Born and raised in South Lake Tahoe, Kyle Smaine has been ripping around Sierra-at-Tahoe since he was old enough to stand on his own two legs. A consistent player on the freestyle ski circuit, Smaine skied his way to the top of the podium in halfpipe during the 2015 FIS World Championships. We sat down to catch up with Smaine as he prepares for the upcoming season.
On growing up in a skiing family | Both my parents were ski and snowboard instructors when I was born so I guess it was pretty natural. They put me on skis when I was 2 years old and Dad was working at Sierra. My mom would bring my brother and I up and we’d just ski around.
On breaking into freestyle | I learned to ski at Sierra and then I raced with Heavenly Foundation for a long time. I was good at racing for a long time, but later I wasn’t that into it. I always loved catching air and even while I was racing I was always going through the park. For a long time, I competed in both through high school. It wasn’t until I finished high school that I quit racing and focused on freeride. Every year I’ve improved and managed to stay healthy.
On being a world champion | Last season was killer. It started really well. I did well at Dew Tour and did well at the first Grand Prix. I didn’t get an invite to X-Games, so I headed over to Austria. I made it over and landed the runs I wanted to and I was fortunate enough to come home a world champion.
On skiing in Europe | I love going to Europe. It’s so cool to roll into these tiny ski villages that are so much smaller than say, Tahoe City, but they’re older than the United States and it’s all about skiing. The mountains are so massive they make the stuff here look like the hills of Minnesota and nothing is off limits.
On preparing for a competition | I don’t think I have that much of a routine. I realized when I put too much pressure on myself I don’t do well, so now I focus on having as much fun as I can. Whether it’s a training day or a contest day I’m trying to have as much fun as I can.
On not skiing | I wish I was a pro surfer. Every skier wants to be a pro surfer. It’s a fact. You travel the world all year round to chase waves, which is like chasing snow but it’s warm and all the girls are in bikinis and it just seems cooler.
On the work/play balance | I ski because it’s what I love to do. So far, it’s not a lucrative career, but if I wasn’t skiing I’d basically be doing the same thing. Working hard so I can play outside whether that meant buying a van or a nice tent to travel with. I’m not ready to settle down and get a real job.
SMAINE’S RESUME
On the Podium
1st place FIS World Championships 2015
1st place Overall NorAm Cup 2015 (3 events)
1st place North Face Virtual Contest
1st place North Face Open Northstar 2012
2nd place SFR Freestyle Tignes, France 2013
2nd place Overall Daron Rahlves Banzai Tour 2012
On Film
Warren Miller Entertainment’s “Like There’s No Tomorrow”
Warren Miller Entertainment “Flow State”
Tall Treez “The Lion’s Den”
Tall Treez “Paint it Gold”
