10 MINUTES: With Kaya Turski
What is your relationship like with your competition peers?
In competitions, I totally respect every girl that’s out there with me. I compete against some of my best friends and we just all try to have fun together. I try to support everyone out there. I’m not one of those girls that hopes her friend is going to fall in her run so I can do better.
Have you met any of the Salomon guys yet?
Yeah, at WSI I got to meet most of the team for the first time and then again at Salomon Team camp in Hood. Most people would say they’re crazy, but I love ‘em. They’re just a bunch of fun guys that will always make you laugh. Then there’s the older, more reserved guys like Mike Douglas who you really start to appreciate when things get too hectic.
What do you have going on this winter?
I’m hopefully going to be traveling tons, going to comps like the US open, Vermont and Aspen. I’d love to go to Sweden to Jon’s event also because I’ve only heard good things. I’m also trying to film and get some good footage. I think I’ll try to get a place to stay in Whistler so when I’m not busy I’ll be skiing and chillin’ there.
What do you love to do most on a pair of skis?
Fly through the air!
Is there anybody that has influenced you a lot as a young skier?
Ever since I got into skiing, Sarah Burke’s always been my role model because it seems like she’s done it all and has done so much for women’s skiing. Living in Squamish, I met one of my now best friends, Denis, who happened to be her roommate. Getting to hang out and ski with her made me appreciate her even more. She’s super down to earth, something I never thought one of the most famous and respected skiers out there would be. She’s amazing at everything she does – it’s crazy. I look up to her more than anybody.
Having been able to hang out and ski with the guys on Salomon, I really got to respect Simon Dumont’s attitude and skiing. Especially now that I’m trying to get into pipe, watching him ski it is the most amazing thing ever. While he has his wild side, he’s got this edge about him where he knows what he wants and gets it and that’s how he’s been so successful. I can only hope to be that dedicated and hard working in the future with skiing. Lastly, I have to put Jon Olsson in here ‘cause he’s got the sickest steez ever!
What are you doing when you're not skiing?
I try to skate at least twice a week. I’m getting into tennis these days so I can stay in shape. When I’m in a really mellow mood, I like to knit hats or make some necklaces out of hemp or something, or just sit in my room and listen to really loud hip-hop. I like to shop a lot also. In the fall, I’ll go to college to study science.