Currently pursuing a business degree at the U, Wallisch grew up in Pittsburgh, Pa. He began skiing when he was three years old and broke into the freeskiing scene at age nine. Within the sport, he has gained some major accolades. He recently won first place in the FIS World Championships and was named ESPN’s Action Sports Athlete of the Year for 2012. His passion extends far beyond the medals and the fame though — it has become a business endeavor.
Wallisch turned his real-time passion into a real-deal business called 4bi9. The company produces films of ski footage. Wallisch was in the initial group that began the production and starred in many of the films, according to Powder Magazine.
“The video process is just a little more fulfilling,” Wallisch says. “You get to look back on the skiing and on the tricks you’ve done, and for me, that’s my favorite part of skiing.”
Although Wallisch no longer heavily participates with the group, he still enjoys making videos of his skiing. It’s a part of his energetic style. Wallisch recently released a solo film called “The Wallisch Project.”
Now his passion is directed at the Olympics. This year in Sochi is the first year freeskiing will be a part of the competition. Wallisch competes in the slopestyle division, which requires a combination of mental and physical strength as competitors perform multiple tricks in a single course run.
Wallisch hopes to win a medal not only to showcase his talents, but also to showcase the sport’s debut in the arena. This attitude derives from the pleasure Wallisch reaps from the sport. It’s more than just a job to him.
U.S. freeskiing slopestyle coach Skogen Sprang first met Wallisch in July at Mt. Hood. He says Wallisch’s biggest strength is his attitude.
“He can keep a calm, cool mentality even in the most stressful situations. This combined with his unique skill set makes him a force to be reckoned with,” Sprang says.
There is another factor that Wallisch attributes his success to — his parents.
Wallisch says his parents have been his rock throughout his training. They supported him with travel, gear, finances, and encouragement.
“My parents are definitely the number one reason I’ve been able to do what I’ve done,” Wallisch says. “I owe them more than I can imagine.”
There are others that Wallisch looks up to as well. Whether it is his friends from college or other professional skiers, there is no shortage of mentors in his career. Wallisch is the perfect example of learning by watching others. He has loved to watch ski movies since he was a child, and, according to Wallisch, he translates everyday experiences with the people in his life into his skiing.
People look up to Wallisch as much as he looks up to them. Sprang says he is “a huge icon in the sport.” Nobody could doubt that. His dedication and perseverance are immeasurable, even in the face of injuries. Wallisch reports experiencing a few minor injuries and setbacks over the years, but has had no major hurdles. It is that humble view that sets him apart from competitors.
“Injuries are a huge thing in our sport. There’s so many things that could go wrong,” Wallisch says. “Being able to push the human body is always a little hard, but once you get past it, it’s always worth it.”
When Wallisch is not skiing, he is far from the snow, as he enjoys boating, wakeboarding, biking, and just about any other summer sport you can name. Wallisch says being indoors all day would beg the question of his sanity. It is the interaction with the outdoors that he thrives on, both hot and cold.
That isn’t to say Wallisch will be giving up skiing any time soon. According to Wallisch, skiing is what he wants to do for as long as he can. He simply appreciates the variety of the seasons in Utah, while his true passion will remain in the snow. That is where he spends five to six hours per day training, which, Sprang says is paying off.
“He has had such a positive influence on style and creativity in the freeskiing community since he burst onto the scene. He has the right ingredients to really leave a mark on freeskiing,” Sprang says.
Wallisch is just the guy to leave a mark on the freeskiing community because he does not ski for the competition or the repute. He skis for the pleasure. Perhaps that is his biggest weapon for the upcoming Olympics. Wallisch skis simply because he loves to ski.
“I just like the freedom — the ability to go out and do whatever you want, go as fast as you want, go as high in the air as you want. You can scare yourself a little bit every day,” Wallisch says. “It’s the one thing in my life I don’t think I could give up.”
He doesn’t need superstitions. He doesn’t worry about the competitors. And he doesn’t go without his hip-hop music. He is a businessman and a professional skier. It’s just lucky for him that the work uniforms are the same because Wallisch is all business all the time.