skiing
When you have a deep relationship with an art form - it is not something that you walk away from. It can be a lifelong endeavor. However, to sustain this requires nurturing, patience, synthesis, and meticulous editing; all the while monitoring blips in popular culture. I will also sprinkle in having a high degree of a reckless certainty of resolution.
performance
For my recent collaboration with Bogner for their 2024 Winter Fashion line, I embarked on a three-day journey on and off the glaciers in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Working in tandem with a dedicated team of skiers and crew, we captured exhilarating shots that epitomize the essence of the sport.
A day of heli-skiing on the glacier of Diavolezza with the Bogner team.
These clips exemplify the fusion of creativity and athleticism that is the hallmark of this exclusive brand. Tasked with showcasing ski ballet alongside a partner in tribute to Willy Bogner's iconic film "Fire and Ice," I also freeskied in a powder sequence serviced by helicopter and worked through the night for the mesmerizing Bogner - James Bond 007 torchlight action sequence.
Beyond the rigors of my commercial work, my performances transcend boundaries, with a constant focus on capturing videos and exploring innovative filming and editing techniques that showcase ski ballet in its true form.
With a deep-rooted belief in the limitless possibilities of this art form, I am steadfast in my mission to unearth new avenues of expression and share the beauty of ski ballet with fans. Whether through live performances on the slopes or electrified visual storytelling that captures the essence of this unique + rarified art form -> I am always working on it.
background
My skiing career is steeped in a rich tapestry of passion, progression, and perseverance. Starting at the tender age of 6 in Bolton Valley, Vermont, during the twilight of the hot dog era, I have been influenced by different perspectives of this once unified-organized sport. Nurtured by the slopes and fueled by a dream sparked by Bill Johnson's gold medal triumph in downhill skiing at the 1984 Olympics, I embarked on a journey that was marked by success as a combined skier before earning a spot on the United States Freestyle Ski team at the age of 17.
1995 U.S National Champion & 1996 World Cup Medalist
Specializing in the challenging and often misunderstood "ballet" event, I found my true mountain home in a realm where creativity and musicality reigned supreme. Winning numerous FIS World Cup medals and clinching the prestigious 1995 U.S. National title, my performances were revered for their innovative flair and expressive artistry. By challenging the conventional norms of the sport I gained some notoriety on network television broadcasts of freestyle skiing.
Despite the constraints of a rules-based system that stifled the joy of freestyle skiing, I remained steadfast in pursuit of growth, competing until the end of sanctioned freestyle ballet skiing in the 1999-2000 season. Recognizing ski ballet as a veritable art form, I endeavored to preserve its essence and legacy, drawing upon newfound insights from art school to ensure its continuation as a cherished platform for future generations of athletes and artists alike.
teaching
Embarking on the realization of a cherished childhood dream, I have pioneered the creation of my own ski school - Slopefriend, where I can impart knowledge in the manner that resonates with my unique vision.
Safety Glide -> the fundamental posture for this alternative teaching method. It is the embodiment of flow in skiing.
Drawing inspiration from the artistic elements of "Ski Ballet" -> a discipline often overlooked (or completely forgotten) in contemporary skiing, the Slopefriend method embraces a transformative approach to learning that prioritizes community, safety, and unending joy on the slopes.
Recognizing that the traditional ski industry often limits such personalized teaching approaches, I have harnessed my experiences in teaching my daughter as a toddler and delved into the fundamentals of learning from a beginner's perspective.
Snowplow or Pizza (and french fries) taught as the basis and constant default reaction is resistance to flow. It is the root cause of most accidents or injuries in this sport. It’s just plain bad form too.
Steering away from the conventional resistance-focused techniques like the "snowplow or pizza" maneuver/posture prevalent in mainstream instruction, Slopefriend advocates for a harmonious interaction with gravity, encouraging students to flow naturally with the terrain - even while falling.
Yes, acquiring basic tumbling skills is one of the primary functions within our system. Falling is embraced and not feared. The fear of falling and potentially looking like a fool can be overwhelming to most beginners and in Slopefriend it is dispelled from the get-go.
Peer 2 Peer Learning -> is built into the design of this system whether incorporated through online tutorials or en piste. People are empowered to share in a very clear manner through the meticulously arranged modules that make learning simple, effective, and fun.
By fostering a shared learning environment that emphasizes collaboration and immediate growth - Slopefriend sets out to create a safe haven where individuals can thrive instantaneously. The class modules have been developed as an alternative fitness platform that fuses multiple disciplines into something completely new. Slopefriend has something useful for anyone to apply in their life on + off the slopes.
Sharktooth Glide -> designed for anyone to use in managing fear and safety in approaching any sort of terrain or calamity. It utilizes stability and peripheral clarity for the ultimate confidence boost in skiing.
Currently catering to students across both the east and west coasts of the United States, Slopefriend aims to expand its reach to accommodate more eager learners for the upcoming 2025 ski season, offering a novel and enriching approach to skiing education that defies the norms of traditional instruction and culture.
