Dropping into Corbet’s isn’t something you ease into; it’s something you commit to. Last year, Tristen Lilly did that, throwing a hand-drag 720 into the most watched couloir in skiing and left with third-place at Kings & Queens of Corbets; and maybe the most mind melting trick of the entire contest.
This year, he’s back in the mix, set to drop 14th. Older, a little more settled, and still chasing the same feeling that pulled him west from Bethel, Maine in the first place. Less about labels, more about floating. Less about expectation, more about what feels right when it’s time to go.
We caught up with Tristen ahead of this year’s event to talk about last season’s breakthrough, competition versus play, mental prep, and sharing the pressure with someone close.
Photo: Amy JimmersonTristen LillyWhattup Tristen! Let’s start by telling the people about yourself, your background, and what you’re chasing within skiing.
I’m from Bethel, Maine. I live in Salt Lake and I’m a skier. I grew up racing a bit, and skiing park for fun but dreamed of skiing out west and made it happen as soon as I could. More than anything, what I’m chasing in skiing is still that feeling of floating, mindless, full control. And the laugh you get when words won’t say how sick it was.
Next important question, favorite ski movie/video?
Photo: Rocko MenzykLast year you took third place at Kings & Queens of Corbet’s with that nutty hand-drag 720. How did that moment come together for you, and did it go as expected?
I think we can credit third place to making it the whole way down on my feet for run two hahah. That being said, yeah that moment was crazy. Hard to say what happened but I think I got fully caught in the fever dream that it is to watch that comp from the top of that venue. Watching everyone go mental I got inspired to deviate from the plan. Still didn’t go quite how I expected but felt meant to be.
You’ve been mixing it up, also being seen in a recent SLVSH matchup; how has playing around outside of strict competitions fed into your freeride confidence and
I haven’t really played inside of strict competition much. Any organized comps I’ve done don’t give strict vibes. I am definitely competitive though and at the moment I’m definitely driven by winning. And since you brought up the slvsh, getting a little competitive with Ross that day was the most fun shit ever. Idk maybe I should be competing more. I think all of it feeds into who I am as a skier whether I’m in a start gate or in costume, beer in hand. Historically falling closer to the costume side of that spectrum I’d say skiing well every day and having fun with it feeds into my confidence and style more than a label or a comp ever has.
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How much does mental preparation factor in for you ahead of this event? Has that changed from your rookie year?
Yeah coming in on a years notice feels a lot different than two weeks notice. Not yet sure if knowing what to expect is an advantage for kings and queens hahah. I’ve been focusing on the skiing and traveling I’m doing now until it’s time to lock in up there.
You and your girlfriend, Piper Kunst, are both in the mix this year. What’s it like sharing that space and pressure together?
First off, love that girl, what a crusher. But yeah what a crazy thing it is to share that situation with a partner, grateful to get to experience it. I hope I ease her nerves because she helps mine for sure. She’d probably say differently but she navigates calm and collected when shits tense, good person to have in your corner. <3
What are your goals for this year’s Kings & Queens? Is there a trick in mind?
The goal is to win the thing. And yeah there’s always tricks in mind…
The podium is history now. What remains is the feeling Tristen Lilly keeps chasing; the one you don’t plan for, the one you commit to. Another drop into Corbet’s is coming. Everything else will sort itself out.
Watch Tristen drop Corbet’s, live streamed on Jackson Hole’s Youtube account found here.
Photo: Chris Furey
Chris FureyEditorial Writer
I’m an extreme sport athlete focused on speedflying, foiling, wakesurfing, skiing, and climbing. I’m deeply interested in extreme sports films, videos, and media; especially the role storytelling plays in capturing progression, risk, and the realities behind heavy moments.