Angel Collinson

USA

I grew up in the employee housing at Snowbird ski resort in Little Cottonwood Canyon where my brother and I shared a 5 by 12 closet/bedroom. My dad works for the snow safety department and my mom made our lifestyle possible by teaching a one-room homeschool every winter from kindergarten to high school for 6 of us. "Snow days" were "powder days"- and hence began my passion for skiing. In the summers my family traveled for 3 months and explored mountains around the west. We lived out of a 1979 blue ford van that we renovated to make a "luxurious" home, and that was our mobile summer base camp until I was 14.

I ski raced until I was 18, and enjoyed a successful career of competing internationally. Eventually my enthusiasm for big mountain skiing got the best of me. My love for the mountains and being outside was instilled when I was young, and growing up in nature has inspired me to protect what has given me so much. Currently I attend the University of Utah, studying environmental law and compete on the Freeskiing World Tour. In the summers I look for every way to maximize my time outdoors, rock climbing, kayaking, and raft guiding in Glacier National Park. For the passions I have I couldn't imagine living anywhere better than Snowbird, and I look forward to the experiences that being part of the amazing big mountain community will bring.

Birthday? July 13, 1990 (It was a Friday the 13)

Year you first started skiing? 1992

Three skiing achievements you are most proud of? Winning the Freeskiing World Tour Title my first year competing, the technical skill that I achieved from 11 years of hard work ski racing, and every time I stomp a line that scares the living bejesus out of me.

Memory/story of the first time you ever went skiing? When I was about 2 and had the power-wedge down I couldn't get enough of the speed factor. One day, I guess I just didn't feel like going slow anymore. Mom kept yelling at me to slow down and my dad knew the only way I would understand was to learn for myself. So after decreased parental regulation of my speed I let ‘er rip right off the groomed and into the powder, experiencing my first full-out yard sale. I kept it a little more under control after that. That was the beginning of testing my limits I guess...

Favorite skiing area and why? Snowbird and Alta- the terrain is off the hook and we get an average of 500 inches a year of super light fluff. What else is there to need?

Best skiing experience? Any bottomless day at the ‘bird.

Worst skiing experience? When I can't go because of too much homework.

What's your dream trip? Where? With who? I've never been to Alaska, and some first descents with my bro and limitless heli-rides wouldn't be too bad.

Guilty pleasure? Candy. Any kind.

BD gear you use every time you go skiing? Skis: Zealots, Poles: Fixed length carbon, Gloves: Women's Legend, Pack: Avalung Outlaw

Something that annoys you while skiing? People who ski with serious egos and people who sit on the backside of blind rolls or sit and stop in the middle of the run.

What/who inspires you in skiing? Anyone who pushes their limits while being smart at the same time. My brother John Collinson because he is always giving skiing his all and encourages me to ski to my potential and not take myself too seriously. People who have respect for the mountain and for mother nature. And lastly, the scary, gnarly, beautiful line that calls to you- the kind of line that just to look at takes your breath away and reminds you why you love skiing.

Favorite après-ski meal? Top Ramen and Chai tea

Favorite skiing flick? Seven Sunny Days

What's in your iPod? Lots. Sublime, the Weepies, Ravi Shankar, Joe Purdy, Hendrix, Steely Dan, John Brown's Body, The Allman Bros, the Doors.... The list goes on. I love music, it's always playing while I ski. Makes me feel like life is a picture perfect movie. Because usually when you're skiing, it is.

Strangest place you've ever woken up? When I was 7 my parents took me to a neighbor's house party. I woke up underneath the coffee table in the living room, and crawled out from under to discover the adults pretty sauced up and table dancing right on top of my sleeping spot. I don't know who was more embarrassed, me or the grownups that were shirtless on the table.

Strangest person you've ever woken up with? One time I was camping with a bunch of guys and woke up to someone slowly licking my face. I wasn't sure if I wanted to open my eyes, but finally decided I needed to take care of the situation. Turned out it was my dog. Thank you baby Jesus.

Three things you'd never roadtrip without? Sleeping bag, a sense of peace and adventure, and people who I can be spontaneous with.

Superstitions? Knock on wood. That's about it.

What's your dream job? Besides a professional skier? A musician who makes bank by writing songs on the beach in Hawaii. I could handle that.

How are you training when you are not skiing? Kayaking, climbing, and yoga.

If you could steal one thing and not get caught, what would it be? A cop car. As revenge, and so I could rally the streets at rush hour with the sirens on. I think it would be similar to the feeling of Moses parting the Red Sea.

If you could have dinner with three people (dead or alive) who would they be? The Dalai Llama, Albert Einstein, and Jim Morrison.

Do you have any tattoos or piercings? Ears