Mikaël Kingsbury Answers Our Questionnaire

Mikaël Kingsbury is the greatest mogul skier of all time. Choose your favourite sport, and think of its superlative figure—the GOAT; that’s who he is in mogul skiing. He’s the Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan, Lionel Messi, or Serena Williams. He stands above his competitors for the scale and consistency of his success season after season, including a hundredth World Cup win.

His Career at a Glance

World Cup victories: 99

Win Rate: 58.9% 

Olympic medals: 3 (1 gold, 2 silver)

Crystal Globes (World Cup titles): 29

World Championship medals: 15 (9 gold)

World Cup debut: 2010

To learn more about the person behind the success, we invited him to answer our questionnaire.

What do you hope to experience or accomplish this season or at the next Olympics?

The Milan Cortina Games will be the first Olympics to feature both mogul disciplines—single and dual. I’d definitely love to pull off the double. But I just want to enjoy these Games, which will be my last, have fun skiing, and make memories with my son and the rest of the family cheering at the bottom of the course. 

What song, musician, band, visual artist, poet, or other artist best represents your style on snow?

Good question! I wouldn’t say anyone in particular, because I adapt to the conditions, and they’re always changing. So maybe an artist or singer who’s really versatile and works across different styles. 

What word or phrase best describes your state of mind during competition?

Our key phrase before I leave the start gate is “You’ve got this.” It’s actually written on my gloves, and it really sums up my mindset. 

If you could spend a day on the mountain with anyone, living or deceased, who would it be?

I have lots of idols in skiing, and of course, I could name them. That said, I really enjoy spending time on the slopes with my family and friends. And now that my son is starting to ski, it’s even more fun. An athlete I really admire for his longevity is Roger Federer, and I know he skis. So maybe him!  

What’s the strangest training exercise you’ve ever done for your sport?

We do a lot of movements in the gym that are very specific to our sport, which can probably seem a bit strange to some people. Otherwise, we train on the water ramp, and I do a lot of trampoline work. 

What’s your favourite place to ski in Quebec? And in the world? Why? 

In Quebec, it’s Sommet Saint-Sauveur. It’s my home mountain, the slopes where I learned to ski and where our family chalet is. Around the world, it’s definitely Zermatt, and I also really love skiing in Japan. 

What’s your most magical moment on snow?

I’d say it’s when I’m the last skier to drop in during the final run of a competition. It’s a stressful moment, but I also feel privileged to experience it. It gives me time to take in everyone else’s runs and adjust mine accordingly. 

What quality do you appreciate most in your friends? In your ski or snowboard partners?

I’m competitive, so I’d say I like teammates who push me to be better on my skis. I really appreciate people who put in the work and are always trying to get better.

If you could be reincarnated after death, what being or object would you choose to become? Why?

Could I come back as myself? I’ve had a great life. I’ve been able to live off my passion and achieve my dreams. I’d happily start all over again. 

Do you have a hidden talent that would surprise us?

I don’t know if this would surprise you, but I’m actually pretty good at golf. I haven’t played for that long, and I broke 80 this summer. Otherwise, I’m good at baseball, and I can juggle a soccer ball and even do an around the world.