Steven Nyman

A L P I N E  S K I E R  /  R A C E R

STEVEN NYMAN, UTAH-BORN SPEED DEMON EXTRAORDINAIRE, SWAPPED SLALOM FINESSE FOR DOWNHILL DARING AND NEVER LOOKED BACK.

STANDING TALL AT 6'4″, HE'S KNOWN AS THE KING OF THE SASLONG, WINNING THE FAMED VAL GARDENA DOWNHILL THREE TIMES. A SKI-RACING LIFER ON THE SLOPES OF SUNDANCE MOUNTAIN RESORT, HE POLISHED A LONG U.S. SKI TEAM TENURE WITH GRIT AND GRACE. HE RETIRED FROM THE WORLD CUP IN MARCH 2023, STARTING HIS CAREER AS A STAY-AT-HOME DAD AND FLEDGLING VLOGGER. CATCH HIS SERIES "STILL BUCKLED" TO SEE WHERE HE'S SKIING NEXT IN THE WORLD.

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

Honestly I always felt like I was chasing. It had been a dream of mine since I was very young. I didn't grow up with cable or satellite TV; instead I would receive VHS tapes of the Olympics or the World Championship recorded. I would watch them over and over dreaming. But having access and a knowledge of how to get there wasn't a clear path for me. I figured a lot out by trial and error. Leading into the year I qualified for the US Team I had accepted that my dream had died and that I was going to go to college. But just after that I skied well in some races which qualified me for World Juniors, which I ended up winning! Then I was all in!

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

My best day wasn't on a hill. I was in Alaska, a rather big mountain accessed via heli. I skied 2ft of incredibly dry powder, no wind and blue skies all day with my wife and our friends. At the end of the day I asked my wife to marry me on top of a peak called Stairway To Heaven and in the backdrop was another peak called Diamond Peak. Hard to top that.

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

I envision having my kids, (a couple more years down the road) and my wife traveling the Alps skiing incredibly long runs, on and off piste, bell to bell while stopping for incredible food in a chalet atop the mountain. Topped off by a night dinner and skiing down the mountain under the stars.

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

Chamonix. The energy in town comes from the surroundings. You are under Mt. Blanc (the tallest mountain in Europe) and many other dramatic peaks. So many people are pushing the limits of sport around you. Then at night everyone comes into town and is just vibrating with energy. It is the ultimate mountain town in my eyes.

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

Ergonomics—a lot of product I started with was very stale. I like product that can move and moves with you. It is a much better experience when the fit is dialed.

TOP 3 SKIING DESTINATIONS?

Alaska is wild, you feel so insignificant there-The Alps when the snow if firing is hard to beat-Sundance, it is always fun to ski with family and friends.

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

I love food. I love experiencing the areas through their food and finding the places that are proud of their cuisine. Food can tell you a lot about people!