At twelve years old, while most kids were still figuring out which winter sport they liked best, I stood at a crossroads. I had already mastered snowboarding at an advanced level, but something inside me whispered that I should try skiing. At first, it wasn’t about chasing championships or proving myself on the mountain—it was about something much simpler. I wanted a job at my local ski resort. I wanted to spend every day on snow, and if I could get paid for it, even better.
What I didn’t realize at the time was how naturally skiing would come to me. From the very beginning, I was an unusually fast learner. The sport felt intuitive, as if I had been skiing for years rather than weeks. What started as a way to earn a paycheck quickly grew into a deep passion, one that would shape the direction of my entire life.
The Training Ground
Becoming a professional skier wasn’t easy. It required years of discipline, focus, and dedication. I threw myself into training and preparation, working through the demanding certification process. It took two full years of multiple written exams and on-snow tests before I achieved my PSIA-AASI Alpine Certification.
For those unfamiliar, PSIA-AASI certifications are some of the most respected and recognized in the snowsports industry. The Alpine program has three levels, each representing a skier’s ability to deliver exceptional guest experiences across different types of terrain. While many instructors stop at Level I after their first season, I set my sights much higher. Earning the highly coveted Level III can take years of relentless practice, teaching, and refinement. By the age of 16, I had already reached professional status.
I didn’t stop there. For eight years straight, I lived and breathed skiing. Every winter, every run, every chance I got, I was on snow. Off the mountain, I studied, asked questions, and learned everything I could from my mentors and teachers. My growth was not just a product of talent, but of grit, humility, and countless hours of practice.
The Challenges
Skiing is not an easy path. It’s an expensive sport, one that demands constant investment in gear, travel, and training. On top of that, I faced moments of doubt—after all, I had never received formal skiing lessons. I was self-taught, learning from trial and error, and there were times I questioned whether that would hold me back.
But each doubt became fuel. I refused to let uncertainty stop me. I built my skills through determination, repetition, and endless curiosity. Every setback pushed me to practice harder, study longer, and refine my technique. The mountain became not just a workplace, but a classroom and, ultimately, a proving ground.
The Next Chapter
Today, I continue to push myself forward, training to achieve my next level of PSIA-AASI certification while chasing new horizons in the competitive skiing world. My journey has now brought me to the doorstep of the Freeride World Tour (FWT)—one of the most prestigious series in skiing and snowboarding. Competing alongside the world’s best freeride athletes, I am preparing to test myself against the steepest faces, deepest lines, and most demanding conditions in the sport.
From the moment I first strapped into skis at twelve years old, to becoming a certified professional at sixteen, to dedicating nearly a decade to the slopes—I’ve proven to myself that passion, persistence, and resilience can take you farther than you ever imagined. My story is still being written, but one thing is certain: I was meant to live on snow.
