Meet Our New Coach: Mari – Bringing Power, Purpose, and Joy to Ski Racing
We’re thrilled to welcome Mari to our coaching team this summer at our Mt. Hood Ski Racing Camp For Girls! Mari brings a rare blend of competitive freeride skiing experience, a foundation in ski racing, and a fresh, thoughtful approach to coaching that emphasizes personal growth, confidence, and joy in the mountains.
From Race Courses to Big Mountain Lines
Mari started their ski journey in alpine racing, where they built a rock-solid technical base and learned the value of hard work, autonomy, and resilience. But their path took an exciting turn when they began competing in freeride skiing—think steep lines, big airs, and even bigger creativity. They quickly made their mark, winning several Freeride World Qualifiers earning a spot in the Challenger Series, a stepping stone to the Freeride World Tour.
One of their standout moments came in 2024, when they won the Revelstoke 4-star qualifier event, cementing their place among the top freerider skiers globally. Mari went on to finish 9th overall in the Challenger Series for North and South America—an impressive achievement in a highly competitive field.
Rebounds and Reflections
This past season, Mari faced a tough back injury. While it sidelined them from a full compeition season, it gave them space to reflect on their identity as an athlete.
“I wasn’t traditionally successful this year,” they shared. “But it forced me to ask myself—what do I really want? What kind of competitor do I want to be? It helped me reconnect with the why behind my skiing.”
That mindset shift brought them back to competition with renewed motivation from within, not from results or rankings.
Mental Tools: Presence, Joy, and Trust
Mari is passionate about helping young skiers navigate the mental side of competition. Whether it’s managing nerves or getting out of your own head, they brings real tools and lived experience.
“I love what Mikaela Shiffrin said—‘You can’t control the snow or what other athletes do. All you can do is focus on what you can do in that moment.’” For Mari, this all comes down to one crucial moment in the start gate. “You’ve trained, you’ve sacrificed, and now you have five seconds to lock in—to choose presence, trust your training, and just ski.”
It’s that kind of mindful, grounded approach they’ll bring to coaching—alongside plenty of encouragement to lean into the joy of the sport.
Coaching From The Heart
Skiing has always been more than sport for Mari. It’s given them “power, purpose, freedom, and joy,” and now they’re excited to pass those gifts on to the next generation.
“I used to think my background was a weird mix of racing, freeride, travel, and generally loving being outdoors. But coaching has helped me see how it all fits together—and how those experiences can really help young athletes feel strong and confident, both on and off the hill.”
For Mari, it’s about more than technique. It’s about helping girls feel good in the outdoors, build mental and physical strength, and trust themselves in any terrain—whether they stick with racing or branch out into the backcountry or freeride.
Seeing Past Ski Racing
Mari is also excited to be part of a growing shift in the ski world—one that embraces many paths, not just the traditional race-to-college route.
“Ski racing gives you incredible skills,” they shared. “But it’s not the only future. You can take those tools and do amazing things—explore your local backcountry, compete in freeride, work in the ski industry. There isn’t just one path forward.”
And this summer? They’re most looking forward to the classic camp moments: rafting, swimming, ice cream runs, and just being on the glacier with stoked kids. “I want to be the coach I didn’t have,” they said. “A coach who makes space for you to ask questions, try new things, and make mistakes. A coach who helps you find your own power.”
