Photos by Nate Miceli
This year, at the age of 13, Walker Woodring, or ‘Walker ShredZ,’ was named to US Freeski’s Rookie Slopestyle Team. The phenom burst onto the scene in 2022, when he narrated Matchstick Production’s Anywhere from Here. Walker has been called the “future of freeskiing” and “the face of the next generation,” but what we’re most impressed with is his pure love of skiing and his desire to be himself. “The sport is progressing so fast, but I’m really focused on my style,” says Walker. “Everyone has their own unique flavor, which I think is super rad.”
Five Things Walker Loves About Skiing
TRAVEL
“Being able to ski all over the world has been one of the sickest parts of this adventure. Skiing has taken me to New Zealand, Australia, and Europe. The food and the culture might be different, but one thing that’s the same wherever I go is that people are hyped on skiing.”
FRIENDS
“Nothing beats a day of shredding with the homies! This might be the best part of skiing—especially if it’s a powder day. My friends start frothing hard when we hear there’s going to be a new jump built or a different rail set up in the park. Sometimes we wake up super early to get first chair. Those are the best mornings, especially if my mom drops off donuts for us.”
GEAR
“All the new gear that comes out every season is another cool part of the sport. I’m so lucky to test out the new Armada prototype junior skis in the spring, and I’ve been learning about the different rocker and camber in ski designs. I even got to visit the Armada factory in Austria. Oakley is always coming out with super fly outerwear and goggles that help me scope my landings in any conditions.”
DAD
“My dad is my best friend and one of the gnarliest skiers I know. He’s the only dad I see out there who hits the 65-plus-foot jump line of any park we go to, and he was the one who taught me how to ski when I was a tiny grom. All my friends on the hill call him ‘Papa ShredZ.’ Pretty sure he might like skiing more than I do, which is saying a lot.”
HEROES
“I spend a lot of time studying all my ski heroes’ video parts. I got the opportunity to watch Colby Stevenson absolutely destroy the backcountry last spring, and it got me so hyped on skiing more pow. He took me out on one of the deepest days on his snowmobile, and the whole time I was like, ‘This is the best day of my life!’ Every time I get to ride with one of my idols, they fire me up and teach me so much.”