Next Level Skiing

It's difficult to overstate the role of Scot Schmidt in big-mountain freeskiing. He pretty much invented the niche with his explosive, airborne exploits. His signature tucked-knees hop turn and high-speed hip-check smear on 223 downhill skis defined a style that changed skiing. Scot's style inspired untold hordes of skiers in the 80s and early 90s, before skis got wide and rockered. His breakout role in Greg Stump's seminal "Blizzard of Ahhs" ushered in a now 30-year-old era of ski porn.

Scot at age 62 is still skiing 100 days a year on big, stiff skis, spending his winters in Montana as an ambassador for the Yellowstone Club. In this episode of Next Level Skiing, the legend himself shares insights into his longevity, his ski style, starring in a movie that captured entire generations of skiers, and "flowing like water" on skis.

Topics:

2:00 - Growing up in Montana City, Montana

4:30 - Moving to Squaw Valley, melding with ski racers and speed skiers

9:30 - Idolizing Ingemar Stenmark

11:00 - About that smear turn

14:40 - Put your turns in the sweet spot

19:30 - Still riding a 195 115mm-underfoot Stockli

23:40 - Never been smoother than now

25:30 - The impact of "Blizzard of Ahhs"

28:50 - Keep it smooth and flow like water

Resources:

Master the Smooth with Scot Schmidt

Wagner Custom Skis

There are a lot of great ski movies out there. But only one ranks as the most important. In a year when U.S. suicides reached record highs and many mountain towns are reporting the highest suicide rates in the country, Drew Peterson's "Ups + Downs" exposes the professional skier's anguished struggle with suicidal thoughts.

Mental health is at a critical crossroads in mountain valleys and Peterson's willingness to step up and reveal his own battles with overwhelming darkness is one of the most consequential moves in the history of ski movies. Skiing is awesome. It can help people learn how to be mindful and present. It can recharge weary souls. But it cannot heal mental illness. Drew's turn toward therapy and the hard work required to deflect demons is a guiding light for people who can't escape the darkness. Drew's upcoming movie details his turn toward 100-mile ultramarathons as he continues his journey.

This is a special Next Level Skiing podcast where Colorado-born Drew shares how skiing is only one tool for rebuilding a life. If you or anyone you know is in need of immediate help, call 988 to reach trained crisis workers at the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or text HOME to 741741.

Topics:

2:00 - The 20-year overnight success story

6:40 - Ski the Wild West

11:00 - Raw expose with "Ups + Downs"

12:30 - The falling rock that "changed the track of my life."

18:00 - Skiing can't be the only thing

20:40 - Let skiing just be skiing and find childhood joy

21:40 - The destination fallacy

24:45 - Finding mindfulness and presence on skis

28:05 - Shining the light in a darker corner of mountain culture

33:35 - Ski and enjoy

Resources:

Ups + Downs

If you or anyone you know is in need of immediate help, call 988 to reach trained crisis workers at the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or text HOME to 741741.

Wagner Custom Skis

Today on the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis, Jason chats with American gold-medal Olympic ski racer Ted Ligety.

In 2011, Ted Ligety put the FIS on blast for the governing body's new mandates for ski lengths, saying the rules would "will eventually ruin this sport." The following seasons, as he skied longer GS boards, he earned the nickname "Mr. GS," winning six World Cup races in 2013 and three in 2014 on his way to his second Olympic gold at the Sochi Games. Ligety is a renowned technician on skis with highly angulated hips, knees, and ankles. His seen-everywhere images of his hips skimming smooth snow at ungodly speeds are inspiring.

For this chapter of Next Level Skiing, Ligety talks about how he adapted to longer skis, founding Shred Optics, and what he's learned most recently from the "ski coach in his boots."

Topics:

1:40 - Ted's background and journey to the slopes

6:31 - Scrapping with FIS over new rules for ski lengths

8:11 - Libertarian ski rules

09:30 - Perfect storm of ski design and technique

11:00 - Summer testing with 70 pairs of new GS skis in New Zealand

13:40 - Weight training leading into the best season ever

14:15 - Starting Shred Optics

20:35 - The Carv footbed coach gamifies skiing

23:20 - Angling edges at the top of the turn and shins parallel

25:30 - A coach in your ski boots

30:00 - Hamstring curls on the inside leg of your ski turn

Resources:

Ted Ligety

Wagner Custom Skis

Dan English was making waves in the world of high-tech when he veered into a new career focused on one of the oldest fabrics in the world. Today, the founder, president, and CEO of Colorado-based Voormi has infused the foundational principles of the technology industry into a clothing company that is changing how we think about wool and overhauling stagnant domestic manufacturing.

On this episode of Next Level Skiing, Dan riffs on how the precepts of technological innovation can be applied to textiles and clothing, the best way to layer for an active day on snow, and how Voormi is moving on its mission to change the narrative around our clothing.

2:00 - A lifetime in tech in Seattle

7:20 - R&D testing at Wolf Creek ski area

8:50 - Core construction and Voormi's technology

10:20 - Domestic manufacturing for Voormi doubled in 2023 and will double again in 2024

13:00 - Applying technology rules to textiles and clothing

16:00 - New tech coming from Voormi will reduce the water needed for coloring and dyeing

19:20 - Making clothing adaptive for each user

25:30 - Layering and the right clothing for outdoor adventure in winter

Voormi

Wagner Custom Skis

Welcome back to the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis. If you've ever crowded into the snowy, frigid lift line at the base of Silverton Mountain in the morning as groups are divided by skill level, you've likely heard requests for Kim Grant.

"Is Kim working?"

"Where's Kim's group?"

The 25-year ski guide who moves between the rowdy San Juans and the Chugachs in Alaska knows how to settle skier jitters like no other. Her relaxed vibe in stout terrain has led countless skiers to their best day ever. She has all kinds of strategies for helping skiers find inner strengths and push themselves into the steepest and deepest. And it all starts with breathing.

Topics:

2:43 - College in Georgia, summers in Colorado

5:14 - Telluride ski patrol to Silverton Mountain

6:52 - Facets of the San Juans, the most dangerous snowpack

10:55 - Slow down and take breaths

11:22 - Shed layers

13:32 - One turn at a time

15:52 - Yoga and breathing for focus during the fight-or-flight response

25:45 - The most amazing tool for centering, focusing on fun

29:15 - Big changes for Silverton Mountain

31:30 - Look where you want to go

Resources:

Moves Silverton

Silverton Mountain

Wagner Custom Skis

Welcome back to the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis. Adrian Ballinger is one of the most knowledgable people out on the mountains today. He is a triple threat: lifelong skier, veteran on technical rock, and a master at high altitude descent. He is one of the world's top ski mountaineer.

He has many accomplishments under his belt. He has summited Everest and K2 without supplemental oxygen, was the first to ski descent of Manaslu (8th tallest peak in world) from the summit, founded Alpenglow Expeditions (which now takes 6000+ people a year skiing, climbing and mountaineering), and has had seventeen summits of 8000-meter peaks. In May of 2022, he became the first person to ski from Makalu (in the Mahalangur Himalayas) which is the fifth highest peak in the world.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Adrian about his three attempts on Makalu, his risk tolerance now that he's a new father, and how to make sure the first turn is perfect.

Topics:

[01:36] Adrian's introduction

[03:17] How Adrian got started and a snapshot of his career

[12:50] Skiing Makalu

[20:40] Risk tolerance

[25:10] The mental and physical limitations of being so high up

[32:15] The idea that it's okay to back off

[34:00] Practice everything

[37:00] Switching mindsets and cherishing the mundane

[42:30] Conclusion

Resources:

Adrian Ballinger

Wagner Custom Skis

Welcome back to the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis. Today I'm talking with rock star Mark Morris. He talks about the connection between his music and the mountains. He teaches us how he tries to be a good ambassador for life.

Mark talks about trail running, how he comes up with his songs, and how he improved as a skier and as a musician. There are many ways that music and skiing overlap. Between connecting in a spiritual way to the importance of practice, Mark shares how his passions intersect throughout his life.

Topics:

[01:41] Mark's introduction

[03:41] How Mark got started on skis

[09:15] Learning how to improve skills with exposure

[11:44] Getting into music

[16:05] How music and skiing overlap

[31:00] Trail running techniques

[33:00] On the "runner's high"

[36:15] How music and skiing have enriched Mark's life

[40:48] Conclusion

Resources:

Mark Morris' Website

Wagner Custom Skis

Welcome back to the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis. Today's guest is Angela Hawse. Angela is an award-winning guide, an alpinist, a sponsored athlete, a motivational speaker, and a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Mountain Guide Association. Angela is the second woman in history to achieve that award.

She has taken a stand for women in skiing and when speaking about climate change. Angela brings her unique experience as a skier and a climber when she shares her stories about women on the mountains.

Topics:

[02:39] Angela's introduction to skiing and her journey to being a guide

[12:00] The evolution of women in skiing

[13:00] Challenges for women in skiing

[20:20] Making adjustments so we can better enjoy ourselves in the snow

[27:00] The advantage of having a coach

[30:15] Tools for safety and fitness

[36:30] On what it is like receiving a lifetime achievement award

[39:19] Giving back with "Protect Our Winters"

[44:45] The future in the climbing and skiing industries

[46:05] Conclusion

Resources:

Angela Hawse

Protect Our Winters

Wagner Custom Skis

Welcome back to the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis. Today I'm talking with the legendary Steve Casimiro. Steve harkens back to the skiing comeback of the 1990s. His unwavering love of skiing shines bright as we talk about everything from what skiing was like in the late 80s to what it is like now, and our responsibilities when it comes to climate issues. There are many ways to help others including respecting others, spreading positivity, and really thinking about how you are valuing your time.

Topics:

[01:37] Introduction to the resurgence of skiing in the 90s

[04:00] Steve's intro into skiing

[07:35] Skiing in the late 80s

[13:15] Recognizing the transformation in skiing in the 90s

[16:50] Skiing with skiers with more experience

[23:24] Skiing changing with the times

[31:00] Adventure skiing

[32:00] From promoting people the respecting people

[37:00] Opportunities to share your enthusiasm and

[47:30] Acting on big problems, including climate issues

[52:00] Your time has value

[54:00] Conclusion

Resources:

Steve on Adventure Journal

Steve Casimiro on Instagram

Wagner Custom Skis

Welcome back to the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis. Today I'm talking with Nader Jamal about how to feel empowered while you're on the powder. Nader's been through a lot in his life. Today he shares tips on how to be more confident while you're on the slopes. He also shares some of his story and the lessons he learned while fighting off cancer and teaching the youth of America how to stay upright while on the snow or in the water.

He also emphasizes the importance of learning how to fall. In real life and while you're on skis (or on a stand-up paddleboard), sometimes it's how you take the fall that can teach you the most about confidence and what you're capable of.

Topics:

[3:00] Growing up with Palestinian parents in New York

[4:40] Taking skills from the terrain park into big mountain

[5:50] Learning how to ski switch

[7:30] Relaxing on rails

[10:00] Similarities in stand-up paddling and skiing

[11:40] The role of confidence and recognizing physical cues that can shift confidence

[15:58] Crossover skills between SUP, skiing and park

[19:35] Being loose, playful and vulnerable

[20:20] Don't fight the fall

[22:55] Nader's cancer fight at 21 and his introduction to outdoor adventure

[24:25] A whitewater trip to Montana with First Descents after Stage 3 colon cancer diagnosis

[27:00] Being the connector for others seeking outdoor adventure and experiences

[28:45] It's OK to fall. Welcome it.

[30:50] The motivation of learning with a group

[34:10] Developing self-expression in skiing through teamwork

[36:30] Conclusion

Resources:

Nader Jamal, First Descents

Nader Jamal, Instagram

Nader Jamal, LinkedIn

Wagner Custom Skis