Meet an Athlete: Ingrid Backstrom

PRO SKIER, FILM PRODUCER.

Home Base / Leavenworth, Washington

Activities / Skiing, Ski Coaching, Avalanche Safety Instructing

Why Ingrid:

From 2004 to 2015, no American woman big mountain skier ripped harder than Ingrid Backstrom. Across freeskiing competitions and appearances in more than 20 ski films, Ingrid was the face of women’s big mountain skiing, tearing up intimidating terrain with an aggressive, graceful style.

The Seattle-area native grew up the daughter of a pair of Crystal Mountain volunteer ski patrollers, a weekend gig that allowed the whole family to ski for free. Weekend nights were spent in the resort parking lot, in an RV that had been converted from a 1954 GMC bookmobile. “We basically spent every weekend skiing bell to bell,” says Ingrid.

Ingrid ski raced from age 12 through college, and then fell into the big mountain freeskiing scene at Palisades Tahoe. Competition success at the world tour level (she podiumed at 12 of the 14 contests she entered) led to spots in ski films and her breakout performance in Matchstick Productions 2004 feature “Yearbook” established her as an instant icon. She won Powder magazine’s Readers Poll as the top female skier for a decade straight and has completed big mountain expeditions in far-flung locales like Pakistan, Antarctica, Greenland, and China.

In 2013, Ingrid co-founded the avalanche safety organization Safe As (Skiers Advocating and Fostering Avalanche and Snow Safety) and uses that expertise to lead risk mitigation on film projects, including “The Approach” ski and snowboard film series she has co-produced with Anne Cleary since 2020. The films celebrate the athleticism and love of sport of a cast of women, BIPOC, and adaptive skiers in big terrain across North America. “What I‘m most passionate about is expanding access to skiing for all people,” says Ingrid. “Representation is really important.”

Ingrid is a mom now, but she still charges. The question is: “Why wouldn’t she?" Photo: Taylor Boyd / Approach 2

Specialized Skills:

In the ski community, Ingrid has a 100 percent approval rating. Not only has her skiing inspired a generation via her appearances on film, but few athletes have so effectively engaged both the ski industry and public in person. “I love meeting people and connecting over skiing,” says Ingrid. “The best feeling is helping someone unlock something new in their skiing. Sharing the joy of the sport validates my commitment to the sport.” Ingrid’s infectious enthusiasm, seemingly effortless ability to remember everyone she has met, and long career give her a vast network of allies.

"The Approach" was Ingrid’s first foray into filmmaking with her collaborator Anne Cleary.

Ingrid’s extensive experience on film shoots means she knows how to guide a project from the field to the final product. When she says, ‘this could be cool,’ I always pay attention, and more often than not those are the shots that make the final cut. She’s also a fantastic leader, whether ensuring safety, or subtly fostering better group dynamics. She knows how to leave space for other people to make decisions, which empowers everyone. Additionally, she’s skied all over the world and her network is pretty unreal—Ingrid is the absolute best.

Anne Cleary Filmmaker and Founder of Mad Trees Productions

Ingrid mentors younger athletes on the importance of representing the brands (and themselves) with all the enthusiasm she has for the sport. Photo: Courtesy The North Face

What's Next:

This past winter, Ingrid and Anne Cleary wrapped up filming their third edition of “The Approach” film series, to premiere in the fall of 2024. “The response to the first two films was so eye-opening we knew there was more to say,” says Ingrid. “We are going to continue to let our cast tell their stories through their skiing.”