FasterSkier

Tag: People of West Yellowstone

  • People of West Yellowstone: Wednesday 11/26

    People of West Yellowstone: Wednesday 11/26

    WEST YELLOWSTONE, Mont. — Every year teams from across the country descend upon the small town of West Yellowstone (pop. 1,271) for the Yellowstone Ski Festival. While the event is a time for team bonding, catching up with old racing buddies, and improving fitness and technique, it’s also a celebration of the nordic community.

    People of West Yellowstone gives insight into the people who make this yearly event truly special, whether they are nationally acclaimed athletes or employees at our favorite local businesses.

    Nathaniel Kuzio, Green Mountain Valley School

    Nathaniel Kusio, GMVS
    Nathaniel Kuzio, a junior biathlete from Green Mountain Valley School, who competed in Wednesday’s biathlon races. 

    FasterSkier: Tell me a little about your race today. How did it go?

    Nathaniel Kuzio: I raced the youth men 7.5 k and it went really well! I cleaned prone and standing was a little rough, but I skied well enough to stay up there.

    FS: What does an early season race like this accomplish?

    NK: It’s just to get through the motions of going through a race and get the feeling of what it’s like again. There wasn’t too much pressure but it definitely got me ready for the season.

    Jen Olson, West Yellowstone Resident and Writer

    Jen Olsen sells tickets at the warming hut at the entrance to the Rendezvous trails.
    Jen Olsen sells tickets at the warming hut at the entrance to the Rendezvous Ski Trails.

    FS: How long have you lived in West Yellowstone?

    Jen Olsen: I moved here in October but I’ve been a periodic skier here over the past several years and I’ve been coming every summer since I was born.

    FS: What got you involved with the Yellowstone Ski Festival?

    JO: My boyfriend works at Free Heel and Wheel so I was asked to sell tickets and be a part of it.

    FS: What has been your favorite part of working here so far?

    JO: It has been seeing all the expert skiers out there and their commitment to the sport, and the really young kids who are giving it a try. Also I get to meet people from all over the world.

    Carmi Schulman of Madshus and Brian Gregg of Team Gregg

    Carmi Schulman, Brian Gregg, and the rest of the Madshus Team at the demo area in West Yellowstone.
    Carmi Schulman (r) of Seattle, Brian Gregg (second from right), and the rest of the Madshus Team at the demo booth in West Yellowstone.

    FS: What does someone like you do in West Yellowstone?

    Carmi Schulman: Hand out all the stickers! No, I actually do a little bit of everything. I talk to people about the skis at the expo, we get people out on as much gear as we can here at the demo, and we make sure people are happy and on the right gear.

    FS: From the demo-side of West Yellowstone, what is your perspective on the Festival?

    CS: It’s really fun. With the younger crowd that is here, there is a rally cool energy that’s really lively. Everyone’s stoked to be on snow – that’s why we all do it and it’s why we’re all out here.

    Crested Butte Nordic and Assistant Coach Molly Susla

    Molly Susla and the Crested Butte Nordic Team is making a music video to Every Time We Touch by Kaskada this week.
    Molly Susla and the Crested Butte Nordic Team is making a music video to Every Time We Touch by Cascada this week.

    FS: Why are you and your team dressed up today?

    Molly Susla: When we were coming to West Yellowstone we decided that we wanted to make a music video. Benjamin Swift, who has been filming us the past couple years, has made some very serious videos of us skiing, so we decided to make a fun one this year. We picked out our song which is Everytime We Touch by Cascada. Everyone brought costumes.

    FS: What is this video for?

    MS: It’s more for the fun of making it. We hope everyone gets a chuckle out of it.

  • People of West Yellowstone: Tuesday 11/25

    People of West Yellowstone: Tuesday 11/25

    WEST YELLOWSTONE, Mont. — Every year teams from across the country descend upon the small town of West Yellowstone (pop. 1,271) for the Yellowstone Ski Festival. While the event is a time for team bonding, catching up with old racing buddies, and improving fitness and technique, it’s also a celebration of the nordic community.

    People of West Yellowstone gives insight into the people who make this yearly event truly special, whether they are nationally acclaimed athletes or employees at our favorite local businesses.

    Zak Ketterson, Leo Hipp and the U16 and U18 Men of Loppet Nordic Racing

    The U16 and U18 men of Loppet Nordic Racing
    The U16 and U18 men of Loppet Nordic Racing piled in a bus to get to West Yellowstone, Mont. from Minneapolis, Minn.

     

    FasterSkier: What’s the best part of being in West Yellowstone?

    Zak Ketterson: It’s just really cool being somewhere where it is just about skiing for a week because it is not that big in the U.S. We’re in a culture where everyone cares about it. Also, coming from Minnesota where there is not altitude and no mountains, all the scenery here is awesome.

    FS: Leo, how have you enjoyed being in West Yellowstone for the first time?

    Leo Hipp: I think it’s just a beautiful place to be – great trails and it’s a great place to ski.

    FS: How did you get here and how long did it take?

    LH: We rented a coach bus. It was supposed to be 18 hours but we had a flat so it ended up being about 21 hours.

    Steve German, Missoula, Mont.

    Steve German of Missoula, Mont. has been coming to West Yellowstone for 30 years.
    Steve German of Missoula, Mont. has been coming to West Yellowstone for 30 years.

     

    FS: Why did you come to West Yellowstone for the week?

    SG: I’ve been coming down for 30 years. Missoula doesn’t have a lot of snow this time of year.

    FS: How does this year compare to other years?

    SG: So far it’s been great. My body isn’t really ready for it but in five days I’m hoping it will be somewhat better.

    FS: What’s your favorite part of the Yellowstone Ski Festival?

    SG: It would definitely have to be the snow. But I like the gear demo too.

    Jessie Knori and Lucy Newman, University of Colorado

    Jessie Knori and Lucy Newman of the University of Colorado are happy to be on snow.
    Jessie Knori and Lucy Newman of the University of Colorado are practicing no-pole skiing.

    FS: When did you get here and how have you enjoyed the camp so far?

    Lucy Newman: We got here Friday evening. It’s been fun so far and great snow, much better than we’ve had in Boulder.

    Jessie Knori: We have an 800 meter park loop in Boulder so it’s nice to take advantage of the 30 k here.

    FS: What do you gain from a camp like this?

    JK: Big distance and a lot of volume. It’s also nice to get in some races before the collegiate season starts.

    FS: What purpose do the races serve for you as college skiers?

    LN: It’s getting the first races out of the way – the nerves and not falling!

  • People of West Yellowstone: Monday 11/24

    People of West Yellowstone: Monday 11/24

    WEST YELLOWSTONE, Mont. — Every year teams from across the country descend upon the small town of West Yellowstone (pop. 1,271) for the Yellowstone Ski Festival. While the event is a time for team bonding, catching up with old racing buddies, and improving fitness and technique, it’s also a celebration of the nordic community.

    People of West Yellowstone gives insight into the people who make this yearly event truly special, whether they are nationally acclaimed athletes or employees at our favorite local businesses.

    Todd Schmidt, U.S. Forest Service

    Todd Schmidt, US Forest Service, "pass checker," first year the the Yellowstone Ski Festival
    Todd Schmidt of the U.S. Forest Service; “pass checker;” first year at the Yellowstone Ski Festival

    FasterSkier: What is it like working at the Yellowstone Ski Festival?

    Todd Schmidt: So far it’s been great. I’ve only had a few people feed me some lines this morning. Most people are happy to show [their pass] because they paid for it.

    FS: Have you had to turn anyone away this morning?

    TS: I have asked a few people to stop, but I haven’t turned anyone back yet today. I had several people tell me that they left their pass in their hotel. As a very nice person, today I’m letting that fly.

    FS: What do you think of the festival?

    TS: It’s a great thing! It brings in a ton of people to this town when nothing else is really going on.

    Rachel Spence, Freeheel and Wheel 

    Rachel Spence, Free Heel and Wheel, 10-year resident of West Yellowstone and New Mexico native
    Rachel Spence, a 10-year resident of West Yellowstone, helps SMS T2 skier Erika Flowers at the Freeheel and Wheel ski-and-bike shop Monday.

    FS: Having been here for ten years, what does the Yellowstone Ski Festival mean to you?

    Rachel Spence: It’s just something really positive for the whole town. Anything that can get people active and brings people to town. It’s our biggest week here at Free Heel and Wheel. It brings a positive energy having so many people come in and ski.

    FS: Do you ski and have you been on the trails?

    RS: I’m from New Mexico so I didn’t grow up nordic skiing. Since I moved here I started to nordic ski and it’s awesome. And yes, I was out recently. It was awesome.