In a piece for Team USA for Mental Health Awareness month, Olympian Alice Merryweather opened up and spoke candidly about her battle with anorexia this past year. 

She shared, 

COVID-19 has affected sports in many ways throughout the past year. Not only has COVID threatened our physical wellbeing, but it has also placed more strain on everyone’s mental health. 

I’m no stranger to this myself; in the spring of 2020, early into the pandemic lockdown, my mental health took a deep dive. I was struggling to find housing for the summer, taking a hefty course load remotely through Dartmouth College, and battling a severe fear of complacency as spring training ramped up. This perfect stress-storm, abetted by the uncertainty of lockdown and the new virus, was the final blow that sent me deep into my own mental health crisis: a battle with anorexia nervosa.

Though I wasn’t formally diagnosed until October 2020, I began significantly restricting my intake sometime in March. In each of the three or four years prior, I would end my race season thinking some version of this to myself: “you should really go on a diet. All that European hotel food has been making you fat, and you don’t even look like an athlete anymore.”

Last spring, I hit a new low. I resented myself from a performance standpoint for not meeting my goals. Physically, I believed I had overeaten every day and couldn’t even bring myself to look in a mirror. Mentally, I felt disappointed, upset, and like I no longer controlled my own destiny. Unintentionally, my eating disorder became my way back to some semblance of control (or so I thought).

At the end of the piece, Merryweather gave advice for those struggling to seek help. "Asking for help doesn’t make someone weak, but rather it makes them courageous enough to admit their vulnerabilities and try to improve...I encourage anyone who is struggling to talk to someone, whether they’re a friend or family member or a professional. It might be the scariest thing you do, but it also might end up being the best."

Merryweather recently returned to the mountain for on-snow training with her teammates at official training site Mammoth Mountain, in California. She has shared that she feels more joy than ever for the sport, and she's looking forward to the upcoming season. 

Read the full piece on TeamUSA.org. 

The U.S. Freestyle Mogul Ski Team was back in bumpin’ action, having just wrapped their first prep camp of the 2021-22 Olympic season at Snowbird, Utah. 

Mogul skiers nominated to the 2021-22 Freestyle Ski Team took advantage of the #LongestSeasonInUtah to get back to skiing and jumping, and the camp marked the first time the group came together following the end of their competitive season in March. Quintessential Utah bluebird spring days made for great conditions and athletes’ spirits were high during their 11 days on snow. 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Kai (@_kaiowens)

“We used this camp to focus on the things that will make the biggest difference this coming season,” explained Head Mogul Coach Matt Gnoza. Ensuring athletes have “sticky” skills for when it counts is top of mind when preparing for the world’s biggest ski stage. When asked if this prep season is different from any other heading directly into the Olympic Winter Games, Gnoza says yes and no. “The goal of skiing your best and pushing your limits remains the same. However, the planning and progression towards peak performance at the Olympics is definitely there for both staff and athletes.”

Snowbird provided an excellent opportunity for athletes to work on their specific needs. Those focused on jumping got in over 100 jumps on snow, and those focused on skiing had a 235-meter mogul line. “We got lots of quality work in,” commented Gnoza. 

“My focus for this camp was mainly skiing, working fundamentals and starting to build on new skills,” said Nick Page. “I also spent a fair amount of time jumping. Working to perfect my cork 7 grab, cork 10, and cork 14.”

Snowbird has a rich history of freestyle skiing and partners with local club Wasatch Freestyle to keep that tradition alive. However, it was the first time since the early 2000s that the national team trained at the resort in the month of May. Cooperation with Wasatch Freestyle enabled up-and-coming mogul skiers to train alongside national team athletes and provided an important exchange for developing the talent pipeline in the sport.  

“Getting to be back at Snowbird was great,” said Page, who skied with Wasatch Freestyle before making the U.S. Ski Team. “Jake, Seth, and the entire mountain ops team went above and beyond for us. It means so much to have support from ski areas who really believe in us and want to provide the best resources for us to succeed. Going into any season, but an Olympic season especially, we need every edge and advantage we can get our hands on. Snowbird really stepped up to make that happen; they put together a great venue with help from the U.S. Ski Team and Wasatch Freestyle. It allowed us to get a lot accomplished in a very important window of opportunity. 

“The partnership and cooperation from Snowbird was amazing,” said Gnoza. “They built us a five-line, 235-meter course, along with a jump site, which provided athletes the ability to push their limits. Big thanks to Wasatch Freestyle, who helped build and maintain the course. It’s always great for our team to ski with young talent.” Snowbird was even gracious enough to open the resort for two days just for training, an experience not lost on the athletes or staff.  

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Morgan (@morganschild)

“This prep season is really exciting,” added Page. “There’s a lot of work to do and I’m really excited to get everything tightened and cleaned up by the time the competition season comes around. Getting back on the water ramps is something I always enjoy — and getting to travel more this summer will be great in making progress to take into next winter.”

The 2021-22 prep season continues for moguls at Freestyle’s summer home at Official Training Site Utah Olympic Park for the first water ramp camp of the summer beginning May 31. 

To support the U.S. Freestyle Mogul Ski Team, please click here for more information.

Minnesota sport leader Darryl Landstrom, a long-time regional and national volunteer sport leader, was honored by U.S. Ski & Snowboard with its highest honor - the Julius Blegen Award. Landstrom, who grew up as a ski jumper and nordic combined skier in Duluth’s Chester Park Ski Club, found his pathway as an alpine ski racing leader, first in Central Division and now chair of the national Alpine Sport Committee.

Landstrom became the 75th recipient of the Julius Blegen Award dating back to 1946. The award recognizes established history of distinguished service and a lasting contribution to U.S. Ski & Snowboard and its membership. It is named in honor of Julius Blegen, a key leader of the National Ski Association in the 1930s.

He was recognized Friday, May 21 during the virtual annual meeting of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard board of directors.

“Darryl has been a powerful and unique leader, volunteering his time for decades to bring people together behind the scenes in our sports,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard Chairman Kipp Nelson. “He has been a true governance pioneer for our organization, always able to align everyone around a common direction to move the sport forward.”

When an injury sidelined Landstrom from competition at the age of 21, he turned his attention to volunteering, primarily in support of junior alpine ski racing in the then U.S. Ski Association’s Central Division. His leadership skills and motivation to help youth ultimately saw him lead alpine sport committees in Central Division, Rocky/Central Region and today as the national Alpine Sport Committee chair and a member of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Board of Directors.

His work in the midwest was pivotal in helping to increase the international ski racing presence in the Central Division. He was instrumental in scheduling the first night FIS slalom at Boyne Mountain, Mich. as well as securing giant slalom course homologation at Lutsen Mountain, Minn., now a perennial stop on the spring FIS racing tour in the USA.

Landstrom has also served an important role within collegiate ski racing. He has served as a board member of the U.S. Collegiate ski Association as well as chair of U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Collegiate Subcommittee and as the U.S. representative to the International Ski Federation’s University Racers Subcommittee.

Along with his service to alpine ski racing, Landstrom has also volunteered to help with myriad other sports organizations. Among them are USA Nordic, the national leadership organization for ski jumping and nordic combined, the Minneapolis-based Loppet Foundation, a multi-sport program known for its cross country skiing programs, and the Minneapolis Ski Club, a leading ski jumping club in the Twin Cities.

Landstrom’s positive impact on the sport has stemmed from his ability to bring people together on issues and create synergies - known as an approachable, transparent and athlete-centric leader. He was instrumental following a 2013 McKinsey study in aligning division, regional and national sport leaders to create affiliation agreements and to update the U.S. Ski & Snowboard bylaws. He continued that work to restructure the governance of the Alpine Sport Committee, creating a more impactful governing body.

“I'm both honored and humbled,” said Landstrom on receiving the award. “When I consider past recipients, it is hard to imagine being part of this legacy group.” He cited numerous role models including past Blegen recipients Anna McIntyre, who nominated him, former board chair Bill Slattery, his longtime friend the late Bob Dart and last year’s recipient Paine. “They have been role models for me and I hope that I can be the same for future Blegen Award recipients.”

Landstrom credits his parents’ support and the friendships he gained with other 10-year-olds as a motivating factor for his initial pathway into the sport. And the ongoing friendships with peers have kept him going over decades. “The friendships during my tenure with U.S. Ski & Snowboard are enormous and invaluable,” he said. “I admire the commitment and transparency of staff, the alpine community and the other disciplines with which I continue to engage.”

In addition to his governance work, Landstrom has spent plenty of time on the snow from packing the landing hill on ski jumps, hauling gunny sacks of snow up scaffolding, working as a gate judge and referee, and even a stint as timer and announcer for divisional alpine races.

This past year Landstrom took on leadership of U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s COVID Commission, developing policies and principles which helped guide the organization through a challenging season.

Today, the Duluth native lives in Wayzata, where he is a Twin Cities businessman. He splits time with his mountain home in Winter Park, Colo., and remains a very active skier himself, as well as following the career of his U16 alpine ski racing grandson. He was nominated for the award by Anna McIntyre, the 1996 recipient of the Blegen Award. 

JULIUS BLEGEN AWARD HONOREES

• 1946 Roger Langley
• 1947 Arthur J. Barth
• 1948 Fred McNeil
• 1949 John Hostvedt
• 1950 Fred C. Bellmar
• 1951 Douglas M. Burckett
• 1952 F.C. Koziol
• 1953 Albert E. Sigal
• 1954 Harold A. Grinden
• 1955 Burton H. Boyum
• 1956 John B. Carson
• 1957 Olav Ulland
• 1958 T. Lee McCracken
• 1959 Robert C. Johnstone
• 1960 Dr. Amos R. 'Bud' Little and Malcolm McLane
• 1961 Sepp Ruschp
• 1962 J. Stanley Mullin
• 1963 Ralph A. 'Doc' DesRoches
• 1964 Robert Beattie
• 1965 Merritt H. Stiles
• 1966 Evelyn Masbruch
• 1967 C. Allison Merrill
• 1968 Willy J. Schaeffler
• 1969 William Berry
• 1970 Earl D. Walters
• 1971 Gustav Raaum
• 1972 James Balfanz
• 1973 Charles T. Gibson
• 1974 Sven Wiik
• 1975 Byron Nishkian
• 1976 Dr. J. Leland Sosman
• 1977 Gloria Chadwick
• 1978 Richard Goetzman
• 1979 Graham Anderson
• 1980 Bill Beck
• 1981 Not awarded
• 1982 Hank Tauber
• 1983 Robert Thomson
• 1984 Ed Hammerle
• 1985 Robert Oden
• 1986 Bill Slattery
• 1987 Jim Page
• 1988 Whiting Willauer
• 1989 James H. “Red” Carruthers
• 1990 Nelson Bennett
• 1991 Tom Corcoran
• 1992 Nick Badami
• 1993 Serge Lussi
• 1994 Fraser West
• 1995 Gerald F. Groswold
• 1996 Anna McIntyre
• 1997 Faris Taylor
• 1998 Irv Kagan
• 1999 Thom Weisel
• 2000 Dr. Richard Steadman
• 2001 Warren Lowry (posthumously)
• 2002 Not Awarded
• 2003 Jim McCarthy
• 2004 Howard Peterson
• 2005 Michael Berry
• 2006 Peter Kellogg
• 2007 Charles Ferries
• 2008 Gary Black, Jr.
• 2009 Lee Todd
• 2010 Tom Winters
• 2011 Joe Lamb
• 2012 John Garnsey
• 2013 Barry 'Bear' Bryant
• 2014 Bill Marolt
• 2015 Allen Church
• 2016 Bob Dart (posthumously)
• 2017 Ted Sutton
• 2018 Bruce Crane (posthumously)
• 2019 Thelma Hoessler
• 2020 Dexter Paine
• 2021 Darryl Landstrom

Davis U.S. Cross Country Ski Team member Julia Kern is always game for sharing her outdoor passions. And now she has an app for that!

Kern has found a unique way to mix her studies toward a degree from Dartmouth in economics, with a minor in human-centered design, her day job as a professional cross country skier, and all of her outdoor adventures into serving as an athlete ambassador and team member for Pastimes - an app that connects like-minded outdoor enthusiasts for activities and adventures.

“It was started by a few climbers out of Salt Lake City,” Kern said. “They would climb in the gym all the time and see people post their phone numbers on the wall.
”

A passionate outdoor enthusiast herself, when not skiing or roller skiing, Kern is usually mountain biking, climbing, surfing, paddling or backcountry skiing. So when she was introduced to Pastimes by Phillip Belena, a cross country ski fan who lives in New York City and a former digital consultant for a Craftsbury Outdoor Center, her initial involvement was to “do some user testing on their prototype.” But, “one thing led to another, and I was really passionate about what the app is trying to achieve and wanted to get more involved,” she said. 


During the fall 2020 semester (she graduates in June), Kern jumped into some mobile design work at the Digital Applied Learning and Innovation Lab at Dartmouth, and that led to her taking on multiple roles with Pastimes, including working throughout the past World Cup season during her downtime.

“
The balance (between racing, resting, and training) was actually not that foreign to me because I've done so much school in the past few years,” she said. “It is actually something that I thrive on. I like having other things going on.
 And this job is a remote job, and it's flexible on my own time.
 So it was the perfect thing for me to stay balanced this last year and have something else to occupy my mind when I wasn’t training and racing.
”

The biggest challenge she faced all winter was the eight-hour time difference between the Central European Time Zone and the Mountain Time Zone, where the Pastimes headquarters are located in Salt Lake City. “That's probably the biggest challenge when we're in Europe. It's really hard to connect with people with that big-time change,” she said. But that hasn’t stopped the app’s evolution. Following a winter of user feedback, Pastimes is about to release a design update that will make it even easier for outdoor enthusiasts to connect and share their passion. 

“We've seen the most users engage in biking, hiking, backcountry skiing, and climbing so far,” Kern said. “
But, we've had so many requests for different sports, and the list keeps growing.
 The app has changed so much, so quickly, because we're constantly listening and improving based on what users have to say.


“It's been cool working with a team that is so passionate about helping make the outdoors accessible to all, putting the user first, and hearing people's feedback, and acting on it,” she said. “Our goals are big. The need is there and it's just a matter of keeping it free to users and making it sustainable on the business side.
 I think it has a lot of potential.
”

Pastimes is available on both the App Store and Google Play. Want to know what Julia is up to? Follow her on Instagram!

U.S. Freestyle Aerial Ski Team member and native Alabamian, Dani Loeb, participated in her first rodeo on April 30 and May 1. Loeb performed the clown bit both nights at the Wetumpka FFA Alumni Championship Rodeo, acting as Annie Oakley’s last descendant the first night and doing a Duck Dynasty bit the second night. “It was an exciting weekend, and it was great to see all of my friends from home,” said Loeb.

The rodeo was a Future Farmers of America (FFA) charity event with riders from the International Professional Rodeo Association. The proceeds went to Wetumpka High School’s FFA Chapter and the WHS agricultural department. Loeb spent much of her childhood in Wetumpka, as it is her mother’s hometown. Her mom was also a horse trainer, so she has always been around the rodeo, but this was her first time participating in one.

Surprisingly Loeb noticed a few distinct similarities between rodeo and skiing. “There are many groups, like show horses and rodeo, that remind me of different skiing disciplines..”

Leading up to the rodeo, Loeb toured local schools in the county with the reigning Miss Rodeo USA, Kylee Campbell. Loeb noted that not many kids in that area have been skiing before, as the closest resort is in North Carolina. When she walked in to the schools with her skis, many of the kids responded with, “That’s a ski?! How do you even stand on that thing?” Loeb helped demonstrate that even being from a small town, you can achieve whatever you put your mind to. “I wanted to show them that no matter what their dreams are, they can achieve them if they work hard,” Loeb explained.

Loeb is a shining example of someone who has achieved those dreams. She comes from a gymnastics background and was recruited to the team when she was training at a gym in Texas. Before being recruited to the team, Loeb had only ever skied once during spring break as a small child. She is now the first Alabamian to make the U.S. Ski Team.

Follow Dani Loeb’s journey from Alabama to aerials via her Instagram @dani.loeb

U.S. Ski & Snowboard capped a challenging winter season by recognizing coaches and clubs for their service to the sport. A dozen coaches and seven clubs were honored in a kickoff for the organization’s annual spring awards.

U.S. Freeski Pro Team Slopestyle Coach Skogen Sprang, who led his athletes to an outstanding international season, was selected as the freeski and overall U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team Coach of the Year. Veteran cross country coach Sten Fjeldheim, who is retiring after an illustrious 35-year career at Northern Michigan University, was named cross country and overall Development Coach of the Year.

The 116-year-old Norge Ski Club in Fox River Grove, Ill. was recognized as overall Club of the Year, for its program growth during the pandemic season. Idaho’s Bogus Basin Ski Education Foundation was named Development Club of the Year for its focus on athletic development.

“Coaches and clubs faced unique challenges this past season yet still rose to the occasion to provide safe and productive athletic programs across the country and on international tours,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard Director of Sport Education Gar Trayner.

The top honorees were recognized during the organization’s annual Club Excellence Conference, held online for a second straight year. Additional awards will be announced during late May and early June.

2021 COACHES OF THE YEAR

U.S. SKI & SNOWBOARD TEAM COACH OF THE YEAR

FREESKI TEAM COACH OF THE YEAR

Skogen Sprang, Olympic Valley, Calif.

U.S. Freeski Pro Team Slopestyle Coach Skogen Sprang was selected as the freeski and overall U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team Coach of the Year. It was the third time Sprang has been honored with the freeski award, and second as overall coach of the year (2014).

Sprang was recognized for the accomplishments of his athletes, winning the FIS Freeski Park & Pipe Nations Cup and a pair of crystal globes for Colby Stevenson. Three other athletes, Alex Hall, Mac Forehand, and Aaron Blunck, finished in the top-10.

USA won the FIS Freeski Nations Cup trophy in the 2021 season, with the country’s 1696 points nearly double the points of runner-up Switzerland’s 853. Colby Stevenson led the way by taking the slopestyle and Freeski overall globes and three other men - Alex Hall, Mac Forehand and Aaron Blunck - finished in the top-10.

He was also acknowledged by his peers for nearly a decade of success through two Olympics and his personal commitment to coaches education. Sprang is a level 300 coach and helps to facilitate coach education every spring at the level 300 coaches clinic at Mammoth Mountain, Calif. 

OVERALL DEVELOPMENT COACH OF THE YEAR

CROSS COUNTRY DEVELOPMENT COACH OF THE YEAR

Sten Fjeldheim, Marquette, Mich.

Legendary Northern Michigan University cross country coach Sten Fjeldheim was recognized as the cross country and overall Development Coach of the Year. Fjeldheim was recognized for his 35 years as one of the most successful coaches in sport history and for his broad contribution to sport development. It was his third time winning the overall award (2000 and 2005) and fourth time for cross country (1991, 2005, 2016).

In his tenure at NMU, seven Wildcats won national titles. He coached 97 National Collegiate Athletic Association All-America athletes, 11 Olympians and five U.S. champions. During his entire time as a coach, he was a significant contributor to U.S. development efforts, also serving as a national development coordinator and a coach at Olympics, world championships, and junior worlds.

A Norwegian native, he came to the USA as a child. He skied three seasons for NMU and was a member of the U.S. Ski Team from 1980-86.

U.S SKI & SNOWBOARD TEAM COACHES OF THE YEAR

Alpine - Mike Day, Burlington, Vt.

U.S. Ski Team alpine coach Mike Day was honored as U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team Alpine Coach of the Year. Day, who heads Mikaela Shiffrin’s coaching team, was recognized for Shiffrin’s success in a challenging season, coming back from the tragic death of her father amidst a World Cup tour upended by the pandemic. Shiffrin won four medals at the world championships and skied a strong World Cup season with three victories and 10 podiums.

Day was lauded for his attention to detail and anticipating every scenario. His planning acumen instills confidence and trust in his athletes enhancing their ability to perform. He has been a coach with the U.S. Ski Team for a decade, most recently working with Shiffrin. He was also Ted Ligety’s coach when he won three gold medals at the 2013 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships.

Cross Country - Jason Cork, Stratton Mountain, Vt.

U.S. Ski Team cross country coach Jason Cork was named U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team Cross Country Coach of the Year. Cork was recognized for the success of Jessie Diggins, who won the overall FIS Cross Country World Cup as well as the Tour de Ski.

Cork has been Diggins’ primary coach since 2010, building a strong rapport and orchestrating her training plan and race service support, in addition to providing athlete support at the World Cup level for the entire Davis U.S. Cross Country Ski Team.

Freestyle - Vladimir ‘Vlad’ Lebedev

U.S. Freestyle Ski Team aerials coach Vladimir ‘Vlad’ Lebedev was honored with the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team Freestyle Coach of the Year. He was recognized for leading the U.S. team to the FIS Nations Cup in aerials.

A mix of veterans and new rising stars combined to place nine U.S. athletes into the top 16 in the World Cup led by Winter Vinecki, who finished second. At the FIS Freestyle World Championships, Chris Lillis and Ashley Caldwell won silver, with the team taking bronze.

Lebedev is a native of Uzbekistan and competed as a Russian aerialist for a decade, winning bronze at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games.

Nordic Combined/Ski Jumping - Anders Johnson, Park City, Utah

Team Coach of the Year honors for ski jumping and nordic combined went to Anders Johnson, a longtime athlete who was in his first year as World Cup coach for the women’s ski jumpers. Despite a challenging season, he was recognized for raising the level of all his athletes and improving the team culture.

Johnson grew up in the shadow of the Olympic jumps in Park City. After coaching for several years with Park City Ski & Snowboard, he moved up to the national team last spring. He single-handedly led the team through much of the COVID-impacted World Cup season serving as everything from coach to suit maker. 

He led the women’s team to its best results in two seasons with personal bests from Paige Jones, Annika Belshaw, and Logan Sankey.

Snowboard - Peter Foley, Hood River, Ore.

Veteran coach Peter Foley was selected as Snowboard Coach of the Year. His snowboardcross team earned eight podium finishes on the World Cup tour, more than any other nation, earning the SBX Nations Cup for the USA.

Foley was the founding coach of the U.S. Snowboard Team in 1994 and has been with the SBX program for 17 seasons. In addition to his work with the team, he is an advocate for coaches' education. He is a level 500 coach himself and hosts a level 300 clinic for SBX at Mt. Hood each summer.

DEVELOPMENT COACHES OF THE YEAR

Alpine - Mike Bansmer, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, Steamboat Springs, Colo.

Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club alpine coach Mike Bansmer was recognized as Alpine Development Coach of the year. A six-year veteran of the Steamboat program, Bansmer has been an instrumental contributor to the U.S. Ski & Snowboard alpine development system.

This past season, five of Bansmer’s athletes were at the top of the National Development Group. Across his entire program, Bansmer manages 42 athletes, one of the deepest talent pools in the country. Two of his athletes were nominated for the U.S. Ski Team this spring.

Beyond his program in Steamboat, Bansmer is integrally involved with regional and national development projects, donating significant time each season to contribute to the development of athletes around the country. He was cited for his hard work and professionalism that is having an impact not only on his own club, but on the sport as a whole. This coming season, Bansmer will be joining the U.S. Ski Team’s men’s Europa Cup team as an assistant coach.

Freeski - Teddy Goggin, Team Summit, Dillon, Colo.

Longtime freeski coach Teddy Goggin, director of the Team Summit freeski program in Colorado, was honored as Freeski Development Coach of the Year. Goggin was recognized for his creation of a thoughtful, well-rounded approach to athlete development, focusing on process and goal setting.

Goggin has been coaching for a dozen years. He is a level 300 coach who is also one of the primary developers for national coaches education clinics. He works with athletes from grassroots to the national team. His approach to coaching and engagement in the overall development process have made him an integral part of the sport’s pipeline.

Freestyle - Lars Johnson, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, Steamboat Springs, Colo.

Lars Johnson of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club was selected as Freestyle Development Coach of the Year. The head coach of the Steamboat freestyle program was recognized for his contributions to the development pipeline in numerous ways this past season.

Johnson had multiple athletes from his program start in World Cup moguls events this past season, including four athletes named to the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team. Johnson also plays a strong role in the thought leadership space of long-term athlete development and skills acquisition.

Nordic Combined/Ski Jumping - Zak Hammill, Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage, Anchorage

Under the leadership of former national team ski jumper Zak Hammill, jumping in Alaska is really taking off! Hammill was named Nordic Combined/Ski Jumping Development Coach of the Year for his work in bringing jumping to the forefront in Alaska through his work with the Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage. Hammill is already seeing success, with club member Carter Brubaker nominated to the Junior National Team and qualifying last year for Junior World Championships. Alaska also has multiple up-and-coming athletes in the Fly Guys program.

After taking a one-year sabbatical, Hammill came back as head coach last year to take his club to the next level. He worked with his club to get funding for the organization’s first winch cat to better prepare the jumping hill. He has continued to upgrade the jumping facilities and is assisting in the planning of a new clubhouse.

He has also pushed the national coaches committee to form a working group to develop a more structured national training program for U16 athletes designed to reduce attrition in the age class and to establish ski jumping and nordic combined as viable options for skiers from Alaska.

Snowboard - Dylan Omlin, Auburn Ski Club, Truckee, Calif.

A significant contributor to the snowboard development pipeline for many years, Dylan Omlin of the Auburn Ski Club was recognized as Snowboard Development Coach of the Year. As program director for the club, he oversees over 300 snowboard members including a special high school sports program. 

Omlin’s athletes have found success at the highest levels from grassroots to the Olympics in both slopestyle and snowboardcross. At the same time, Omlin has given back as a member and now chair of the Snowboard Sport Committee and this past season stepped in to help fill a gap as national slopestyle development coach. He has been a consistent presence for rookie team athletes while helping them navigate an unprecedented pandemic season.

2021 CLUBS OF THE YEAR

OVERALL CLUB OF THE YEAR

SKI JUMPING/NORDIC COMBINED CLUB OF THE YEAR

Norge Ski Club, Fox River Grove, Ill.

Founded in 1905, the Norge Ski Club in Fox River Grove, Ill. is one of America’s oldest. It continues to thrive today, 116 years later, and was named U.S. Ski & Snowboard overall and ski jumping/nordic combined Club of the Year. In a season disrupted by the pandemic, Norge still saw a 30% increase in participation and remains one of the largest jumping clubs in the Central Division. It is the first time Norge has won the overall award, but won for ski jumping/nordic combined in 2004 and 2012.

The Chicago-area club is one of the most well-represented on national ski jumping teams with three men and one woman on the national team, and two men on the junior national team. Two Norge athletes made the 2021 World Championship Team with another two named to the Junior World Championships Team, along with seven to the USA Nordic Junior Championships.

The success of the club stems from a very strong coaching staff, along with increased parent engagement. The club has also initiated specific projects to keep the club thriving and developing athletes across the variety of hill sizes Norge has to offer. It’s jumping complex north of Chicago is one of the most complete in the midwest.

DEVELOPMENT CLUB OF THE YEAR

Bogus Basin Ski Education Foundation, Boise, Idaho

Athletic development is a vital component of successful clubs. In recognition of its innovative work, U.S. Ski & Snowboard has awarded its Development Club of the Year Award to the Bogus Basin Ski Education (BBSEF) in Boise, Idaho. The award is presented annually to a club that has executed outstanding programs in the area of athletic development. The award was first implemented in 2019 to encourage clubs to increase their focus on development.

Under the leadership of Head Coach and Program Director Mark Wedeking, along with Director of Operations Shannon Carrell, BBSEF has been actively engaged in U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Podium Club Certification since 2019, with an interest in identifying opportunities and creating a roadmap for continuous improvement in all areas of organizational and athletic performance. The club earned bronze certification in 2019. Over the next 12 months, it executed strategies for ongoing self-assessment, resource development, and improved facilities and training venues. As a result of this mission-focused work, it earned the silver level in 2021.

The club was cited for its commitment to professional development and coaches’ certification, as well as its full range of programs to keep athletes engaged and having fun while developing important skills in alpine, freeski, and snowboard. The club has shown a great commitment to increasing financial scholarships to minimize barriers to the sport. It has established clear goals and benchmarks for organization and athletic performance.

SPORT CLUBS OF THE YEAR

Alpine - Green Mountain Valley School, Waitsfield, Vt.

The Green Mountain Valley School (GMVS) in Waitsfield, Vt. was awarded the Alpine Club of the Year Award. Formed in 1973, the club was recognized for its longstanding holistic approach to developing the GMVS community and for its extraordinary work during COVID where the club played a pivotal role in ensuring ski racing could continue during the pandemic.

Under the leadership of Tracy Keller, GMVS has a strong commitment to coaches’ education as well as women in coaching with at least one female coach in every age group from U8 to U19. It has also developed a strong high performance team.

During the pandemic, GMVS took charge - not just for its own programs, but to help ski racing across New England. Despite some of the strictest COVID regulations in the country, GMVS was innovative in working with health officials to create an environment where even out-of-state families could continue to participate. It innovated new policies, schedules, and other protocols to ensure a successful junior ski racing season.

Cross Country - Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, Ketchum, Idaho

Strong clubs stepped up during the pandemic season, including the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation (SVSEF) which was awarded Cross Country Club of the Year. Not only did SVSEF rise up to help its own athletes, but it extended its resources to ensure that skiers across the region had opportunities to compete.

Under the leadership of Executive Director Scott McGrew and Cross Country Program Director Rick Kapala, the club expanded opportunities by hosting additional cross country competitions. The club also provided additional representation and support to U.S. Ski & Snowboard for event planning, coaching education and COVID-19 mitigation policy working groups.

As a longstanding club, it continued to have an impact with three of its athletes on national teams. It is the fourth time (1999, 2007, 2009) the club has been recognized as Cross Country Club of the Year.

Freeski - Ski & Snowboard Club Vail, Vail, Colo.

A longstanding club of nearly 70 years, Ski & Snowboard Club Vail really upped its game in freeski over the past two seasons led by Program Director Chris Laske and Head Coach Willis Engelhart. The clear impact was seen in results and enrollment this past season with the club being named Freeski Club of the Year. It is the third time the club has been honored with the award (2013, 2014).

Despite a season impacted by COVID, enrollment in the park and pipe program doubled. SSCV athletes upped their engagement at U.S. Ski & Snowboard and USASA events including the Futures Tour, Revolution Tour and World Cup. The club had seven finalists at Rev Tour, three Futures Tour wins and five other podiums. Willis has also continued to work with Rookie Team athlete Riley Jacobs.

The staff has also been upgraded, now with four coaches - all level 100-300 certified. Former pro skier Sean Jordan, a new addition, brings over a decade of Dew Tour experience to the program.

Freestyle - Park City Ski & Snowboard/Wasatch Freestyle, Park City, Utah

A pandemic season can bring the best out in clubs. Two high-profile freestyle clubs in Utah combined forces to ensure that the sport would continue on, supporting each other on events and providing a playing field for athletes. Jointly, Park City Ski & Snowboard (PCCS) and Wasatch Freestyle were honored as Freestyle Club of the Year.

Wasatch played host to the U.S. Freestyle Championships for moguls, while PCCS managed aerials. Wasatch also held a FIS Open as a NorAm replacement and multiple regional events. PCCS held the U.S. Junior Championships for moguls plus other regional events.

Both programs also had strong seasons. Park City Ski & Snowboard’s moguls program grew 135% thanks in part to its Intro to Mogul Day at the Utah Olympic Park. Wasatch Freestyle had multiple podiums at US Selections, FIS Open, Junior Nationals, and the U.S. Freestyle Championships.

Snowboard - American Snowboard Training Center, Mt. Snow, Vt.

The American Snowboard Training Center (ASTC) was recognized as Snowboard Club of the Year. Founded in 2007 by Olympian Ron Chiodi, ASTC’s mission as a winter-term snowboard academy is to offer a clear path of success in both snowboarding and academics, with a focus on keeping college admissions a priority. Chiodi, who was on the very first Olympic halfpipe team in 1998, has combined with head coach Scott Horwath and the team to build a successful program at Vermont’s Mt. Snow and now ASTC Michigan and ASTC West.

Over the last eight years, ASTC has grown its impact at the Futures Tour, Revolution Tour, and World Cup slopestyle, and big air events. This past year, 16-year-old Lucas Ferry consistently made finals in all Rev Tour events. Fellow 16-year-old Nick Fox also made finals at Aspen in his first Rev Tour.

Between all three programs, the dream of creating a system of support for athletes nationwide has come to fruition. With a clear path and direction for its athletes, the future looks very bright for this unique snowboard academy.

Following spring planning meetings, the U.S. Alpine Ski Team has announced key staffing changes for the 2021-22 season, which has already kicked off with initial prep period camps at official training sites at Squaw Valley and Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, Calif.

Despite unforeseen challenges associated with COVID-19, the Land Rover U.S. Alpine Ski Team posted their best collective result in years, grabbing 18 podiums and four victories across five athletes—led by two-time Olympic champion and six-time world champion Mikaela Shiffrin, with three victories, and Olympian Ryan Cochran-Siegle with two podiums and his career-first World Cup victory. The staff worked tirelessly to follow protocols and keep their athletes safe and healthy, so athletes could focus on skiing. 

As the U.S. Alpine Ski Team heads into an important Olympic year, with Beijing 2022 on the horizon, it is vital to have a solid, strong support staff behind the athletes recently nominated to Team. Alpine Director Jesse Hunt believes the adjustments made heading into the upcoming season, coupled with the fact that there is strong consistency in the program, will do just that. 

On the men’s side, key changes include longtime U.S. Ski Team coach Forest Carey moving into the men’s head coach position, and another U.S. Ski Team coaching veteran Ian Garner working into the men’s head tech coaching role. Hunt is positively fired up for this adjustment for a number of reasons. 

"The men's team is evolving in a positive direction with Forest Carey taking on the men's head coach role. He brings great operational expertise and coaching knowledge as well as respect from the current staff and athletes to the position. Filling in his footsteps as head tech coach will be his long-standing assistant Ian Garner. Forest and Ian have been the backbone of the World Cup tech side for many years, and their knowledge and experience will be embraced by the whole men's team." 

“Ian has contributed his competency to every level of the U.S. Ski Team,” added Carey. “Our current athletes and Ian’s colleagues are fortunate to have him running the tech group.” The crew has been hard at work at Squaw Valley. Carey added, “We are going now with training. I look forward to providing the guys with all the support we can to help them reach the top.”  

Other changes on the men’s tech side include Max Lamb making the move from Europa Cup assistant up to World Cup assistant tech coach, and Michael Bansmer as a new addition to the team in the Europa Cup assistant coach/strength and conditioning role. Bansmer joins the team from the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club (SSWSC) where he has been a successful men's FIS coach. 

The men's speed side remains consistent with the exception of Canaan Pollock replacing longtime U.S. Ski Team employee Chris Beckman as a seasonal assistant coach, as Beckmann moves on to new challenges. Pollock grew up in West Virginia, but made the move westward to Squaw Valley, Calif., before landing in Switzerland with his wife. He has most recently coached for a regional team in Switzerland before joining the U.S. Ski Team.

On the women's side, all the key coaches are returning at every level which provides valued consistency moving into the Olympic year. The one addition to a veteran staff on the women's side will be Coley Oliver, who joins the Europa Cup staff as an assistant coach/strength and conditioning/athletic trainer. Having raced for the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Wildcats as an NCAA All-American, Oliver brings collegiate racing experience as well as academy (Stratton Mountain School) and international coaching experience (Team X Alpine) to the position. 

Oftentimes, the team behind the team goes unnoticed as they work day in and day out to ensure athletes are set up for success. They are, as many would say, the “unsung heroes.” There are the servicemen who spend hours in the wax room, laboring over skis and tinkering with boots, bindings, and plates in order to find those precious hundredths that will decide who is on the podium or not. Of course, the coaches, who work 26-hour days, carrying gates, setting up safety nets, watering courses to the wee hours of the morning, throwing salt, setting courses, analyzing and reviewing video, driving for hours on end to the next FIS Ski World Cup destination, chasing snow and planning, and beyond. 

The physios are an athlete’s best friend and often their biggest hype person. They wake up in the morning with the athletes and work on the mountain...but their real work doesn’t begin until the afternoon, ensuring the athlete’s bodies are recovering from on-hill and strength and conditioning sessions—much like a mechanic working on a race car after a day on the track. And, of course, the strength and conditioning coaches, whose job it is to make our athletes strong and confident in their bodies...and carry that confidence from the gym to the hill. The list goes on and on. 

"I am truly excited to announce our experienced head coaches and our developing young American staff,” Hunt commented. “We have a great combination of successful veteran coaches and up-and-coming American coaches. Our next generation of great American coaches and athletes are in this team."

The men’s speed team is still on the mountain at Mammoth, then all of the teams will head into a strength and conditioning block before getting back on snow again later in the summer heading into the season, which kicks off at Soelden, Austria on October 23-24, 2021.

U.S. Ski & Snowboard has announced its U.S. Freeski Team halfpipe, slopestyle, big air and skicross nominations for the 2021-22 season. Nominations include those active athletes who qualified based on published selection criteria in the prior season. 

A total of 27 pro-level and 15 rookie freeskiers have been nominated to the 2021-22 U.S. Freeski Team.

Leading the way into the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic season for the U.S. Freeski contingent is a deep group of veteran athletes. For the men, the star-studded cast includes the 2021 Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix Champion Aaron Blunck, 2021 FIS slopestyle and overall Crystal Globe winner Colby Stevenson, five-time X Games medalist Alex Hall as well as Olympic medalists David Wise, Alex Ferreira and Nick Goepper. Olympic medalists Brita Sigourney, Devin Logan and seven-time X Games medalist Maggie Voisin return to set the tone for the women.

The 2021-22 team will field three new rookie team athletes including Wy’East Academy’s Konnor Ralph,  Stratton Mountain School’s Charlie Gnoza, and Aspen’s own Tristan Feinberg. Hanna Faulhaber, Marin Hamill, and Rell Harwood all graduated from the rookie to the pro team following breakthrough seasons. 

U.S. Skicross athlete Tyler Wallasch was nominated as the sole member of the U.S. Skicross Team following a career-best season complete with three top-ten World Cup finishes.  

Each athlete accepting the nomination to the U.S. Freeski Team receives world-class program support, along with access to the U.S. Ski & Snowboard USANA Center of Excellence, as well as athletic benefits including sport science, sports medicine, and education opportunities.

An official U.S. Freeski Team announcement will be made in the fall.
 

2021-22 U.S. Freeski Team Nominations
(Hometown; Club; USASA Series; Birthdate)

HALFPIPE
PRO TEAM
Women

• Brita Sigourney (Carmel, Calif.; Intermountain Series; 1/17/90)
• Devin Logan (West Dover, Vt.; Mount Snow Academy; Southern Vermont Series; 2/17/93)
• Annalisa Drew (Andover, Mass.; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; Southwest Colorado Series; 5/28/93)
• Carly Margulies (Mammoth Lakes, Calif.; Mammoth Mountain Freeski Team; Unbound Series; 12/24/97)
• Abigale Hansen (June Lake, Calif.; Mammoth Mountain Freeski Team; Unbound Series; 5/26/98)
• Hanna Faulhaber (Carbondale, Colo.; Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club; Rocky Mountain Series; 9/04/04)

Men

• Aaron Blunck (Crested Butte, Colo.; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; Rocky Mountain Series; 4/12/96)
• Alex Ferreira (Aspen, Colo.; Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club; Aspen/Snowmass Series; 8/14/94)
• Birk Irving (Winter Park, Colo.; Winter Park Freeride Team; Rocky Mountain Series; 7/26/99)
• David Wise (Reno, Nev.; 6/30/90)
• Lyman Currier (Boulder, Colo.; Winter Park Freeski Team; Rocky Mountain Series; 8/28/94)
• Hunter Hess (Bend, Ore.; Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation; Central Oregon Series; 10/01/98)
• Taylor Seaton (Avon, Colo.; 7/16/90)
• Jaxin Hoerter (Breckenridge, Colo.; Rocky Mountain Series; 7/17/00)
• Cassidy Jarrell (Aspen, Colo.; Rocky Mountain Series; 8/31/99)

ROOKIE TEAM
Women

• Svea Irving (Winter Park, Colo.; Winter Park Freeride Team; Rocky Mountain Series; 2/27/02)
• Riley Jacobs (Oak Creek, Colo.; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; Rocky Mountain Series; 8/14/2003)

Men

• Hunter Carey (Winter Park, Colo.; Winter Park Competition Center; Rocky Mountain Series; 6/12/02
• Connor Ladd (Lakewood, Colo.; Rocky Mountain Series; 9/26/03)
• Dylan Ladd (Lakewood, Colo.; Winter Park Competition Center; Rocky Mountain Series; 8/29/01)
• Sammy Schuiling (Steamboat Springs, Colo.; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; Rocky Mountain Series; 7/16/00)
• Tristan Feinberg (Aspen, Colo.; Rocky Mountain Series; 4/23/2003)

SLOPESTYLE / BIG AIR
PRO TEAM
Women

• Maggie Voisin (Whitefish, Mont.; Park City Ski and Snowboard; Big Mountain West Series; 12/14/98)
• Caroline Claire (Manchester Center, Vt.; Stratton Mountain School; Southern Vermont Series; 2/2/00)
• Darian Stevens (Missoula, Mont.; Missoula Freestyle Ski Team; 10/29/96)
• Rell Harwood (Park City, Utah; Park City Ski and Snowboard; Big Mountain West Series; 6/1/01)
• Marin Hamill (Park City, Utah; Park City Ski and Snowboard; Big Mountain West Series; 4/5/01)

Men

• Alex Hall (Salt Lake City, Utah; Park City Ski and Snowboard; Big Mountain West Series; 9/21/98)
• Mac Forehand (Winhall, Vt.; Stratton Mountain School; Southern Vermont Series; 8/4/01)
• Colby Stevenson (Park City, Utah; Park City Ski and Snowboard; Big Mountain West Series; 10/3/97)
• Nick Goepper (Lawrenceburg, Ind.; Cork Technologies and Consulting; Rocky Mountain Series; 3/14/94)
• Willie Borm (Chaska, Minn.; Midwest Freeskiing Association; 5/21/97)
• Cody LaPlante (Truckee, Calif.; Squaw Valley Freestyle and Freeride Team; North Tahoe Series; 2/15/02)

ROOKIE TEAM
Women

• Grace Henderson (Madbury, N.H.; Waterville Valley BBTS; New Hampshire Series; 4/28/01)
• Bella Bacon (Ellicottville, N.Y.; Agenda Freeski; Western New York Series; 1/29/04)
• Jay Riccomini (He/Him, Port Matilda, Penn.; Team Summit Colorado; Rocky Mountain Series; 3/12/2004)

Men

• Hunter Henderson (Madbury, N.H..; Waterville Valley BBTS; New Hampshire Series; 12/28/2002)
• Richard Thomas (Orono, Minn.; Park City Ski and Snowboard; Upper Midwest Snow; 8/16/01)
• Troy Podmilsak (Park City, Utah; Park City Ski and Snowboard; Big Mountain West Series; 8/23/2004)
• Konnor Ralph (Helena, Mont.; Wy’East Mountain Academy; Mt. Hood Series; 1/27/2003)
• Charlie Gnoza (South Londonderry, Vt.; Stratton Mountain School; Southern Vermont Series; 8/2/2003)

SKICROSS

• Tyler Wallasch - (Los Angeles, Calif.; Mammoth Mountain Ski & Snowboard Club; The Unbound Series; 6/8/94)

FOLLOW THE U.S. FREESKI TEAM
Instagram - @usfreeskiteam
Facebook - @usskiandsnowboard

 
Interested in organization, athlete, and event-related news?
Sign up for our Daily or Weekly Update

Learn more about how to support the U.S. Freeski & Snowboard Teams.

U.S. Ski & Snowboard has announced nominations for the U.S. Snowboard Team halfpipe, slopestyle, big air and snowboardcross disciplines for the 2021-2022 season. Nominations include those active athletes who qualified based on published selection criteria in the prior season. 

2021-22 U.S. Snowboard Team nominations include 36 pro-level and 15 rookie and development level riders.

Chloe Kim, Maddie Mastro, and Jamie Anderson approach the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic season with a stronghold on the women’s contest scene. The depth of the men’s slopestyle team is as deep as ever led by rising star Dusty Henricksen and defending Olympic gold medalist Red Gerard. Shaun White will once again represent the U.S. Snowboard Halfpipe Team in pursuit of his fourth Olympic gold medal. White will be joined by veteran Taylor Gold, who will be looking for redemption from the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games.

New to the U.S. Snowboard Team this season is rookie athlete Bea Kim. Kim is a Mammoth Mountain athlete and has a great model to follow with all six U.S. Snowboard Women’s Halfpipe Team members being direct results of the Mammoth Mountain Snowboard Team, illustrating the complementary partnership between U.S. Ski & Snowboard and the famed California resort.

The U.S. Snowboardcross Team also has new talent hitting the slopes including Tyler Hamel, Cody Winters and Connor Schlegel. Making the jump to the Pro Team is Meghan Tierney and Stacy Gaskill following massive strides in 2020-21. Veterans Faye Gulini, Lindsey Jacobellis, Hagen Kearney, Mick Dierdorff, and Jake Vedder will look to carry momentum from this past season into the heart of the Olympic qualification process. 

Each athlete accepting their nomination to the U.S. Snowboard Team receives world-class program support, along with access to the U.S. Ski & Snowboard USANA Center of Excellence, as well as athletic benefits including expert coaching, sport science, sports medicine, and high-performance staff, and education opportunities.

An official U.S. Snowboard Team announcement will be made in the fall.

 

U.S. Snowboard Team
2021-22 Team Nominations
(Hometown; Club; USASA Series; Birthdate)

HALFPIPE
PRO TEAM
Men

• Chase Josey (Hailey, Idaho; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; Big Mountain West Series; 3/31/95)
• Taylor Gold (Steamboat Springs, Colo.; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; Rocky Mountain Series; 11/17/93)
• Chase Blackwell (Longmont, Colo.; Jim Smith Club; Rocky Mountain Series; 2/27/99)
• Joey Okesson (Southbury, Conn.; Okemo Mountain School; Southern Vermont Series; 8/23/2002)
• Toby Miller (Truckee, Calif; Tahoe Select Snowboard Team; North Tahoe Series; 2/14/00)
• Lucas Foster (Telluride, Colo.; Telluride Ski and Snowboard Club; Rocky Mountain Series; 9/17/99)
• Shaun White (Carlsbad, Calif.; Southern California Series; 3/9/1986)

Women

• Chloe Kim (Torrance, Calif.; Mammoth Mountain Snowboard Team; Unbound Series; 4/23/00)
• Maddie Mastro (Wrightwood, Calif.; Mammoth Mountain Snowboard Team; Unbound Series; 2/22/00)
• Sonora Alba (San Pedro, Calif.; Mammoth Mountain Snowboard Team; Unbound Series; 7/16/2006)

ROOKIE TEAM
Men

• Jack Coyne (Edwards, Colo.; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; Rocky Mountain Series; 1/17/2002)
• Jason Wolle (Winter Park, Colo.; Jim Smith Club; Rocky Mountain Series; 11/30/99)
• Fynn Bullock-Womble (Mebane, N.C.; BK Pro; Rocky Mountain Series; 2/3/05)

Women

• Tessa Maud (Carlsbad, Calif.; Mammoth Mountain Snowboard Team; Unbound Series; 10/10/03)
• Alexandria Simsovits (Calabasas, Calif.; Mammoth Mountain Snowboard Team; Unbound Series; 9/30/04)
• Bea Kim (Palos Verdes, Calif.; Mammoth Mountain Snowboard Team; Unbound Series; 1/25/2007)

SLOPESTYLE / BIG AIR
PRO TEAM
Men

• Red Gerard (Silverthorne, Colo.; Rocky Mountain Series; 6/29/00)
• Chris Corning (Silverthorne, Colo.; Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club; Rocky Mountain Series; 9/7/99)
• Dusty Henricksen (Mammoth Lakes, Calif; Mammoth Mountain Snowboard Team; Unbound Series; 2/2/03)
• Kyle Mack (West Bloomfield, Mich.; Great Lakes Snow Series; 9/6/97)
• Judd Henkes (La Jolla, Calif.; Mammoth Mountain Snowboard Team; Unbound Series; 4/3/01)
• Brock Crouch (Mammoth Lakes, Calif.; Mammoth Mountain Snowboard Team; Unbound Series; 8/22/99)
• Luke Winkelmann (Blowing Rock, N.C.; Kirk’s Camp; Rocky Mountain Series: 12/18/00)
• Lyon Farrell (Haiku, Hawaii; Rocky Mountain Series; 11/22/98)
• Sean FitzSimons (Hood River, Ore.; Mount Bachelor Sports Education Foundation; Central Oregon Series; 9/22/00)

Women

• Jamie Anderson (S. Lake Tahoe, Calif.; South Tahoe Series; 9/13/90)
• Julia Marino (Westport, Conn.; Southern Vermont Series; 9/11/97)
• Hailey Langland (San Clemente, Calif.; Tahoe Select Snowboard Team; Tahoe Series; 8/2/00)
• Ty Schnorrbusch (Monroe Township, N.J.; Tru Snowboarding, Rocky Mountain Series 5/15/02)

ROOKIE TEAM
Men

• Jake Canter (Evergreen, Colo.; Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club; Aspen Snowmass Series; 7/19/03)
• Fynn Bullock-Womble (Mebane, N.C.; BK Pro; Rocky Mountain Series; 2/3/05)
• Liam Johnson (Savage, Minn.; G Team; Upper Midwest Snow Series; 11/26/2004)

Women

• Courtney Rummel (West Bend, Wisc.; Midwest Best Series; 11/12/03)
• Jade Thurgood (Salt Lake City, Utah; Park City Ski & Snowboard; Big Mountain West Series; 1/27/02)
• Addie Gardner (Riegelsville, Penn.; Auburn Ski Club; Maine Mountain Series; 2/19/2002)
• Isabella Gomez (Issaquah, Wash.; Auburn Ski Club; Inland Northwest Series; 9/11/01)

SNOWBOARDCROSS
Men

• Mick Dierdorff (Steamboat Springs, Colo.; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; Rocky Mountain Series; 4/30/91)
• Jake Vedder (Pinckney, Mich.; International Snowboard Training Center; Rocky Mountain Series; 4/16/98)
• Nick Baumgartner (Iron River, Mich.; Superior Series; 12/17/81)
• Alex Deibold (Manchester, Vt.; Stratton Mountain School; Southern Vermont Series; 5/8/86)
• Hagen Kearney (Norwood, Colo.; International Snowboard Training Center; Rocky Mountain Series; 11/6/91)
• Senna Leith (Vail, Colo.; International Snowboard Training Center; Rocky Mountain Series; 4/8/97)  
• Connor Schlegel (Edwards, Colo.; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; Rocky Mountain Series; 3/13/2002)
• Cody Winters (Steamboat Springs, Colo.; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; Rocky Mountain Series; 4/20/2000)
• Mikey LaCroix (Shrewsbury, Mass.; Park City Ski & Snowboard; Maine Mountain Series; 7/12/98)

Women

• Lindsey Jacobellis (Stratton Mountain, Vt.; Stratton Mountain School; Southern Vermont Series; 8/19/85)
• Faye Gulini (Salt Lake City, Utah; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; Rocky Mountain Series; 3/24/92)
• Meghan Tierney (Eagle, Colo.; Board Stars Race Team; Rocky Mountain Series; 1/15/97)
• Stacy Gaskill (Golden, Colo.; International Snowboard Training Center; Rocky Mountain Series; 5/21/00)  

DEVELOPMENT GROUP
Women

• Livia Molodyh (Hubbard, Ore.; Park City Ski & Snowboard; Mt. Hood Series; 6/30/99)
• Anna Miller (Orem, Utah; International Snowboard Training Center; Rocky Mountain Series; 7/16/1996)

Men

• Tyler Hamel (Bethel, Maine; Gould Academy; Maine Mountain Series; 7/12/2004)

FOLLOW
Instagram - @ussnowboardteam
Facebook - @usskiandsnowboard
 

Interested in organization, athlete, and event related news?
Sign up for our Daily or Weekly Update

Learn more about how to support the U.S. Freeski & Snowboard Teams.
 

Nessa Dziemian is hanging up her competitive mogul skis after six years on the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by nessa 🍓 (@nessamnn)

Dziemian was born and raised in Hampstead, N.H., and started skiing with the Loon Mountain Freestyle when she was seven where she “spent every weekend” on the slopes.

“I was just following my family friends and my brother and what they did,” she reflected. “And they went over to freestyle after ski school. I tried it out for a day and fell in love with it.”

After a few years Dziemian moved up to Waterville Valley’s Black & Blue Trail Smashers (WVBBTS) to foster her mogul skiing talent. She won her first of three Junior National Championships with WVBBTS. When she was 16 Dziemian enrolled into Carrabassett Valley Academy in order to focus on her goal of making the U.S. Ski Team. She also skied for Park City Freestyle before achieving that goal. 

Dziemian made the U.S. Ski Team for the 2015-16 season after winning the NorAm Tour and Dual Moguls National Championships (and placing second in Moguls National Championships) the season prior. Over the course of her career, Dziemian had 32 World Cup starts, 10 top-10 World Cup finishes, five National Championships podiums and skied on the 2019 World Championships team. 

Looking back on her career, Dziemian is most proud of helping push the sport forward. “Prior to making the U.S. Ski Team, I was really accomplished in jumping. I was the first female mogul skier to throw a cork 1080 on snow. That was a huge accomplishment in my life.” In her last competition at the 2021 U.S. Moguls Freestyle National Championships, Dziemian won the singles title by throwing a cork mute. She was the first female mogul skier to do so in a run that counted (Kai Owens threw the same trick a few weeks prior at World Championships after DNFing in the beginning of her run). 

“Throughout my career I just tried to push women’s sport and bring (the) joy of the sport to others. I felt like I was able to do that.”

One of Dziemian’s favorite memories speaks to her spirit. “Morgan Schild and I dueled in Apex (this was a NorAm way back when). Morgan is such a good skier. We both skied over the finish line at the same time, and both threw the same tricks: back X to cork 7. We were some of the first girls to throw these tricks, and this was even cooler because in a dual. Being that close, neck in neck, the whole time was pretty sweet. I’ll never forget that.”

Dziemian is grateful for the opportunity to have skied for her country, to be part of the best women’s mogul ski team in the world, and the many lasting friendships forged on snow in the bump lane. She thanks her family, friends, teammates, coaches, staff and fans for their support.

Dziemian is excited for the next chapter, which will take place in Canada, at the Emily Carr University of Art + Design, in Vancouver, B.C. Dziemian plans to study illustration and looks forward to bringing people joy through design. 

Follow Dziemian’s personal Instagram account @nessamnn as she creates her planned freelance business and new website.