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Sam Schwartz

Skiing

/ Wyoming USA

Date of birth:

1995.11.10

Hometown:

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Sponsors:

K2 Skis, Mountain Athlete, Marker Bindings, Discrete Clothing,

Hobbies:

Hiking, playing guitar, and spending time with friends

Favourite athletes:

Seth Morrison, Julian Carr, Griffin Post, and Matt Annetts are my favorite athletes. They all worked hard to get where they are, but are extremely humble about it and let the work talk for them.

BIO

I’m a 19-year-old big mountain skier from Jackson, Wyoming. I’m currently attending Montana State University in Bozeman in the fall and traveling all winter to find places to ski.

I travel to compete in the Subaru Freeride Series and the Freeride World Qualifiers and also to find new places to photograph and film my skiing.

As long as I’m out skiing with other people, especially out in the backcountry where it’s quiet, then I’m doing exactly what I want to be doing and am happy. Skiing is all about having fun with the people around you and pushing yourself to do new things.

INTERVIEW

What are you looking for to accomplish?

I go out every winter looking to do something new and to really push my skiing. Each year in competition I have the obvious goal of 1st place, but that is only a handful of days each. Each day I try to go out and do something that scares me.

What would be your greatest achievement?

My greatest achievement would have to be winning the Junior World Championships at Snowbird in 2013. It was my first year competing and I was very excited to come onto the scene and do that well.

What kind of difficulties does your sport’s performance involve?

Skiing is a mental game. Everything you do requires focus and commitment. It’s hard to wrap your mind around some things that you want to do. However the biggest difficulty is Mother Nature. Working around avalanche and weather is frustrating and unpredictable, and a wrong move can end up fatal.

What makes you feel satisfied when performing your sport?

I’m most satisfied after I’ve finished doing something that scares me. The huge adrenaline rush before is addicting, but the feeling of accomplishing something and not being scared anymore gives me a high that nothing else could ever compare to.

Where do you practice your techniques when being alone?

In the off-season I train 4 days a week at Mountain Athlete in Jackson, Wyoming in order to prepare for the winter and stay durable enough to last the winter.

What do you do during your training which is key to your success?

During my training at Mountain Athlete we are challenged mentally and really learn how to overcome difficulties. It also helps my durability throughout the season and helps prevent injuries.

What are you most nervous about when competing?

When I’m competing I’m generally just nervous of waiting. I hate waiting for my turn to go and get bad nerves. Once I drop in though all the nerves are gone and it just turns into what I do best, skiing.

Who would you say is your biggest fan and why?

My biggest fan would probably have to be the owner of Mountain Athlete, Rob Shaul. Throughout the past 3 years I have been on the free ski team he has really pushed my skiing career and me. He’s been an amazing mentor and wants to see my career succeed.

What is the best piece of advice you have been ever given?

Don’t do it for the instagram.

What are your future plans?

My future plans are to really push my self in skiing in new places, hopefully Japan and Alaska and Europe. This season I will be heading to Europe to compete and film.