ATHLETE
Program
Athlete
PROGRAM
Alyeska Athletes
ELYSE SAUGSTAD
Elyse Saugstad was raised in Girdwood, Alaska and since that time became passionately involved with freeride and backcountry skiing as a professional skier. Between 2007 and 2009 Elyse won many International Freeride competitions and was crowned Freeride World Tour Champion in 2008. Since then Elyse has turned to filming wherein she has won Powder Magazine’s Video Award’s “Best Female Performance” in 2013 for her segment in Teton Gravity Research’s Co-Lab and again in 2018 for her segment in Matchstick Production’s All In. Additionally Elyse was named Freeskier’s Female Skier of the Year” in 2019. Through her unique experiences as a professional athlete Elyse had the opportunity to give a TEDx Talk in San Francisco in 2013. Elyse has worked with Chugach Powder Guides and Big Mountain Trips as a guest athlete/host.
A third-generation Alaskan, Elyse grew up in the mountains and on the wild rivers of that state. Her passion for the outdoors and love of speed led her to become one of the best women downhill racers in the country at the age of 16. After graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno, Elyse turned her eyes once again to the wilderness and became a professional skier with a long list of film credits and awards to her name.
Wylder Burton
Wylder Burton is a 14 year old board enthusiast with roots in both Hawaii and Alaska. Born on the Big Island, he later moved to Girdwood with his family for his dad’s job. It was there that he discovered the magic of the mountains, and he has been chasing snow and sliding sideways since.
Most winter days you can find him begging one of the local Uncles to take him snowmachining(snowmobiling) in Turnagain, hot-lapping at Alyeska, building hits in the yard and gulping down hot chocolate at the Sitz.
His future goals include filming epic parts for snowboard movies, competing in Natural Selection, getting barreled, and playing electric guitar in a band.
Harper Landry
Harper Landry is a 15 year old athlete from Girdwood Alaska. She learned to ride at Alyeska Resort, and progressed to the notorious backcountry terrain of Turnagain Pass Alaska. Harper accesses the pass with her family and friends on her own snowmachine.
Harper is first tram for pow days at the resort, and she also spends time in the park working on tricks which led to her past repeat victories in USASA slopestyle and boardercross. Harper has an epic segment in the locally filmed “SnowBros” movie, with plans for another in the sequel. Her focus this season will be the banked slalom event, and filming at Alyeska Resort and the Chugach Mountains.
Leif Mumma
Leif Mumma is a 25-year-old Girdwood local and a prior Freeride World Tour athlete. Growing up on Alyeska, hot-lapping Northface laps day after day, he developed a hard-charging, big-air style that has always been unique on the freeride competition circuit. During the 2023 Freeride World Tour stop in Barqueira Beret, Spain, Leif walked away with the Peak Performance Moment of the Day award after an impressive line through a tight, steep chute with mandatory drops.
After a few years of competing across North America and Europe and graduating from Montana State University in Bozeman with an Earth Sciences degree focused on Snow Science, Leif is back in Girdwood. Now, you can find Leif commercial fishing in the summers and working with Chugach Powder Guides in the winter.
Calling All Snowsports Athletes
Alyeska Resort proudly supports the passion and dedication of local snowsport athletes through its refreshed Athlete Ambassador Program. Celebrating the community’s spirit, the selection committee offers a handpicked team of competitors not only financial backing but also the chance to gain media exposure and engage in enriching networking events. Athlete Ambassadors are the heartbeat of our slopes, embodying the resort’s values, igniting competition fervor, and fostering a sense of unity. This initiative stands as a testament to Alyeska’s commitment to nurturing talent and promoting inclusivity, ensuring that the thrill of snowsports continues to resonate throughout our vibrant Alaskan community.
Final deadline for submission to be included in this season’s selection is October 31st!
Program Benefits + Expectations;
During the term of this agreement, Alyeska Athletes shall:
- Receive a complimentary season pass for 2025/26
- Be eligible for potential media exposure
- Discounted Alyeska logo wear
- Access to remote areas of the mountain for media & photography work
- Provide at least five (5) availabilities for photoshoots during the duration of the ski season
- Maintain an online presence (i.e. social channels, website, etc.) and other forms of communications to share news of Athlete’s schedule, performance, updates, etc. and provide quarterly check-ins with Director of Marketing as well as provide content for Alyeska’s social media presence with at least one (1) social media post per month, tagging location and the resort handle @resortalyeska/Alyeska Resort.
