Mac Forehand

F R E E S K I E R

BORN IN CONNECTICUT BUT RAISED BY VERMONT'S TERRAIN PARKS, MAC FOREHAND SWAPPED MOGULS FOR SLOPESTYLE AT AGE 12, CHASING RAILS WITH SIBLING-LEVEL FURY.

BY 17, HE'D SNATCHED THE SLOPESTYLE CRYSTAL GLOBE IN HIS ROOKIE WORLD CUP SEASON—A FIRST! KNOWN FOR SENDING IT TO THE GUCCI PLATEAU, HE'S SINCE LANDED X-GAMES GOLD AND SILVER, BAGGED BIG AIR VICTORIES, PODIUMED AT WORLD CUPS, AND MOST RECENTLY CLAIMED SILVER AT THE OLYMPICS. STYLISH, FEARLESS, AND ALWAYS SENDING IT. MAC SKIS LIKE GRAVITY IS MORE SUGGESTION THAN RULE.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST KNOW PRO SKIING WAS POSSIBLE FOR YOU?

I think I first realized I could become a pro skier at the age of 16. I competed in my first World Cup in Milan, Italy, and ended up qualifying high into the final. I finished in 10th after finals and continued to make every World Cup big air final that year. I feel this really kickstarted my momentum going into the following seasons and eventually led to where I'm at today.

EVERYONE HAS A "BEST DAY EVER" ON THE HILL; WHAT WAS YOURS?

That's such a hard question to answer. I've had too many "Best Days Ever" on skis, but I think one that really stands out to me was a day in the Montana backcountry while filming for my project "Duo." I wanted to do a switch dub bio 12 on this famous gap jump called Birthday Gap. I don't think anyone has hit it switch before, and that was a huge mental battle for me considering the speed I had to go to make the gap. A 5-hour build the day before and a semi lackluster trip with getting clips really made skiing away from that one so much better. Definitely a day I will never forget.

WHAT DOES YOUR PERFECT SKI DAY LOOK LIKE? WHO'S WITH YOU?

A perfect ski day for me starts with a fresh reset of snow overnight. Then skiing pow all morning followed by some afternoon park laps really doesn't get much better. Usually I'll be skiing with the usual US Team crew: Alex, Colby, Konnor, Hunter, or whoever else is just down to get it that day.

WHAT MOUNTAIN OR TOWN LEFT YOU IN AWE, AND WHY?

This is kind of a random one, but one mountain that really comes to mind is Pilot Peak in the Beartooth Pass Range in Montana. From my knowledge, I don't think anyone has really skied it, due to the fact that it's just this huge, steep peak, but from our campsite in the Beartooth Pass it just would stare at me in all its glory.

WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU'D LEARNED SOONER ABOUT SKI APPAREL AND YOUR PREFERENCES?

I wish I knew about a good fitting ski kit when I was a grom. Looking back at old photos, I definitely looked like a bit of a kook with skinny pants and a way-too-oversized jacket. Baggy ski pants changed my life, haha. There's just so much more comfort in a nice fitting pant and jacket, and it looks extra good when skiing.

BESIDES SKIING, WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT TRAVELING THE GLOBE?

I really love just exploring a new place to see what it really has to offer. Whether it's checking out new coastlines in New Zealand for some surfing, or going on a big hike somewhere in the Swiss Alps, there is so much more to a ski destination than just skiing.