FasterSkier

Category: XCFeeds

A collection of live feeds from cross-country ski blogs around the web.

  • Crust Skiing Pics

    Since crust skiing in the mountains is my absolute favorite activity, I wanted to share a few shots from skinny ski outings in AK this past spring.Portage glacier area was primo this year. Blue skies, blue glacier, and sparkling crusty snow.The Patrick StinsonatorHe tries not to tell anyone, but he still does tele too… Hbrooks and I on our ski over to Blackstone Bay. On skinny skis and perfect

  • Crust Skiing Pics

    Since crust skiing in the mountains is my absolute favorite activity, I wanted to share a few shots from skinny ski outings in AK this past spring.Portage glacier area was primo this year. Blue skies, blue glacier, and sparkling crusty snow.The Patrick StinsonatorHe tries not to tell anyone, but he still does tele too… Hbrooks and I on our ski over to Blackstone Bay. On skinny skis and perfect

  • Crust Skiing Pics

    Since crust skiing in the mountains is my absolute favorite activity, I wanted to share a few shots from skinny ski outings in AK this past spring.Portage glacier area was primo this year. Blue skies, blue glacier, and sparkling crusty snow.The Patrick StinsonatorHe tries not to tell anyone, but he still does tele too… Hbrooks and I on our ski over to Blackstone Bay. On skinny skis and perfect

  • Crust Skiing Pics

    Since crust skiing in the mountains is my absolute favorite activity, I wanted to share a few shots from skinny ski outings in AK this past spring.Portage glacier area was primo this year. Blue skies, blue glacier, and sparkling crusty snow.The Patrick StinsonatorHe tries not to tell anyone, but he still does tele too… Hbrooks and I on our ski over to Blackstone Bay. On skinny skis and perfect

  • Crust Skiing Pics

    Since crust skiing in the mountains is my absolute favorite activity, I wanted to share a few shots from skinny ski outings in AK this past spring.Portage glacier area was primo this year. Blue skies, blue glacier, and sparkling crusty snow.The Patrick StinsonatorHe tries not to tell anyone, but he still does tele too… Hbrooks and I on our ski over to Blackstone Bay. On skinny skis and perfect

  • Summer Training! Cycling, running, and everything in between! Even School!

    Today marks the one month mark of training. Training this year started off really relaxed as we did most of our spring training on our own. This year, I am mixing things up, and starting the season much differently. I am taking a much more relaxed approach to training and doing a lot more distance and easier intensity. I will be biking a lot, but also will be in the weight room working with the trained professionals that the USSA has to offer.

    Bill Demong, has shown through the years, that cycling is a great way to get training done, and ease the pounding on your body. Cole Sport, a local ski and bike shop, has invited us to race for them this summer. So far I have taken part in four races around Utah. Bike Racing is a great way to get low impact racing, which allows you to recover quickly. It will also keep me motivated through the summer to keep reaching higher levels and new goals.

    Also new this summer for me, is College. I graduated high school in 2008, and took a couple classes from Colorado Mtn. College in Steamboat Springs my hometown. Being an athlete in the USSA, you are giving many opportunities that allow to further your career. One of the opportunities is College. Westminster College in Salt Lake City has a great relationship with the ski team giving free college to past and current athletes in the system. I am taking a class this may and hope to take more this summer. With our training schedule it is very difficult to take classes that wont affect your training. Westminster offers “May Term.” Your allowed to take as many classes as you want, being anywhere from 2 credits to a full semester of 12 or more credits. May is a great time to take classes as our training is still relativity light and I don’t have too much activities going on.

    Also coming up is my 21st birthday on May 11th. I am excited to see the opportunities the adult life has to offer, but also will keep in mind that I am a professional athlete and need to know what can affect your training.

    Keep a look out for us on the roads around Utah, Colorado and all over Europe. This summer will be very busy, but also very fun filled!

    Take Care, and look for more updates!
    Taylor

  • Spring in Waitsfield

    The May rain is falling in Vermont.  Students are back in the swing of school, lacrosse, and the second week of training for the 2012 ski season.  We’ve evaluated our past season and we are creating detailed summer schedules to accommodate camps, family travel, and process goals for the new year.

    It’s a really exciting time, and we look forward to our Fifth Annual Summer Camps at the end of June, along with a solid training group that will be in the Valley most of the summer including alums: Grald, Kuzio and Sinclair.  We have created a schedule of training sessions throughout the summer that will focus on time trials and volume.  We will have five three-day “camps” that will run from Monday to Wednesday.  Please feel free to contact me if you would like to join us for one or more of these sessions.  Justin Beckwith — beck@gmvs.org

    Definitely mark your calendars for the App Gap Challenge, July 3rd.  Come try to break the course record or your own personal best in a dual technique roller ski race up Route 17 as it climbs Appalachian Gap.  David Sinclair and Heidi Halvorsen currently have the records and there is a $50 reward for anyone who can beat those times.  You’ll hear more about this on NENSA.

    Camp Dates:
    Invite Sessions:
    1 - June 20-22 -- TT #1, biking and volume
    2 - July 11-13 -- TT #2
    3 - July 25-27 -- Nationals Week
    4 - Aug 1-3 -- TT #3
    5 - Aug 15-17 -- Volume Extravaganza


    GMVS Camps
    June 25-28
    June 29-July 3

    It has been one heck of a Winter in the Valley — with some form of skiing available for over eight months of the year!  Check out some of these pics from the past weeks — which speak to the reasons we love this sport called skiing — friendships, excitement, fitness and adventure!

    PG Alum, Dylan Grald, enjoying some late spring touring in the Adirondacks with his UVM teammates.

    Devlin Shea — Skiing it because he can!  First day back after spring break.

    A team shot after a hike and boot ski / ski down Mad River on one of the last natural snow days.

    Heidi getting into the swing of strength sessions.

    Elena in a picture that sums up spring in Vermont.  Mountains, snow, impending rain, and sweet roads to ride.

    Ryley checking our the scenery to the West of App Gap.  Can you spot Whiteface?

    Skinning to the top of a beautiful bowl outside of McCall, Idaho.

    What goes up must come down — enjoying mid-winter conditions well into April.

    And more springlike down low.

    Ryley, Elena and Devlin post one of our best Spring Tours from Mt. Top to Brandon Gap.  Crust with a few inches of cream.  Shirts optional.

    We’re excited for Ryley who has chosen to pursue a Post Graduate year at GMVS.

  • The right people, the right places and the right time.

    The final finish line.
    My season could not have ended in a more exciting way as I crossed the finish line in the Mass Start competition in Oslo in March. Not only a personal best for myself, it was also a personal best for US Biathlon. I crossed the line with the truest satisfaction of reaching my highest potential in the final week, race and minutes of my season. I felt this so strongly because the Final World Cup in Oslo would also be the final World Cup of my biathlon career. For that, it is a moment and a place I will never forget.
    Right time.
    I started both the sport of skiing and biathlon because I was in the right place, had inspiring people around me and the right opportunities all at the right time. This is also one of those times. I have a great sense of completeness now that the season and my career is done. It is with that satisfaction and trust that I know it is the right time to move on and forward from my elite athletic career and on to new and challenging pursuits. 
    I believe that my true athletic potential has yet to peak and that it would be realistic to set my sights on the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. However, my priorities have changed and I truly believe in the next pursuits of personal excellence in other areas of life. I am looking forward to moving to Denver, Colorado, completing my bachelor’s degree at the University of Denver, getting married and continuing to ski. I am really excited to see how my connection to skiing and biathlon will manifest in new ways over the next few years. 
    Thank You.

    I have been ski racing for nearly 20 years, doing biathlon for the last 14, and could not have accomplished any of it without a massive support system that reaches as far as Europe and as close as home. I thank all of you for being a part of it! 
    I know that I would not have had such a successful career had I not had such a deep and devoted support system of friends, family, ski clubs, ski teams, coaches, ski shops, bike shops, schools, mentors, community members, community parents, venue staff, school kids, teachers, business owners, historians, companies, organizations, doctors, printers, dogs, medical professionals, artists, philanthropists, newspapers, young skiers, old skiers and teammates – especially all of those locally in the Adirondacks and Aroostook County, Maine. Listing them all would be like listing the phone book. Having such a diverse group of mentors was key to keeping my biathlon career sustainable, and it is from these people that I have learned the greatest assets of respect, integrity, commitment, perseverance, determination, passion, listening, professionalism, compassion, quality and excellence. Even though my motivations are almost entirely intrinsic, these folks have had a profound affect that will last longer than a ski race and influence much of what I do throughout the rest of my life. 
    Best Regards,
    Haley

  • The right people, the right places and the right time.

    The final finish line.
    My season could not have ended in a more exciting way as I crossed the finish line in the Mass Start competition in Oslo in March. Not only a personal best for myself, it was also a personal best for US Biathlon. I crossed the line with the truest satisfaction of reaching my highest potential in the final week, race and minutes of my season. I felt this so strongly because the Final World Cup in Oslo would also be the final World Cup of my biathlon career. For that, it is a moment and a place I will never forget.
    Right time.
    I started both the sport of skiing and biathlon because I was in the right place, had inspiring people around me and the right opportunities all at the right time. This is also one of those times. I have a great sense of completeness now that the season and my career is done. It is with that satisfaction and trust that I know it is the right time to move on and forward from my elite athletic career and on to new and challenging pursuits. 
    I believe that my true athletic potential has yet to peak and that it would be realistic to set my sights on the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. However, my priorities have changed and I truly believe in the next pursuits of personal excellence in other areas of life. I am looking forward to moving to Denver, Colorado, completing my bachelor’s degree at the University of Denver, getting married and continuing to ski. I am really excited to see how my connection to skiing and biathlon will manifest in new ways over the next few years. 
    Thank You.

    I have been ski racing for nearly 20 years, doing biathlon for the last 14, and could not have accomplished any of it without a massive support system that reaches as far as Europe and as close as home. I thank all of you for being a part of it! 
    I know that I would not have had such a successful career had I not had such a deep and devoted support system of friends, family, ski clubs, ski teams, coaches, ski shops, bike shops, schools, mentors, community members, community parents, venue staff, school kids, teachers, business owners, historians, companies, organizations, doctors, printers, dogs, medical professionals, artists, philanthropists, newspapers, young skiers, old skiers and teammates – especially all of those locally in the Adirondacks and Aroostook County, Maine. Listing them all would be like listing the phone book. Having such a diverse group of mentors was key to keeping my biathlon career sustainable, and it is from these people that I have learned the greatest assets of respect, integrity, commitment, perseverance, determination, passion, listening, professionalism, compassion, quality and excellence. Even though my motivations are almost entirely intrinsic, these folks have had a profound affect that will last longer than a ski race and influence much of what I do throughout the rest of my life. 
    Best Regards,
    Haley

  • The right people, the right places and the right time.

    The final finish line.
    My season could not have ended in a more exciting way as I crossed the finish line in the Mass Start competition in Oslo in March. Not only a personal best for myself, it was also a personal best for US Biathlon. I crossed the line with the truest satisfaction of reaching my highest potential in the final week, race and minutes of my season. I felt this so strongly because the Final World Cup in Oslo would also be the final World Cup of my biathlon career. For that, it is a moment and a place I will never forget.
    Right time.
    I started both the sport of skiing and biathlon because I was in the right place, had inspiring people around me and the right opportunities all at the right time. This is also one of those times. I have a great sense of completeness now that the season and my career is done. It is with that satisfaction and trust that I know it is the right time to move on and forward from my elite athletic career and on to new and challenging pursuits. 
    I believe that my true athletic potential has yet to peak and that it would be realistic to set my sights on the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. However, my priorities have changed and I truly believe in the next pursuits of personal excellence in other areas of life. I am looking forward to moving to Denver, Colorado, completing my bachelor’s degree at the University of Denver, getting married and continuing to ski. I am really excited to see how my connection to skiing and biathlon will manifest in new ways over the next few years. 
    Thank You.

    I have been ski racing for nearly 20 years, doing biathlon for the last 14, and could not have accomplished any of it without a massive support system that reaches as far as Europe and as close as home. I thank all of you for being a part of it! 
    I know that I would not have had such a successful career had I not had such a deep and devoted support system of friends, family, ski clubs, ski teams, coaches, ski shops, bike shops, schools, mentors, community members, community parents, venue staff, school kids, teachers, business owners, historians, companies, organizations, doctors, printers, dogs, medical professionals, artists, philanthropists, newspapers, young skiers, old skiers and teammates – especially all of those locally in the Adirondacks and Aroostook County, Maine. Listing them all would be like listing the phone book. Having such a diverse group of mentors was key to keeping my biathlon career sustainable, and it is from these people that I have learned the greatest assets of respect, integrity, commitment, perseverance, determination, passion, listening, professionalism, compassion, quality and excellence. Even though my motivations are almost entirely intrinsic, these folks have had a profound affect that will last longer than a ski race and influence much of what I do throughout the rest of my life. 
    Best Regards,
    Haley

  • The right people, the right places and the right time.

    The final finish line.
    My season could not have ended in a more exciting way as I crossed the finish line in the Mass Start competition in Oslo in March. Not only a personal best for myself, it was also a personal best for US Biathlon. I crossed the line with the truest satisfaction of reaching my highest potential in the final week, race and minutes of my season. I felt this so strongly because the Final World Cup in Oslo would also be the final World Cup of my biathlon career. For that, it is a moment and a place I will never forget.
    Right time.
    I started both the sport of skiing and biathlon because I was in the right place, had inspiring people around me and the right opportunities all at the right time. This is also one of those times. I have a great sense of completeness now that the season and my career is done. It is with that satisfaction and trust that I know it is the right time to move on and forward from my elite athletic career and on to new and challenging pursuits. 
    I believe that my true athletic potential has yet to peak and that it would be realistic to set my sights on the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. However, my priorities have changed and I truly believe in the next pursuits of personal excellence in other areas of life. I am looking forward to moving to Denver, Colorado, completing my bachelor’s degree at the University of Denver, getting married and continuing to ski. I am really excited to see how my connection to skiing and biathlon will manifest in new ways over the next few years. 
    Thank You.

    I have been ski racing for nearly 20 years, doing biathlon for the last 14, and could not have accomplished any of it without a massive support system that reaches as far as Europe and as close as home. I thank all of you for being a part of it! 
    I know that I would not have had such a successful career had I not had such a deep and devoted support system of friends, family, ski clubs, ski teams, coaches, ski shops, bike shops, schools, mentors, community members, community parents, venue staff, school kids, teachers, business owners, historians, companies, organizations, doctors, printers, dogs, medical professionals, artists, philanthropists, newspapers, young skiers, old skiers and teammates – especially all of those locally in the Adirondacks and Aroostook County, Maine. Listing them all would be like listing the phone book. Having such a diverse group of mentors was key to keeping my biathlon career sustainable, and it is from these people that I have learned the greatest assets of respect, integrity, commitment, perseverance, determination, passion, listening, professionalism, compassion, quality and excellence. Even though my motivations are almost entirely intrinsic, these folks have had a profound affect that will last longer than a ski race and influence much of what I do throughout the rest of my life. 
    Best Regards,
    Haley

  • The right people, the right places and the right time.

    The final finish line.
    My season could not have ended in a more exciting way as I crossed the finish line in the Mass Start competition in Oslo in March. Not only a personal best for myself, it was also a personal best for US Biathlon. I crossed the line with the truest satisfaction of reaching my highest potential in the final week, race and minutes of my season. I felt this so strongly because the Final World Cup in Oslo would also be the final World Cup of my biathlon career. For that, it is a moment and a place I will never forget.
    Right time.
    I started both the sport of skiing and biathlon because I was in the right place, had inspiring people around me and the right opportunities all at the right time. This is also one of those times. I have a great sense of completeness now that the season and my career is done. It is with that satisfaction and trust that I know it is the right time to move on and forward from my elite athletic career and on to new and challenging pursuits. 
    I believe that my true athletic potential has yet to peak and that it would be realistic to set my sights on the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. However, my priorities have changed and I truly believe in the next pursuits of personal excellence in other areas of life. I am looking forward to moving to Denver, Colorado, completing my bachelor’s degree at the University of Denver, getting married and continuing to ski. I am really excited to see how my connection to skiing and biathlon will manifest in new ways over the next few years. 
    Thank You.

    I have been ski racing for nearly 20 years, doing biathlon for the last 14, and could not have accomplished any of it without a massive support system that reaches as far as Europe and as close as home. I thank all of you for being a part of it! 
    I know that I would not have had such a successful career had I not had such a deep and devoted support system of friends, family, ski clubs, ski teams, coaches, ski shops, bike shops, schools, mentors, community members, community parents, venue staff, school kids, teachers, business owners, historians, companies, organizations, doctors, printers, dogs, medical professionals, artists, philanthropists, newspapers, young skiers, old skiers and teammates – especially all of those locally in the Adirondacks and Aroostook County, Maine. Listing them all would be like listing the phone book. Having such a diverse group of mentors was key to keeping my biathlon career sustainable, and it is from these people that I have learned the greatest assets of respect, integrity, commitment, perseverance, determination, passion, listening, professionalism, compassion, quality and excellence. Even though my motivations are almost entirely intrinsic, these folks have had a profound affect that will last longer than a ski race and influence much of what I do throughout the rest of my life. 
    Best Regards,
    Haley

  • My Hiatus (is over!)

    Yes it is spring time and yes, I took a HUGE break from my blog – larger than ever before. I suppose that I needed a break from documenting my ski adventures.  In fact, I think that my great aunt called other members of my family to make sure I was still alive (she follows all of the family member’s blogs religiously).
    APU Girls team in Sun Valley… what else is there to say?

    While I’ve been taking a break from my blog, I’ve only taken a little break from skiing & training.  Life has actually been busier than I ever thought possible since arriving home the second week of April.  Don’t worry, I’m not complaining. I actually like having appointments, phones ringing & emails stacking up….   When you love what you do, it’s easy to get up in the morning.

    My time in Alaska has been split between work for APU, maintain some semblance of training, paperwork (taxes!) reuniting with friends that I haven’t seen all winter, planning for the upcoming summer & season, housework….. the list goes on and on as I’m sure you can imagine.

    Skiing with the APU devos and juniors is always a blast. Here I am with the girls! 

    Perhaps the largest chunk of my time is going into organizing our second annual APU end of season celebration/fundraising auction on Tuesday May 10th.  All of the funds raised go directly towards offsetting training and travel expenses for the athletes. The event was a blast last year and super successful in helping to subsidize ever-climbing ski racing expenses. For example, this year it cost me $200 each way to fly my ski bags to Nationals in Rumford, Maine (yikes!)

    There is no admission charge, we’ll have free food and drinks and lots of AWESOME auction items.  Businesses in town have been WONDERFUL to us and their generosity is going to help keep us skiing and skiing fast.  The support of the community up here is just another reason why I love Alaska.  (I will post a list of auction items and donors shortly!)

    But back to the actual skiing….

    We had a beautiful stretch of weather mid-April and I did my best to take advantage of the high pressure system.  Alaska in the spring can be an AMAZING place and I have pictures to prove it:

    Skiing Portage with Chrissy!

    Chrissy May 🙂 
    Looking at Portage Glacier and friends skiing in the distance

    Looking over Passage Canal, Prince William Sound

    Beautiful Alaskan Glacier Ice 

    Me, Kikkan & Jeff + some Norwegian visitors

    Lots of Alaskans were able to accomplish the “crust-corn” double this year…. crust ski in the morning and then corn ski in the afternoon either at Alyeska or BC. It’s simply the best!

    We also had some other adventures trying to ski Moose Pass to Whittier but the conditions shut us down. The low snow year didn’t help… 

    We did have one of the more gorgeous camp sites though!

    Holly, Rob & Dylan 

    Grant Lake in the background – a great place to ski if you’ve never done so
    The end of the trip

    Unstructured skiing has been a blast but here are a couple of key shots from the end of the races in Sun Valley.  Rick & the crew did an outstanding job of hosting Distance Nationals/Super Tour Finals this year – I know that everyone is hoping that they’ll host again next year! 
    The one and only Chandra “GaGa” Crawford!
    My sister Robin was an awesome cheer leader – thanks Robs! 


    APU casualities after the hill climb up Dollar Mountain! 

    Here I am with flowers and pottery at the rainy awards ceremony!

    Sun Valley also represented the end of the season and I skied to and held onto some decent awards, all of which were firsts for me! Those include Super Tour Overall Champion, Super Tour Distance/Sprint Champion & Grand National Champion (when all five US Championship races are combined) … then I was able to secure second place in the overall mini-tour with a good hill climb on the last day.

    ….. that’s it for now!  I’ll be back to regular blogs, I promise!  Lots of fun exciting stuff coming up in the next couple of months!  As my friend Lori says, “Do what you love, love what you do!” 
    ~Holly 🙂 


  • My Hiatus (is over!)

    Yes it is spring time and yes, I took a HUGE break from my blog – larger than ever before. I suppose that I needed a break from documenting my ski adventures.  In fact, I think that my great aunt called other members of my family to make sure I was still alive (she follows all of the family member’s blogs religiously).
    APU Girls team in Sun Valley… what else is there to say?

    While I’ve been taking a break from my blog, I’ve only taken a little break from skiing & training.  Life has actually been busier than I ever thought possible since arriving home the second week of April.  Don’t worry, I’m not complaining. I actually like having appointments, phones ringing & emails stacking up….   When you love what you do, it’s easy to get up in the morning.

    My time in Alaska has been split between work for APU, maintain some semblance of training, paperwork (taxes!) reuniting with friends that I haven’t seen all winter, planning for the upcoming summer & season, housework….. the list goes on and on as I’m sure you can imagine.

    Skiing with the APU devos and juniors is always a blast. Here I am with the girls! 

    Perhaps the largest chunk of my time is going into organizing our second annual APU end of season celebration/fundraising auction on Tuesday May 10th.  All of the funds raised go directly towards offsetting training and travel expenses for the athletes. The event was a blast last year and super successful in helping to subsidize ever-climbing ski racing expenses. For example, this year it cost me $200 each way to fly my ski bags to Nationals in Rumford, Maine (yikes!)

    There is no admission charge, we’ll have free food and drinks and lots of AWESOME auction items.  Businesses in town have been WONDERFUL to us and their generosity is going to help keep us skiing and skiing fast.  The support of the community up here is just another reason why I love Alaska.  (I will post a list of auction items and donors shortly!)

    But back to the actual skiing….

    We had a beautiful stretch of weather mid-April and I did my best to take advantage of the high pressure system.  Alaska in the spring can be an AMAZING place and I have pictures to prove it:

    Skiing Portage with Chrissy!

    Chrissy May 🙂 
    Looking at Portage Glacier and friends skiing in the distance

    Looking over Passage Canal, Prince William Sound

    Beautiful Alaskan Glacier Ice 

    Me, Kikkan & Jeff + some Norwegian visitors

    Lots of Alaskans were able to accomplish the “crust-corn” double this year…. crust ski in the morning and then corn ski in the afternoon either at Alyeska or BC. It’s simply the best!

    We also had some other adventures trying to ski Moose Pass to Whittier but the conditions shut us down. The low snow year didn’t help… 

    We did have one of the more gorgeous camp sites though!

    Holly, Rob & Dylan 

    Grant Lake in the background – a great place to ski if you’ve never done so
    The end of the trip

    Unstructured skiing has been a blast but here are a couple of key shots from the end of the races in Sun Valley.  Rick & the crew did an outstanding job of hosting Distance Nationals/Super Tour Finals this year – I know that everyone is hoping that they’ll host again next year! 
    The one and only Chandra “GaGa” Crawford!
    My sister Robin was an awesome cheer leader – thanks Robs! 


    APU casualities after the hill climb up Dollar Mountain! 

    Here I am with flowers and pottery at the rainy awards ceremony!

    Sun Valley also represented the end of the season and I skied to and held onto some decent awards, all of which were firsts for me! Those include Super Tour Overall Champion, Super Tour Distance/Sprint Champion & Grand National Champion (when all five US Championship races are combined) … then I was able to secure second place in the overall mini-tour with a good hill climb on the last day.

    ….. that’s it for now!  I’ll be back to regular blogs, I promise!  Lots of fun exciting stuff coming up in the next couple of months!  As my friend Lori says, “Do what you love, love what you do!” 
    ~Holly 🙂 


  • My Hiatus (is over!)

    Yes it is spring time and yes, I took a HUGE break from my blog – larger than ever before. I suppose that I needed a break from documenting my ski adventures.  In fact, I think that my great aunt called other members of my family to make sure I was still alive (she follows all of the family member’s blogs religiously).
    APU Girls team in Sun Valley… what else is there to say?

    While I’ve been taking a break from my blog, I’ve only taken a little break from skiing & training.  Life has actually been busier than I ever thought possible since arriving home the second week of April.  Don’t worry, I’m not complaining. I actually like having appointments, phones ringing & emails stacking up….   When you love what you do, it’s easy to get up in the morning.

    My time in Alaska has been split between work for APU, maintain some semblance of training, paperwork (taxes!) reuniting with friends that I haven’t seen all winter, planning for the upcoming summer & season, housework….. the list goes on and on as I’m sure you can imagine.

    Skiing with the APU devos and juniors is always a blast. Here I am with the girls! 

    Perhaps the largest chunk of my time is going into organizing our second annual APU end of season celebration/fundraising auction on Tuesday May 10th.  All of the funds raised go directly towards offsetting training and travel expenses for the athletes. The event was a blast last year and super successful in helping to subsidize ever-climbing ski racing expenses. For example, this year it cost me $200 each way to fly my ski bags to Nationals in Rumford, Maine (yikes!)

    There is no admission charge, we’ll have free food and drinks and lots of AWESOME auction items.  Businesses in town have been WONDERFUL to us and their generosity is going to help keep us skiing and skiing fast.  The support of the community up here is just another reason why I love Alaska.  (I will post a list of auction items and donors shortly!)

    But back to the actual skiing….

    We had a beautiful stretch of weather mid-April and I did my best to take advantage of the high pressure system.  Alaska in the spring can be an AMAZING place and I have pictures to prove it:

    Skiing Portage with Chrissy!

    Chrissy May 🙂 
    Looking at Portage Glacier and friends skiing in the distance

    Looking over Passage Canal, Prince William Sound

    Beautiful Alaskan Glacier Ice 

    Me, Kikkan & Jeff + some Norwegian visitors

    Lots of Alaskans were able to accomplish the “crust-corn” double this year…. crust ski in the morning and then corn ski in the afternoon either at Alyeska or BC. It’s simply the best!

    We also had some other adventures trying to ski Moose Pass to Whittier but the conditions shut us down. The low snow year didn’t help… 

    We did have one of the more gorgeous camp sites though!

    Holly, Rob & Dylan 

    Grant Lake in the background – a great place to ski if you’ve never done so
    The end of the trip

    Unstructured skiing has been a blast but here are a couple of key shots from the end of the races in Sun Valley.  Rick & the crew did an outstanding job of hosting Distance Nationals/Super Tour Finals this year – I know that everyone is hoping that they’ll host again next year! 
    The one and only Chandra “GaGa” Crawford!
    My sister Robin was an awesome cheer leader – thanks Robs! 


    APU casualities after the hill climb up Dollar Mountain! 

    Here I am with flowers and pottery at the rainy awards ceremony!

    Sun Valley also represented the end of the season and I skied to and held onto some decent awards, all of which were firsts for me! Those include Super Tour Overall Champion, Super Tour Distance/Sprint Champion & Grand National Champion (when all five US Championship races are combined) … then I was able to secure second place in the overall mini-tour with a good hill climb on the last day.

    ….. that’s it for now!  I’ll be back to regular blogs, I promise!  Lots of fun exciting stuff coming up in the next couple of months!  As my friend Lori says, “Do what you love, love what you do!” 
    ~Holly 🙂 


  • SKI TRAIL PROFILE: Wild River State Park

    The “River Trail” at Wild River State Park is a beautiful classic only trail – ideal for a relaxing stride or speedy double pole – kick (note this image was taken in late March, after the grooming was done for the season)!

    Like many of Minnesota’s State Parks, Wild River State Park has an amazing network of Classic or Skate Ski trails (all of which are hiking trails in the summer).  Wild

  • SKI TRAIL PROFILE: Wild River State Park

    The “River Trail” at Wild River State Park is a beautiful classic only trail – ideal for a relaxing stride or speedy double pole – kick (note this image was taken in late March, after the grooming was done for the season)!

    Like many of Minnesota’s State Parks, Wild River State Park has an amazing network of Classic or Skate Ski trails (all of which are hiking trails in the summer).  Wild

  • Champlain Bridge in progress!

    April 29, 2011
    Kind of a neat thing around here.

  • Champlain Bridge in progress!

    April 29, 2011
    Kind of a neat thing around here.

  • Champlain Bridge in progress!

    April 29, 2011
    Kind of a neat thing around here.