In this episode, we tackle a topic that's been the elephant in the room of the ski world: fear. We sit down with Dr. Carol Porter, a Snowsport England coach with 20 years of experience and a PhD in pedagogical philosophies, and Kimberley Kay, author of the beloved "Ski A to Z" book and advocate for women in snow sports.

Together, they reveal findings from their Fear Project research study that surveyed women globally about anxiety and fear in skiing. The results are eye-opening: 62% of women report that fear or anxiety affects their enjoyment when skiing, with mothers experiencing the highest levels of fear. The conversation explores why women's participation in skiing is dropping below 40% in the US, the unique fears mothers face on the slopes, and practical, research-backed strategies for rebuilding confidence after injury or setbacks.

From breathing techniques to choosing quieter resorts to working with mindset coaches, Carol and Kimberley offer actionable advice for any ski mom who's lost her nerve or joy on the mountain. They also share exciting news about their presentation at the inaugural World Women's Snow Sports Summit and their ongoing work to make the ski industry more responsive to women's needs through visual safety education and industry advocacy.

Resources

• Website: Kimberley Kay  
• Website: Dr Carol Porter: https://jeaniusski.com/ski-fearless/

"Suddenly having responsibility for more people who don't have the same awareness of what could go wrong, and then knowing that if anything happens to me, well, who's gonna get them to school?" — Dr. Carol Porter

"No one can learn when they're scared. It's just not possible." — Dr. Carol Porter

"I'm a great advocat

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Still shopping for the skier or rider in your life?  The Ski Haus has you covered. Stop by the Ski Haus or grab a gift card online — and give the gift of snow this season. They’ve got locations in Salem, NH and Woburn, and Framingham in MA. Head to skihaus.com  to check store hours and directions.

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Jordan Watts, co-founder and head designer of Jorde, joins the Ski Moms podcast to share her journey from competitive ski racing to creating a modern ski apparel brand. Born in Texas but raised in New Hampshire's ski country, Jordan's path to fashion design began on the slopes. She attended Burke Mountain Academy, where the demanding schedule of academics and training taught her invaluable time management skills and fostered an intensely competitive spirit. Jordan attended UVM before landing a job in luxury ski fashion, where she gained experience across sales, marketing, and operations. Working with her boyfriend (now fiancé) Jackson, Jordan launched Jorde with a clear vision: create classic, beautifully designed ski wear at an accessible luxury price point, using PFA-free fabrics and thoughtful details like monochromatic trims and innovative ankle patches.

The brand focuses on timeless silhouettes that will last for years rather than trendy designs. Jordan personally handles customer service inquiries, helping customers find the right size and fit. The design process takes about two months per collection, with Jordan carefully selecting colors that work together and obsessing over details like button colors. Based in Stowe, Vermont, Jordan and Jackson run the two-person operation (with help from Jordan's mom) while maintaining work-life balance through daily walks with their dog and regular ski days. Jorde is sold at major retailers including Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, Backcountry, and Revolve, as well as boutique ski shops in Stowe, Aspen, Big Sky, and Sun Valley.

Keep Up with the Latest from Jorde: 

Website:https://shopjorde.com/
Instagram: https://www.pinterest.com/SHOPJORDE/_pins/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopjorde

Key Quotes:

"I felt people wanted a more classic design, maybe more simple, but also still had that kind of attention to detail, those little details that make something so beautiful."

"If you like your outfit, you're just, you know, you're gonna have a better time."

Shop the 2025 Ski Moms Holiday Gift Guides here www.theskimoms.co/gift-guides

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Use Code SKIMOMS for 15% off all labels. Code is not valid on sale items or stamps. Other restrictions may apply. 

Plan your winter getaway now at VisitUlsterCountyNY.com.

🎄Ulster County. Holidays done right.

Support the show

Keep up with the Latest from the Ski Moms!
Website: www.theskimoms.co
Ski Moms Discount Page: https://www.theskimoms.co/discounts
Ski Moms Ski Rental Homes
Join the 13,000+ Ski Moms Facebook Group
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskimoms/

Send us an email and let us know what guests and topics you’d like to hear next!
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In this episode of the Ski Moms Podcast, hosts Nicole and Sarah welcome Rachel Proper, founder of Keep Vermont Wild, for an in-depth conversation about making Vermont's outdoor adventures accessible to everyone, especially families with young children. Rachel shares her journey from posting personal outdoor adventures to creating a comprehensive resource that showcases Vermont's beauty while promoting responsible tourism and Leave No Trace principles.

The conversation covers practical advice for visiting Vermont, including navigating the state's notorious lack of cell service, understanding mud season (Vermont's unique fifth season), and the challenges of electric vehicles in cold, hilly terrain. Rachel provides insider tips on family-friendly ski resorts, recommending Smuggler's Notch as an excellent family destination alongside larger resorts like Stowe, Sugarbush, Killington, Stratton, and Jay Peak.

Rachel emphasizes that Vermont outdoor experiences don't require expensive gear investments, highlighting rental options at local ski shops, free snowshoe rentals at public libraries, and the importance of wool base layers for winter activities. She recommends toddler-friendly hikes like Mill River State Park in Jericho and discusses creative Vermont initiatives like story hikes and story skis that combine outdoor activity with children's literature. The episode also explores the delicate balance Rachel maintains as a content creator—promoting Vermont tourism while protecting fragile ecosystems and respecting local communities.

Keep Vermont Wild:

• Instagram: @keepvermontwild
• TikTok: @keepvermontwild
• Website: keepvermontwild.com
• Seasonal guides available for purchase (downloadable PDFs and hard copies)

Key Quotes

On Keep Vermont Wild's Mission: "Vermont wasn't meant to be enjoyed indoors. I really do not believe that. I truly, honestly believe it was meant to be enjoyed outside."

On Accessibility: "I really just want to eliminate those barriers and that anyone can get outside.

Shop the 2025 Ski Moms Holiday Gift Guides here www.theskimoms.co/gift-guides

SHOP HERE

Use Code SKIMOMS for 15% off all labels. Code is not valid on sale items or stamps. Other restrictions may apply. 

Still shopping for the skier or rider in your life?  The Ski Haus has you covered. Stop by the Ski Haus or grab a gift card online — and give the gift of snow this season. They’ve got locations in Salem, NH and Woburn, and Framingham in MA. Head to skihaus.com  to check store hours and directions.

Plan your winter getaway now at VisitUlsterCountyNY.com.

🎄Ulster County. Holidays done right.

Support the show

Keep up with the Latest from the Ski Moms!
Website: www.theskimoms.co
Ski Moms Discount Page: https://www.theskimoms.co/discounts
Ski Moms Ski Rental Homes
Join the 13,000+ Ski Moms Facebook Group
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskimoms/

Send us an email and let us know what guests and topics you’d like to hear next!
[email protected]
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In this episode, Nicole and Sarah sit down with Rhonda Swenson, founder and creative director of Krimson Klover, a women's outdoor lifestyle brand known for its vintage-inspired illustrated base layers and bold, colorful knitwear. Rhonda shares her journey from Texas ski slopes to building a successful Boulder-based company, emphasizing her commitment to slow fashion, ethical manufacturing, and sustainable practices. With a 15-person team (plus up to eight dogs in the office!), she's built a brand that takes 18-24 months to bring products to market, working with renowned international artists and maintaining 20-year relationships with factory partners.

The conversation covers Rhonda's entrepreneurial path—from flight attendant to ski industry rep to serial founder—and her philosophy on work-life balance, with no one working more than 40 hours per week. As an avid backcountry skier who calls Vail her home mountain, Rhonda embodies the outdoor lifestyle her brand represents. She shares practical advice for ski moms building their wardrobes, highlighting the bestselling Switchback jacket and the versatile Carving Skirt. For aspiring entrepreneurs, her message is clear: "Go for it. What have you got to lose?" 

You can find Krimson Klover at www.KrimsonKlover.com, on Instagram @krimsonklover, and in ski shops nationwide.

Memorable Quotes

On entrepreneurship: "I always just say, go for it. What have you got to lose? You'll have regret if you don't go for it. I think fear drives people's hesitation to jump in and do something new."

On failure: "Failure wasn't an option for me. I had to pick myself up and keep on going. I've made a lot of mistakes along the way, but you learn from them."

On work-life balance: "We pride ourselves on work, life, balance. Nob

Shop the 2025 Ski Moms Holiday Gift Guides here www.theskimoms.co/gift-guides

SHOP HERE

Use Code SKIMOMS for 15% off all labels. Code is not valid on sale items or stamps. Other restrictions may apply. 

Still shopping for the skier or rider in your life?  The Ski Haus has you covered. Stop by the Ski Haus or grab a gift card online — and give the gift of snow this season. They’ve got locations in Salem, NH and Woburn, and Framingham in MA. Head to skihaus.com  to check store hours and directions.

Plan your winter getaway now at VisitUlsterCountyNY.com.

🎄Ulster County. Holidays done right.

Support the show

Keep up with the Latest from the Ski Moms!
Website: www.theskimoms.co
Ski Moms Discount Page: https://www.theskimoms.co/discounts
Ski Moms Ski Rental Homes
Join the 13,000+ Ski Moms Facebook Group
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskimoms/

Send us an email and let us know what guests and topics you’d like to hear next!
[email protected]
[email protected]

In this episode, the Ski Moms are joined by Julie Gacnik, co-founder of Pure Mountain Fun and mom of four who turned her family's ski day frustrations into a thriving business. A former university administrator who learned to ski in Iowa, Julie's journey began when her 10-year-old daughter invented a 3.5-ounce ski carrier for a school project. After strangers at Beaver Creek asked where they could buy it, the family launched Pure Mountain Fun in March 2020, just one week before the ski industry shut down.

Julie shares how the COVID pandemic actually helped them build their business, giving time to figure out domestic manufacturing and navigate virtual trade shows. All four children remain actively involved, from choosing product colors to inventing new items like the ski mat and ring toss made from remnant fabric. The family's commitment became clear when they turned down an offer to sell the business after the kids insisted they wanted to maintain control over their story.

The episode concludes with their après ski traditions: chips and salsa, root beer for the youngest, and blowing bubbles that freeze in the mountain air while watching "Foxana" the fox visit their condo patio.

Quotes:

"The ski pack is a 3 1/2 ounce ski carrier designed to fit like a backpack, but also intuitive enough that a little child such as a three year old understands how to carry it."

"If the kids have fun, if the memories are left on the mountain and not in the parking lot from a negative experience, they had a positive experience on the mountain."

Links:

Pure Mountain Fun: PureMountainFun.com Special Offer: Use code SKIMOMSFUN for 15% off

Shop the 2025 Ski Moms Holiday Gift Guides here www.theskimoms.co/gift-guides

SHOP HERE

Use Code SKIMOMS for 15% off all labels. Code is not valid on sale items or stamps. Other restrictions may apply. 

Still shopping for the skier or rider in your life?  The Ski Haus has you covered. Stop by the Ski Haus or grab a gift card online — and give the gift of snow this season. They’ve got locations in Salem, NH and Woburn, and Framingham in MA. Head to skihaus.com  to check store hours and directions.

Plan your winter getaway now at VisitUlsterCountyNY.com.

🎄Ulster County. Holidays done right.

Support the show

Keep up with the Latest from the Ski Moms!
Website: www.theskimoms.co
Ski Moms Discount Page: https://www.theskimoms.co/discounts
Ski Moms Ski Rental Homes
Join the 13,000+ Ski Moms Facebook Group
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskimoms/

Send us an email and let us know what guests and topics you’d like to hear next!
[email protected]
[email protected]

In this episode, the Ski Moms sit down with Barbara Sanders, the dynamic founder and publisher of The SNOW Magazine and creative force behind Snow Society and Snow Tequila. Based in Aspen, Barbara has been shaping mountain culture for decades, starting as a ski instructor and evolving into a multi-faceted entrepreneur. She shares her journey from teaching skiing at Mammoth and Aspen to launching a glossy lifestyle magazine that celebrates the glamorous side of ski culture. Barbara discusses her exclusive Snow Society membership club that offers unique ski experiences, plus luxury ski trips to destinations like Portillo and Courchevel. She tells us the story behind Snow Tequila, a clean, female-owned tequila brand she co-founded. Throughout the conversation, Barbara provides insider tips for visiting Aspen with families, discusses the importance of ski fashion, and shares her philosophy on entrepreneurship and following your passion.

Keep up with the latest:

• The SNOW Magazine: thesnowmag.com
• Snow Tequila: snowtequila.com

Notable Quotes:

On Following Your Passion: "When you feel something in your heart that you're passionate about, you can do anything. And it is. It's a question of just doing it, believing in yourself, reaching out to people. Everyone knows somebody who knows somebody who can help and support."

On Ski Fashion Philosophy: "You'll never, you almost never find me in black. I'm not going to a funeral. I'm going skiing. So I like bright colors and fun and I like to push the envelope, so it's always something different."

Shop the 2025 Ski Moms Holiday Gift Guides here www.theskimoms.co/gift-guides

SHOP HERE

Use Code SKIMOMS for 15% off all labels. Code is not valid on sale items or stamps. Other restrictions may apply. 

Plan your winter getaway now at VisitUlsterCountyNY.com.

🎄Ulster County. Holidays done right.

Support the show

Keep up with the Latest from the Ski Moms!
Website: www.theskimoms.co
Ski Moms Discount Page: https://www.theskimoms.co/discounts
Ski Moms Ski Rental Homes
Join the 13,000+ Ski Moms Facebook Group
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskimoms/

Send us an email and let us know what guests and topics you’d like to hear next!
[email protected]
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In this episode, the Ski Moms sit down with Kathleen Doehla, a physical therapist and founder of Points North Sports and Regenerative PT in Stowe, Vermont. Kathleen shares her  journey from a terrified beginner who crashed into the Spruce Peak base lodge to becoming a confident skier and respected PT specializing in orthopedic and sports medicine injuries.  With 26 years of experience, Kathleen discusses the critical importance of physical therapy homework. She breaks down common ski injuries, prevention strategies, and when to seek professional help. 

The conversation also covers Vermont's healthcare challenges, the evolution of physical therapy degrees, and practical tools every ski mom should have at home. Kathleen also shares her favorite Stowe recommendations, from Raja Indian food to the Cliff House at the top of the gondola, and her go-to après ski spot - the Après Cocktail Lounge for hot cocktails and chicken nachos.

Resources:

• Website: pointsnorthphysicaltherapy.com

"I would say any injury or illness or condition that is preventing you from living your fullest life" [is worth seeing a PT for].

"I think it's about learning to live a full life with imperfection and don't expect to be perfect necessarily. You know, everybody's managing something."

"So I would recommend to that person that they go see a PT for one session. You don't have to commit to months of it and just see what they have to say."

Shop the 2025 Ski Moms Holiday Gift Guides here www.theskimoms.co/gift-guides

SHOP HERE

Use Code SKIMOMS for 15% off all labels. Code is not valid on sale items or stamps. Other restrictions may apply. 

Still shopping for the skier or rider in your life?  The Ski Haus has you covered. Stop by the Ski Haus or grab a gift card online — and give the gift of snow this season. They’ve got locations in Salem, NH and Woburn, and Framingham in MA. Head to skihaus.com  to check store hours and directions.

Plan your winter getaway now at VisitUlsterCountyNY.com.

🎄Ulster County. Holidays done right.

Support the show

Keep up with the Latest from the Ski Moms!
Website: www.theskimoms.co
Ski Moms Discount Page: https://www.theskimoms.co/discounts
Ski Moms Ski Rental Homes
Join the 13,000+ Ski Moms Facebook Group
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskimoms/

Send us an email and let us know what guests and topics you’d like to hear next!
[email protected]
[email protected]

In this episode Heather Henry, VP of Housing and Childcare at Aspen One, joins the Ski Moms to discuss the critical infrastructure that keeps ski communities livable for families: affordable housing and accessible childcare. 

Aspen One operates Aspen Snowmass (four mountains), Aspen Hospitality, and Aspen Ventures, employing over 4,000 people at peak season. The company provides 1,300 beds, housing 75% of seasonal workers but only 15% of year-round employees. They take a "housing continuum" approach and subsidize housing to keep costs at 20-30% of employee income.

Childcare presents major challenges, with families joining waitlists before pregnancy and waiting three years for spots. Heather focuses on strategic partnerships rather than building massive facilities. The company culture embraces work-life balance, with leadership encouraging employees to "sample the product" through mountain activities during work hours.

We loved hearing about Heather’s favorite apres ski spots including the Sun Deck at Aspen Mountain, Ranger Station at Snowmass and pretty much any sunny mountain location for people watching and hot chocolate (sometimes with Irish whiskey).

Keep up with the latest from Aspen One at https://aspen.com

Notable Quote: "Stable housing means a healthy community, which means a sustainable company."

Shop the 2025 Ski Moms Holiday Gift Guides here www.theskimoms.co/gift-guides

SHOP HERE

Use Code SKIMOMS for 15% off all labels. Code is not valid on sale items or stamps. Other restrictions may apply. 

Still shopping for the skier or rider in your life?  The Ski Haus has you covered. Stop by the Ski Haus or grab a gift card online — and give the gift of snow this season. They’ve got locations in Salem, NH and Woburn, and Framingham in MA. Head to skihaus.com  to check store hours and directions.

Plan your winter getaway now at VisitUlsterCountyNY.com.

🎄Ulster County. Holidays done right.

Support the show

Keep up with the Latest from the Ski Moms!
Website: www.theskimoms.co
Ski Moms Discount Page: https://www.theskimoms.co/discounts
Ski Moms Ski Rental Homes
Join the 13,000+ Ski Moms Facebook Group
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskimoms/

Send us an email and let us know what guests and topics you’d like to hear next!
[email protected]
[email protected]

In this episode professional snowboarder Kimmy Fasani joins the Ski Moms to share her incredibly raw and honest journey of balancing elite athletic performance with motherhood and a breast cancer diagnosis. From her early days learning to ski at age 2 in Truckee to becoming a professional snowboarder in Mammoth Lakes, Kimmy opens up about the realities of maintaining a career in action sports while raising two young boys. She discusses her powerful documentary "Butterfly in a Blizzard," which chronicles eight years of her life including pregnancy, early motherhood, loss, and her breast cancer journey. Kimmy emphasizes the importance of breast cancer awareness, self-exams, and having supportive partners who advocate for your health. She also shares insights about meditation practices learned from her mother, the Benchetler Fasani Foundation she started with her husband, and her cookbook "The Mountain Baker." This conversation tackles the unglamorous realities of early motherhood, the pressure working mothers face, and how life's challenges can ultimately lead to deeper self-discovery and purpose.

Keep up with the latest from Kimmy:

Watch the Movie on Amazon Prime

Website: www.kimmyfasani.com/mystory

Instagram: @kimmyfasani

Facebook: www.facebook.com/people/Kimmy-Fasani/100046709361900/

Benchetler Fasani Foundation: www.bf-foundation.org/

Notable Quotes

On Motherhood Transformation: "Becoming a parent or a parent figure is a dynamic shift in anybody's life. And there's so much that we don't know before we start."

On Temporary Stages: "Every stage is so temporary, and they're such a gift to be able to witness them grow, having more patience with myself and my desires, knowing that that balance

Shop the 2025 Ski Moms Holiday Gift Guides here www.theskimoms.co/gift-guides

SHOP HERE

Use Code SKIMOMS for 15% off all labels. Code is not valid on sale items or stamps. Other restrictions may apply. 

Still shopping for the skier or rider in your life?  The Ski Haus has you covered. Stop by the Ski Haus or grab a gift card online — and give the gift of snow this season. They’ve got locations in Salem, NH and Woburn, and Framingham in MA. Head to skihaus.com  to check store hours and directions.

Plan your winter getaway now at VisitUlsterCountyNY.com.

🎄Ulster County. Holidays done right.

Support the show

Keep up with the Latest from the Ski Moms!
Website: www.theskimoms.co
Ski Moms Discount Page: https://www.theskimoms.co/discounts
Ski Moms Ski Rental Homes
Join the 13,000+ Ski Moms Facebook Group
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskimoms/

Send us an email and let us know what guests and topics you’d like to hear next!
[email protected]
[email protected]

In this episode the Ski Moms are joined by Emmy-winning broadcaster and writer Victoria Gaither who shares her powerful skiing journey from a tearful first experience at Liberty Mountain through D.C. public schools to becoming a passionate advocate for diversity in winter sports. Starting her career with legendary Ted Koppel, Victoria now writes for Mountain Times and Vermont Ski and Snowboard magazine, focusing on positive stories that move the needle forward. 

Her viral article "The Myth of the Black Skier" challenges narratives about diversity in skiing, emphasizing that Black skiers have always been part of the community. Victoria discusses the historic National Brotherhood of Skiers organization, founded in the 1960s to combat resort discrimination, and shares how skiing builds confidence both on and off the mountain. She advocates that "if you ski, you are a skier" regardless of ability level, promoting an inclusive vision where skiing is about personal joy, views, and community rather than speed or technical prowess.

Keep up with the latest from Victoria:

Website: https://victoriagaither.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/were2nextvic

"I never gave myself the title as a skier. I only did that probably about two years ago. So I went through my whole life always saying I'm not a skier."

"I really think that we in the media and in general, we need to change the narrative when it comes to black people skiing... let's acknowledge the already thriving ski community of black people out there doing this, and let's just start there, as opposed to making it seem like that this is something new that we haven't been doing."

Shop the 2025 Ski Moms Holiday Gift Guides here www.theskimoms.co/gift-guides

SHOP HERE

Use Code SKIMOMS for 15% off all labels. Code is not valid on sale items or stamps. Other restrictions may apply. 

Still shopping for the skier or rider in your life?  The Ski Haus has you covered. Stop by the Ski Haus or grab a gift card online — and give the gift of snow this season. They’ve got locations in Salem, NH and Woburn, and Framingham in MA. Head to skihaus.com  to check store hours and directions.

Plan your winter getaway now at VisitUlsterCountyNY.com.

🎄Ulster County. Holidays done right.

Support the show

Keep up with the Latest from the Ski Moms!
Website: www.theskimoms.co
Ski Moms Discount Page: https://www.theskimoms.co/discounts
Ski Moms Ski Rental Homes
Join the 13,000+ Ski Moms Facebook Group
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskimoms/

Send us an email and let us know what guests and topics you’d like to hear next!
[email protected]
[email protected]