Falling Into Place with Kai Jones

I recently caught up with Kai Jones to discuss a range of topics, including his new movie Falling Into Place, which premieres Sunday, Nov. 10 at the Jackson Hole Center for the Arts (get tickets here). Read the interview below!

Nate: Kai, tell us some of the highlights from last winter.

Kai: It was unforgettable, especially because it marked my return to skiing after my injury. Getting back out there was one of the most special experiences of my life. I spent the first couple of months training on snow, lapping the terrain park, and skiing all over the Mountain to regain my skills. I couldn’t have done any of that without the support of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR).

Nate: Were there any specific trips or moments that stood out to you?

Kai: Going up to Alaska was unreal. I was there with Sage Cattabriga-Alosa and Ian McIntosh—two of my biggest inspirations and mentors—filming for Beyond The Fantasy. That trip was hands down the best film trip I've ever been on. The snow and conditions were perfect, making it an epic experience. Plus, the end of the season was amazing; we had a couple of weeks in Jackson building backcountry jumps, and I landed a triple backflip, which was a huge goal of mine. It was all about repetition and awareness—I finally nailed it on my fourth try.

Nate: It must have been incredible to land that triple backflip, especially after everything you’d gone through.

Kai: Absolutely. The day I hurt myself, my main goal was to land that triple, and it stayed on my mind throughout last winter. When the perfect jump and day came together, I laced it. It felt surreal.

Nate: What lessons did you learn last season, either from yourself or from others? What can you pass on to aspiring professional skiers?

Kai: For kids trying to progress, I’d say it’s crucial to remember why you’re doing it. Keep your intentions pure and have fun—don’t let outside pressure take that away. Sage and Ian taught me an important lesson: “Go slow to go fast.” It’s easy to get ahead of yourself in big mountain terrain, but if you slow down, absorb your environment, and stay present, you can make better decisions and achieve your goals.

Nate: You recently took on a pretty big goal—skiing the Otter Body Couloir on the Grand Teton. Can you tell us about that?

Kai: The Otter Body was a goal that dates back to my time in the hospital. I remember looking up at the Tetons from my room and dreaming of better days in the mountains. I even filmed myself walking out of my wheelchair as a precursor to my goal of skiing the Grand Teton and the Otter Body line. It was incredible to accomplish that with Nick McNutt, Adam Fabrikant, Doug Workman, and Eric Roepke. The terrain was wild and super exposed. The Otter Body just a little patch of snow that looks like it shouldn’t even be there. Technically, I was the youngest to ski it, but it was never about the title. It was always about following my heart and doing what I love. I'm super stoked to have accomplished this goal, especially considering that the Otter Body is an elusive line that requires a perfect combination of conditions to successfully ski it.

Nate: Opening Day (Nov. 29) is on the horizon, but I'm curious what you've been up to throughout the summer? How much focus do you put on skiing in the offseason?

Kai: Downhill mountain biking is my main summer activity. The bike trails at JHMR are amazing, especially the new Cam Zink/Sensus R.A.D Trails built line (Lower Deer Jump)—it’s the sickest I’ve ever ridden. Seriously, it's like the best jump line I've ever hit and all my friends and I lapped that all season. I also enjoy lake surfing, boating, and hiking in Grand Teton National Park. I also go on mountaineering missions in the Tetons to keep progressing those skills, and I take an annual trip to Mt. Hood. Year-round, staying in shape is essential, and as winter approaches, I ramp up my gym training. Biking is great because it pushes me with the same adrenaline and flow state as skiing, while my trampoline sessions help maintain my air awareness for tricks.

Nate: That sounds like a super fun offseason program. What are some of your favorite tricks you’ve been working on ahead of this winter?

Kai: I’ve recently gotten my double cork 1080s on snow dialed in and am working on taking double corks to bigger natural terrain. I’ve been practicing switch cork 5s and aiming for my dream trick: a switch double cork 900. I’m also feeling out switch cork 9s, both on snow and on the trampoline.

Nate: Incredible! Can't wait to see the progression onto snowy natural features. Finally, what are your goals for the upcoming winter season?

Kai: My main goals are to get out as much as possible, keep progressing while staying healthy, and make smart decisions. I plan to shoot in Jackson more, take trips to British Columbia and go back to Alaska. 

Nate: We’ve seen it all over social media recently; tell us about the film you’re premiering on Sunday, November 10 at the Jackson Hole Center for the Arts!

Kai: The film is called Falling Into Place! I hope you and the Jackson Hole community come out and support! All proceeds benefit the Coombs Foundation. (Watch the trailer and read the description below).

Nate: Can't wait to see it! Thank you for the time, Kai.

About Falling Into Place: Born into the iconic action sports production company Teton Gravity Research, co-founded by his acclaimed filmmaker father Todd Jones, Kai Jones became a professional skier at just twelve years old. Kai swiftly rose to the top of freeskiing with viral videos that earned him four consecutive Skier of the Year nominations, beginning at the unheard-of age of fourteen.

On March 7, 2023, at sixteen, Kai suffered a near-fatal, potentially career-ending injury deep in Wyoming’s remote backcountry. After a remarkable rescue, he faced an uphill battle through multiple surgeries, intense physical rehabilitation, and relearning to walk—all while confronting whether he still wanted to pursue a career as a professional skier. This film offers an unfiltered look into Kai’s journey as he delves into his young but resilient spirit to find these answers. The film captures the immense mental and physical struggles he battled while attempting to return to the top of the mountain.

The official digital release is on December 3, 2024 on Red Bull TV, Teton Gravity Research TV, Apple TV, Amazon, YouTube Movies, and Google TV.