Michelle Parker grew up in the mountains of Lake Tahoe. In the early days of her career, she competed in slopestyle and halfpipe competitions which was budding as a relatively new aspect of the sport for women at the time. She competed in the very first X Games for women and continued to land on the podium until she turned to filming full time. As her career developed, so did her passion for learning about the mountains. She is a multifaceted ski athlete participating and growing her resume in mountaineering, starring in major films for freeskiing, and taking tricks into the mountains. Her film resume is deep and over the past 6 years she has produced most of her own films and directed her latest titled “Continuum.” Michelle has carved out a unique space as a multi-sport athlete having filmed and produced mountain biking and climbing segments/videos. She likes to throw herself into the unknown and loves a good human powered endurance adventure.
Co-founder and instructor of SAFE AS Clinics, established in 2012, Michelle aims to reach and teach as many as possible about avalanche awareness and safety. These clinics have taught over 1500 participants and raised over $70,000 for local non-profits, primarily avalanche forecasting centers. Quick to head up fundraising initiatives for causes she is passionate about such as the Sarah Burke Foundation, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, community Covid Relief, High Fives, and Protect Our Winters. Michelle wouldn’t be who she is without her philanthropic side.
Watch more of Michelle in action below!
It’s pretty clear that Michelle Parker is an absolute bad ass female ambassador to have represent Sanuk. Read how she embodies the spirit of adventure we celebrate!
-
Where are you from? How did you get into skiing and at what age?
I am born and raised in Lake Tahoe, CA. My mom and her friends all had this goal of getting their kiddos out on the snow before they turned 2. I guess that is how I got into skiing at the ripe age of 1!
-
What aspects of skiing are you most drawn to today?
I love the experience of spending time in nature with my friends. I find it to be the time when I am most present and there is a lot of freedom in that. Skiing, primarily by human power, is what brings me the most joy in life. It helps to ground me and feel connected with others and with nature. I love that connection and find it to be one of the most important aspects of my life to keep me happy. It’s as simple as that!
-
Can you describe the most memorable day you’ve experienced while skiing? If not a day that sticks out to you.
One of the most memorable days that I have had on skis, at least the one that comes to mind, was a day up in Alaska while filming for my video project. The conditions were just right and I was feeling super confident in myself. I got to ski a few lines that will forever stick with me as some of the most intricate lines, the most risk, the best film shots, and personal goals to ski. I skied them well and it was a moment when all of the stars aligned to get to do that. I have never had a day like that in my entire career since and it meant the absolute world to me. Alaska is really fickle and quite a difficult place to nail. It was such a joy.
-
If you could have any superpower while skiing, what would it be, and how would you use it to your advantage? (no chairlifts ? haha)
I think if I could have a super power while skiing it would be to control the weather. Non-stop powder days, perfect corn snow, rainbows and sunsets always!
-
If you were to organize your dream ski trip anywhere in the world, what would it entail? And where haven’t you been?
I would love to go on a hut trip in Europe and tour from place to place seeing the alps and experiencing that culture to its fullest.
-
Can you describe the ultimate après-ski scenario?
Haha, I am usually so tired after a day spent in the mountains, I snap into recovery mode the second I get home. That entails a sauna, lots of water, stretching, healthy food, a good night’s sleep and getting ready to do it all over again…I’m addicted. Maybe not the answer you would have thought, but I love coming home tired from working hard and enjoying the mountains and seeing how I can set myself up for success the next day.
-
What activities are you into outside of skiing?
I love photography, biking (all different types of biking), running, camping, cooking, reading, climbing, playing music with my partner, singing, dancing, and connecting with friends and family.
-
Some favorite music artists at the moment?
Grateful Dead, Frazey Ford, Marcus King, Charlie Crocket, Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real, Khruangbin, King Perry, 90s Hip Hop, Classical, I like it all!
-
If you could only ski one mountain/resort for the rest of your life, which one would it be and why?
Palisades Tahoe because it’s my home resort and there is nothing like skiing terrain that you know like the back of your hand. I also have the opinion that it is a really incredible resort with varied terrain that I will never get bored on.
-
If you were to create a signature Sanuk shoe, what unique features would you include?
That’s a toss up between a winter kick and a summer sandal! For winter, I love the puffy booties we are coming out with. So comfortable and I live in them in the winter. It’s the best shoe post shred and pre. I think maybe I would make a simple lace up that came a bit higher on my calf so as to not get any snow in there while shoveling and playing in the snow. For summer, Sanuk nails it, but I do love a nice sandal that you can wear casually or dress it up. We already have that, but I could see making something in that vein too!
-
Fav Sanuk shoe for before and after skiing?
The PUFFY SLIP ON for sure hands down!
-
If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring young skiers, what would it be?
Always keep it fun, cherish the in between moments when you aren’t skiing the best snow and hitting the biggest cliff, those moments sometimes go unnoticed, but there is beauty and joy in it all!
To see more of Michelle check out her IG @MYSHELLPARKER and TAKE A LOOK AT MICHELLE’S AMBASSADOR PAGE!