Freestyle and freeride skiing prodigy - Michaela Bridgens
Images Lennon Bright Photography
Point Wells local, Michaela, was introduced to the world of skiing almost as soon as she could walk. As the only child of Deb and Ryan Bridgens, lifelong skiers themselves, Michaela learned to ski at the age of two and her love for the sport quickly became evident. Weekends and school holidays were soon dominated by trips to Mt Ruapehu, their home mountain.
In 2018, a pivotal moment came when the Bridgens family took Michaela on her first overseas ski trip. Witnessing an Olympic qualifying event and skiing in the beginners' park ignited a spark in her. From that point she joined Team Ruapehu Freestyle and began competing in the Snow Sports NZ Freestyle series, the NZ Freestyle Nationals, and the NZ Junior Freeride Tour.
Since 2020, Michaela has dedicated her winters to training in Wanaka with the High Performance Cardrona Parks squad and the Treble Cone Freeride Team. She also spends significant time in North America, training and competing with Team Summit at Copper Mountain, Colorado. This rigorous schedule includes training four to five days a week on snow, strength and conditioning sessions in the gym, yoga, and trampolining. Despite the demanding routine, Michaela manages to balance her academic responsibilities with the support of Kristin School, where she is currently in Year 9. “School has been very supportive and I do all of my work online and check in with my teachers each week by Zoom or email,” says Michaela.
Michaela’s training environment is nothing short of inspiring. Cardrona, known for its world-class park and halfpipe, attracts top snow sports athletes from around the globe. Michaela relishes the opportunity to ride the chairlift with New Zealand Olympians like Nico Porteous and Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, drawing inspiration and encouragement from these seasoned athletes. “They are all so friendly and encouraging,” she says.
The past two Northern Hemisphere winters have seen Michaela travelling to North America for extensive training and competition, her performance qualifying her for the USA Nationals for two consecutive years. Michaela's accomplishments speak volumes about her prowess. She has been the NZ National Freestyle Champion in her age group since 2018. Her proudest achievement came in 2023 when she won the Overall NZ Freestyle Nationals, the NZ Junior Freeride Tour overall title (U14 girls), and the Snow Sports NZ Freestyle Series Title (U14 girls).
Competing at such a high level is not without its challenges. Michaela cites the mental aspect and strategic planning as the most demanding parts of competitive skiing. The pressure to perform can be intense, but once she starts her run, her nerves fade, and her focus sharpens. Slopestyle and Halfpipe competitions often allow for two runs, with the best score counting, providing a chance for redemption if the first run doesn’t go as planned. Freeride competitions, however, offer only one run, adding to the intensity and requiring meticulous planning and mental fortitude.
Looking ahead, Michaela’s goals are ambitious. Having recently turned 13 she is now eligible to earn points at internationally recognised events with the Federation of International Skiing (FIS). This year, she hopes to compete in the Halfpipe at Cardrona’s World Cup event and retain her U14 National titles.
Michaela's ultimate dream is to represent New Zealand at the Winter Olympics, with the 2030 games in her sights. She also aspires to compete in the X Games, earn her instructor's certificate, and continue being a positive role model in snow sports. With her talent, dedication, and the support of her family, coaches, and school, Michaela Bridgens is well on her way to making these dreams a reality.