The Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team just wrapped up their most successful season in history, with both men and women finding unprecedented success weekend after weekend, highlighted by the younger athletes on the team, including Zanden McMullen. McMullen is featured as the next On The Rise athlete, a U.S. Ski & Snowboard campaign highlighting athletes from each team rising to the top. McMullen has put together a string of solid races in the last couple of seasons, highlighted by multiple career-best World Cup results, four U.S. National Championships podiums, and a breakout performance in the Drammen, Norway classic sprint. 

This 2023-24 season, McMullen recorded 14 top-30 results – a feat not easily achieved at the sport's highest level – including a top-20 result in the classic sprint in Drammen, Norway. At the season's culmination, McMullen was ranked third in the World for men under-23 (U23 category). McMullen is succeeding on and off the snow in a strong U.S. men’s team. 

McMullen is from Anchorage, AK. He trains with the Alaska Pacific University (APU) Elite Team alongside many Stifel U.S. Ski Team athletes and is working towards the 2024-25 season. We caught up with McMullen to chat about his career highlights, goals, and what success means to him. 

Q: “What initially drew you to this sport?” 

ZANDEN: “I have always enjoyed being active outdoors and doing it with friends. My mom used to take me skiing when I was really young, and I enjoyed ripping across the snow and through the woods. The more I skied over the years, the more I realized it was the sport for me.”

Q: “When you were younger, getting into the sport, what were your goals?” 

Z: “I didn’t have any goals until high school. Even then, my goals were to make varsity or a junior national team. Every year, I surprise myself and set my goals higher and higher.” 

Q: “Are there any moments you’ve experienced in your career that didn’t seem real?” 

Z: “I flew into Ruka, Finland, with the team to prep for the start of the season, and everything felt pretty normal. I had raced overseas before and already knew the whole team well, so nothing felt different. It wasn’t until the venue was completely set up and the fans poured into the stands that I started to feel something different. Seeing the other World Cup skiers suit up and lock in for the race made me realize I wasn’t watching them through a screen anymore. I went through all my normal motions for a race day and was ready. When I went through the starting wand and down the first hill, I started laughing and thinking, “I’m racing a World Cup.” I was in disbelief- waiting to wake up at any second.”

Q: “What was it like to race in Minneapolis? And be part of a moment that was a defining moment in the history of American ski racing?” 

Z: Racing in Minneapolis has genuinely been the most exciting part of my career so far. Some venues in Europe occasionally have the same crowd size, but NEVER the same energy and stoke. For the first time in my career, I felt like an NBA superstar walking onto the arena floor for a playoff game. It was also the first time in a race I couldn’t feel ANYTHING. The crowd was so loud the whole way around the course that I couldn’t hear myself think (if that makes any sense). I was just floating out on the skis, trying to embrace the moment and focus on the race.

When you’re racing in Europe all winter and only see one or two American flags in the crowd every weekend, it’s hard to believe that there is a whole country of crazy ski fans in your corner. After Minneapolis, I can confidently race over the ocean, knowing so many people have our backs and are cheering for the USA.

Q: “What is one thing you’re most proud of in your career so far?/what is your biggest accomplishment?”

Z: “My proudest moment in my ski career was achieving my first World Cup top 30. It wasn’t my best race ever (in terms of performance to potential), but it was a true ‘holy cow I’ve made it’ moment that I’ll never forget.” 

Q: “What is your ultimate goal now that you achieved your earlier career goals?”

Z: “I want to become one of the most successful American skiers in history and inspire future generations of skiers and athletes.” 

Q: “Who were the athletes you looked up to when you were younger, or are they now?”

Z: “Luke Jager and Gus Schumacher have inspired and motivated me more than any other skier. I started racing them back in my late elementary school years in Alaska. They were only one year older than me, but they were already vetted Olympians. I had the privilege of watching and racing them as I grew up and trying to learn as much as possible from them. Eventually, I became competitive with them and practiced daily as teammates.” 

Follow Zanden on Instagram and Facebook to get a first-hand look into his training, life outside of the sport, and everything in between.