logo
Ulmer

Kristen Ulmer

sportauthor

Kristen Ulmer is an American professional extreme skier and former professional snowboarder who is most known for her big mountain skiing and snowboarding exploits in the late 1980s and early 1990s. She was one of the first women to become a professional snowboarder and set the standard for female freestyle snowboarding in its infancy. She also established herself as a renowned big mountain skier and was one of the first women to ski steep chutes, cliffs, and extreme terrain in the Wasatch Mountains. 

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1972, Ulmer began skiing in the Sierra Nevada mountains at the age of three and grew up skiing in Utah's Wasatch Mountains. She first started snowboarding when she was 16 and quickly began setting records for female snowboarding, including being the first woman to land a 360 in a competition. She also became one of the first professional female snowboarders and toured with the Burton Air/Snowboard team. In 1993, she was the first woman to ride the Grand Teton in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

In 1995, Ulmer decided to focus solely on skiing and became one of the world's most renowned female big mountain skiers. She was featured in several ski films and won numerous awards, including being named Powder Magazine's Skier of the Year in 1996. She also won the World Extreme Skiing Championship in Chamonix, France, in 1997 and 1998.

In addition to her skiing accomplishments, Ulmer is also an avid mountain biker and climber. She has been featured in several mountain biking and climbing films and is a regular competitor in the 24 Hours of Moab mountain bike race. She is also an accomplished yoga instructor, having taught at the renowned Omega Institute in New York.

Ulmer is an outspoken advocate for living life with passion and adventure. She has written several books on her life and philosophies, including The Art of Fear: Why Conquering Fear Won't Work and What to Do Instead. She is an active public speaker, and her lectures have been featured at TEDx, Google, and the Smithsonian. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Outside Magazine, and National Geographic.

In addition to her inspiring professional accomplishments, Ulmer is also an ardent environmental advocate and a founding member of the Protect Our Winters organization. She has also been involved in numerous philanthropic endeavors, including the SheJumps organization, which is dedicated to getting more women and girls involved in outdoor activities.

She is also a dedicated mentor and coach, having coached several US Ski Team athletes. Ulmer has been featured in many documentaries and films, including the 2009 documentary Ski to Live. She is a passionate advocate for living life to the fullest and inspiring others to do the same.