I’m a traveler. The last few years of my life have been filled with new experiences and adventures year round, especially once the snow starts to fall. In the winter I’m always on the road; traveling to competitions and ski events, chasing storms, or just heading to different places to meet up with friends. Even when the driving stops and I’ve reached my destination, my days are filled with tours in the backcountry, non-stop days of skiing at the resort, and recently epic speed riding flights. Then WHACK, and my whole life came to a stand still.

Dropping into "The Key Hole" at the Alpine Meadows comp

With 1300miles added to my odometer, I sighed with relief as I turned my car off, and another ski road trip was complete. I had just competed in Alpine Meadows, California at one of the Tough Guy Productions’ Big Mountain Telemark Series stops. The comp went well; I placed 7th, and it was great to see all all my friends and fellow competitors. I came home to a fresh vail of new snow and I was excited finally to be back in Sun Valley for longer than a week! I was having a blast skiing in the “The Burn” (the fire scorched backside of Baldy) with my friend Miles Fink-Debray. Miles is an alpine racer, and we hardly ever see each other due to conflicting travel schedueles, so it was great to actually ski together. We had been charging and had gotten five, amazing, untracked Pow-laps in. With our sixth lap almost complete, we were almost back in the resort in a section called “Windows.” Like the name implies, there are natural open areas in the glades which allow for skiing fast and not having to worry about dodging trees. My hoot-n-hollerin’ turned to yells of pain after a WHACK. I slammed my shin into a tree stump that was hidden under the new snow, like a racer would shin a slalom gate. I was in so much pain that vision was going black and tunneling. After managing to get down and into the doctor I was relieved to learn how lucky I was. I had dislocated my knee, but everything else was somehow intact! Considering that I should have broken my leg, and I should have torn all the ligaments in my knee, I am thankful to have a relatively minor injury. With the help of Dr. Stephan Siele, at Ascension Holistic Health Center, I’m already off crutches and walking around semi-normally!

This injury has given me a timeout and a chance to slow down for a change. I cannot remember the last time I had to just chill and lay low for a month. I’m hoping my physical therapy allows me to get back on skis before the end of the season, and I’m healing really fast, so send good vibes my way! Also, I might be able to work with Sun Valley Adaptive sports and have a chance to try out a sit-ski, so I’ll at least be able to get on snow again this season even if my leg isn’t quite ready!

While driving home from my last competition in Targhee, I called my friend Adam Majors who is an avid speed flyer, to see if I might be able to finally get some instruction and speed flights in. As it turned out he was already on his way to Rotarun ski area to fly! After driving 3.5hrs from Targhee, not even stopping at home to unpack for the trip, we pulled into the parking lot and I jumped into my ski gear as fast as I could. My first test “flight” went well and I headed to the top for my second flight. I can even describe how cool it feels. I love how I don’t have to worry about coming close to the ground like I do in paragliding. Once I’m on the ground I’m skiing and when I ski fast enough I can take off and fly! It’s so cool!

I can’t wait to get my own setup and get some more flights in!

This last weekend I competed in the first stop of the, Tough Guy Productions: Big Mountain Telemark Series, at Grand Targhee resort. It has been a long time since multiple big mountain telemark events were linked together in a point-series, and I was stoked to compete and earn some points towards the series! Great snow conditions, nearly untouched venues, and the energized attitude of the other athletes added to my excitement. In the qualifier I sent a double-stager off the cornus and skied down and aired off two more features. The run left me in 5th place headed into day two.

The second day’s venue was a lot gnarlier. Having a visual inspection only, and after we were told that there were pockets of variable and facetted snow, I decided to ski a more conservative line. My smart skiing allowed me to stomp all my landings and stay on my feet, and kept me in 5th place going into the Super Finals! For my super final run I refined my first line choice and skied it harder and faster. My plan to ski more conservative in the super finals dropped me down a spot and I ended up tied for 6/7th place.

I feel that the past few days served to showcase the best telemark skiing that I have ever seen in a competition!!! Congratulations to my good friends: Paul Kimbrough-1st, Will Cardamone-2nd, and Jake Sakson-3rd for taking the top three spots! You guys killed it out there!!!

I also want to thank all my sponsors and especially Beyond Costal Sun Care and Chums for being some of the TGP Series Sponsors!

Yesterday, I went on an amazing day tour with my friend and rippin-tele-chick Simone Kastner. We were greeted with a blue bird day and warm sun as we started our hike out Titus Ridge from the top of Galena Summit. With no new snow in the last few weeks, the a hike out was on hard, wind scoured, snow. However, a few hundred vert below the ridges, we were surprised to find some really good skiing. After a two-ish hour hike out, we skied a fun alpine style line to start things off. Then we hiked back up to find one of the last remaining pillow lines in the area! Our second descent lead us into the flats, but a short double pole through the plains put us right back at Road. After getting shut down for 40min we were finally able to hitch a ride back to the top of Galena Summit. It was a great day, and I can’t wait to get out there again!

01.20.2011– Salt Lake City, Utah– Beyond Coastal, the Sun Valley, ID and Salt Lake City, UT-based manufacturer of premium sun care products for the outdoor lifestyle, is pleased to announce support of several top skiers straight from the company’s snow-crazed backyards. On the team for 2011 are Salt Lake skiers, Grete Eliassen, McKenna Peterson, and Caroline Gleich and Sun Valley-based pros Conor Davis and Danny Walton.

Each skier brings a unique skill set as the crew’s specialties include freeskiing, telemark, big mountain, and downhill. This youthful team is united by their ambitious goals and new media mastery, bringing fans as close to the action as possible via the social web, video, and TV content. These skiers also share a keen understanding of the potential skin damage they face while spending countless hours outside at high elevation and do their best to spread a safe sun care message to their peers.

Eliassen, a regular in major media like Shape magazine and ESPN, has a longstanding love affair with sunscreen. “Sun exposure is a significant part of my life since I’m always outside and, it might sound crazy, but I’m addicted to sunscreen. I wear Beyond Coastal Active 15 on my face everyday and try to educate my friends and other skiers about its importance,” Eliassen said. “The advice I give to my friends is don’t be afraid to use sunscreen. You only have one face and you need to protect it.”

Roster Profiles:
• Grete Eliassen is a bilingual freeskiing sensation, blending her Norweigan roots with electric freestyle skills honed in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is a four-time U.S. Open freeskiing champion and has won X Games’ gold and silver medals.

• Conor Davis, the poster boy for Sun Valley Resort, is a young skier who puts in an incredible amount of days skiing (167 in 2010) and regularly showcases his versatility in alpine freeskiing competitions on his tele boards.

• McKenna Petersen is a Sun Valley transplant, currently attending the University of Utah while competing in the Freeski World Tour. She also runs the University of Utah ski and snowboard club (1,000+ student members).

• Caroline Gleich, covergirl for SKI magazine’s January 2011 issue, is a USSA Level II Certified Freeride Coach and big mountain skier who also attends the University of Utah.

• Danny Walton is a Sun Valley telemark skiing wunderkind. He is responsible for organizing the Northern Rockies Telemark Institute Clinics, as well as several Sun Valley Telemark Series events.

Beyond Coastal’s sun care products appeal to outdoor athletes because they are formulated to deliver skin-nourishing ingredients such as Green Tea, Grape Seed, and Shea Butter while offering complete broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection. It puts back what the elements strip away. Always Paraben Free, Petroleum Free, Fragrance Free, and Cruelty Free Beyond Coastal is for athletes and enthusiasts alike who spend a ton of time outdoors. In 2011, Beyond Coastal will bring to market its newest product, the Facestick, answering the “call of the gloved” by helping snowsports’ athletes wearing bulky gloves to simply remove the top and rub on high exposure areas.

Beyond Coastal produces some of the highest quality skin protection on the market and is top rated by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), an independent, non-profit consumer research group. Find fresh and exciting content from each of these athletes on Beyond Coastal’s social channels including Facebook and Twitter.

About Beyond Coastal
Beyond Coastal’s mission is to offer the cleanest, healthiest sun care products possible at a reasonable price. Their formulas contain natural ingredients; Yerba Mate, Green Tea, Algae Extract, Grape Seed, Pro Vitamin B and Rose Hip Oil that Protect, Nourish, Repair, and
Hydrate. It’s nutrition for the skin!

Please visit: www.beyondcoastal.com and facebook.com/BeyondCoastal

It was a cloudy day so instead of jumping into flat light, I worked on my hand drag 360′s off the knuckles…

For my last day in Revelstoke, I went touring in Rogers’ Pass with my friends; Jake Sakson, Mark Welgos, and Lange Adams. The day started at 6:00am with a drive up the pass and a mission to ski in a secret pillow zone that Jake called “The Dagobah System.”  After admiring the morning alpin-glow on the surrounding mountains at the trail head, we started our four hour trek up the mountainside through a beautiful glade. With lots of kick-turns, some creative route finding, and practicing our skin-astics over fallen logs and through tight trees, we made it to the ridge and headed up to just above tree level. With well below freezing temps we geared up quickly headed down for one of the most fun runs I’ve ever skied. Check out my GoPro video and the days photo gallery below:

The Level of Competition on the men’s side of things was amazing. The new snow made sure that big drops, spins, flips and stomped landings were a common occurrence today. Drew Tabke, Lars Chickering-Ayers, Mat Jackson, Spencer Brinson, Griffin Post, skied the top five mens runs.

The Sun Valley athletes all skied some big gnarly lines and placed well within the field. North Parker flashed a steep big line and sent a big air into 8th. Drew Stoecklein and Griffin Post skied similar lines off a huge triple staged cliff drop. Griffin stomped his landing putting him in 5th, while a little backslap left Drew in 16th. Axel Peterson skied a super fun line but over-rotated on his 360 while sending it over a 30-40ft drop, causing him to crash and score low in the control category. Axel ended up in 39th after his crash. Collin Collins was the last competitor to ski today, and after sitting in the cold wind up at the top he threw down one of the most stylie runs of the day. Collin threw a huge 720 over a 40-50drop which boosted his score in the style category leaving him in 15th place.

Collin Collins’ 720 was sicker than H1N1″ — Judge Dash Longe

a:Collin Collins p:Billy Swan

Tomorrow, the top 20 Men and 7 Women from today, will jump in the heli to compete in the finals on Mackenzie Face! Be sure to tune back in to the FWT live webcast at 10am PST.

The woman’s first run has just concluded here in Revelstoke BC. Leah Evans, Jacqui Edgerly, and Tatum Monod, skis some really solid runs, claiming the top three spots. I want to also give Martha Burley big props for killing is on her tele-gear, and skiing into ninth place. Unfortunately the Sun Valley girls McKenna Peterson and Tracy Chubb fell victim to flat light, and Lexi DuPont dropped out of competition due to illness… The Men are live right now be sure to click here to tune into the Webcast!!!

a:McKenna Peterson p:Meg Haywood Sullivan

Yesterday, another weather day was called for the Freeskiing World Tour. Seeing as I didn’t make the cut and that the conditions here are phenomenal, I skied my legs into the ground. With 5,620 vertical feet, my one non-stoper at Revelstoke, kicked my butt yesterday morning, but I felt strong and ended up skiing till it was getting dark(4:15pm). Hopefully my legs are ready to give-er again, because the weather is supposed to move out and leave us with a blue bird day!

Be sure to check out the live webcast on the Freeskiing World Tour Website at 10am PST

My mother took a few pics today with our little point-and-shoot, and with a little editing some of them turned out pretty good:

It’s been snowing here in Revelstoke almost non-stop since the Freeskiing World Tour arrived here a couple days ago. Revelstoke Mountain Resort has reported 55cm (21.7in) in the last 48hours! This new snow left the venue in pristine condition for both the men’s and woman’s qualifying runs, held yesterday and today. I felt good on my qualifying run, and i skied a fun line, but the cut was deep and the judges only took the top 20 athletes to compete in the semi-finals tomorrow. Although I would have liked to see at least one of us make it all three mens Telemark athletes were cut, but Big props to Jake Sakson and Rory Camm for sending it today!!! I would also like to congratulate fellow Sun Valley skier Collin Collins for killing is in his first run! Snow is still on the radar so im “revel-stoked” to go get some pow in the morning!!!

I also got the cover shot for the Freeskiing World Tour’s Website for today!!!

check out the video from today!!!

REVELSTOKE 2011: Mens Highlights from Qualifying from Subaru Freeskiing World Tour on Vimeo.

This is an interview I did with Plum TV on Dec 21st, I hope you enjoy it!

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If you want to see some more great telemark skiing buy Telemark Skier Magaizenes movie: The Freeheal Life 2: Hippies Punx and Misfits

Still in my board shorts after a long day of surfing in Hanalei Bay, Kauai, I hopped on the red eye headed back to my home base in Sun Valley, Idaho. Ready for more summer, I walked out of the  Boise airport, and I was greeted outside by cold that cut straight to the bone. A shock to the system for sure, but it got me stoked on the season. I was back home for 48hrs which gave me time to say “hi” to my dad, unpack, re-pack, and mount up my new skis, before I hit the road again to spend some time with my Brother and ski with him in summit county. I did a quick stop in Salt Lake City to see some friends and I ended up taking a day to ski at Brighton with my good friend Dex Mills. After another day in the car, I grabbed my brother in Boulder, and we headed towards the snow. I had a great time skiing in Summit County, and spending his Thanksgiving break skiing with him. Now, with ten days in, I think my feet are finally accepting that they’re going to have to be in ski boots the next 5-6 months.

I just got my HD camera, and I’ve been having a great time playing around with it! (especially going underwater) This is a fun little edit I made on our trip up to a waterfall here in Kilauea, Kauai. Hope you enjoy!

I’ve been in Kauai for a few days now, and I’ve been having a blast! The water is 75° if not warmer, and I’ve had a wonderful time beach-hopping on the North Shore the last few days. I even decided to go on an adventure and got lost in the jungle last night on the “Hunters Moon!” However, I feel like my excitement for this winter and falling snow cannot be tamed by this island paradise. I’ve been; watching ski movies in the morning before the day starts, checking out ski news online at night, and I even ran into my first ski coach, Jeff Mintz, yesterday while walking down the street! Small-World right?  Now I’m sitting here, looking at the snow stake webcam on top of Baldy, and I can’t believe that it snowed 9 inches last night!!! Maybe there is something wrong with me, but I’m stoked for this winter.

Hiking through the forrest on the way to the beach

Beginning of the Napali Coast

Hunter's Moon adventure

It snowed 9in last night (10-23)!!!