Kyle Smaine

There are still a lot of things I would like to accomplish with my skiing. On the contest side of the sport I want to make finals and get an X Games Medal. I’d love to do some Freeride World Tour events and try my hand in the big mountain aspect of skiing.

Then there is the content and more creative side of skiing that I really want to explore more. I want to put together a really solid segment. Whether it is with a major production company or a personal project. There is so much to me and my skiing that I don’t think people know because I’ve always been a contest skier and a “pipejock”. But I think that is the smallest aspect of skiing to me personally.

I don’t know, it’s really hard to pin down one moment as a greatest achievement. I mean there are contest results, 2nd in France at SFR behind Gus Kenworthy was cool. And 6th place at Dew Tour last winter was awesome. But I think I’m still fighting for that pinnacle achievement in my career where I feel like I’ve finally accomplished something great that I worked hard for. So we’ll just have to wait and see.

In skiing weather is always a challenge. At least in surfing the contests have huge timeframes so that they can compete in good waves and good weather. Ski contests almost never have a weather day built into the schedule. It just ends up being a bummer when the weather and conditions limit the competition. The Olympics were a perfect example of that.

Anytime I do something to the best of my ability. I don’t care whether or not I win a contest or get the most praise as long as I ski the best that I can on that particular day. Also the camaraderie, skiing and snowboarding is a small community and I love getting to see my friends triumph and get to share with those around me.

My home mountain is Sierra at Tahoe. So whenever I’m home that’s where I go to ski and train. I also spend a fair amount of time at Woodward Tahoe bouncing on the trampolines.

I think the key to my success is to have fun. It’s just skiing. I realize that it is hard to be a professional skier forever. So I just try to enjoy it.

Crashing. I just don’t like to crash in general. But with the level skiing is at now and how hard the tricks are and how big you have to go to do well the consequences are super high. My only real crash all of last year I shattered my collar bone and wasn’t able to compete in 3 of 5 qualifiers for the Olympics. But you can’t think about it when you are out there. You just have to zone it out and focus on your run.

My family, they tune into all the live streams of events and call me afterward. It is really awesome to have so much support even when they can’t make it to contests.

There are two that stick out to me. First, is to always treat people well and show respect. The people you interact with have a huge impact on how successful you will be in life, and no one likes an asshole. Second was from Nate Holland and he said, “If you want something you have to take it”. That nothing is given, you must work harder and take what you want.

I am going to keep skiing and show people that I am more than just a contest skier. Now that I have finished college I have more time to work on creative projects and expand into other mediums besides just competing.

1: Always have fun. 2: Being strong and flexible is hugely important so take the off season seriously. 3: Actually skiing is the best way to become a better skier. So just ski more than anyone else.