McRae Williams

Name: McRae Williams

Birthdate: 10/23/1990

Nickname: Mac

Specialty: Slopestyle

Home Mountain: Park City, Utah

Athlete talk

Was there any particular experience that made you consider pursuing skiing professionally?

I can’t recall one particular experience. I just loved skiing more than anything and did it as much as I possibly could. It consumed my life and before I knew it, skiing became not only a part of life but a means of life.

Who were/are your idols on and off the hill?

Well, growing up all I really knew was skiing, and my idols in skiing are guys like CR Johnson, Pep Fujas, Mikeal Deschenaux, and Tanner Hall, just to name a few. These guys are still my idols to this day. Love watching old ski movies and reminiscing on the old days.

What does skiing mean to you personally?

To me skiing is not just a hobby, it’s a lifestyle. It is a part of my home, my childhood, my family, my friends. It connects everything I’ve ever known. Skiing is my life.

Do you have any specific goals for your skiing in the future?

As of now my plan is to continue competing as a part of the US Freeskiing pro team as long as I can. In our sport I fall into the upper age bracket for competitive slopestyle skiing, but I plan to keep charging and hopefully make the 2018 US Olympic team. After that I will most likely retire from competing and plan to get more involved with filming in the backcountry. I bought a snowmobile last fall and got comfortable on that this winter so I’m preparing for the transition you could say. haha

What aspect of skiing thrills you the most?

I just love the fact that skiing is so versatile and can be enjoyed in so many different ways by so many different people. Doesn’t matter how old you are, if you have a disability, if you are in the midwest with 200 vertical foot hills, or in Chamonix with 15,000 foot peaks, anyone anywhere can enjoy the love for skiing.

In what conditions and what terrain do you most enjoy riding?

I enjoy a good pow day ski touring in the Wasatch backcountry with my buddies. Nothing beats earning your turns and shredding untouched endless pow with good company.

Any activities that aren't ski related?

I really love to climb rocks. Mostly sport climbing and bouldering. I have a membership to a sweet climbing gym in SLC called The Front, and I get outside as much as possible during the summer. I also like to mountain bike quite a bit.

How do you manage to combine family/friends and job?

Sometimes it’s hard during the winters because I’m gone so much. I’ve missed my sisters birthday the past 5 years in a row, and can’t remember the last time I dressed up for Halloween. I just miss a lot of important family events, and I spend a lot of time away from my girlfriend which can be tough, but we manage to make it work. She takes care of the house while I’m gone, and travels with me when she can get time off work. I also make it up to my sister by getting her a really good gift. ;)

Please answer, if possible, with one word only.

Trick/move: Rodeo

Band: Grateful Dead

Movie: The Godfather

Book: The Alchemist

Drink: Beer

Food: Pizza

Country: Spain

Resort/place to ski: La Clusaz

Car: Tacoma

What do you like about SCOTT?

I like that Scott has been around from the beginning, innovating products built and designed by skiers, for skiers. They make just about everything you could need and all of it is top of the line. Can’t go wrong with Scott!

What are your favorite SCOTT products?

Well the LCG goggle is by far the nicest goggle I’ve ever used. Haven’t had them fog on me once! I also really like the Punisher 110 as an all around backcountry/pow ski. The mid range width makes it an acceptable ski for most conditions, and the early rise makes them super playful, but also responsive in the pow.