Bio
The first thing you should know about Grete is that her name is pronounced “Gre-tuh”. She spent the first part of her childhood in Minnesota, then relocated across the pond to Lillehammer, Norway, when she was 13, so that she could pursue a career in racing. She reached the Norwegian Europa Cup team and place 3rd at Junior Olympics when she was 15, and her race stock was quickly rising.
Grete started competing on the main stage in 2004, competing in park and pipe contests in Europe and the U.S. She won back-to-back U.S. Open Slopestyles in 2004 and 2005 then took gold at the first ever Winter X Games women’s halfpipe. Since 2006, Grete has claimed four X Games medals, two US Open wins, a Whistler Blackcomb Ullr crown (she donated the $25,000 to Stand Strong Again), numerous other podium finishes and one bonafide Guinness World Record hip air.
Grete is no doubt at the top of the women’s skiing game. She could easily ride it out and keep doing what she’s doing, but she’s driven to constantly mix things up. Her pure love for skiing led her into the backcountry and that in turn led Grete to make her own two-year film project, Say My Name, a women’s ski movie released in 2009.
Grete is also a world traveler, film producer, enthusiastic student at the University of Utah, consummate businesswoman and burgeoning politico.
Q & A
-
What are your favorite songs currently loaded onto your Thump
I no longer have a thump it was stolen.
-
Do you have any other special talents (music / write / draw / paint)
I seem to like organizing things, maybe not cleaning all the time, but I don't hate organizing.
-
Favorite Books
Clan of the Cave Bears.
-
Favorite TV Shows
Beverly Hills 90210 (R.I.P.).
-
5 Items I can't live without
Cellphone, Passports, VISA, Powerbook and Toothbrush.
-
What is more important to you than skiing
Not much except family and friends.
-
If you could be someone famous, who would you be
Oprah Winfrey or Hot Totti.
-
When did you start your sport
2 or 3 years old
-
Party animal or mellow TV on the couch
I can do both, but I really like the couch.
-
Favorite Films
One Step Closer to Jesus (The DVD Collection).
-
Favorite Drink
Ginger Ale
-
Favorite Bands
"Ooohhh Ahhhh" The Grits.
-
If you were not a pro skier you would be
More of a student, like my lil sis Kirsten.
-
Biggest Influences
Oprah Winfrey, Mamma, Sarah Burke and Suzie Chapstick.
-
Favorite class
Math
-
How do you see yourself? Are you rebellious? Quiet? Weird? Why?
Basically, I'm rebellious and weird. Sometimes I do things so differently then others, which may seem rebellious to me, but to others they just find me weird.
-
What are the things that inspire you?
Everything really inspires me. When I see people doing certain things with their lives. Or when I hear people talking about their goals of something they want to do and they go out and do it. I think way to many people talk about their aspirations in life and envy to many people. They should instead just take the plunge and try it for themselves, but still in the same time support others. Oprah Winfrey, music, good people and smiles.
-
Favorite person to travel with? Tell us a story about your travels.
My favorite person to travel with is my buddy Michelle. She's just such a hoot. I couldn't even begin to tell you about our adventures.
-
What is the greatest thing you have taught somebody else?
Well I like to believe I've taught a lot of people a lot of things, because I taught in High-School. I've also coached and volunteered a lot, and I've been a lifelong Life Coach to a lot of my friends. But I hope that everyone who has been around me has learned how to be happy and to treat others kindly.
-
What are the things or stories that encapsulate the way you live your life?
I've already been so fortunate with being able to travel as much as I do. I was also raised between two countries. Therefore, I believe I have a very open mind on a lot of things that go on in the world today. The two people that are to thank for this wonderful upbringing are my parents who have been supportive in everything that I've ever done.
-
What are the greatest hurdles you have had to overcome in life?
- Mean nasty teachers - Making big decisions like: o Quitting racing o Continuing to go to school o Getting through painful moments in my life and watching people in my life go through their painful moments.
-
What do you hold the most valuable to you in life?
My family, friends and faith.
-
What are your most fond childhood memories?
Being at the Lake!!!
-
Tell me a little about your best friend. Why are they your best friend and how are you alike and different from each other?
My best friend is getting married this September and I’m nowhere near ready to get married. We were so alike when we were younger, but then our personalities just grew from each other, but we’re still really close because of our bond and I could tell that girl anything and she can always tell me what to do when I need help.
-
What are the 3 biggest things you learned from your parents?
1. Help Others 2. Love 3. Energy
-
What makes you different than other girls or just unique?
I do a lot of different things at once, which would make most girls trip. And somehow I still am a very balanced person.
-
What are you passionate about and why?
- My education - God - Doing my part
-
What made you start your sport and why?
It was a family activity.
-
Please add anything that comes to mind about who you are, your interests and passions and who you aspire to be in life and in the future.
All I want to be is a good person.
-
Any last words
I love U!...yea YOU!
-
What's in your future, what do you want to accomplish ?
Keep having fun
-
What do you love/hate about your body?
Love, my body for taking care of me. Hate my big toe nails for always falling off at the end of the season.
-
What is something that you wouldn't normally tell someone about yourself?
I could live off Mac’N’Cheese
-
What are your guilty pleasures?
All mac’n’cheee and grilled cheese
-
What habits do you have?
I laugh really loud.
-
What are you afraid of?
Bees and sometimes spiders.
-
When did you first start skiing? Where/why?
Hyland Hills, Minnesota
-
Talent…other than skiing:
Organizing and cleaning
-
Your Favorite…(Start with your favorite music artist or something):
Southern hip-hop, fruit snacks, bbming, dancing, skim milk, brushing my teeth, Red Bull before class or skiing, flip-flops, tights.
-
Oakleys are…
...everything I wear.
-
C-Walking, Head Banging or fist pumping? Which one?: C-Walking, Head Banging or fist pumping? Which one?
Floor Humping! It’s basically my only move.
-
Dream vacation spot:
The Lake
-
Would you rather get punched in the gut by Mr. T. or super roundhouse kicked in the face by Chuck Norris?
Mr. T, I pitty the fool.
-
People would be super surprised if they knew that you…
try to go to church as much as possible and read the Bible at night.
-
What tricks are you working on?
Spread Eagle
-
You’ve been mistaken for…
a tomboy
-
Brad Pitt or George Clooney?
Brad
-
Last words…
Be a better person, everyday!
Change Country