32 Degrees: Meet Ingrid Backstrom

This excerpted “Meet” Q&A, written by PSIA-AASI National Team alumna Robin Barnes, appears in the Winter 2025 issue of 32 Degrees. You can read the entire article here.

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Ingrid Backstrom is a freeskier, mom, coach, and The North Face athlete. She’s appeared in more than 20 ski movies, by MSP, Warren Miller, Sherpas, as well as The Approach and The Approach 2, which she co-produced. She’s skied throughout the world including first descents in Greenland, Antarctica, Baffin Island, and the 6,000+ meter Reddomain Peak in China. She’s been coaching freestyle skiing for 20 years. Recently, she attained American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) Certification to teach Level 1 and 2 avalanche training classes.

WHAT KEEPS YOU EXCITED ABOUT SKIING AND ABOUT PUTTING YOURSELF OUT THERE IN FILMS, EVENTS, ETC.?

I love so many things about skiing, and that’s the main thing that keeps me going. I love how it changes from day to day and season to season; I love the challenge of it, and the simple feeling of flying downhill with the wind in my face. I also love breathing fresh air for hours in the winter. And now, with a family and with teaching avalanche classes and coaching, as well as producing ski movies, I love sharing it with others, working as a team to make something cool happen.

BEING A MOM AND A PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE HAS TO BE CHALLENGING AT TIMES. HOW DO YOU BALANCE TIME AT HOME WITH SKIING, FILMING, PRACTICING YOUR CRAFT, ETC.?

Yes, we have two daughters, and you’re right – balancing work with family is challenging for any working parent, but skiing can be especially difficult as I’m at the whims of weather and good snow, and am traveling often as well. Often, the balance is off, but I try to do the best I can. It’s certainly not perfect, but it’s been worth it for me and my family.

I’M NOT A MOM, BUT I’VE ALWAYS PERCEIVED THAT WHEN PARENTS TAKE TIME FOR THEMSELVES TO DO WHAT FEEDS THEIR SOULS, IT’S THE ULTIMATE LESSON FOR THEIR KIDS INSOFAR AS IT MODELS THAT SELFCARE AND SELF-IDENTITY ARE IMPORTANT. DOES THAT HAVE ANY MERIT?

Yes, definitely. It can feel selfish to go skiing when I feel like maybe I should be at home with my family, but it’s honestly better for all of us most of the time when I go skiing. I’m happier and more able to enjoy my time with my family if I’ve been able to do what I love as well and when I make time to take care of myself. It’s a good model for them, and it’s good for me too.

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO SAY TO MOMS (AND DADS) ABOUT HOW YOU CAN CONTINUE TO BE A PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE AND A LOVING, CARING PARENT?

We often feel that things have to be a certain way, or that becoming a parent will change everything, and in a way, it does change a lot. But ultimately, humans are pretty motivated, and if you have things you want to do, you don’t have to let it be a certain way, you can make a new way that works for you and your family. What works for me isn’t necessarily what will work for someone else, and the more we can learn that, the better off we can all be.

PC: Ingrid Backstrom