Welcome back to the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis. Adrian Ballinger is one of the most knowledgable people out on the mountains today. He is a triple threat: lifelong skier, veteran on technical rock, and a master at high altitude descent. He is one of the world’s top ski mountaineer.

He has many accomplishments under his belt.  He has summited Everest and K2 without supplemental oxygen, was the first to ski descent of Manaslu (8th tallest peak in world) from the summit, founded Alpenglow Expeditions (which now takes 6000+ people a year skiing, climbing and mountaineering), and has had seventeen summits of 8000-meter peaks. In May of 2022, he became the first person to ski from Makalu (in the Mahalangur Himalayas) which is the fifth highest peak in the world.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Adrian about his three attempts on Makalu, his risk tolerance now that he’s a new father, and how to make sure the first turn is perfect.

Topics:

[01:36] Adrian’s introduction

[03:17] How Adrian got started and a snapshot of his career 

[12:50] Skiing Makalu

[20:40] Risk tolerance

[25:10] The mental and physical limitations of being so high up   

[32:15] The idea that it’s okay to back off  

[34:00] Practice everything 

[37:00] Switching mindsets and cherishing the mundane

[42:30] Conclusion    

Resources:

Adrian Ballinger

Wagner Custom Skis

Welcome back to the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis. Today I’m talking with rock star Mark Morris. He talks about the connection between his music and the mountains. He teaches us how he tries to be a good ambassador for life.

Mark talks about trail running, how he comes up with his songs, and how he improved as a skier and as a musician. There are many ways that music and skiing overlap. Between connecting in a spiritual way to the importance of practice, Mark shares how his passions intersect throughout his life.

Topics:

[01:41] Mark’s introduction

[03:41] How Mark got started on skis

[09:15] Learning how to improve skills with exposure 

[11:44] Getting into music

[16:05] How music and skiing overlap

[31:00] Trail running techniques   

[33:00] On the “runner’s high”

[36:15] How music and skiing have enriched Mark’s life

[40:48] Conclusion

Resources:

Mark Morris’ Website

Wagner Custom Skis

Welcome back to the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis. Today’s guest is Angela Hawse. Angela is an award-winning guide, an alpinist, a sponsored athlete, a motivational speaker, and a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Mountain Guide Association. Angela is the second woman in history to achieve that award.

She has taken a stand for women in skiing and when speaking about climate change. Angela brings her unique experience as a skier and a climber when she shares her stories about women on the mountains.

Topics:

[02:39] Angela’s introduction to skiing and her journey to being a guide

[12:00] The evolution of women in skiing 

[13:00] Challenges for women in skiing

[20:20] Making adjustments so we can better enjoy ourselves in the snow

[27:00] The advantage of having a coach

[30:15] Tools for safety and fitness   

[36:30] On what it is like receiving a lifetime achievement award  

[39:19] Giving back with “Protect Our Winters”

[44:45] The future in the climbing and skiing industries

[46:05] Conclusion

Resources:

Angela Hawse

Protect Our Winters

Wagner Custom Skis

Welcome back to the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis. Today I’m talking with the legendary Steve Casimiro. Steve harkens back to the skiing comeback of the 1990s. His unwavering love of skiing shines bright as we talk about everything from what skiing was like in the late 80s to what it is like now, and our responsibilities when it comes to climate issues. There are many ways to help others including respecting others, spreading positivity, and really thinking about how you are valuing your time.

Topics:

[01:37] Introduction to the resurgence of skiing in the 90s

[04:00] Steve’s intro into skiing

[07:35] Skiing in the late 80s

[13:15] Recognizing the transformation in skiing in the 90s

[16:50] Skiing with skiers with more experience  

[23:24] Skiing changing with the times

[31:00] Adventure skiing

[32:00] From promoting people the respecting people

[37:00] Opportunities to share your enthusiasm and 

[47:30] Acting on big problems, including climate issues

[52:00] Your time has value

[54:00] Conclusion

Resources:

journal.com/author/steve-casimiro/"> Steve on Adventure Journal

Steve Casimiro on Instagram

Wagner Custom Skis

Welcome back to the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis. Today I’m talking with Nader Jamal about how to feel empowered while you’re on the powder. Nader’s been through a lot in his life. Today he shares tips on how to be more confident while you’re on the slopes. He also shares some of his story and the lessons he learned while fighting off cancer and teaching the youth of America how to stay upright while on the snow or in the water. 

He also emphasizes the importance of learning how to fall. In real life and while you’re on skis (or on a stand-up paddleboard), sometimes it’s how you take the fall that can teach you the most about confidence and what you’re capable of.

Topics:

[3:00] Growing up with Palestinian parents in New York

[4:40] Taking skills from the terrain park into big mountain

[5:50] Learning how to ski switch

[7:30] Relaxing on rails

[10:00] Similarities in stand-up paddling and skiing

[11:40] The role of confidence and recognizing physical cues that can shift confidence

[15:58] Crossover skills between SUP, skiing and park

[19:35] Being loose, playful and vulnerable

[20:20] Don’t fight the fall

[22:55] Nader’s cancer fight at 21 and his introduction to outdoor adventure

[24:25] A whitewater trip to Montana with First Descents after Stage 3 colon cancer diagnosis

[27:00] Being the connector for others seeking outdoor adventure and experiences

[28:45] It’s OK to fall. Welcome it.

[30:50] The motivation of learning with a group

[34:10] Developing self-expression in skiing through teamwork

[36:30] Conclusion

Resources:

Nader Jamal, First Descents

Nader Jamal, Instagram

Nader Jamal, LinkedIn

Wagner Custom Skis

Welcome back to the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis. Today I have to pleasure of sharing my conversation with Krista Crabtree. Krista has spent decades introducing women to skiing via her 'She Skiis' clinics. From the beginning of her career, she has tracked the evolution of women’s ski gear and because of that, she’s an expert on the topic. From design to material to shape, Krista knows exactly how skis will perform on the snow.

In this episode, Krista and I talk about women in skiing and the evolution of women’s ski gear. There have been a lot of gender politics in skiing and Krista shares some of her stories as a woman in the industry. We’re seeing plenty of positive changes in skiing, but there’s still plenty we can do to get more amazing women in the spotlight.

Topics:

[01:31] Krista Crabtree Introduction

[03:23] Krista’s skiing journey

[08:00] The evolution of women’s ski equipment 

[13:30] Ski instruction for men versus women

[16:52] Five tips that resonate with everyone

[27:05] How gear can enable women

[30:00] Upcoming advances in women’s gear

[35:41] Seeing more women on the slopes

[44:10] The importance of having an outlet like skiing

[45:15] Conclusion

Welcome back to the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis. On today’s episode, I have the pleasure of talking with powder photographer extraordinaire, Lee Cohen. Lee came to Utah in the 1980s as a ski bum and found his calling. He and his friends traveled from Utah down to California and beyond, chasing the snow and powder and photographing the experience.

Today we’re talking about how Lee got his start in skiing and photography as well as his journey to being one of the most well-known foremost photographers the snow has ever seen. He also talks about how he first pushed back on the transition to digital photography and his thoughts on it now. Lee shares some tips on how to get the best pictures when you’re out on the slopes and tips on skiing which he’d gleaned from the pros.

Topics:

[00:24] Lee Cohen’s introduction to skiing

[08:57] Salt Lake City

[10:00] Lee’s start in photography 

[12:46] Lee’s first cover photo

[13:29] Lee’s ah-ha moment in photography

[14:32] The transition to digital

[17:37] Tips for big snow

[23:40] How to shoot better skiing photos

[32:10] What excites Lee about skiing 

Welcome back to the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis. Today’s I’m talking with Chris “Tats” Tatsuno. Chris has an infectious way of making a turn in snow and he certainly shares it with everyone around him. It’s impossible not to have a good time when you’re riding around with Chris. 

Chris has his own style, his own look, and he is a wonderful influence on the youth of the industry through instruction and inspiration.  He doesn’t put a lot of pressure on the snow and on himself. Chris gives us some tips he learned from his dad, as well as a few of the lessons he’s learned from his own journey. From spending time with a crew you love, to his tips on how you can take it easy on your joints so you can ski until you’re 90, Chris shares a lot of great info today.

Topics:

[00:00] Introduction to Season 5

[03:00] Chris’ introduction

[04:00] Chris’ background and how he got into skiing

[05:50] What it was like growing up with a ski instructor

[08:21] Skiing vs snowboarding in the late 80s and early 90s

[14:11] How Chris ended up in Roaring Fork Valley, Colorado

[18:35] The Aspen Ripper Factory and the Aspen ski gangs

[28:45] Spending time with a crew that you enjoy

[30:20] Becoming a ski instructor

[36:26] Chris’ style and look

[42:00] Be the watcher

[44:43] Advice that still resonates with Chris  

[48:18] Conclusion

Resources:

Powder.com’s Adaptive Skiing Article, “The Tao of Tats” 

Chris Tatsuno’s LinkedIn 

Wagner Custom Skis

Welcome back to the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis. On today’s episode, I have the pleasure of talking with California badass, Michelle Parker. Michelle is an amazing skier with excellent form. If you have the chance to watch her ski, watch how she shreds with her feet; she is amazing. There are few skiers out there who have the speed and footwork of Michelle. 

Michelle shares some great lessons and messages including the importance of visualization and how to develop your inner warrior. She also emphasizes how important it is to be aware of your surroundings, mapping the mountain, and trusting your intuition.

California native Michelle Parker started skiing in her home resort of Squaw Valley Ski Resort. Since then, she’s competed in the US Freeskiing open, X-Games, and the Red Bull Cold Rush. She’s also one of the founders of Skiers Advocating and Fostering Education for Avalanche and Snow Safety (S.A.F.E.A.S.), whose goal is to advocate for snow safety and avalanche awareness. 

Topics:

[02:00] Michelle’s footwork on the snow

[03:00] How Michelle started skiing

[05:25] Michelle’s first experiences with freeskiing

[07:57] Skills that she transferred from racing to freeskiing

[10:45] Moving to the big mountains

[12:15] Avalanche education

[17:40] What Michelle thinks of when she’s up top and waiting her turn

[18:30] How to tap into your inner warrior 

[23:50] The importance of realizing legitimate fears and being confident in your intuition

[27:50] How to develop a strong intuition

[29:50] Advice that still resonates with Michelle

[31:40] Surrounding yourself with incredible athletes (on the screen and in real life)

Resources:

Michelle Parker, Instagram

Wagner Custom Skis

Welcome back to the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis. Today, we’ve got a great conversation with a great guest. There aren’t that many high profile skiers out there, who are as thoughtful and introspective as Mark Abma. 

Mark is an inspiring athlete with a unique outlook on how to improve performance, training, and mindset. From keeping things in perspective when he’s on top of a mountain to hydrotherapy, Mark talks about what has shaped him as a skier and as a person.

Mark Abma is a professional freeskier. From Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia, he was born for the snow. He has a number of awards under his belt including the Powder Video Award for Best Male Performance in 2007 and 2005. He also won Best Natural Air in 2010, and Best Powder in 2009. He recently started an advocacy group called One Step with the goal of helping both ski resorts and skiers reduce their carbon footprints. 

Topics:

[02:11] How Mark started skiing

[07:00] Mogul skiing helping with the transition

[12:35] What Mark learned from his idols when he was a kid

[16:28] How competing led to films

[22:25] Mark’s mental game when he gets dropped off on a mountain  

[25:45] A piece of advice Mark goes back to 

[27:00] Recovery and hydrotherapy

[33:50] Lactic training  

[36:05] Lessons on the snow, transcending into everyday life

Resources:

Mark Abma on Twitter 

Wagner Custom Skis