Squirrel Murphy

Squirrel Murphy didn’t just fall into skiing—he tumbled, rolled, and crashed into it, and loved every minute of the chaos. Known for his totally “send it” attitude, Squirrel’s motto is, “If you’re not catching air, you’re not trying hard enough.” Originally from New Zealand, he backpacked his way around the globe before realizing Squaw Valley was the closest thing to heaven on earth—well, heaven with a lot more falling down. He’s become a local legend not for his grace on the slopes, but for his ability to survive the most ridiculous wipeouts and still come out grinning.

When he’s not hucking himself off cliffs (occasionally on purpose), Squirrel can be found giving impromptu ski lessons—usually on why helmets are a great idea. His snow reports are part weather forecast, part adventure diary, with plenty of advice on how to have the most fun while risking the least bodily harm. Squirrel’s writing will make you laugh, cringe, and reconsider your own approach to skiing. After all, as Squirrel says, “If you’re not a little scared, you’re not doing it right!”