Interview with Emma Steneberg – Love letter to winter

For Emma Steneberg, skiing is more than a sport—it’s a lifelong love affair with winter. Growing up in Sweden’s snowy landscapes, she skied forest trails with her sisters, planting the seeds of a passion that would lead her to Europe’s most iconic slopes. From the magical forests of Kittelfjäll to the towering peaks of the Alps, Emma finds joy, freedom, and connection in the mountains. Today, she channels her energy into sharing that love with friends, family, and the wider skiing community.

You can find the clothes Emma’s wearing this season right here – get the full ski outfit for women and be ready for the slopes.

Emma, let’s kick off the interview! What’s your earliest memory of falling in love with winter?

My first winter love memory is with my sisters. We were kids and the winter that year was cold and it snowed loads -- what we call a "wolf winter" in Sweden. We spent almost every day on the mountain skiing around together. The forest was covered in sparkling snow and the branches hung heavily to the ground with it. We skied around the forest and constantly found new runs and tracks, taking us on new adventures every time. It felt like we had the whole mountain to ourselves and it was endless fun. It made me realise how much I loved winter and all the possibilities it brought.

What would your love letter to winter say?

Dear Winter: your first snow that falls every year is a silent promise that soon the landscape will be covered in a beautiful white coat. It´s a promise winter is coming and will bring lots of fun. You are the still, silent introduction to a world of beauty, and skiing is the passion that makes my heart beat faster.

What is your favorite skiing/snowboarding memory?

So hard to choose! But if I have to pick one ... One day in Champoluc, Italy, me and my friends woke up to a massive snow dump. And I mean, it was DEEP. We skied all day with all our friends. Eating lunch in the lift so we did not have to stop. The tracks just disappeared as the snow kept on falling. Later when the lifts closed we all gathered at the local pub, completely exhausted, our legs cramping, and told stories about the day: best ride, best yardsale, best save, and so on. What made it so much fun, and why it's one of my fondest memories is because we were so many friends experiencing it together.

What’s the one moment on the slopes that made you realize you’re hooked on skiing?

I can't think of a specific moment. I have always loved skiing and have been doing it since I was so little, I don't remember when I actually realised how much I love it. But what keeps me hooked is the excitement, the adrenaline, the speed (but also the calm), the friends, and the joy it brings me.

Describe your perfect day on the slopes. Where are you, and who are you with?

It doesn't matter where I am, the European Alps or the mountains of northern Sweden. 

Wake up early to snowfall and powder, have a HUGE cup of coffee, gear up and meet up with my friends at the lift before opening. On the way up we plan the day where we want to go and if anyone has any fun ideas. Ski all day and stop for a nice lunch before we continue skiing. And finishing of the day at the apres-ski and continue the evening with good food, drinks, and friends!

How does skiing allow you to connect with nature and the winter landscape?

When you stand there on the mountain in the morning and feel the wind on your face or the cold against your skin, it feels like you are close to pure nature. You ride down the mountain in harmony with the snow and you really feel that you get to be a part of such a beautiful landscape.

How do you prepare for the winter season, both mentally and physically?

Mentally my mind starts to derail as soon as August is over, aha, it usually starts with me looking at old videos and pictures from days on the mountain. I start to plan if I want to go anywhere special for the season and what I want to do. Really, it´s about me getting so hyped up that I can´t wait for the first snow to fall. All the extra energy from the winter hype goes into training cardio and lifting weights. You’ve got to get those legs and lungs in shape for those deep days.

What’s one piece of gear or equipment you can’t live without during winter?

Heating socks! It’s so much more fun when your toes are not falling off because of the cold. And also during early winter in Sweden when it´s still really dark, you need a flashlight during the daytime to be able to see where you’re going down the mountain. This is actually one of the most fun times skiing, during flashlight season!

Do you have any rituals or traditions before hitting the slopes?

Listening to "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana always gets me hyped up!

How does using your MONTEC gear enhance your skiing experience?

MONTEC’s equipment keeps me warm and comfortable while also being super high-performance. It's the details that make it, pockets and zippers in the right places and durable material that allows me to get the most out of my skiing. I also love the designs!

What would you say to someone who has never experienced winter sports but wants to start?

Of course, you should try it! The threshold to start is not as big as it may seem. The skiing community is a welcoming place for anyone, regardless of experience. The first step is just to reach out to someone you know who skis or via groups on Instagram/Facebook and ask for tips on how to take that first step. I promise you that you will make new friends and fun memories!

How has your relationship with winter and skiing changed over the years?

When I was younger, skiing was a lot just about how fun it was. It still is, but now it's also a way for me to recharge my batteries and recover my body and mind. Being able to let go of everything else going on and just be in the moment. It's the same with winter: being in nature and just feeling calm and free.

How do you stay motivated to keep skiing, even during challenging conditions or moments?

I have had some difficult periods when I was injured and could not ski as I wanted to or even at all. What has kept me motivated are my friends and family that I share my interest in skiing with.

Can you show or tell us your favourite place to ski and tell us why it holds a special place in your heart?

A tough question — I have many places that hold a special place in my heart! I grew up in northern Sweden and have been skiing in Kittelfjäll since I was little. Here, the forest skiing is absolutely magical. When I got older I spent a few years in the Alps, ski bumming in different places and that's where my love for big mountain skiing was born. There is not much that beats those views and mighty mountains! Now I'm back in northern Sweden and if I must choose, this is my favourite place to ski; in the wonderful forest and the windswept mountains where I grew up.

If you want to follow this adventurous skier’s journey, check out Emma’s Instagram for more!