Get to Know Athlete Hayden Price

What first got you into skiing?
I was lucky to be born into the whole thing. My parents were ski bums in Little Cottonwood canyon since the 70's. Ski school was my daycare and i had a lot of freedom at a young age to go explore the mountains. 

Who inspired you to ski the way you do?
I have been inspired by skiers like Eric Pollard, Pep Fujas and Andy Mahre. My inspiration has been heavily influenced by snowboard, surf, skate and mountain bike culture. I strive to emulate the maneuvers that I like from these other disciplines.

How would you describe the skiing that you typically create?
I would describe it as dynamic and playful. Every little bump or change in terrain is an opportunity for exploration and expression. 

What is your creative process like?
I view the mountain as a blank canvas with features that call out to me to approach them in a certain way. I look down the hill and allow the terrain to dictate what I could do there. If I can imagine that something can be done that is the first step. I visualize the possibilities and trust my intuition to choose the most satisfying way to ski it.

What is one message you would give to your fans?
If I can do it, you can do it too! Grow slow and allow your interpretation and expression to reveal its unique self.

What is the most useful talent you have?
I am very open minded and I think this allows me to push the boundaries of what is possible.

Do you listen to music while you ski? How does that effect your skiing?
Yes I do listen to music while skiing. Music can be a catalyst for movement and confidence. It can slow the negative self talk and allow the creativity to come through unadulterated.

What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your skiing career?
I would likely be creating installation style art and traveling the world without a bunch of ski equipment. I enjoy building things and would probably be working on projects abroad.

How do you feel the Internet has impacted the ski business?
It's pretty wild what the internet has done for skiing. It has certainly allowed for the spreading of the ski passion and has allowed for the diversification of the ski craft. It used to be that if you wanted to pursue a career in skiing you would have do well in a competition or get super lucky to get time in front of camera. Now anyone can rise to fame just by having a unique perspective and showcasing themselves online. It has certainly leveled the playing field and ultimately think its a good thing.

What is the best advice you’ve been given?
I've been given a lot of great advice over the years. One thing that sticks out was from my buddy JB. He says that "The main thing is to keep the main the main thing." I can relate to that. There are a lot of things that I am interested in and at the same time it's important to stay focused on my passions and put time and energy into developing myself through those lenses. 

If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
Skiing is a huge international affair. This contributes to global warming and seems pinned against the need to activate to save our planet. I am grateful to work with companies like Icelantic who are mindful about their practices and are making products in the USA.

What’s next for you?
I will be basing out of Utah for the winter and working on a stop motion series that I am really excited about. It will showcase my approach to the mountains in a new way that is creatively stimulating for me. I am looking forward to developing my style further and highlighting the things that inspire me.

Photos by Chris Whitaker