How many kids wanted to be a unicorn when they grew up? There might have been a few in kindergarten, but by the time third grade rolls around, both family and peers would kick that dream out of even the most imaginative of souls. Yet there are some among us who discard the traditional life narrative and carve out their own path to become whatever they want — even a unicorn if they so desire.
Lynsey Dyer is one such human. Over the past decade, she has created a life for herself as one of the world’s most recognized action sports athletes. A standout even among the minority of women who embody badassery, she charges steep lines and slashes pow better than you. Not only that, but she’s done it while surviving in the pretentious world of sports marketing and the systemic bias of “pretty” over performance. Dyer proves that women need not sacrifice one for the other as she excels in both.
Using equal servings of power and grace she illustrates a new definition of “pretty”— hell, I’ll go further to say that what she does is downright hot. Where she really stands out is in her steadfastness to progress the sport for all women. She didn’t back down when big ski manufacturers have told her that girls don’t want to send it. By sticking to her guns she’s displayed her solid character and unwavering integrity toward making skiing a more enjoyable experience for everyone. There’s even a rockin’ Sego Ski Co. pro model to show for it. As part owner in the company, she designed the ski from the ground up: from prototyping the concepts, to testing/refining, and finally desigining the rainbow graphic topsheet with rearing unicorn proudly stamped on the tip.
A few years ago Lynsey produced a crowd-funded, all-female ski movie that showcases the soul of skiing; fueled purely by feminine power. Generations of skiers will admire her and her peers after viewing her labor of love, Pretty Faces.
Dyer, taking the highline into Corbet’s Couloir, Jackson Hole. Photo: Jay Goodrich
We spent some time together in Utah for the Flow and Snow weekend at Powder Mountain with an all-star cast. As one of the presenters and panelists in the event (and the fact that she was the best skier on the mountain) everyone wanted a piece of her time. She handled the role with remarkable poise from sunup to sundown and beyond, even kicking off a dance party on the second night by literally dragging everyone out onto the dance floor. The next morning she coached 11 students on edge control on hard-packed groomers while continually maintaining a bright and genuine smile. At the end of the intense four-day event, when all her duties were done, she sat down with me in front of the camera for a moment of reflection. This is a glimpse into the mind of one of Earth’s mythical Humicorns, Lynsey Dyer.
Check out more of Jay Goodrich’s work at Jaygoodrich.com.
