Next Level Skiing

Welcome back to the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis. Today, I'm chatting with Lorraine Huber, an Australian skier who has made a career off of making skiing look easy. She's done it all, from big mountain skiing and competitions, to guiding and becoming a mental coach. And she doesn't just teach the pros; she's teaching everyone how to find poise and grace out on the slopes amidst all this chaos. Lorraine is a professional skier from Lech am Arlberg. She is a freeride world champion and is now giving back to the skiing community by becoming a mental coach. She helps skiers become inspired and fall in love with the process. Listen in as she shares her insights on the mental games that occur on the snow, and how to turn our focus to the process of learning through visualization and meditation. Lorraine also offers suggestions on how we can find our flow state. Topics: [01:30] How Lorraine got started in skiing [08:10] The transition process of big mountain skiing to mental coach [12:25] Strategies for quieting your mind [18:51] Finding your flow state [25:35] What to focus on: growing and learning the process [27:59] How to reprogram your brain [33:15] Internal versus extrinsic motivation [34:29] What can come to us when we're in that flow state [37:27] Lorraine's skiing buddies and how they helped her [40:00] A lesson that still resonates with Lorraine [42:00] Lorraine's YouTube channel [42:42] Summary of the big lessons from this episode Resources: Lorraine Huber Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, by Carol Dweck Lorraine Huber, YouTube Wagner Custom Skis

Welcome back to the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis. Today's guest is a skiing veteran with amazing stories and lessons to share. I'm sure all of you know the name Chris Anthony. In this episode, Chris shares so many of his experiences and tips including how early he started skiing, hard ski lessons, how to ski with an injury, and stories from movie sets. From Warren Miller to Mt. Mangart, he is no stranger to film or the snow. Chris also shares his opinions on how and why skiing has changed over the years. Has it been for the better? How have these technological changes helped injured skiers? Not to mention, we dive into the basics of skiing, because sometimes we need to be reminded that skiing isn't about being the strongest. A lot of the challenge of skiing happens in your mind… and also on your knees. Is it possible to ski with a knee injury? Chris Anthony does it all: award winning skier, ski personality, trainer, guide, and motivational speaker. Chris was also inducted into the Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame in 2018, is an award-winning documentary producer, director, writer, and editor, and was featured in 28 Warren Miller films. Topics: [00:55] How Chris got into skiing [05:15] Evolving times for skiing and ski gear [09:10] Chris' lessons from his movie career [12:00] On bad habits and trying to get rid of them [14:25] Skiing while injured [21:44] Knee replacement and returning to skiing [26:09] Tips for skiing with knee pain [28:47] Ski gear that won't bother your knees [31:33] Off the wall racing [35:05] Lasting advice from early in Chris' career [36:11] Mission Mt. Mangart film and the history of skiing [41:56] Summary and thanks Resources: Chris Anthony Wagner Custom Skis

Welcome back to the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis. We have quite the treat for you today as our guest is the legendary–the most decorated American, male downhiller ever–Daron Rahlves. Four time Olympian. Twenty-eight world cup podiums. A dozen world cup victories. Seven national titles. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Daron is already helping out future generations of skiers with his Ski Tips with Daron Rahlves series on YouTube. Today he brings a few of those tips with him as well as some great advice and fantastic stories. There are so many takeaways from today's episode, from tips on developing confidence, to technical advice about balance, and big lessons he's learned from his journey to the top. Topics: [01:00] Daron's accolades and journey [02:20] From Ski-Tips to Mortal Tips [06:55] How do we develop confidence [09:43] Technical tip about balance: "From the snow up" [13:00] The importance of knowing the line [19:55] Find a mentor and follow the good guys [22:10] How Daron adjusted his ski style for the film, Chasing the LIne [30:55] How skiing has developed over the years [35:00] How Red Bull treats the athletes they sponsor [41:50] The fastest time at Birds of Prey and other records [45:40] Advice from Daron's youth which still resonates with him [47:50] Tips and warm-ups [49:20] Summary of the episode Resources: Ski Tips with Daron Rahlves Wagner Custom Skis

On today's show, I speak with my good friend, Skylar Holgate of Silverton Mountain Guides out of Durango. Skylar and I have shared a lot of great adventures, however what makes him most interesting is how many days he's logged on major mountains around the globe. Skylar and I talk about his experience as a racer turned big mountain snowboarder and how he passes on his expertise from a lifetime of advanced mountain experience. Join us for this very special episode. Topics: [03:37] Skylar's transition from skiing to snowboarding. [04:45] Skylar's priorities in his twenties. [06:01] Helping people achieve results and overcome fear. [10:00] The challenges of adjusting resort style to backcountry/heli-skiing. [13:50] Why it's important to familiarize yourself with new gear before skiing. [16:45] Skylar's excitement about showing people the ropes and helping them improve. [21:45] Differences and similarities between resort skiers and professional skiers. [23:38] How he handles giving advice to professionals. [25:53] Important turn advice. [31:54] The best way to communicate with someone who is struggling. [36:05] The most helpful advice Skylar has received. [37:50] The main talent of Silverton Mountain Guides. [38:40] The importance of trying new things. Resources: Silverton Mountain Guides Wagner Custom Skis

On this episode of Next Level Skiing, I speak with Ted Mahon, one of Colorado's most respected mountain athletes. He has an impressive 25 years of experience in skiing and mountaineering. During most of that time, he has worked as a ski instructor. He has also skied most of the country's highest mountains. On top of this, he has helped countless skiers reach their peak level of performance. Join us for an interesting conversation about preparation, uphill clinics, and Ted's mountain experience. Topics: [02:44] Tips for kicking off your ski vacation on the right foot. [06:05] Skiing with returning clients. [07:45] Why it's important to show up with a basic level of fitness. [08:35] What separates a great skier from a great bowl skier. [11:33] Ted's uphill clinics and who attends them. [13:46] Weekly social uphills at Buttermilk. [15:10] The appeal of backcountry skiing. [18:18] Easing people into backcountry skiing. [20:35] How boots can affect your footwork and the effort you have to exert. [23:12] Advanced uphill clinics and what they offer. [29:41] Picking your peaks. [32:15] Thinking back on the highlights of his career. [34:10] Ted's parting advice to other skiers. Resources: Wagner Custom Skis

Erik Lambert, co-founder of Bluebird Backcountry, shares insights from his journey in backcountry skiing. He discusses the innovative training programs at Bluebird that bridge the gap between resort skiing and avalanche courses. Erik explains the importance of a structured curriculum and how they cater to a diverse clientele. He emphasizes essential skills for backcountry travel, the need for a sustainable operation, and offers a vital tip: always check avalanche forecasts. His experiences highlight the evolution of backcountry skiing education.

Cody Townsend, a professional big-mountain skier and the driving force behind The Fifty Project, shares his unique journey from football to skiing. He explores how boredom fueled his transition from heliskiing to mountaineering, emphasizing mindset over gear. Cody discusses the critical importance of timing and the mental challenges in navigating steep terrains. He also highlights the value of learning from past experiences and the influence of trusted partners. Dive into his insights on skiing's gritty realities and the art of gradual progression.

Dr. Wes Wylie is the guy you want on your heliskiing crew. He's a heliski guide at Alaska's Tordillo Mountain Lodge as well as Powderbirds out of Snowbird. He's been a ski patroller at Deer Valley for more than 20 years. He travels to Chile and New Zealand in the summer to guide clients. Oh, and he's also a private physician who travels the country practicing medicine. 1:00: Are you a ski guide who practices medicine or a doctor who skis? 2:30: Getting into medicine as a way to ski 3:45: The overlap between doctoring and skiing. A typical year on mountains, with a few months in hospitals. 5:50: "The big dinner conversation." Honing aging bodies for skiing. Clients as patients. How to offset the 1% annual loss of muscle mass in men in their 50s, 60s and 70s. 7:15: The "easy" prescription to offset that muscle loss and even build muscle past age 50. 9:00: And even thwart the insidious weight gain of life after 50. 12:00: Advice for skiers looking to stay on skis deep into their 80s or even 90s: minimize the impacts. 12:35: People get injured for three reasons. Two of them are the fault of the guides. 14:20: Progressing "never-ever" Alaska helicopter skiers into steep, deep, sprawling terrain. 15:20: Second time's the charm. 18:30: Being "really spherical" when talking as a guide. 20:00: The photographic component of guiding. Tips for creating lifelong keepsakes. 23:40: Photos as "a great venue for people to review their skills." 25:50: Building the ultimate guide ski for heavy-pack skiing in variable conditions in Alaska 28:00 The ultimate guide ski looks like this 32:00 The best advice he's ever received: Movement is good. Stay in the flow. When people stay in the flow state, all the mechanics fall into place.

Doug Stenclik, founder of Cripple Creek Backcountry, shares insights on the booming backcountry skiing scene. He discusses the critical importance of avalanche education and the right mindset for safety. With relaxed uphill policies at ski resorts, skiers can hone their skills before venturing into the backcountry. Doug also highlights the spike in gear sales during the pandemic and his predictions for the upcoming season. He emphasizes enjoying the uphill journey while choosing the right setup for both resort and touring skis.

Robert Koell, known as Roko, is an Austrian heli-ski guide with decades of experience teaching people to master powder skiing. He dispels the myth that powder is only for experts, emphasizing that anyone can ski it with the right techniques. Roko shares insights on building a stable platform in soft snow and overcoming intimidation by viewing obstacles as allies. He also highlights training programs allowing skiers to enjoy the slopes well into their 80s and 90s, unlocking the joy of skiing at any age.