McKenna Peterson is Finding Peace in Slowing Down

It seems as though McKenna Peterson never sleeps.

She's known for bagging big mountain lines as a professional freeskier in the winter, and for spending summers in Alaska as a commercial fishing boat captain.

Unfortunately, her annual plans changed when she suffered a serious knee injury skiing in British Columbia in April of 2024. We called up Peterson to check in on how the recovery process is going, and see how she's faring during her first summer in Idaho in years.

McKenna Peterson 2024 Injury Recovery Q&A

Can you tell us how the injury occurred, where it occurred, and how far along in the recovery process you are currently?

"I ruptured my ACL while on a trip with MSP in coastal British Columbia. I hit an unexpected chunk of glacial ice (or ice bulge) toward the bottom of a line I had skied. I was in a more upright and relaxed body position when I hit the ice and it crumpled me, blowing out my left knee. Right now, I am 7 weeks out of surgery and making progress every day."

What has been the biggest learning curve with "needing help" or turning to those around you for support during recovery?

"It feels good to ask for help. And it feels good to help others. I am very used to doing everything on my own so it took me a while to get comfortable asking for help. The support from my family, friends and the ski community has been incredible.

This is a tough injury to deal with mentally and the support I’ve received from skiers who have been through it has been above and beyond. Sam Cohen has been consistently checking in on me since the day of the accident (he is who I was skiing with when the injury occurred) which has been so appreciated. I’m finding comfort in knowing that I am not alone in this convoluted journey."

What has been most challenging about this injury?

"It’s terrifying. Two months ago, I was skiing really big steep faces at high speeds and today I am struggling with learning how to walk again. The slow pace of recovery has been challenging. I am learning that every ACL recovery is vastly different and it’s important to compare my milestones only to myself. Persistence and patience are my main focus points right now and I’m treating recovery as a full time job."

Have there been any silver linings throughout your recovery process so far?

"Slowing down has been good for me. Between skiing and fishing, I have been going hard for over a decade —a constant grind. Since my injury, I have started writing again which is something that I have always loved and had given up on due to ‘lack of time’. I have also been spending a lot of time sitting outside and watching the world go by.

Who knew it was so enjoyable to just sit by a river and listen!? —wild."

What are you most excited for about spending this summer in Idaho instead of Alaska?

"I am definitely going to miss Alaska. This will be my first full summer in Idaho since I was in high school and I’m looking forward to seeing what it is like. I think I’m most excited about hanging out by the Idaho alpine lakes. Maybe I’ll even get my first sun tan!"

You mention being inspired by your peers who have gone through knee injuries; who are these people specifically?

"I am so impressed with the positive attitudes and determination of all skiers who have come back from knee injury, it’s scary and it isn’t easy.

Michelle Parker has been through multiple knee injuries and is one of the strongest skiers of our generation. Same with Johnny Collinson . I watched Sammo and Tatum both grind their way back from gnarly crashes with traumatic knee injuries. I have a lot of admiration for these athletes.

And to all of the skiers who are going through this right now with me— you’re inspiring me every day to keep pushing toward healing. Thank you all for sharing your stories! The ski community is a special group of individuals."

As of right now, when do you foresee "finishing" recovery? How much more do you have to go and what is left in the process?

"I don’t have a ‘finishing’ date for this recovery. I am taking it day by day and one step at a time. I have small goals, like being able to dance at my best friend’s wedding in mid July, that I am currently aiming toward. I am looking down a long and bumpy road to full recovery; I know the end is there but need to focus my attention on what is right in front of me."

Do you have any new goals since being "forced" to look at your skiing through a different lens?

"I actually feel like I am looking at my skiing through a heightened version of the same lens. The day I got injured, I was having a phenomenal morning of skiing. I was in the mental state that we all chase; full flow, absolute stoke, heightened awareness and connection.

If anything, I am more driven than ever to feel that again and get back to the type of skiing that makes me the most fulfilled. Exciting things to come!"

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