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Katrina Strobl
+43.650.601 1978
katrin@kk-strobl.at
Nadia Samer
Nation: Canada
Birthday: July 29, 1988
Ski focus: Big Mountain (formerly Alpine, Ski Cross) &
speed flying.
Ski gear set up: Fischer KOA110 in 185cm, Fischer Bigstix
122 in 192cm. RC4 130 Vacuumfit Boots, Adrenalin 16
bindings.
Grown up/home town: Campbell River, BC.
Home mountain: Blackcomb
Started skiing at age: 2
Started skiing through: Chasing my dad down the hill, always wanting to go faster than everyone else.
Ski inspiration: Herman Maier, I’m half Austrian and a former alpine ski racer. I admire his tenacity, his dedication and his
mental strength through adversity.
Most important part of skiing for me is: The happiness it brings me and the smile it puts on my face. I get to find out what
I’m made of and constantly push my limits on a daily basis. I love conquering my fears and pushing myself past my comfort
zone, it has to be one of the most satisfying feelings in the world.
Favorite/most impressive line/place to ski and why: Hitting Air Jordan (large double stage cliff here in Whistler). It’s a
Hollywood line in front of peak chair, I’ve hit it twice now, the only other woman to do so on skis is Jen Ashton.
Favorite ski moment: Too many to count, my first time speed flying was pretty surreal.
Toughest ski moment ever: Blowing my ACL training DH a week before national Championships coming into the race
super strong and skiing fast, or deciding that I was going to give up Ski Cross to pursue Big Mountain skiing, it was scary,
not knowing what the future would bring and committing to something unknown.
Dream trip: 2-3 weeks Sled-skiing in Valdez, Alaska.
If I wouldn't be a skier, I… ’m currently in University in the summer & fall terms trying to get into medical school, it’s
amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it. I honestly can’t ever see the mountains not being a large part of my
life.
Anything to add or else to tell? Believe in yourself, your dreams. Don’t take no for an answer and create your own
opportunities.
ABOUT SHADES OF WINTER
What is SHADES OF WINTER (for you/in general)
Shades of Winter is an opportunity to show the world a part of my passion, and my “happyplace”.
Where do you want to film next for a new SHADES OF WINTER movie? I would LOVE to have the chance to do some
sled-skiing in Alaska. I think 2-3 weeks of sled-skiing around the Thompson pass, Valdez area would be absolutely
phenomenal. I’ve had dreams about skiing “The books”, and it’s definitely on my bucket list. Other than that, the terrain
around here in Whistler is pretty phenomenal, I love calling this place home and I feel there is still so much more terrain to
explore around here.
Whom do you want to thank?
I want to thank Sandra Lahnsteiner for involving me in this movie. Honestly, I am incredibly humbled and feel extremely
fortunate to have this sort of opportunity. The current field of female talent in free skiing is quite deep and I felt honoured to
be asked to be a part of this project. I have yet to actually meet Sandra, but she took a chance on me, with this Whistler
segment (which I had 3 days to film, last minute in April) and the entire time we were up at 3:45 am getting home at 10pm or
later filming all I wanted to do was produce a segment worthy of her project. The amount of hours and work that go into a
project of this size is immeasurable, and she does all that and more as also a coach, athlete, team manager and producer. I
would also like to thank Fischer Alpine Skis for taking me on board, they have been so supportive of this project and of other
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Katrina Strobl
+43.650.601 1978
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female skiers, it is nice to be treated with respect as an athlete rather than a burden because of my gender. Also thank you to
the other companies that helped fund this project, Garmin, Peak Performance. Thank you to Miranda at Peak Performance
Whistler and Amber at Peak Performance Canada. Thank you to the rest of my sponsors who have been with me all through
the years on this incredibly journey, I wouldn’t be doing what I love without you: Steve at No Limits Motorsports, Dave at
Cheetah Factory Racing, Brendan at Limenine, Jeff and Lars at FOX shocks, Ryan (also Jimbo, Keleen) with Electric Visual,
Andrea, Giovanni and Corey with Dainese & AGV Legendary Helmets, Brett at Bulldog Decks, Jess at Highmark By
Snowpulse, John Roope from WIDSIX, Fraser for riding my sled down for me during film days & shooting photos, my
orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Patrick Chin and all the physiotherapists and trainers I have worked with over the years. My father,
for believing in me and supporting me with pursuing my dreams.
Why should people watch the new movie?
People should watch Pure because there isn’t anything else out there like it.
What’s special about SHADES OF WINTER?
This movie is entirely female driven, focused and hats off to Sandra Lahnsteiner for taking on a second film. Projects like this
aren’t easy, and I have so much respect for her for taking this from an idea to a full blown production. Shades of Winter is
special in that it strives to encompass many aspects of skiing for various girls in their natural states, without altering them or
forcing them to fit a script, ideal, or particular image. For me, I was blown away Sandra wanted to showcase my skiing as
well as my snowmobiling. The two go hand in hand for me, as snowmobiling is the method in which I access the majority of
my lines these days, and it completely embedded in my experience of the backcountry. I hope everyone else sees it as a form
of freedom and self expression like I do. I wish other girls could experience an ounce of the confidence and happiness I get
from it.
TRIP RELATED QUESTIONS
NINE QUEENS is about feeling valued, feeling special: Nine Queens offers free skiing girls something to call their own,
something completely female with all the luxuries, infrastructure, tools and media coverage that men typically get with their
events and competitions.
Japan - BLISS: Deep blower pow days are the ultimate in bliss, that feeling you get of being submerge, with over the head
face shots every turn, nothing else compares to that.
Canada/sledding - FREEDOM:
Snowmobiling allows you to cross exponentially more terrain than ski touring. I like to think of it as my “Mountain pony” it takes me to these remote regions that would otherwise take days, if not weeks by foot, or you would have to take a
helicopter. For most people a helicopter is out of the question. Snowmobiling defies gravity. For skiing, you need downhill
moment, you hit cliffs, lines, all downhill. With a snowmobile, you can get powder turns and face shots on the flat or going
uphill. You can hit jumps with flat run ins or step ups. The possibilities are endless and it is the ultimate expression of
freedom to paint your line on a blank canvas of snow.
Alaska - CHALLENGE, CONQUER FEAR:
Alaska is the pique of big mountain skiing, only there can you be so thoroughly humbled and challenged. The terrain is
unforgiving and the consequences are high, but the rewards are also unlike anything else.
What does Sledding mean for you?
Sledding is freedom, I often joke about it and refer to my sled as my mountain pony, or freedom machine. Snowmobiling
opens up a whole new world of terrain and lines to explore.
How was filming with Momme Halbe from Sherpas cinema in Whistler?
Filming with Momme was an experience in itself. I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him, as
he is a perfectionist and has a very unique eye. He didn’t have any prior experience snowmobiling, and it was just myself and
a friend out there, who was just learning too. Taking two beginners out snowmobiling deep in the backcountry without any
extra help was quite the challenge, but we banged out long 18 hour days, sunrise til sundown and shot most features and lines
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Katrina Strobl
+43.650.601 1978
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from 3-4 angles. It was an absolute pleasure to work with him and I can’t wait to see the footage he shot! Thank you
Momme!
SPONSOR RELATED QUOTES
Thank you Peak Performance for supporting this movie, without your help I would not be a part of this film! I am thankful
for the gear and the opportunity. Thank you to Amber Nero with Peak Performance Canada and Miranda Foord at Peak
Performance Whistler for the outfit this year!
The new Garmin Virb cameras are awesome and held up to long days of abuse in the backcountry. They are so versatile,
and the variety of mounts give you so many options for filming angles! Being able to see the angle and footage feedback
right away is a huge plus too!
I am so happy that Fischer backed this movie, their gear allowed me to perform at my best, and truly charge my lines. The
KOA 110 is a weapon in the backcountry on steep lines and descents! Thank you Fischer for taking such an interest and
supporting women’s skiing!