Riders Spotlight: Marcus Goguen, Pushing Limits from Junior World Champs to FWT

At just 20, Marcus Goguen has quickly established himself as a rising star in the freeride skiing world. His journey began at a young age in Whistler, Canada, where he first discovered his passion for the sport. Marcus’ breakthrough came when he earned his spot on the Freeride World Tour after a standout performance at the 2023 Junior World Championships. In just his second year on Tour, he’s been pushing the limits, focusing on both progressive lines and technical skills, while continuing to challenge himself with every competition. In this interview, Marcus opens up about his path from grassroots skiing to the world stage, his approach to training, and how he stays grounded while competing at the highest level.

Early Challenges and Growth

How did your ski journey begin, and what inspired you to start freeride skiing?

My ski career started when I was about two years old. I began skiing with my dad in the driveway, then we moved to Whistler, where we had a place. We’d come up every weekend, and I started progressing from there. I got into the ski school program and met a great crew of friends. Eventually, I joined a program called Ultimate Eights, which was a mix of skiing, freestyle, moguls, and a bit of freeride. That’s where I got the base to start pursuing freeride seriously.

What were your biggest challenges early in your career?

There were definitely challenges. When I was younger, I crashed a lot. It wasn’t until about three or four years ago that I started to figure things out. The first four or five years in freeride for me were just about learning how to deal with those losses and using them to keep moving forward and learning from them. I used to just send it without thinking too much, which probably contributed to the sore knees I have now, but I’m learning more about looking for better landings.

Who has been the most influential person in your career, and why?

Honestly, it’s probably WeiTien. He’s been really into watching ski movies, and I was never really focused on them for inspiration. I just focused on skiing with my crew and pushing each other. We always had a competitive mindset, and when one of us did something, the rest of us pushed ourselves to do it better. WeiTien really helped elevate me to the next level. He’s been a great friend and someone who’s always kept me moving forward.

How did you meet WeiTien, and how has your friendship evolved?

I met WeiTien when I was around seven or eight years old through the Ultimate Eights program. It’s where we started progressing together, and we had a really strong friendship. We both pushed each other to get better, and over the years, that friendship has only grown stronger. We’ve been skiing together for more than 10 years now, and we still have the same passion for the sport because of how much fun we continue to have.

The Journey to Freeride Success

How do you prepare for the freeride season?

Preparing for the freeride season for me means going to the gym four to five times a week, spending about two hours per session. I take injury prevention seriously and work on building muscle for protection rather than just getting bigger. I also do some trampoline training, and when possible, I’ll do a bit of water ramp training. I work on visualizing my runs and tricks, as visualization is crucial for competitions. I’ll use drone footage, binoculars, and photos to practice my lines in my head.

How did you prepare for your first visual inspection at Junior World Championships, and how was it different from North American comps?

My first visual inspection was at Junior World Championships when I was 18. I felt unprepared compared to the Europeans who had been doing this their whole lives. But I was super excited to ski a venue with fresh powder because, in North America, we don’t get that kind of untouched snow. The experience of visualizing my lines and putting the whole run together was definitely something new. It was a learning process, but it worked out, and I felt ready.

You found yourself on the Pro stage just days after your first visual inspection—how did you handle that leap?

That was surreal. I went from Junior World Championships to competing at the Freeride World Tour almost immediately. I was nervous, but excited, especially with my idols around. I didn’t want to mess up, but I managed to keep calm and just focus on skiing my lines. It was a huge leap, but once I got to the top and saw the venue, I knew it was all about doing what I love, just like I had been doing for years.

How did you master visual inspection so quickly?

I don’t think I’ve mastered it fully because there are so many variables, like snow conditions or hidden rocks. But having drone footage is a huge advantage. It helps me see the tops of takeoffs and plan my line. I also do a lot of visualization, and I’ll go through my run in my head over and over until I feel confident. If I make a mistake, I just go back and practice it until it feels dialed. It’s a mental game, and it’s all about having the confidence to execute your plan.

Training and Off-Season Routine

What does your off-season training and routine look like?

In the offseason, I focus on biking. I was racing downhill bikes for a while, but this is my first year not pursuing World Cups. I’ve started making biking more of a fun hobby, and I’m really enjoying it now. I also work part-time as a paintball referee in Whistler, which keeps me busy and gives me a break from skiing. I try to keep the offseason low-key so I can reset and be ready for the winter season.

What made you choose freeride skiing over biking?

I love skiing, but after a year of racing downhill bikes in Europe, I realized I wasn’t as fast as the top riders. I decided to focus on freeride skiing because it’s where my heart is. Biking is fun, but skiing has always been my true passion, and I want to stay competitive in one sport.

Managing Risk and Safety

How do you approach risk management and safety?

In freeride skiing, you need to make risk assessments on your own. In competitions, you have guides, patrollers, and extra safety support, which gives you more confidence. But when filming in the backcountry, it’s all about having the right crew and ensuring everyone is certified in avalanche safety. I’ve been doing avalanche scenario training with my crew to stay prepared and ensure we’re all ready in case of an emergency.

Did you learn all of this through your Freeride Club as a kid?

Yes, the Freeride Club taught me a lot about risk management and safety, especially things like tree wells, which are a big risk in Whistler. They made sure we always skied with a buddy, and we practiced proper safety procedures, especially in tree wells. Over the last few years, I’ve taken courses like AST1 and done avalanche scenario lessons to keep learning and improving my knowledge.

Mindset and Competition

What’s your mindset going into a competition? Any rituals or routines?

My mindset is always to have fun. Before every competition, I do a bit of visualization, then I just try to stay calm and enjoy the experience. I chat with my friends and teammates to keep the mood light. I try not to put too much pressure on myself, and I always remind myself that I’m doing this because it’s fun.

How do you manage pressure?

I’ve been competing since I was eight years old, so I’m used to the feeling of being nervous. But I focus on the skiing part and not the competition part. I keep it all about skiing, and that helps me stay calm and confident. It’s all about having fun with my friends and enjoying the process.

Line Planning and Confidence

How do you choose your lines during a competition?

I usually choose my lines after I’ve looked at the face and studied it with the photo. I go for what speaks to me, something that feels right. I try not to change my line because of what judges might like. I go with what feels the most fun and challenging for me.

How do you build the confidence to take on such challenging lines, and what goes through your mind as you commit to it?

I build my confidence through practice and visualization. Once I’ve visualized the line and the landings in my mind, I go for it. I trust my training, and I know that if I’ve prepared properly, I can handle the challenges. It’s all about staying calm and trusting myself.

With trick-filled runs taking the spotlight, how important is quality skiing between features to you?

It’s super important to have quality skiing between the features. I always aim to find a fall line so I can get good turns in between features. It’s about making the run flow and staying fast and fluid, which I think the judges appreciate.

Do you feel having Derek on-site is an advantage for you?

Having Derek around is definitely an advantage. He’s not always with me, but he’s always there to give me advice and reassurance when I need it. He’s not just helping me; he helps everyone. He’s been a great mentor to me, and having him around gives me the confidence I need.

Live Off the Mountain

What do you do to unwind when you’re not on the mountain?

I like to play squash with my friends in the offseason. We get super competitive, but it’s all in good fun. I also enjoy a chill cruise skiing with my buddies, with no pressure. I try to make sure I have fun and enjoy my time off the mountain just as much as when I’m skiing.

What’s one thing you always bring with you on a trip, and why?

I always bring my ski gear and safety equipment, of course. I try to keep it simple, though—no superstitions or things that I think will give me extra confidence. I don’t want to rely on anything other than my training and preparation.

Season Goals and Career Vision

What are your goals for this season? Any specific achievements you’re aiming for?

My goal is to improve and keep progressing, trying new lines and finding creative ways to ski the features. The title is always the goal, but I focus on improving my skiing, and everything else will come from that. It’s all about the process for me.

Where do you see your career in the next 5-10 years?

In five years, I’d love to be part of the Olympics if freeride skiing makes it. It’s something I’ve always dreamed of, and I’m excited about the possibilities for the sport. I’m focused on making sure I’m ready when that opportunity comes.

As a kid, did you ever dream of making it to the Olympics?

Yes, it was always a goal of mine, but I never thought freeride skiing would be in the Olympics. Now that it’s a possibility, I’m excited to be a part of that change and push the sport forward.

Are there any new tricks you're excited to debut?

I’ve been working on new tricks, but I’m not sure which ones I’ll bring to the Tour. I’m focused on getting the confidence to land them consistently before bringing them into competition.

Proudest Moments in Freeride

Which run are you proudest of: Georgia or Xtreme Verbier?

I’m most proud of my run in Georgia. It came together really well, and it was such a smooth, trick-filled run. Verbier was more extreme, but I’m really proud of how I skied the features there. I think I did my best work in Georgia.

What’s been your proudest moment in freeride so far?

My proudest moment was my run in Georgia. It was all about the hard work paying off and everything coming together. It felt amazing to land that run and have it go the way I envisioned.

Cultural Influence on Freeride

What’s the best piece of advice you've received in the sport?

The best advice I’ve received is to just have fun. My dad always tells me to smile before a competition. I always remind myself to enjoy the experience, and everything else will follow from there.

What does freeride mean to you on a personal level?

Freeride is everything to me. It’s my form of meditation and stress relief. Without skiing and freeride, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. It’s shaped my life in so many ways, and I’m super thankful to be able to experience it.

How do you think your cultural background influences your style or approach to freeride?

I come from a family of ski racers, and while freeride is different, I still bring a bit of that racing technique into my skiing. It’s important for me to have a strong technique and use that to improve my freeride skiing.

How has the Freeride World Tour shaped you?

The Freeride World Tour has been a huge part of my career. It’s pushed me to improve my skiing, and the experiences I’ve gained competing against the best in the world have shaped me as an athlete and as a person.

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