Freeride Snowboarding Highlights: Alenka Mali’s Journey

The beginnings…

Alenka is freeride snowboarder, BASE jumper and life lover based in Squamish BC. Following the nomadic footsteps of her parents, she grew up between Argentinian Patagonia and the Alps. The two alpinists raised her and her brothers, believing that anything is possible with determination and persistence.

“I firmly believe that I always have to work hard for anything I want to achieve. Deep within us, we know what we should and shouldn’t do to be happy. We can always feel motivated and powerful enough to create and attract anything we desire. I have never looked too far into the future, but always focused on the goals in front of me. That has helped me stay in the present moment. ”

– Alenka

In 2021 she started competing on the FWQ while continuing to participate in races like Super G, banked slalom, and other local events. In her second season on the FWQ series, she had already qualified for 4* events and ended up winning the legendary Kirkwood 4* competition in California in 2023. That year she also qualified for the Challenger series and finished 4th overall worldwide.

Alenka is based out of Squamish and trains full-time in Whistler. She enjoys BASE jumping while bagging peaks in search of new couloirs and pretty faces that capture her attention. Her summers are spent BASE jumping in Europe and shredding the Patagonian backcountry for the second dose of winter! In 2023 she founded a non-profit organization called LUX SNOW, where she takes women from across the world into the world of ski touring and splitboarding.

In 2024 Alenka accomplished a big goal of snowboarding off a cliff and opening a parachute. Her first snowboard BASE jump!

@alenkaamali

“As a winter athlete, I chase the season on both hemispheres. Northern ones are usually spent in BC, while the summers stay reserved for Argentina and Chile. My idea is to stay fluid with my plans and have low expectations before the season, to help me stay grounded and open to new possibilities. The road takes me to different places every year and that’s the best part. Getting to know different places, riding untouched peaks, and shredding with my homies. Chasing the dream, studying the snow, and snowboarding mindfully by staying safe in the backcountry, and putting a lot of effort and thought into planning + preparation for my trips.

I find joy in little moments. Being alone, in the middle of nowhere, where I can hear my heartbeat is one of my favorite things to experience in the backcountry. There’s something special about winter camping, I always find pleasure in the fine line between extreme sports and survival. Every day out there, we are just trying to survive. Get up, get down the mountain, the question always remains – how can we do it safely? Taking risks doesn’t come on its own. I find myself the most present and focused when riding or approaching a line that is out of my zone of comfort or a new BASE exit that I haven’t jumped before.”

Trip Reports

Großglockner, Austria (12,461 ft) Alenka Mali & Grega Mali 2021

(FD) Diagonal Couloir On Rethel Mountain – Whistler / Garibaldi Provincial Park, BC 2021

Bugaboos – Early Season Trip 2023

Banana Chute on Fissile Peak (Whistler BC) 2021

A Tribute To Boris – Torre Principal, Frey (Bariloche, Argentina) 2023

Alpha Mountain ~ East Ridge -Squamish BC 2020

Sponsors 2024/25

The North Face

BRANWYN Merino Underwear

ANTI-ORDINARY HELMETS

PRIOR

HILX® Sunnies = Code “alenkaamali” for 15% OFF

Baist Gloves –  Code: “ALENKABaist“

Mateina

Alenkis ~ a 3-part series, following Alenka Mali on her competitive 2023 snowboard season. From qualifying for 2023 Freeride Challenger Tour to her life in the finals. Lastly, the off-season BASE jumping to top off a great year!