Parker White is Silently Crushing the Backcountry

Finding some air in the backcountry. 686 photo. 

Parker White is a force in skiing. His style was forged over many years and disciplines, from formative turns in Vermont’s mountains to terrain park and urban destruction and the recent and seemingly endless powder quest. He jokes that he chose this path at age nine. He didn’t know it at the time, but he truly did. Life ever since has been centered on skiing. He moved out west at the age of sixteen with the permission of two very supportive parents, who both have deep roots in the snow. 

P-White went on to build up a trove of accolades, from podiums and medals to industry awards and video excellence. Building recognition came with building up some up of the smoothest style in the game, too. In between it all he settled in Bozeman, Montana, following after his brother Vesa. Exploration and documentation of the backcountry has been his driving pursuit for the last handful of years and will continue to be. The boy who just wanted to be in the mountains with a pair of skis is the same, he just has a mustache, mullet, comedic charm and some two-stroke fury.

Tell me about growing up in Vermont.

It was great. I wouldn’t trade growing up in VT for any place else. I grew up in a town called Dorset. There wasn’t too much trouble you could get into so my parents just sort of let us loose. We got to run free. Best childhood ever. It’s really beautiful there, and actually as of recent I have been missing it a lot.

Was skiing a family tradition?

Oh yeah. My mom ski raced professionally and missed the US team by I think one spot. My dad skied for Middlebury and coached racing at the Bromley Outing Club for many years. Needless to say, skiing was a big activity for my family growing up and still is.

How’d you get roped into the culture and pursuit of skiing?

Probably just from growing up with it. It’s pretty sick, and actually kind of weird, to pick what you want to do with your life at like nine years old and still be into it. I don’t know how it roped me in, but I’m in.

How did skiing become the dominant force in your life?

I think a mixture of just being really passionate about it and having the most supportive parents in the world. My mom used to drive me all over VT to compete. They put me through Mount Snow Academy, which allowed me to ski everyday. They let me move to Mammoth when I was sixteen. Thanks mom and dad!

On a basic level, what is it about the simple act of sliding on snow that’s just so damn fun and keeps you hooked?

Powder mostly...

What sparked the move westward for you?

I think it’s a pretty natural transition for any east coaster. I’d say my biggest motivator though was a trip I took to Mammoth, California when I was fifteen to ski with the Montage crew. After that I pretty much knew exactly what I wanted to do and who I wanted to surround myself with.

How’d you settle on Bozeman, Montana?

My brother Vesa went to school here. When I was younger I would visit him in Bozeman and party and hang. I really liked it here and ended up staying. My dad lives in Helena now too so I’ve got some family around which is nice.

What were some defining times for you as a professional skier?

Slashing his way through the backcountry. 686 photo. 

I think hitting that 120-foot transfer gap in Sun Valley with Level 1 back in the day kind of jumpstarted my career. After that segment dropped I started making money. I quit my job at the movie theater in Bozeman and haven’t had a real job since.

After a number of acclaimed short films, The Big Picture has grown into a force in ski filmmaking. Tell me about how it all came about and your role there.

The Big Picture was a project created by Chris Logan, Sean Logan and myself about five years ago. It’s done now. It’s my proudest project I’ve ever worked on. We created it to completely do our own thing. My role was skiing. Darhkness’ (Chris Logan) role was skiing. Sean was the mastermind, filmer, editor, trip planner and weatherman, sort of the only actual adult in our crew.

Tell me about the importance of keeping skiing in skier’s hands.

I don't know if skiing is in skier’s hands honestly. It’s a super old sport and most brands owned and run by real skiers usually die. That’s the unfortunate truth.

What’s your life like outside of skiing?

It’s pretty mellow. I hang out with my dog a lot. Since moving to Montana I’ve really taken to hunting. That takes up most of my time in the fall. Last summer I raced stock cars for the first time and other than that I pretty much skateboard by myself a lot and kick it with my girlfriend.

In 686’s recent video Rabbit Hole you are the sole skier in a band of snowboarders. Did you come away from that with any insight, say on how you look at terrain?

I don’t think it changed the terrain I want to ski. I’m pretty focused when it comes to that. I had a lot of fun on trips with those guys though. 686 is one of the most positive things I’ve had enter my life as of recent.

How did you become adept at snowmobiling and backcountry exploration?

Adam Delorme doubled me around Cooke City for like a month my first year filming. Since then it’s become all I really do. It’s a big learning curve and I’m still figuring it out. It just takes a lot of time. My experience and knowledge is about one-tenth of a lot of people, but I’m trying!

What sort of projects, trips, ideas or dreams are you envisioning for the future?

My main focus right now is filming a bomber seg with Freedle Coty and Level 1 this winter. My life goal and dream is getting in a helicopter in Haines, Alaska. I’ve never been there and I’ve wanted to make it happen for years. Maybe this year is the year.