. The people I’ve met and places I’ve been have made it worth it. I have come to understand that you can do anything you want; you just have to believe in it, fight for it and not be afraid to question the status quo.

Most memorable moment on snow? Teaching my dad how to ski powder at Alta.

What would surprise your fans most about you? I’m a committed environmentalist. I work with the local non-profit HEAL Utah to help bring cleaner energy to my home state. I also work with Protect Our Winters (POW) to talk to high school students about climate change solutions. I love all aspects of design, including graphics, clothing, architecture and even furniture. I also crochet and have a signature hat with Shed Alert called, the Caroline, that I created, and I’m working on hat collaborations with Discrete and Clif Bar.

Who’s your favorite musical artist that you’ve just heard of in the last 6 months?  Dirty Gold – I love their modern take on 60s surf music.

When you're having a bad day, what do you do to cheer up? Nothing cheers me up like working on an art project or crocheting a beanie. I especially like splatter paint for stress relief – throwing paint around is bound to put a smile on your face. Or I go get an intense workout – a big hike, yoga session or ski.

Who has influenced your skiing style the most? My boyfriend and ski photographers. Forrest Shearer is a professional snowboarder who grew up in Southern California as a surfer. We’re fortunate to enjoy spending time skiing and snowboarding together, in our home mountains, Snowbird and Brighton, and in the backcountry—for work and for fun. Forrest playfully hits every jump and slash on the mountain. I love emulating his surfy style. It’s taught me to see the mountain in a whole new way.  Brent Benson, Lee Cohen and Alexa Miller are photographers that I often work with. Brent and Lee have been around in the ski industry for a long time and both know what works for the camera. I shoot a lot of airs with Benson, and he has really influenced my jumping style. He pioneered the early gap jumps in Utah, so he’s a jump-building wizard. When we shoot, he helps me build a jump or lip off a cliff so it sets me up to do a grab, spread eagle or daffy. I always push myself to have good style in the air, and try to add a trick when I can. Lee Cohen and I shoot a lot of powder and big mountain stuff. When I am doing a shoot with him, it’s like having a coach there giving me constant feedback. After all the times working with him, he’s helped me perfect my turns. Alexa Miller shoots great ski lifestyle. Working with her reminds me that skiing is, above all, fun and that the lifestyle is really glamorous.

What are you passionate about after the snow melts? In the summer, I compete in stand up paddling on rivers, lakes and oceans. I love to surf, hike, climb, bike, backpack - anything outdoors. I am passionate about my organic fruit and vegetable garden, and I grow a lot of my own summer produce. I like to cook for my family. I am also an avid thrift and estate sale shopper. I like to take old clothing and furniture and make it new again.

What’s the best après-ski food? Sushi and/or tacos. They could be the perfect foods.