Kaylin Richardson

Freeride

The mountians are my happy place. Growing up in Minnesota I did not have access to mountains (my home ski area, Hyland Hills, is 175 ft/54m vertical). I remember our first family trip to Colorado and it was pure magic. That magic has never diminished for me. I started racing at age nine and made it to the US Ski Team at 15 years old. After ten years racing internationally and competing in the Torino and Vancouver Olympics, I retired from the World Cup in 2010. I wanted to explore the mountains without gates and courses dictating where and when I could turn. Post racing I fell even deeper in love with skiing when I discovered the beauty and adventure of the backcountry. As a reincarnated big-mountain skier, I get to travel to some of the most staggering corners of the world to do what I love and what makes it even better is that I get to share those experiences with others. I am one lucky girl.

Facts

Date of birth: 28.09.1984
Nationality: United States
Home mountain: Deer Valley Resort, UT
Motto: Laugh often
Disciplines: Former Racer, Current Big Mountain Skier
Hobbies: Reading, trail running, mountainbiking, sailing, writing

Top results

2-time Olympian

4-time U.S. National Alpine Champion

1st place Freeskiing World Tour's 2012

North American Championship

6-time Warren Miller featured athlete

Rider's Videos

Interview

1. Favorite Völkl Skis: Katana V.Werks / RTM 84 UVO
2. What do you use this ski for?: Anything big mountain or a powder day / ripping around at the resort
3. Why do you like this ski?: The Katanas are a super light AND stable due to the makeup and rigidity of carbon. When I am touring, I'm not sacrificing performance for less weight, plus they turn with power and playfulness / the RTM 84s make carving so effortless and fun, when I tip them over I instantly feel the acceleration, plus they translate to off piste fun in crudier conditions and bumps well.
4. Why do you like being a part of the Völkl team?: The quality of the product is unmatched. I've raced in two Olympics on Volkl as well as skied first descents in gnarly untracked mountains and never has their been a moment when I didn't have complete confidence in my equipment.
5. How long have you been riding for Völkl?: Altogether 10 years
6. What age did you start skiing?: When i was four years old.
7. Biggest breakthrough in your ski career: Moving from the National Development Squad to the U.S. Ski Team "B" Team in 2003.
8. Favorite Place to ride: Daly Chutes and Triangle Trees on a powder day or an untouched groomer run on Supreme at Deer Valley Resort
9. Your Best Ski Trip you have done: There are two destinations in Norway that stick out - the Lofoten Islands and the Lyngen Alps. They are magical places where the mountains meet the sea and it would take many lifetimes to ski all the amazing lines in either place. The best ski trips though aren't always to the most radical places or include the best conditions. The trips that I recall most fondly are the ones when I am surrounded by fun people that love skiing as much as I do - regardless of anything other than being out there and doing it. Sure it is marvelous when things line up with powder and sunshine, but some of my most memorable days were in blizzards or rain exchanging jokes with my friends.
10. Ski destination where you haven’t been and would like to go?: My dream trip is a trip to actually two places: I'd start in Japan and find out for myself if the powder is as bottomless as everyone says and then I would travel to New Zealand. I've skied there, but am captivated with images of their backcountry and would love to explore beyond the resorts.
11. Ski Hero/Role Model Growing up: Kristina Koznick, Ingrid Backstrom, Picabo Street, Daron Rahlves, Chris Davenport, Chris Richardson, Tom Richardson
12. What do you do when you are not skiing?: Reading, scheming, dreaming
13. How do you train to keep in shape for skiing?: A mish mash of trail running, biking, circuit training, weightlifting and yoga.
14. What can’t you live without: Laughter
15. What are 3 things we should know about you?: 1. Every person has a unique story and I love that. 2. I am very proud to be a Minnesotan, even though I don't live there anymore. 3. I firmly believe you get what you put out in the world.
16. Motto/Words you live by: Laugh often
17. Most Humbling moment: Doing improv in LA
18. Favorite Social Media Channel: Instagram
19. Future Goals and Plans and Ambitions: I want to continue to share my love for skiing as much as possible. The best days are when I witness someone I'm skiing with make the switch from "this is fun", to "I freakin' love this", I can see the spark in their eyes when it happens. I also want to continue to push my skiing. I still have that elusive line in my head that challenges every fiber of my ability while demonstrating every fiber of my skill. I will find it and I will ski it. I also hope to have a podcast someday that celebrates every person's unique story, whether it takes place in the mountains or elsewhere. To combine the three things l love most: skiing, people and talking would be grand indeed.
20. How did you become involved in Ski Touring?: When I was racing it was always something I was curious about something on the periphery. I loved the idea of earning my turns and getting away from the lift lines and resort din. The moment I retired from racing in 2010, I reached out to some acquaintances in UT and asked them if I could tag along. On my first tour ever I was hooked.
21. What are your all time Favourite Ski Tours?: I have an awesome zone basically in my back yard in Park City - nothing radical, just a safe angle to get your legs and heart pumping. I also love Norway for it's beauty and Italy for it's culture. It's hard to beat Utah for our access though.
22. What is in your pack when you go out ski touring?: I use an Arva Reactor Airbag Backpack and an Arva Neo Beacon and of course I have my shovel and probe. The other staples are: Sunscreen (SPF 70+), basic first aid kit, extra layer, extra goggles, extra voile straps, water or tea (at least 32oz), cap with brim and food depends on the length of the tour, but I almost always have a PB and J, and a chunk of some sort of chocolate. If the tour requires more equipment obviously crampons, harnesses, ropes, prusiks, webbing, etc. will be added.
23. Your Favourite World Cup Race on the circuit?: I always loved Cortina d'Ampezzo. I was never fast there, but it is just stupidly beautiful and racing down the Tofana Schuss was such a thrill. And the food wasn't too bad either :-)

Europe