I was born in a quiet little ranch town in southwest Colorado. Where the city’s population hovered just over 5,000 people. I was born and raised in Gunnison, Colorado. Growing up in the mountains heavily influenced love for the outdoors especially skiing. My dad was the one who opened me up to the possibilities of the outdoors and shared his love and passion for it and was implemented into me since the day I was born.
My dad taught my brother and I how to hunt, fish, ski, ride dirt bikes, and how to navigate the mountains at a very young age. He was a ski racer all his younger life and wanted to share that joy and love for the sport to us. Thanks to my dad there is not a point in my life where I can remember, not skiing.
He threw my brother and I in ski school as early as possible. Whenever we wouldn’t be in ski school, we would be ripping it up with him; always competing to go faster than him. It wasn’t until we gained an extra hundred pounds before we could even catch him. My dad wasn’t the parent that stayed in the warming house either. He was also the parent that was out on the course drilling new holes for gates or doing anything the coaches needed help with. He had a an “8-inch rule” where we would play hookie from school.
Once I graduated from high school I had no intention of wanting to attend any secondary education. I wanted to travel around and be a ski bum. My parents weren't too fond of that life plan though. We made a deal to go to school for a year to try it out. My first year at Colorado State University was great but I was undeclared and felt lost. It wasn't until my second year when I enrolled into the Design and Merchandising major. Once I saw the opportunity to use my degree to still be heavily involved with the ski industry my college outlook changed dramatically. I saw the opportunity to be one of the people who are innovating the sport I love so much. The idea of creating gear and apparel that is based off my riding and needs is something I always wanted. I now have the chance to make a mark in the ski industry whether it is through my professional career and my competitive skiing career.
