When there is fresh powder on Mammoth Mountain, junior Sandra Arimie can be found shredding down mountains on her GS 180 centimeter skis.  Since the age of two, Arimie has strived to reach great heights in her skiing.

As one of 25 girls on the Mammoth Mountain Ski Team, Arimie specializes in Slalom Skiing, a type of skiing in which one can go as fast as possible through gates on the ski slope.  Although she competes 6 to 10 times annually, Arimie gives her competitors a run for their money with her speed and agility.

“Even though I don’t get the chance to ski on a regular basis, I still compete just as competitively as the kids that get to ski every day,” said Arimie.

Arimie finds herself inspired by skiers such as Lindsey Vonn, Stacey Cook and Julia Mancusco.  Between watching other skiers and learning from her instructors, Arimie uses the inspiration from others to help her become a better skier.

Arimie also uses skiing as an escape from the commotion of life.  When going down the slopes at 60-80 miles per hour, she is able to forget about her problems and enjoy the rush.

“I feel like I’m flying,” said Arimie.  “Skiing in Mammoth is like being in my own fantasy world.”

This coming season, Arimie is going to be a member of an all mountain ski team that competes in multiple forms of skiing.  She will be able to learn how to ski on any possible slope.  Arimie plans on learning new ways of skiing such as Giant Slalom and Downhill Alpine, other than just Slalom.  She hopes to branch off from the style she has been doing her whole life, so she can become a more diverse skier.

With a new ski team and the opportunity to learn new skills, Arimie looks forward to what she will achieve in the future.