Every time we stretch ourselves to do something positive for the future of this sport or its people, we’re honoring Bob Beattie, the “Godfather of American Ski Racing.”

As the American ski racing world convenes in Sun Valley to contest the National Championships, it is the perfect time and place to dive in to tough issues at the heart of the sport, and come together to find solutions.

The immediate goals and challenges may change, but the takeaway is the same: on the road to success, sports are the vehicle, not the destination.

For Olympic viewing, this is the equivalent of the seventh inning stretch. We’re in to the last few Alpine events and deep into the ice dancing. This is a fantastic time to watch or re-watch Blades of Glory and round out all your fresh figure skating knowledge. Two words here: Iron Lotus. Take two minutes if you can, and relive the moment: Up until now I have held one Olympic hero above all others, and … » read more

Meditation and mindfulness can recast “the zone” from a mysterious land you hope to someday visit, to a scheduled stop on your itinerary.

“It takes all of 20 minutes to learn, and be educated enough to really have an impact on that situation.” ~ Bode Miller

Culture is vitally important and impossible to measure. Good or bad, it’s just there, wrapped around the team like an invisible blanket. Whether that blanket is warm and cozy, or cold and wet, its effect is inescapable.

Tori rolled through life like the perfect wet snowball, just becoming more impressive as she grew her body of friends and experiences.

Transformative athletic experiences—the ones we all hope our kids get from sports—involve much more than mastering technique and tactics. Great coaches and programs create a positive culture, value relationships before results, set up a supportive team dynamic, and connect with athletes as people first.

The experiences of these NCAA turned World Cup athletes offer insight on how to make the most of collegiate ski racing, a precious and uniquely American resource. We would be wise to take notes!