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A: One of my earliest memories is learning to ski at Alpine Valley in Northeast Ohio with “Uncle Bob.” Gripping the rope tow was a challenge, but having the support of my mom behind me made it possible. In my formative years I found myself in the weekly “mogul mites” program at Boston Mills on Sunday afternoons. Each ski season growing up would culminate with a spring break family ski trip to Colorado or Utah.
In high school, to make some money, get a free pass, improve my skiing, and give back to the program that taught me to ski, I joined the ski school at Boston Mills/Brandywine. I became a card carrying PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors of America) member, learned to telemark, and got certified to teach alpine and telemark skiing.
Fast-forward to a move to Colorado for college at the University of Denver, I quickly realized locking the heel makes it easier (and safer!) to ski fast. Living in Denver but spending winters working in Vail and frequently visiting friends in Jackson Hole, Wyoming opened my eyes to the endless possibilities of big mountain, backcountry, and powder skiing.
Colorado was a great starting point for my journey west and continued growth as a skier, but a season living and ski instructing in Jackson Hole and a subsequent move to Utah really turned up my passion for skiing. Like any powder hound and aspiring big mountain skier, I had a decision to make before my first season in the Wasatch: Snowbird or Alta? While Snowbird is great for its terrain and snowfall, “the vibe” (and more annual snowfall!) just up the road at Alta got me. A new Altaholic was born. The quality and quantity of snow at Alta and most of all, the people at Alta, are what have kept me a loyal passholder for the last 7 seasons.
These days I’m more of a weekend warrior, working a 9-5 in Salt Lake City, but manage to get my fill on the weekends, taking off work for big midweek pow days, and with regular dawn or dusk patrols. Additionally, no season is complete without a trip to the great white north: British Columbia!
A: My first Folsom memory is from the 2015 Ski Industry Trade Show, SIA. Some friends were interning at Folsom at the time, and the fact that they’re hand-built in Colorado really piqued my interest. It wasn’t until winter 21-22 that I finally got my first pair, and it’s safe to say I’m hooked!
A: British Columbia. If you haven’t been, go check it out and you’ll understand why.
A: I love them both! My favorite kind of ski day is a midweek storm day at the resort when it’s dumping snow and the wind is blowing so hard you can’t see more than 5’ in front of you. A mid-winter bluebird pow day in the backcountry is great too.
A: My go-to pair of skis for the resort is the Giver 110 (formerly known as the Primary 110). If it hasn’t snowed in a long time and it’s either chalky or spring vibes, you better believe I’ll be on my 201 Trn Teks!
A: Most important to me is the function of the skis. Second to function is how they look. The fact that I can choose the core material, rocker profile, tail shape, stiffness, and graphic means I can check off both the function and looks to ensure the skis fit my skiing style.
A: Like I said, if the vibes are right, the TRN TEK is the ski to be on! They rail on groomers, crush bumps, and if you really want faceshots on a pow day, they ski the bottom. What more can I say? They’re the ultimate ski of spring.
Plans for the off season?A: Mountain biking, yoga, growing vegetables in my garden, seeing lots of live music, and getting ready for winter 23-24.
A: Find an in person or online ski conditioning class. Get that core, legs, and fine-balanced muscles in shape. For me, yoga is huge too, which keeps me limber and well balanced. Stoked for my ski conditioning program to kick off in a few short weeks at Basin Rec. in Park City, UT.