Skier

Ben Barclay

“I’m constantly inspired by like-minded people following their passion and pursuits, whether that’s in a competition setting, working on a film project or simply a lazy afternoon skiing with a group of mates. Everyone thrives off each other and it contributes to the fun, easy-going environment we all love.”

 

Rewind a decade and you’ll find a young Auckland boy enthusiastically waiting out the front of school each morning, desperate to get into the classroom. Unsurprisingly, skiing wasn’t on the schedule for first period, but that didn’t stop Ben Barclay from making it his favourite subject to study.

Ben was the first to show face each day so he could use the school computer to watch ski videos. His theoretical ‘lessons’ were backed up by refining his practical skills on snow, with a family trip to Mt Ruapehu each year.

Ben dreamt up a life of skiing, and as a teenager, pulled the trigger on making it happen.

Renowned for raising some of the world’s greatest skiers, the Southern Alps wasted no time enforcing its governance over Ben. By the age of 13, he was building the foundations in Wanaka for a successful freeskiing career.

Ben left his fate in the hands of his skiing, which lead him down the path to the Olympics. Persistence and resilience throughout the pandemic years saw Ben qualify for the 2022 Beijing Games, where he placed 10th in Slopestyle. His competitive career continues, with northern hemisphere winters spent travelling the globe to compete in World Cups.

Ben’s effortless style and creativity is always on display in his competitive runs, but his true form of self-expression takes place in front of the lens. Ben’s repertoire of video parts grows each year, and he is currently working on his first major film project for The North Face with teammate Ben Richards.

Following closely in the footsteps of The North Face legends who’ve skied before him, Ben brings a unique perspective and style to the sport, that will no doubt leave his mark in the history books.

Accomplishments:

• Stoneham World Cup 2025, Slopestyle - 3rd Place
• Tignes World Cup 2025, Slopestyle - 6th Place
• St Moritz World Championships 2025, Big Air - 7th Place
• Team Oceania, Winter Games NZ Obsidian Challenge, 2023
• Bakuriani World Championship 2023, Slopestyle – 9th place
• Olympic Games 2022, Slopestyle – 10th place
• Font Romeu World Cup 2022, Slopestyle – 2nd place
• Video parts in
  • Fickle Business, 2025
  • Never Seen a Bear, 2024
  • Market's Shut, 2023

Stay up-to-date with Ben on Instagram.