sports
February 17, 2026
“I’m trying to expand what it means to be a skier”: Mallory Duncan on jazz, freedom and the mountains
The Californian once had ambitions of winning gold at the Winter Olympics. But now he is more interested in what skiing can do for the soul
TL;DR
- Mallory Duncan leads a hybrid lifestyle, balancing city life in Portland with his passion for skiing, music, and art.
- He sees a strong connection between jazz and skiing, both genres emphasizing improvisation, freedom, and self-expression.
- Duncan transitioned from a competitive racing career to backcountry skiing, inspired by the soulfulness and adaptability of jazz.
- He founded a creative agency focused on sales, marketing, and film projects, viewing entrepreneurship as a form of creativity.
- His award-winning film, Blackcountry Journal, uniquely combines backcountry skiing with jazz.
- Duncan strives to expand the definition of skiing to be more inclusive, aiming to create a sense of belonging for those who feel like outsiders.
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