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Age:
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Years Skiing:
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Achievements:
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Favorite Areas:
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37
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35
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Starting
BIB. Keeping it all together during the winter
traveling for work and working on fitting in free
time to ski with my friends.
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Alta, Las Lenas, Eastern Sierras
and my home turf of Breckenridge, CO.
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 20
Questions
Describe
your skiing background:
I have always been drawn to the mountains since
I was young. In high school I pledged to move to
Colorado after college. In college I began my double
life as a weekend ski instructor at Mt. Snow, Vermont
and tried to reintegrate during the week as a college
student. After a two-week NOLS Winter Camping Course
when I was 20-years old (-30º every
day in Absorkas, WY), I was hooked on the free-heel
thing… but
I never thought I would be a guide. Look at me know.
Who would have known?
What was your big breakthrough or defining moment
in skiing?
It’s constantly happening. But the first time
I skied on fat skis (Alpine Kneissl–dumpster
diver special), wow, finally had a platform to spring
off of, land on, bust through and charge—it
was liberating.
Describe a skiing experience when things got out
of hand:
Backcountry skiing in the Selkirk’s, last day
of our seven day traverse—Moberly Pass to Fairy
Meadow. Marooned at the great Carin hut for a day
or two, we then headed out—couldn’t battle
the hut rats anymore. Whiteout conditions, pea soup,
avalanches echoing in the distance—trusting
our navigation skills was intense. When we made it
to Friendship Col the skies broke. That was the best
powder skiing of my life because I’m still
here to enjoy it. All the challenges of the ten-hour
day slog from spring conditions to a winter wonderland—a
well-earned cold smoke powder. Didn't even notice
the 60 pounds on my back.
What are you up to when you’re
not skiing?
Organizing backcountry classes and trips for women,
skiing, dancing, sipping vino with my friends, riding
my bike, practicing Tai Chi and working at my craft
table.
Any training advice or suggestions?
Always move from your center—since you are always
living on the edge—it's easier to pull yourself back
to center/balance. Flexibility, commitment and a
positive attitude are the keys to life—that
includes all aspects of skiing and ski adventuring
both on and off piste.
Who or what inspires you?
There are so many people out there that are an inspiration—hard
to name just one. It’s the humble giants that
are my mentors, those skilled mountaineers that are
so reserved in their demeanor that you don’ t
even realize they get after like in the “extreme” manner
until they do.
How do you see skiing evolving in the next five years?
It’s exciting to see what’s happening
in the ski world, both on and off-piste. So many
young rippers are joining the ranks and accelerating
at great speeds. I see a whole new breed of skiing
mentors arising. Also access to equipment and the
backcountry is driving the industry—another
exciting aspect to help keep pushing innovation and
quality.
Do you think the best skiers today are better than
the best skiers twenty years ago?
It’s relative. Who's to say that those skiers
of 20 years ago weren’t just as valid on their
gear? Equipment today allows the present skier to
charge a bit harder than in the past generations.
In general though people are fitter today and there
are more backcountry skiers pushing each other to
get out there.
How does fear affect your skiing?
It’s something I constantly work on—taming
the voices when you are skiing something that’s
big and exposed after all you have been doing until
then is Scooby-Doo skiing. Life practice in breathing
and believing in your self is key.
Do you have any vices that you would like to share?
It’s a good thing I don’t live in an
urban environment. The urban arty side would be hard
to tame and make it challenging to get up for powder
days.
Ever been caught speeding or ever been arrested?
Yes, 53 in a 50 going down hill in Canada. NY plates,
White Subi.
Any tattoos or body piercings?
What do you think—yes, very special personalized
mariposa with ancient Chinese secret encrypted in
the wings.
Any near death experiences?
Yes, In South America, during the 1999 South American
Free Skiing Championships, I was heading into the
finals in first place. A massive wet slide had come
down the afternoon before the final show and I ended
up not being able to follow my scouted route and
got cliffed out. In an attempt to launch off the
rocks, I got tripped up and fell through the notch.
Lucky to have not broken my neck and I still can
find remnants of the hematoma in my butt cheeks.
Are you a fan of skiing history? Explain?
I would love to spend more time reading about the
roots of skiing. Understanding history and where
our roots came from is paramount in fully grasping
and appreciating what the sport has evolved to
as well as what has carried through the generations.
What are your future plans or goals in skiing?
Ski more and more often and for more hours. To find
a solid team of behind-the-scenes staffers to allow
me to get out with my friends and start planning
more trips for myself. Japan is on the list for a
return trip—powder every day. I’d love
to plan some ski objectives in the Japanese Alps
as well as in Russia in the Altai and more exploration
of my home mountains in Colorado around Breckenridge
in the 10-Mile Range and in the Elks and San Juans.
More ski mountaineering close to home—it’s
very exciting.
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