Katie Mumm, of Marsh Valley, Idaho, and her husband, Jedd, have made a home out of a ski resort and a lifestyle out of riding fresh pow. Read up as she breaks down how she got to this perfect life. It has something to do with getting beat up by horses and being a pretty above-average human being.

How long have you been skiing?

I started skiing 10 years ago with my middle school’s winter sports program, but I didn't hit the hills hard or start living the ski bum life until I graduated high school four years ago. Since then I’ve had 90+ days a season.

What’s the biggest trick you’ve landed?

A laid out back flip off of Rock Chuck, this big cornice at Targhee.

Was it on your first try? How do you get to the point where you say, “I think I’ll try a laid out back flip?”

No, definitely not on my first try. For me, it came with the acceptance that it didn't matter if I crashed. It's trial and air. Get it?

Yes. Nicely done. Are you competitive? Do you work hard in order to do things other people can’t?

I am very competitive, but I’m trying to teach myself to do things for their own enjoyment instead of just to be the best.

What do you do for fun besides skiing?

Bike. I love to road bike, mountain bike, motorbike and dirt bike. I love music. Running the Salmon in a kayak with my sister is the best thing on a hot summer day. Rock climbing, too. If I’m outside and breathing the fresh mountain air, I’m usually content.

Favorite music?

Iron & Wine, Kn'aan, Phantom Planet, Matt Pond PA, Kid Cudi, The Sounds, Priscilla Ahn, Adele.

First album you bought?

The Road to Eldorado soundtrack.

What’s the oldest band you like?

Simon and Garfunkel.

What do you like to do indoors?

I love to read. I really like my college classes. Cleaning the house always feels good, and sometimes I curl my hair just because I want to.

What are you reading right now? Do you have a favorite book?

I’m reading First They Killed My Father, a memoir of a Cambodian girl during the reign of the Khmer Rouge. Favorite book is probably The Chronicles of Narnia, but I love lots of others.

Got a day job?

I am a ski instructor in the winter, I teach dance, and in the summer I work at an outdoor equipment rental shop.

Favorite movies?

Avatar, by far. Don't make fun of me.

Describe your personal style.

I used to say I didn't know what my style was, but one day I realized it could be whatever I wanted depending on how I felt on that day—high heels and jeans, baggy shirts, lace, chacos, baseball caps, skinnies, flares, khakis, bandanas. Really just whatever my mood puts me in.

Favorite food growing up?

Brownies.

Favorite food now?

Brownies with chocolate chips.

Ever been in a fight?

I have four sisters. I've been in a few doozies.

Got any cool scars?

I have a scar above my left eye from getting trampled by a horse. And a fake tooth from the same incident.

You didn’t mention that when I asked if you’d been in a fight. What in the world happened?

I was saddling my horse when I was 15 and she spooked and knocked me underneath her. To say she 'trampled' me sounds a little dramatic, but I came out of it with a deep split in my eyelid, a gash in my gums and a few missing teeth.

If you won the lottery, what charity would you donate to?

I wouldn't donate it to any specific charity; I would spread it out to all of the people that I've met that have made me wish I could win the lottery and help out. I can think of about 8 off the top of my head. I’d buy my dad a tractor.

And what are you doing now, pre-lottery?

I worked in a few orphanages in Ecuador with tons of amazing little kids and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I am doing an internship with a substance abuse treatment program. I hope to always remember the needs of others before my own wants. Also, skiing is about both adrenaline highs and a deeper joy that fills a spot in my soul. I want to share some of that. Jedd and I volunteer teaching local school kids at Targhee, and we get free lift passes we can give to anyone we want. Bringing friends up who can’t afford lift tickets makes for some of the best days on the mountain.

Like to travel?
I love to travel. I don't have much interest in places like New York and Paris, but someday I am sure that I’ll stumble through and love them. I love small towns. I like to travel off the beaten path—preferably on a motorcycle, so I can be as spontaneous as the land inspires me to be.

Which one are you on the camping trip? The patrol leader? The early riser?

A little of everything—the campfire singer, the cook (good food is a necessity while camping), the adventurer. Everything but the early riser.

 Wicked Audio makes a lot of trendy, ‘hip’, audio products that add that extra umph some of us need while rocking out to our latest tunes. The latest and greated in Wicked’s collection are their Metallics – which as the name suggest are their cute earbuds in metallic colors. I received a pink pair to try out and I liked them from the moment my eyes caught a glimpse. I immediately started wondering how much ‘better’ earbuds will have to get before they’re considered bad for us.
 
I can’t lie, I love having earbuds on. The freedom of being able to listen to my own music and sounds that bring me pleasure is just liberating – I love it. I really enjoyed trying these headphones out, they are pink (my new fav. color despite me not considering myself to be girly). I use them at work, on my commute to work (plane) and to work out.
 
My least fav experience was working out – I’m not a gym buff so my working out plan only consists of running, but man, after a decent run, in the beautiful weather of southern Cali – my earbuds were soaked! It felt so yucky!! The worst was when I stopped, because then I started ‘gushing’, or glistening at a much faster pace than usual – so they definitely came off.

 
The earbuds were very comfortable to wear. They were especially comfortable because I was given 3 different sets of cushions to ensure I found the closest perfect fit. I liked them except after a while my ears started to itch. Don’t get all weirded out folks, it wasn’t an itch like a bug in my ear, but an itch like if my ears could stretch out, they would, so I would have to ‘let them breathe’ after rubbing them for a few.