Malou Peterson

A L P I N E  S K I E R

A FORMER SWEDISH NATIONAL TEAM RACER, MALOU TRADED GATES FOR BIG MOUNTAIN LINES, CHASING ADVENTURE FROM REMOTE GREENLAND COULOIRS SKIED STRAIGHT OFF A SAILBOAT TO DEEP JAPANESE POWDER WITH HER BEST FRIENDS. OFF THE HILL, SHE'S SURFING NEW BREAKS AND SHARING FOOD WITH LOCALS.

MALOU PROVES THE BEST LINES ARE THE ONES YOU DRAW YOURSELF.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST KNOW PRO SKIING WAS POSSIBLE FOR YOU?

I grew up in northern Sweden and started ski racing when I was really young. For a long time, skiing professionally meant racing and being on the Swedish National Team. It wasn’t until I stepped away from racing and started exploring big mountain and backcountry skiing that I realized there was a completely different path I could take. That’s when skiing became less about results and more about creativity, adventure, and seeing where it could take me.

EVERYONE HAS A "BEST DAY EVER" ON THE HILL; WHAT WAS YOURS?

It’s almost impossible to pick one, but one of my best days ever was in Greenland. We were living on a sailboat, skiing completely remote mountains straight from the ocean, and everything lined up for this one huge couloir we had been looking at. Perfect snow, an incredible crew, and no one else around for miles. Those are the days I remember most, the ones that feel like a proper adventure before you even put your skis on.

WHAT DOES YOUR PERFECT SKI DAY LOOK LIKE? WHO'S WITH YOU?

A mega powder day at a resort in Japan with all my best friends.

WHAT MOUNTAIN OR TOWN LEFT YOU IN AWE, AND WHY?

Zermatt is hard to beat. It feels so magical, with the Matterhorn towering above the town and incredible skiing in every direction. Plus it’s so cute and no cars and I just love it.

WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU'D LEARNED SOONER ABOUT SKI APPAREL AND YOUR PREFERENCES?

That being comfortable can completely change your day. I used to think more layers automatically meant warmer, but learning how to layer properly, manage moisture, and choose pieces based on what I’m actually doing has made such a difference.

BESIDES SKIING, WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT TRAVELING THE GLOBE?

The people and the unexpected parts of a trip. Skiing might be the reason I end up somewhere, but often my favorite memories happen away from the mountain, sharing food with locals, being on a boat in the middle of nowhere, surfing somewhere new, or ending up somewhere I never would have visited otherwise.