Monica Sandes
the Ski Director

Skiing means the world to me. It has been my way to meet new people, see new places and experience new things. All while enjoying the glittering white - The Snow.

I grew up at the foot of the mountain and it became natural that we, the children of the village met in the slopes and played. My skiing was born out of play not through competition. For me, it was always all about having fun with my friends. Joy was the most important aspect of skiing. This became the foundation for my passion and I have maintained it during my whole life.

I did my first season in Chamonix in 1992 and after that I kept coming back for 9 seasons more. One thing led to another and suddenly I stood there, sponsored from top to toe, and with a place on the national Freerider Team. This was something BIG for me - I lived my dream! Being sponsored greatly facilitates this kind of life.

Throughout the years, it added up to quite a lot of competitions in extreme skiing, and some skiercross competitions as well.  Different articles and photographic assignments also became part of the journey. To compete was always a fun experience, but nothing I was thrilled about. I have always liked to ski together with my friends, rather than to compete against them. To me, the person who is enjoying him or herself the most is the true winner of the game.

Today my family and I are living outside of Stockholm. The time of doing seasons is over for me, but I always make sure to go skiing at least once a year. My favorite place is wonderful Verbier, where a good friend of mine who shares my passion for skiing lives.

I also have a house at the foot of the same mountain where I played when I was little. We spend some months each year on the mountain, in the woods - In the snow.