Your skiing career and dedication to Extreme skiing?

After several years of alpine racing, why did you take the direction of Extreme competition?

It is not as though there was a congruent transition from ski racing to extreme competition for me. It was in college that I decided I was done ski racing, I wasn’t enjoying it anymore and I wanted to focus my attention on new things. During college I rekindled my passion for just freeskiing. After I graduated I spent a few years traveling and then moved back to the Tahoe area. It was during this period that my skiing talent was noticed and I was given the chance to pursue freeskiing professionally. Then, I felt the next logical step towards becoming a successful professional skier was to compete in the Extreme competitions. In doing so, I would challenge myself in new ways and ultimately prove my abilities to my sponsors that I indeed have what it takes to film.

 

Why do you like to compete in Extreme contests and as a women, how do you cope with the risks?

I like to compete in the contests because it challenges me mentally and physically. I feel like the risks aren’t any greater for the women than the men and I handle it the same way they do. As an athlete you need to bring it all together for a specific moment, and push your mind and body to its maximum potential. The risk factor will always be there, but focusing on the positives of the what and how you plan to execute your run versus the negatives of what not to do is a much better way to approach it. To put any ideas in you head that doesn’t reinforce your confidence in your abilities can and will undermine your goals.

 

Having a segment in a Freeski movie is not an easy thing for a girl: how did you manage to have yours?

This past ski season was my first go at filming, and you’re right to assume that it’s no easy feat for a female to break into the boy’s club of filming. Through competing I was able to prove my ability to my sponsors and the film company. Every big mountain female skier that has “made it” and been given the chance to film has competed: Wendy Fisher, Ingrid Backstrom, Andrea Binning, Lynsey Dyer, Jamie Burge, etc. Once my skills were shown in competition, I had to pester. I emailed Sky at Rage Films at least 5 times asking to be given one of the athlete spots to film in Haines, AK. Like competing, once you get the chance to show what you are capable of doing you have to perform. When you are at a location like British Columbia or Alaska and helicopters are involved, it’s too expensive with too much on the line for everyone involved for you to blow it. Sure this sounds like a lot of pressure, and it is, but you go into those situations already prepared so you can get past that pressure and enjoy the moment. Because, dang, it’s truly an amazing experience and a lot of fun.

 

And, as women, what do you want to show as an athlete in the films?

In skiing, I prefer an aggressively solid yet graceful style that exudes zero hesitation and 100% commitment. This is what I aim to achieve in my skiing: a female that is charging but looks effortless in the process.

 

What about Freeski for the girls? The discipline evolution?

I believe that women are progressively having more of an impact in skiing as there are

more women charging and not being afraid to try things that the men are doing. Not to

say that there hasn’t always been some kind of ripping female skier in the past, but there

are so many more these days making an impression. One way for women to prove

themselves as legitimate skiers and ultimately have more doors open in the industry is through the extreme freeskiing competitions. One major reason why is because as a competitor you have to perform at that exact moment, thus proving that you have the mental and physical ability to bring it all together when it counts.

 

Is there also more and more girls skiing steeps and impressive venues in Alaska???

There are more girls getting the opportunity to heli-ski in Alaska, but it still remains very closed off to women as a whole in the ski industry. When I was in Haines there were more females getting the opportunity to film than ever before, about half the crews had a female rider in the group of athletes. Like any sport, man or woman, I’ve seen some women shine in Alaska while others have been overtaken by the enormity of the mountains. I do think that there are a lot of women that are physically capable of skiing the impressive lines in Alaska; it is more a matter of being “right” in the head and overcoming one’s fears. I am convinced that like any other sport women will continue to progress and build upon each other’s successes. The more females that we get a chance to see be triumphant in these intense situations, the more women as a whole will believe that they too are capable of these feats. It’s a natural progression that we see both men and women do.

 

Your great 3 victories on the Freeride World Tour last winter and experiences skiing the European Freeride venues?

The organizers of the FWT have a great vision that is going to help our sport, so being a part of it all amounted for an amazing experience. One cool aspect of the FWT is competing alongside the snowboarders who have a different take on how to ride the mountain. Another great thing about the tour is that it is a limited, small number of competitors from all over the world traveling together, so we become really close and have tons of fun together on or off the snow. Finally, the venues that we compete at are some of the most iconic in the ski world, which makes for some great riding.

 

Your best sessions last winter filming, shooting or traveling?

There are a couple of sessions last year that really stick out. The first being my winning not only the legendary Verbier Xtreme but also the Freeride World Title in Verbier. It is one of the greatest freeride resorts in the world with this electric vibe you can feel in the air, so it made everything feel really special. The other experience that really took the cake was getting to heli-ski for the first time in Haines, AK with Rage Films. The mountains there are so huge with the gnarliest terrain; it was so exciting to finally be able to experience it for myself.

 

What about your projects for next winter: contests, filming, photo shooting,

traveling…?

I plan on doing a bit of the same as last season. I will compete on the FWT and most likely film with Rage Films again. The big difference will hopefully be getting in front of the camera a bit more throughout the season instead of waiting until Alaska. Definitely planning to get to Haines again, it is the ultimate way to end the season!

 

What about sharing the Freeski life, competitions and also risks with your boyfriend Cody?

Being able to travel with Cody makes life on the road so much more bearable. By the end of the season when everyone else just wants to do nothing but get home to spend time with their significant other, Cody and I have no problem sticking it out. I feel pretty lucky being able to ski with him at all these amazing places, it’s something that we get to experience together versus trying to relate it to one another afterwards. Plus, I think he is such an amazing skier so being able to see him ski on a regular basis allows me to take something from it and hopefully improve my skiing.

 

What about the new Salomon Freeski range? What do you like the most in these new skis?

I think that Salomon has really focused on truly being a company devoted to making the

most progressive skis on the market, for men and women in all areas of skiing. There are a few standout reasons why I love my quiver of skis. For one, the skis that are in the women’s freeski line are the exact composition as the men’s skis but with different graphics. It is so nice that Salomon is not dumbing-down the skis for the ladies! Another reason that I love my skis is the rocker technology. It is only in the front of the skis so you still have a really strong ski but oh-my-god they are sooo much fun in the powder. The third reason I’m stoked is the new graphics that Salomon has going on. They’re pretty cool and as silly as it sounds, it’s nice to ride on skis that you like to look at.

 

Who is Elyse besides skiing…

Where and how do you live? What are your other

passions and hobbies?

I live in Olympic Valley, California in the winter and Santa Cruz, California during the summer. I am infatuated with the beach/ocean and would live there year round if I didn’t have this crazy passion for skiing. I love food and wine, and have taken several sommelier classes. Besides that, I love to be active, try new things, and be surrounded by interesting, happy people.