There are several of the nation’s fastest skiers rolling into town and checking out the trails at Royal Gorge and Auburn Ski Club for the Super Tour Finals. It’s really exciting to see and be a part of, so get out there and enjoy it- and make a new friend or two (turns out, nordic skiers are pretty fun people to be around.)

After skiing at ASC this morning I tried to teach myself a little bit about long-boarding in the parking lot. I’m just learning, but I’ve found the more I play the part of the laid-back California skater dude, the easier the balance is. I was beginning to think myself pretty “steezy“, but then I saw the first 40 seconds of this video.

Music: I’m joining the Alt-J team. I like his delivery (strange, but unique and refreshing).

Peace out guys,

#G-unit

 

If you ski on NNN long enough you’ll find NIS keys in places you’d never imagine…

 

Really fun skiing and racing in Bend last weekend at the Cascade Crest 25k skate. Beautiful place to ski, tons of snow, and a great mix old and young, fast and slow skiers. The course was one of the most exciting and unpredictable I’ve ever raced – tons of crazy turns, drops, steep climbs, and transitions. Can’t wait to get back up there for some spring skiing. I just wish the Cascades would send some of their snow down south a bit to the central Sierra!

 

Also had some great skiing/coaching with the old junior team in Boise. The Bogus Basin Nordic Team sure knows how to class it up!

I made a quick trip to Utah on the train on Thursday in order to pick up a new truck, and also to do an archery biathlon the next day at Alta Ski Resort. This was my second ever archery biathlon and I ended up winning the thing!

 

Here are some photos from the adventures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Music: This is my Jam today

-guscle

Today I did some intervals at Auburn Ski Club, the host of the Supertour Finals sprint. They, as always, did an awesome grooming the course, which has some solid climbs in the back half. Unless the snow is literally bullet-proof no one will do that silly double-poling on skate skis thing.

Here’s a photo of me with my younger brother Riley, a huger baller ski racer at Bowdoin College, who came out for a taste of California skiing on spring break. He almost didn’t leave…

 

Wow, it’s been a while since I last posted and I’ve been on a lot of sweet ski adventures, thanks to the undying support of the Farm Team and Far West. I had an incredible experience at the American Birkebeiner (all the people and enthusiasm for xc skiing literally brought me to tears at the start line…cheesy but true. It reminded me why I love this sport so much) and a less incredible time at the Great Ski Race (atmosphere was equally awesome…my skis and energy was not). I’ve also just returned from coaching for the Far West Juniors in Fairbanks, AK for Junior Nationals…Fairbanks the town wasn’t anything too spectacular (although it marked my first time ever in AK which was in of itself was awesome!) but the skiing was great and the kids were a pleasure to coach as always. The highlight was visiting the World Ice Sculpture Championships- I had so much fun being a kid again and playing on ice slides and spinning in ice chairs (also, I’ve never felt so sick afterward)- there were amazing ice sculptures and Dylan made sure he got a picture with every one. I’ve never laughed so hard in my life. Truckee weather has made me a softy this winter, but Fairbanks definitely brought me back to reality so thanks for that, AK!

I just wanted to thank the Farm Team and all of the Far West Nordic community for all of their support and love this past winter- I can honestly say that I’ve never felt so welcomed and appreciated in my whole life and I had so many incredible days in Truckee- so many memorable training skis to Far Side and around the valley, so many wonderful moments trying to teach people from the bay how to ski, so many bent-over-laughing times with Truckee High School and the ASC Devo and Comp teams. After literally spending all day at TDXC, I always went home a very happy camper. I also got to check a lot of things off my bucket list- racing at Senior US Nationals, racing the American Birkebeiner, applying fluoros and lots and lots of klister (we don’t do that on the East Coast). And, after so many disappointing results in college, it was awesome to feel good about my races and have so much fun on the Fischer cup race circuit.  This winter has definitely rejuvenated my love of skiing.

Finally, I want to say a very special thank you to Ben Grassesschi for teaching me everything I know about waxing and coaching and trusting me with all of those rambunctious Far West kids. And to Jon Halvorsen, without whom I never would have ended up in Truckee- it was such a pleasure and honor to coach with you this winter!

That’s it from me- off to another perfect, not-real-world job with another group of incredible people- but I’m already looking forward to returning to Truckee next November!!

Love Holly

Hey guys,

I just wanted to give a quick thank you to the staff at Royal Gorge(ous) for putting on a very fun and fast race today at the Sugar Rush. The course was “flying” fast, the tracks were firm, and the sun was out. It felt like what spring skiing should be in California: lots of snow, lots of sun. The skiing in the Van Norden Meadow remains excellent, especially in the morning.

 

Here’s a picture from my inverted #summitsunday following the race.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Music: I love the drums and transitions in this one: The Dø ’The Wicked and the Blind’

Also, since it’s St. Patty’s Day

 

 

Be Brave. Live.

-Gus