Whitney Gilliam

Other key actvites or hobbies besides splitboarding? What are you doing when you have some down time:
In the winter I also love snurfing (also known as pow surfing - a board without bindings). And in the summer I’ve enjoyed getting off the beaten path.. as our town is quite touristy, I’ve enjoyed straying from the popular trails and exploring nearby peaks and valleys with no trails! I also really love to laugh, whether that is at funny videos or funny friends, I truly believe its the best medicine ;) I also love to read: both fiction and non-fiction. 

Tell us about your background:
Most people are surprised to find out I didn’t begin snowboarding untl I was 18 years old. I was actually quite bad at snowboarding for a while, but then after University I went to mountaineering school to become a mountain guide and had to do everything on a splitboard and had no choice but to get better ;) It was then that I found what I was created to do - climb up mountains and snowboard down! I also realized I have a passion for education- especially for avalanche educaTon and backcountry safety. I am now an AIARE (American Institute of Avalanche Research & Education) Avalanche Instructor and get to teach courses every winter and I LOVE IT!

What was your craziest adventure or experience so far:
One of the craziest and hardest experiences I’ve had is doing a traverse of the Northern Ice Cap down in Patagonia, Chile! The trip ended up lasting 37 days and we had to survive some incredibly hard weather and long days, it was incredible. I also got to do a splitboard expedition on the Ruth Glacier in Denali National Park, Alaska. That trip was unforgettable! Incredible huge mountains everywhere, disconnected from the world for a month and just getting to sit in your tent and look out and decide what to ride. I want to go back!

Bucket list / Dream trip:
Oh goodness too hard to pick just one! Splitboard trip in Sweden/Norway & New Zealand splitboard Hut Trip. I would also love to hike the Te Araroa someday!

Why become a Haglöfs Ambassador:
I think it goes without saying that the gear is amazing, but I first loved Haglöfs for much more than that: the way they advocate for anyone and everyone enjoying the outdoors. And when I heard their moJo “outsiders by nature”, my first thought was “that’s me!”

What´s your favorite Haglöfs gear:
Ah it’s too hard to choose! But I guess if I have to I would say for the summer, my absolute favorite is the Airak 14L pack. For the winter, the Vassi jacket+bibs! 

Quote you live by:
“Don’t be an idiot”- Dwight Schrute….. just kidding! I would say “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear”