2016-2017 Ski Season Highlights
It’s hard to believe the season is just about over. It’s been a fantastic winter with great clients and wonderful places, some new and some very familiar. I’ve been fortunate to work with amazing people this season and am so appreciative of the stoke everyone shares with me. The season included fifteen stops, a hundred plus clients, thousands of miles in my truck, 70 plus nights in hotel rooms and more airports than I can count. The travel can wear me down, but the people and the places lift me up. I know I’m a lucky girl and I thank all of you for being a part of my life. Here are some quick highlights of a my season:
NOVEMBER 29-DECEMBER 4, BEAVER CREEK & VAIL, COLORADO
The mission was to watch the Men’s World Cup ski races with a client, but due to low snow the races were cancelled. Instead, I got to spend time with friends and my client getting our ski legs warmed up. I also was able to assist K2, my ski sponsor, with the introduction of our new collection. I love my job in ski design at K2 and value any contribution I can make to the company. I’ve been with K2 for 30 years, the company and the people who I work with are like family to me and I’m extremely proud of the products we put out.
DECEMBER 5-JANUARY 7 ASPEN, COLORADO
I love living in Aspen and value this time of year when I can really goof off. My only responsibilities are to make sure everything is dialed for the start of the Ski with Kim season. I ski every day and spend quality time with my friends. This was my 13th season holding a pass in Aspen and I’m finally starting to feel like I am a part of the community. I made new friends, built better relationships with the ones I have and took advantage of only time of season when I’m not responsible for other people. The holidays in Aspen are crazy and I enjoyed every moment of it.
A great way to get in better shape for the season is to hike Highlands Bowl. With a view like this of the Maroon Bells why wouldn’t you?
JANUARY 8-13 VAIL, COLORADO
In January, we were blessed with massive amounts of snow and fresh tracks for everyone in Vail. A full camp of 15 women, an amazing staff from Vail Ski School and the best of hospitality from Vail Sports made the January Women’s Ski Adventure as good as ever.
January Women’s Ski Adventure in Vail with Vail Sports as the best host ever.
JANUARY 14-29 NISEKO/ RUSUTSU/ KIRRORO, JAPAN
We love Niseko, Japan because it’s like living in a snow globe. This season I skied the deepest snow I have ever skied. The relaxing village of Hirafu with world-class dining and welcoming locals along with 6 to 12 inches of snow every 24 hours is why we’ll be going back to Niseko in 2018.
Mike Kusiak experiencing perfectly spaced Birch trees and untracked powder in Niseko.
JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 5 ASPEN, COLORADO
Back to Aspen for a quick regroup and five days of skiing with friends and family. Ajax Mountain and the Tavern, Highlands Bowl and Cloud Nine, Snowmass and Gwen’s, the Belly Up for some rocking music and dinning at all the best places. I don’t get to spend much time home in Aspen, but when I do, I’m pretty happy to be there.
FEBRUARY 6-18, ALTA, UTAH
Twelve days in Alta and the Rustler Lodge with two sold out camps back-to-back and 18 inches of Utah powder is why Alta is the perfect place to spend early February. The intimacy of the Rustler Lodge and a diverse group of people created amazing group dynamics. Professional skier and K2 athlete, Pep Fujas, and Alta patrollers added to the uniqueness of Ski with Kim camps in Alta.
Usually 15 women is sold out for Women’s Ski Adventures but number 16 came begging to join and I couldn't say no.
FEBRUARY 19-25 LAKE LOUISE, CANADA
Next it was off to Lake Louise, Canada and the majestic Fairmont Chateau for another Women’s Ski Adventure. The new stop on the Ski with Kim tour did not disappoint with perfect conditions, new clients, return guests and beautiful scenery every turn.
Lake Louise is one of the most beautiful places I’ve skied.
FEBRUARY 26-MARCH 4 TELLURIDE & SILVERTON, COLORADO
The Telluride/Silverton Steep Skiing Camp was a huge success with eight men and three women, a staff of four and massive amounts of snow. Three days in Telluride allowed everyone to hone in their skills in the steep and deep before we moved to Silverton for even deeper snow. Two days of hiking and heli-skiing turned the entire group into powder junkies on fire. Birthday roasts, bar room antics and positive energy that wouldn’t quit, had the group making plans for next season before we departed.
Blessed with lots of fresh snow and beautiful days Telluride did not disappoint.
MARCH 5-10 VAIL, COLORADO
Next it was back to Vail for my last Women’s Ski Adventure of the season. Three clients from my hometown of Westport, CT joined the group of 80 percent return guests, to make me feel like I wasn’t actually working. Lots of skiing, shopping at Vail Sports, fine dining throughout Vail and Lionshead and beautiful sunny March days put smiles on everyone’s faces.
The comeback kid, Maggie Glezer, front and center, wearing the biggest smile possible in Vail.
MARCH 11-24 ASPEN, COLORADO
The World Cup finals in Aspen were off the charts. The best of the best in ski racing, battling it out for the crystal globe that represents the overall world cup titles. Aspen did an outstanding job hosting this week of ski racing and watching Mikaela Shiffrin take the podium with the women’s slalom and overall titles made me so proud, I cried. I was lucky to have one of my favorite clients join me for this week with VIP passes, beautiful weather and great snow conditions we took it all in and enjoyed every moment of it.
World class ski racing in a world class town.
MARCH 26-APRIL 5 MANITISOQ, GREENLAND
The two days of traveling to get to Greenland from Aspen is well worth the trip and one I will do again next season. An overnight along the way allowed us to experience the beautiful city of Copenhagen with its classic old boats and colorfully painted buildings. Big beautiful runs from five thousand feet to the ocean, the quaint fishing village of Maniitsoq and a boat to ferry us to the Powderbird's helicopter made the trip to Greenland amazingly unique and one I’ll repeat in 2018 for sure.
Greenland is jaw dropping beautiful. I’m already booked for next year. Who’s coming with me?
APRIL 5-16 ASPEN, COLORADO
Home sweet home. Spring skiing is the best and after a crazy winter and some very cold days I’m happy to be back in my stomping grounds and hanging with my friends in the sun. I have skied a lot of days this year and I’m still stoked to get out there and slide around. Of all the ski towns I have been to and lived in this is the place for me. I wish I could spend more time here, but for now I’m a road warrior. It’s a good life and I love what I do.
NEXT: APRIL 17-22 MT. BACHELOR, OREGON
As a K2 athlete I work with engineers designing the women’s collection of skis, boots, poles and helmets. My teammates and I spend 4 days a month, April through June, designing and refining our skis for the following year. Right now we are working on the 2019 skis. We get on the hill at 7:00am and make 15 runs on 15 different pair of skis. It’s a difficult job, one that takes concentration. Consistency is imperative and articulate communication expected. The results speak for themselves.