10 MINUTES: With Michelle Parker
At 19, Michelle Parker’s professional ski career has already led her all over the world, from Japan to South America and throughout Europe. After a busy ’06 winter—taking third at the US Open slopestyle and skiing and shooting around the globe—Parker isn’t slowing just because it’s summer. She’ll be everywhere skiers can still ski in these months—Mt. Hood, Whistler, a water ramp in Quebec, and New Zealand—before settling down again with her family in Lake Tahoe. We caught up with her in Squaw last week…
So, you signed with K2 a couple months ago? How is it being a part of that Team?
It’s awesome. It’s a super good family. It’s a unique ski company that’s doing something different than all the other big ski companies.
What are you up to this summer?
After I go test skis at Mt. Hood I’m going to go back up to High North and hang out and ski for a week. Then I’ll take a couple of weeks off to hang out with my family. I’m going to Quebec to hang out with J.P and go water ramping. And then I’m going to hit up New Zealand in August and September. I’m super stoked on skiing right now. It’s kind of refreshing to ski without cameras.
You seem to be straying from the park and skiing bigger lines. Are you more into big mountain right now?
Definitely, because you can find all the park on natural terrain. I like both. I like to learn tricks in the park and take them to the backcountry. I’m a strong believer in being a well-balanced skier—having a technical background as well as being good in the air.
How did growing up in Squaw affect your skiing?
I definitely remember being young and watching McGovern, Holmes and McConkey. I tried to follow them around and ski the lines they did. But some were pretty gnarly. Last year I was introduced to McConkey through K2. It was a dream come true. It’s awesome to be teammates with him.