10 MINUTES WITH: Jess McMillan

Jess McMillan isn’t actually single, but if she was, her personal ad might read something like this: 28-year-old, blond, SWF; loves chocolate chip cookies and Guns and Roses songs; looking for a SM who can keep up on skis. This spring McMillan was crowned the World Freeskiing Tour Champion an the North American Freeskiing Champion. Megan Michelson caught up with the Jackson Hole, Wyoming-native to talk about her comp strategy, kayaking, and what it’s like to teach your boyfriend how to ski. –Megan Michelson

Last year you placed second in the World Freeskiing Tour. This year, you won. You must have stepped it up?
Actually, I toned it down a little. I really started to work with the judging and scoring system. Before, I’d always pick the gnarly line, but I wouldn’t ski it as well. So this year, I’d pick an easier line but make it look really good and that seemed to work.

Any other secrets of the trade? What do you like to eat before comps?
I just try to get something down. An apple is all I can stomach. I usually end up losing a few pounds from the stress. Anything I can get into my system is good.

You grew up ski racing at Jackson Hole and raced in college at the University of Montana. When did you graduate from racer to freeskiier?
When I was younger, I definitely wanted to go to the Olympics. But college was super important to me, so I did that instead. After college, I coached for the Jackson Hole Ski Club, and then started competing in freeskiing competitions three years ago. My first comp was at Snowbird. It was terrifying. But I placed sixth and totally fell in love with the sport.

What do your parents think of your chosen career path?
My dad is super proud. He owns a lumberyard in Jackson. Every contractor who comes into town, he shows them photos of me. My mom is super supportive, and she travels with me quite a bit. I don’t think she really understands it though.