FIRST OF ALL, HOW PSYCHED ARE YOU TO SIGN WITH MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR?
Signing with Mountain Hardwear has been amazing. I'm really stoked on the opportunities that they have provided me as well as the support. Plus, the product is top of the line. I couldn't be more excited about rocking quality gear.
DO YOU THINK IT REFLECTS A CHANGE IN THE WAY YOU APPROACH YOUR SKIING, BEING THAT THEY ARE A PRETTY CORE OUTDOOR BRAND?
I've always been really into hiking and backcountry riding so it seems like a natural fit. It's so important to have gear that doesn't fail while in the backcountry and it just makes it a much more enjoyable experience. The backcountry is definitely where I am the most passionate about skiing and I'm stoked that I have the gear that is functional both in bounds and out.
I'M ASSUMING THERE IS NO ANIMOSITY ABOUT YOU LEAVING ORAGE?
No animosity, that actually happened over a year ago. I am really excited about my new direction though. It's great to be on board with a company that fully supports and believes in what I want to do.
YOU'VE ALSO SIGNED WITH SMITH OPTICS. SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT'S TREASON TO SWITCH SUN VALLEY OPTICS MAKERS.
I just got back from one of the best trips of my life with Smith out in Idaho. It was the best welcoming to the team I could have possibly had. Gabe Schroder is the man! Super excited about the product, the team, the vibe, and everything else at Smith. Such a great company.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT NOW THAT YOU'RE WORKING WITH MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR? WHAT KINDS OF OPPORTUNITIES DO YOU THINK THIS PARTNERSHIP WILL OPEN UP?
Mountain Hardwear is supporting everything that I want to do. That's the best thing I think a company can do. It feels so amazing to have that kind of a partnership. It just makes me that much more stoked to be a part of the team. That's what I am the most excited about. The opportunities are endless, but so far they've opened up doors for me as far as filming goes and that is huge!
I'VE HEARD THAT MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR AND MSP WILL BE WORKING TOGETHER AND I'M ASSUMING YOU'LL BE A PART OF THAT. IF THAT'S THE CASE, ARE YOU PUMPED TO WORK WITH THEM?
Yes, I am super excited about working with MSP. It's pretty much a dream come true. I grew up watching MSP movies and have had a few shots in past movies, but I am really excited about furthering that relationship with both Mountain Hardwear and MSP. I get to ski powder with my friends… I've got nothing to complain about.
Check out Michelle and other Squaw Valley legends perform for Warren Miller's lenses.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR OTHER PLANS THIS UPCOMING SEASON? BIG THINGS COMING UP?
Filming with MSP and competing in the Red Bull Cold Rush again this year. The Cold Rush was so much fun last year! That might be the highlight of my season… tough to beat Idaho with Smith though!
HOW HAS YOUR SEASON BEEN AFFECTED WITH THE RELATIVELY LOW SNOWFALL IN TAHOE THIS SEASON? I HEAR THINGS ARE LOOKING UP THOUGH.
Yeah, it's been rough here. I can't complain though, we had such a crazy good winter last year. I'm just stoked to be skiing. It would be selfish of me to say much else. I've had some great distractions from the lack of snow too, like the Sarah sticker fundraiser we've been doing. It's a lot of work, but such a positive project. That's taken up most of my time while I'm off the hill so it's been easy not to constantly refresh the weather page in hopes of some snow in the forecast. Alright… enough of this, I'm going skiing!
