Bethel, ME – If you’re standing at the bottom of a moguls course, and Troy Murphy is in the starting gate, you’re in for a real treat. Watching an athlete barrel through massive mounds of snow at top speed is intense, but it’s Murphy’s airs that really catch the attention of the spectators. In every run, he throws down a double full on top and a cork 10 on bottom, two of the most difficult tricks being performed on the World Cup circuit.

Growing up in the tight-knit community of Bethel, Maine, Murphy was raised with a love for everything outdoors. With friends down for anything and adventurous parents, he spent most of his time riding motocross, camping and, of course, skiing.

“These days I hate sitting still, and I’m very grateful for that,” stated Murphy. “Being outdoors and active is the only way I know how to live, and I think this lifestyle lends itself perfectly if you want to be a professional skier.” 

Murphy was a bit of a late bloomer in mogul skiing. Since making the commitment to compete at the highest level, he’s had to work hard and fast to make up ground. That type of career may be challenging for some, but Murphy is better for it.

“I’m really proud of how far I’ve come,” he says. “In a way, I’m glad things panned out this way because I never had a chance to plateau or let things get stale. There’s always been something that I need to learn, and I’ve never had a ton of time to learn it, so my career has been very fast paced and rewarding.”

Murphy’s career lit up when he won dual moguls at the Junior National Championships at Chiesa in Valmalenco, Italy, in 2012.

“When I won Junior National Championships in duals was the first time I felt like a champ. I’d been having a bit of a rough year, but I can remember wanting to perform at my top level. That was one of the last chances I had that year to lay it down, and I was super excited when I made it happen. It was the first national level event that I’d won.”

As far as top career moments go, winning the moguls competition at the 2015 U.S. Championships is a highlight for Murphy. Outside of competition, he takes pride in the opportunity to be a role model for younger athletes. “I was exposed to many different actions sports growing up, and I remember wishing I could one day be like those high level athletes. To think that now I might be inspiring a kid who’s in a similar place is a cool feeling.”

Murphy adds for aspiring kids, “I would say always say seize every opportunity to get better and always strive to work at the highest end of your ability, never hold anything back.”

If he wasn’t mogul skiing, Murphy says he would still definitely be a skier. He’s recently discovered a new passion for big mountain skiing which has drawn him to the famed peaks of Alaska for three backcountry ski trips. With friends in the park and big mountain scene, Murphy is able to step away from his competitive endeavors from time to time for some fun.

“Constantly training and competing can get a little heavy on the mind,” says Murphy. “When I go ski a big line or learn a new trick with friends it really brings me back to ground zero of why I fell in love with skiing in the first place.”

His love of skiing is what has and will drive Murphy to do great things in the mogul course and beyond.