2024 was a big year for Henry Townshend and he’s just getting started. During the 2024-25 season, Townshend earned his first World Cup start, second in slopestyle at Junior World Championships and brought home the gold in slopestyle at the Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon, Korea. He finished the season second overall for the North American Continental Cup.
Born and raised in Park City, UT, a town that consistently produces remarkable park skiers, it was only a matter of time before Townshend joined the Stifel U.S. Freeski Team. Following a successful last season and a summer spent training on the airbag and in the gym, we are excited to see what Townshend has to offer this winter.
Townshend is the latest athlete featured in U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s “On the Rise” series, presented by Zions Bank. Through community service, sponsorships and charitable donations, Zions Bank is committed to fueling economic growth and enhancing quality of life in Idaho, Utah and Wyoming.
Q: What initially drew you to the sport of freeskiing?
A: My parents put me on skis when I was three. By the time I was six, I had found out about park skiing and was hooked. I grew up following a family friend through the park and he was a big inspiration to me.
Q: When you were younger and getting into the sport, what were your goals?
A: I’ve always dreamed of going to the Olympics and competing at X Games. I want to be good enough to have no limits on what I can try.
Q: What is your biggest accomplishment?
A: My biggest accomplishment so far has been winning a gold medal at the 2024 Youth Olympic Games. It felt so great to put that run down.
Q: What is your ultimate goal?
A: I would love to become one of the best slopestyle skiers, to compete for as long as I can, and eventually transition into film skiing. I hope to continue skiing and finding joy in it for as long as possible.
Q: Who are your heroes? Both in & out of the sport?
A: In all aspects of my life, my mom is definitely a hero for me. Within the sport, there are so many skiers who have inspired me, and I’m super lucky to get to ski with so many of them on the team.
Q: You win $5,000 in prize money: What do you do with it?
A: If I were to win $5,000 in prize money, I would probably splurge on a trip. I’d love to go surfing or skiing in a new place. Maybe somewhere in South America?
Q: Do you budget or follow any structure related to spending?
A: Not really, I try to be cognizant of how much money I’m spending, and I try not to spend too much on things I don’t actually need. I’m really lucky to have a lot of help from my mom funding my skiing.
Q: What’s one money habit you follow?
A: I like to invest any extra money I have.
Follow Henry on his social media channels.
