Name and nickname(s):
Caroline Gleich, but my friends call me Li’l C.

Age:
23
First time on skis:
My mom put me on skis when I was 18 months old.

Hometown:
Rochester, Minnesota but I moved to Utah when I was 15 and finished high school here.

Why Snowbird:
The snow and mountains of Little Cottonwood Canyon embody the soul and roots (and my favorite aspect) of the sport: big mountain freeskiing. When I walk off the tram, I love looking out at the endless opportunities that Snowbird has. It’s the ultimate freedom.

Favorite run at Snowbird:
Keyhole—the powder is so good in there!

Inside tip for skiing Snowbird:
After a long day on the slopes, head to the Spa on the top level of the Cliff for steam room, hot tub, swimming and affordable yoga classes to recuperate.

If I could ski with any three people (living or deceased) at Snowbird I would choose:
Ohh it’s so hard to pick just 3 (I like to ski in big posses). For right now, I’m going to have to say my mom and dad, because they are my best sponsors, and President Barack Obama so I can talk about my ideas for change.

If I wasn’t a pro skier I’d be:
A trapeze artist or a cultural anthropologist, living in the desert of Australian eating witchetty grubs with the Aborigines, writing a book.

Something people would be surprised to know about me:
I wanted to be a pro climber before I wanted to be a pro skier. I grew up playing ice hockey in Minnesota and wanted to play in the Olympics. When I grow up, I want to be the next president of the United States.

I’m inspired by:
Trees, rocks, and people

Best mountain culture slang word or phrase:
Stoked!

What you’ll find on my nightstand:
Pictures of me with my friends and family and dogs, a bright light to work by, a crochet hook and some thick yarn for the current hat I’m working on, books, papers, highlighters (it’s a little bit messy over there).

To unwind, I…
Do yoga/pilates, meditate, make stuff, like jewelry, hats, clothes, food, custom bedazzle my goggles, helmets and ski equipment, read tons of books and articles and write in my journal or on my blog www.carolinegleich.com

Grape Nuts or Lucky Charms?
Lucky Charms, but I’m more of a gourmet girl and I try not to eat processed foods. I switch it up between egg sandwich, granola, fruit and yogurt, or whole grain waffles with dark chocolate chips as my breakfasts of choice—cereal just doesn’t keep me going.

Look for me shredding in:
the cover of Ski and on the cover of The Bird magazine, and inside Skiing and Powder magazines. Also, check out my Snowbird ads and billboard around town.

This athlete brought to you by:
Roxy skis and outerwear, Leki poles and gloves, Smith optics and helmets, Lange boots, Thule car racks, Kavu clothing, Kinesys performance sunscreen, Canyon Sports Therapy, Gregory backpacks, and of course, Mom and Dad! Thank you.