Elite Athlete Spotlight: Bryant Zhang

This year, MMCF is adding a new element to our Elite Athlete end-of-season interviews by meeting a select group of athletes where they’re most at home—on the mountain. Alongside our traditional interview process, this series gives us the opportunity to ride chairlifts, ski laps, and spend time getting to know the young athletes we support through the MMCF Elite Athlete Grant program in a more personal way. These grants help offset the costs of competing at a high level, and this series is a chance to highlight not just athletic accomplishments, but the personalities, stories, and communities behind them.

My first interview was with 17-year-old skier Bryant Zhang. We met at Chair 1 at 10 a.m. on a bluebird spring morning and immediately hopped on the lift to get acquainted. Bryant told me about how his family moved to Mammoth from Los Angeles after discovering a love for skiing during trips to Mountain High—his family quickly realizing that both he and his brother had serious talent on snow. Bryant started out on Mammoth’s Alpine Team before eventually transitioning into freeride and big mountain skiing—something that became very obvious once I let him choose where we skied for the morning. Within minutes, I found myself following him toward Chairs 3 and 5, and watching him casually scout cliff drops that would absolutely ruin my day. As someone at least twice his age (give or take), I opted for safer terrain while Bryant launched himself off chunks of Mammoth Mountain with an impressive amount of confidence, style, and ease.

Once we made it safely back onto terrain slightly more appropriate for my skill level, we settled into a rhythm of chairlift laps, spring turns, and conversation. Over the next few hours, Bryant shared more about his journey through ski racing, transitioning into freeride competition, balancing academics alongside training, and what comes next as he prepares to leave Mammoth for college this fall.

Chairlift Conversations

Looking back on your season, what stands out most to you?

Bryant said one of the highlights of the season was simply getting all eight members of the Mammoth freeride team together. Between school schedules, travel, competitions, and life outside of skiing, having the entire team on the mountain at the same time became increasingly rare.

“It’s really cool when everybody’s together,” he said. “Those are always the most fulfilling days.”

Another standout moment came during a competition trip to Whistler, where several Mammoth athletes qualified to compete internationally in Canada. While weather and conditions ultimately canceled finals, Bryant described the experience of traveling, competing, and skiing alongside top athletes as one of the biggest highlights of his year.

What were some of your biggest accomplishments this season?

Bryant’s season included several major milestones, including a first-place finish during a competition trip to Chile last summer, qualifying for international competition in Whistler, and winning his first-ever rail jam competition at June Mountain.

While he admitted he didn’t feel like every competition performance fully reflected his potential, he spoke maturely about learning through the ups and downs of competing.

“Not every competition is going to be your best,” he said. “You learn from the days where things click and also from the days where they don’t.”

Off the mountain, Bryant is also preparing to graduate high school while balancing a unique academic schedule that includes college-level coursework through Cerro Coso Community College.

How did the MMCF Elite Athlete Grant support your season?

For Bryant, the MMCF Elite Athlete Grant directly helped him purchase new skis for the season after outgrowing his previous setup.

“The grant really helped me upgrade my gear and level up my skiing,” he said.

As a high-level athlete competing in freeride events, equipment costs can add up quickly, and Bryant explained that having support through MMCF helped ease some of that burden and allowed him to continue progressing throughout the season.

What does a typical training day look like for you?

Bryant’s training days start early. After arriving on the mountain around 7 a.m., the team begins with “activation” — warm-up exercises led by coaches to prepare their bodies before skiing.

From there, the day can take many different directions depending on conditions.

“If there’s powder, we might build jumps or ski big mountain terrain,” he explained. “If it’s spring conditions, we’ll move into the park and work on freestyle.”

Afternoons often include additional off-snow training, including trampoline sessions at Snowcreek Athletic Club where athletes safely practice new tricks before bringing them onto snow.

Bryant is currently working toward landing clean cork 720s in the terrain park.

Who has been the biggest influence on your season?

Bryant immediately credited his mom as one of his biggest supporters.

“She helps me stay organized, keeps me on schedule, and pushes me to show up for events and volunteer for the community,” he said.

He also spoke highly of his coaches and teammates, describing the freeride team environment as one of the reasons he fell in love with big mountain skiing.

Outside of Mammoth, Bryant looks up to professional freeride skier Marcus Goguen, saying he hopes to someday compete at a similar level.

What’s next for you?

This fall, Bryant will attend the University of Utah, where he plans to study business, specifically finance and investing.

While the transition to college will mean navigating competition and training more independently, he’s excited for the challenge and hopes to continue skiing and competing while building a new community in Utah.

For now, though, Bryant is enjoying a slower spring — soaking in his final months of high school, skiing with friends, and appreciating a sport that has shaped so much of his life.

When asked to describe this season in one word, his answer came quickly:

“Bittersweet.”

And while his next chapter will take him away from Mammoth, it’s clear the mountain — and the community around it — helped shape the skier and person he’s becoming.

Speed Round ⚡

Favorite Mammoth Run:

Climax on a powder day, Stump Alley when the groomers are good.

Go-To Hype Song:

“Off the Meter” by Playboi Carti

Early Morning or Last Chair?

“First chair, then leave when I’m hungry.”

Dream Place to Ski:

Chamonix, France

Spending the morning skiing with Bryant was a reminder of why programs like the MMCF Elite Athlete Grant matter so much. Beyond the competition results and podium finishes, these athletes are thoughtful, hardworking, and deeply connected to the community around them. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the direct impact this support has on young people pursuing ambitious goals both on and off the mountain.

A huge thank you to Bryant for taking the time to show me around his Mammoth, introduce me to terrain I probably had no business following him into, and for making me feel only slightly old and slow in the process. We’re excited to see what comes next for him at the University of Utah and beyond, and I have a feeling this won’t be the last time we hear his name in the ski world.