Meet Michelle Parker
One of freeskiing’s most recognizable and in-demand talents, Michelle Parker feels most at home when tackling big mountain terrain. Year after year, Michelle's desire to learn and evolve keeps her pushing the ceiling of the sport. Parker, now one of the ski industry’s most versatile female skiers, has appeared in over a dozen ski films and in 2013, won Best Female Performance for her segment in Matchstick Productions’ Superheroes of Stoke.
Over the last several years, the Tahoe native worked with Red Bull to create the popular mini-series Originate. I recall a day hiking up Granite Chief peak and seeing that distinctive silver and blue Redbull helmet up ahead. Michelle and a film crew had been given “early ups” and were racing to get the shot before the unwashed masses like myself raced up and sniped all the stashes.
I was surprised with how stoked and freindly Michelle was when I crested the peak. Michelle was on top of one of the spiciest lines in the zone and presented as totally calm and collected. She was was waiting for the green light from the film crew, which is a pretty tense moment for most athletes. Michelle didn't put her head down and her headphones in. She came to say hi and told me all about her line choice and her experience with the snowpack so far that day. I had a lot of questions and she answered them without a hint of scarcity or reservation. Then we heard a ping on the radio and I watched Michelle effortlessly stomp her line.
That day, Michelle embodied the spirit of stoke that we've come to expect from professional athletes. Stoke is the shared language of mountain communities and so many of our films and Winter Speaker Series are the simple joy of sharing the mountain stoke. We've come to appreciate that mountain living is about more than just stoke, which has us inspired to hear the story of Michelle's next chapter.
A shift in perspective
In 2022, Parker took on the role of director for the energy brand’s next film, Continuum.
Just before the Red Bull Continuum project was slated to launch, Parker’s father was diagnosed with dementia, after already struggling for eight years with Parkinson’s Disease. The reality of the diagnosis motivated Parker to reconsider her priorities and spend as much time with her father as possible.
Parker became a part-time caregiver for her father. The new experience gave one of the darlings of the ski industry a new perspective on the fragility of life. In her show A Shift In Perspective, Parker will take us on an emotional journey that showed her how time spent with her father was life’s biggest gift yet, and how this new perspective helped her succeed on a recent big mountain, Alaskan ski expedition.
Thanks to Michelle's sponsors who are putting on an incredible giveaway at our in-person and online events. We have close to $25,000 in prizes from Michelles sponsors Anon, Arc'teryx, Darn Tough Vermont, Mammut, Peak Skis, Pomoca, Red Bull, Sanuk, and our event sponsors.
Shop Michelle's Athlete Picks:
We asked Michelle to curate her favorite products from Alpenglow Sports. Michelle is sponsored by Anon, Arc’teryx, Darn Tough Vermont, Mammut, Peak Skis, Pomoca, Red Bull, and Sanuk.
Michelle's Nonprofit Beneficiary: TAMBA
The Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association(TAMBA) is a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization that builds, maintains, and advocates for multi-use trails in Tahoe while providing education to all trail users and hosting fun community events. TAMBA works in partnership with land managers such as the U.S. Forest Service, Nevada State Parks, California State Parks, and the City of South Lake Tahoe. In addition, TAMBA helps maintain more than 100 miles of trail per year.
All proceeds from Michelle's Winter Speaker Series event go to TAMBA. A great way to support TAMBA is to buy giveaway Tickets.
Did you know Michelle is a ripping mountain biker?
Sharing Michelle's story with Mammoth Lakes
We’re bringing the Winter Speaker Series to our sister mountain community! Mammoth Lakes Recreation is excited to bring their community together for a live, in-person screening of this event! Mammoth Lakes Recreation events will have a raffle, beer/wine/non-alcoholic drinks, and the same amazing stories you have come to know and love. See you there!
Learn more about Mammoth Lakes Recreation
