Interview by Josh Madsen

Team Animal-Style was my first introduction to Kate Hourihan. She was the softer voice of the otherwise rowdy three-member crew made up of her, Tony Gill, and Tom Gellie. The Animal-Style moniker came into play somewhere along the way between Park City, UT and Crested Butte, CO when this group of freeheel misfits was on their way to compete in the US Extremes in 2010. The actual inception of the name is difficult to pin down, but I know it had something to do with a crazy Australian and a hamburger. Kate fortunately survived that ordeal and is now taking her animal-style to the big leagues of Telemark skiing.

This week Scandinavian outerwear brand Cross signed Kate as one of their official Ambassadors. "Telemark skiing embodies freedom of motion, challenging the terrain with elegance, beauty and strength with a technique on its own. We aspire to do the same in our collections," Walt Crate of Cross ski wear, USA told me. When I asked him specifically about bringing Kate onboard, I wasn't surprised at all by his response because I share similar sentiments. "She's strong minded, free spirited with a modern sense of style...whether she's repelling into a couloir, slashing pow on the front side or participating with the She Jumps women's organization, Kate expresses herself with positive and enthusiastic energy."

The news of Cross and Kate linking up was a great excuse for me to get in touch with my new friend and see what she has been up to since the snow stopped falling this past winter.

TSM: Tell us how you first got involved with Cross?

KH: I heard that Cross was coming to the US through Shejumps, an organization that promotes female involvement in action sports that I am involved with. Cross was looking for people to help introduce the brand here in the States. I was curious about what they had going on, so I got in touch with them. After a few emails it seemed like it was a good fit for both of us.

TSM: You shot with TSM for the upcoming movie Loyalty, was that your first experience with movie making?

KH: I have been involved with a couple, much smaller filming projects, but this was my first experience with a movie like this. It was a really fun process to be a part of, working hard to get the shots and getting to see a lot of new places. And it was cool to always travel around in a big gang of telemark skiers!

TSM: Any fun stories from the year?

KH: There are a lot! But one of the most memorable moments was skiing four hours south of Salt Lake City at this little resort called Eagle Point on a powder day. We got to the lifts just as they started rolling, and there were only like eight people ahead of us. We skied fresh lines all day. Even our last run, in the early afternoon was completely untouched. I remember a group of us flying down the trail in 14 inches of perfect new snow, all to ourselves, laughing and screaming. It is hard to have that experience riding lifts anywhere in the world. It was definitely a refreshing break from the crowds of Salt Lake.

TSM: What are your plans for the upcoming season?

KH: The details of my winter plans are a little hazy right now, but they do include skiing as much as I can, competing in some of the telemark competitions, and generally trying to progress as an athlete and be involved in the ski community.

More about Cross: Here