Fresh Corduroy - for skiers

Former Division I ski racer Kelly Brush joins Fresh Corduroy for a powerful conversation about ski racing safety, adaptive sports access, and how culture—not just equipment—shapes risk on snow.After a 2006 collegiate racing accident left her paralyzed from the chest down, Kelly turned her focus to preventing avoidable injuries and expanding access to sport for people with spinal cord injuries. As founder of the Kelly Brush Foundation, she has helped drive major improvements in U.S. ski racing safety through education, grants, and advocacy—while also funding adaptive sports equipment and access nationwide.In this episode, we discuss:Why safety culture matters more than checklistsHow ski racing in the U.S. has changed—and where it still needs workThe rise of laceration injuries and stop-the-bleed response on snowSit-skiing, adaptive equipment costs, and access to chairliftsWhy international safety education is the next frontierThis is an essential listen for ski racers, coaches, parents, mountain operators, and anyone who believes skiing should be both challenging and responsible.Theme music by Eric Zolan from the album Calder's Universe

Tricia Mangan is an active World Cup alpine ski racer for the United States — but her path to the highest level looks very different from what most people expect.Growing up skiing a small hill in western New York, Tricia didn’t attend a ski academy or chase a predefined elite pipeline. Instead, she developed through local racing, skied collegiately at Dartmouth, stepped on and off the U.S. Ski Team, and ultimately rebuilt her career as an independent athlete competing on the World Cup circuit.In this conversation, Tricia talks candidly about:Developing as a racer outside traditional systemsCollege skiing vs. the full-time World Cup pathCompeting independently and returning to the U.S. Ski TeamHer evolution as a Super-G and downhill skierHow she thinks about World Cup success versus Olympic successThe mental, financial, and personal realities of elite ski racingThis episode is an honest look at what it takes to keep going at the top of the sport — and a reminder that there’s more than one way to get there.

What actually goes into designing a ski or a boot—and why do some products feel right while others miss the mark?In this episode of Fresh Corduroy, Craig sits down with Thor Verdonk, Global Technical Director for the Rossignol Group, for a deep dive into how modern ski equipment is conceived, tested, refined, and brought to market. With more than 30 years inside Rossignol, Dynastar, and Lange, Thor shares a rare behind-the-scenes look at the intersection of athlete feedback, engineering, materials, and real-world skiing.They cover everything from World Cup race ski development and on-snow testing, to boot design, rocker trends, materials like carbon and metal, sustainability in manufacturing, and how recreational skiers should actually think about choosing equipment. Along the way, Thor explains concepts like “snow contact,” why boots haven’t changed much on the outside—but have evolved dramatically on the inside—and where ski design is headed next.Whether you’re a racer, a gear nerd, or simply someone who wants to make smarter choices about your equipment, this conversation offers insight you won’t hear anywhere else.

What’s really happening behind the scenes at ski resorts—and where is the ski industry headed?In this episode of Fresh Corduroy, Craig sits down with Mike Reitzell, President & CEO of the National Ski Areas Association, to unpack how the sport actually works at a national level.Mike shares his personal path into skiing—from learning as a kid in California to racing for USC—and how that passion ultimately led him to lead the trade organization representing more than 300 ski areas across North America. From there, the conversation goes deep into the issues shaping skiing today and tomorrow, including:The real state of the ski industry post-COVIDSeason passes, consolidation, and the role of independent “local” ski areasPublic lands, the U.S. Forest Service, and how ski areas operate on federal landClimate change, snowmaking innovation, and sustainability effortsWorkforce housing challenges in mountain townsSafety culture, restraint bars, and skier responsibilityWhy collaboration—not competition—keeps the industry healthyThis is a rare, inside look at how decisions affecting skiers and riders nationwide are made—and how much work happens long before you click into your bindings.Whether you’re a weekend skier, a season-pass holder, or just curious how the ski world actually functions, this episode offers clarity, context, and perspective you won’t get on the chairlift.🎿 Fresh Corduroy — conversations about skiing, the people who shape it, and why it matters.

Avalanches aren’t just a backcountry issue — they’re a ski culture issue.In this episode of Fresh Corduroy, host Craig Zolan sits down with Ethan Greene, Director of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, for a grounded, deeply informative conversation about how avalanches actually happen and why decision-making matters as much as snow science.Ethan explains how avalanche risk develops, why experienced people still make critical mistakes, and how familiarity with terrain can quietly increase risk. The conversation explores human behavior, changing winter conditions, and what recreational skiers — even those who primarily ski in-bounds — should understand about snowpack, weather, and terrain.This episode is not about fear or sensational stories. It’s about awareness, education, and developing better judgment in the mountains.Topics include:How avalanches form and what triggers themWhy experience doesn’t always equal safetyThe role of human factors in avalanche accidentsWhat resort skiers should understand about snow scienceHow avalanche education has evolved — and where gaps remainWhether you ski lift-served terrain, venture beyond resort boundaries, or simply want a deeper understanding of winter mountain conditions, this is a conversation worth hearing.

In this episode of Fresh Corduroy, host Craig Zolan sits down with Joe Dunn — former NCAA ski racer, longtime coach, and current instructor at Deer Valley — to explore what actually helps skiers improve and what often gets in the way.Joe shares his philosophy around clean completions, why the bottom of the turn matters more than most skiers realize, and how confidence and enjoyment often unlock progress faster than technical overload. They discuss the difference between coaching and teaching, how parents can support young skiers without creating friction, and how tools like CARV can complement — not replace — good instruction.What makes skiers better — and what just adds noise? This conversation cuts through the jargon and focuses on skiing that’s efficient, confident, and fun.If you enjoyed the episode, follow Fresh Corduroy and share it with a ski buddy.

Snowmaking is one of the most misunderstood—and essential—parts of modern skiing. In this episode, TechnoAlpin USA CEO Taylor Ogilvie joins the show to break down how snowmaking really works, how the technology has evolved, and what the future looks like as winters become more unpredictable.Taylor shares insights from decades in the ski industry, including his time at Vail, Beaver Creek, Mount Brighton, and Wilmot, and explains why today’s automated systems are more efficient, more sustainable, and more precise than ever before.We cover:• Snowmaking 101 — the science behind the guns• How automation is reshaping mountain operations• Energy, water use, and sustainability• Why early-season surfaces are better than ever• Snowmaking’s surprising role in fire mitigation and water management• The future of winter operations in a warming climateA must-listen for anyone who loves skiing—and wants to understand the technology that makes the sport possible.

Three-time Olympian Shannon Ogbnai Abeda joins Fresh Corduroy for a candid, wide-ranging conversation on identity, pressure, and carving your own path in the sport.Shannon opens up about growing up the son of Eritrean immigrants in northern Alberta, discovering ski racing on a small local hill, and what it took—physically and mentally—to push toward the Olympic stage. We talk about resilience, navigating expectations, finding belonging in a sport where few looked like him, and why he continues to race with purpose far beyond results.Along the way, Shannon shares the moments that shaped him, the challenges most fans never see, and the mindset he’s carrying into this next chapter of his skiing life.If you love stories about grit, growth, and the people pushing the sport forward, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Amy and Dan Macuga join Fresh Corduroy to share one of the most remarkable family stories in skiing. What started as keeping the kids active in Park City turned into something nobody could have predicted: three siblings competing at elite levels in three different disciplines — ski jumping, moguls, and Alpine speed — with their youngest chasing a high-level path of his own.In this conversation, Amy and Dan reflect on the completely unplanned journey behind their family’s rise in the sport: juggling four kids across multiple venues, keeping joy at the center, supporting wildly different passions, and navigating success, setbacks, and sibling dynamics along the way.It’s a heartfelt, funny, and inspiring look at what it really takes to raise happy, grounded athletes — and why the Macuga family story has captured the attention of the ski world.

Warren Miller producer Chris Leavell joins Fresh Corduroy to pull back the curtain on how the world’s most beloved ski films get made. From coordinating shoots across continents to shaping story arcs and working with top athletes, Chris explains the craft and chaos behind the films that define ski culture.

In this episode of Fresh Corduroy, host Craig Zolan sits down with Greg Willis, longtime leader and head of Vail’s ski and snowboard school, to explore the art and evolution of ski instruction.Greg shares insights from decades on the mountain — from what separates a good instructor from a great one, to how ski schools adapt to new generations of skiers, technology, and expectations. They also dive into leadership, mentorship, and the culture that keeps Vail at the forefront of mountain education.Whether you’re a lifelong skier, aspiring instructor, or just love hearing how mountain communities thrive, this is a deep dive into what makes great skiing — and great teaching — possible.

Two-time Queen of Corbet’s Caite Zeliff joins Fresh Corduroy to talk about her journey from ski racing in New England to freeride fame in Jackson Hole, the mindset behind big-mountain skiing, and how she’s redefining success, storytelling, and risk after a career-changing injury.

In this episode of Fresh Corduroy, Annika Hunt shares her journey from a young skier in Park City to a competitive athlete at Burke Mountain Academy. She discusses her family background in skiing, the challenges of transitioning to a more competitive environment, and her aspirations to become a World Cup skier. Annika reflects on the mental aspects of ski racing, the importance of focusing on the process rather than results, and her recent achievements, including winning the NorAm title. She also shares insights on her future goals and offers advice for young skiers.

In the Season 2 premiere of Fresh Corduroy, host Craig Zolan sits down with Sophie Goldschmidt, CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, to explore what it takes to lead a national governing body responsible for multiple disciplines across skiing and snowboarding.Sophie discusses her background in sports management, how it shapes her leadership approach, and the unique challenges of running a nonprofit organization that spans grassroots development all the way to the Olympic Games. The conversation covers the upcoming Olympic cycle, athlete development pathways, fan engagement, and the importance of building a healthy, supportive culture for athletes to thrive.This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how U.S. Ski & Snowboard operates, how decisions made today impact the next generation of athletes, and what the future of the sport looks like at both the community and elite levels.

In this episode of Fresh Corduroy, host Craig Zolan speaks with Sasha Rearick, a veteran coach of the US ski team and head of the Alpine program at Apex 2100 in France. They discuss the differences in coaching philosophies between the US and Europe, the importance of creativity in ski racing, and the challenges of coaching elite athletes. Sasha shares insights on motivation, the significance of common definitions in coaching, and the unique experience at Apex 2100, which combines rigorous training with a supportive academic environment. The conversation emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to athlete development and the importance of building a strong coaching community.

In this episode of Fresh Corduroy, we speak with Jamie Grant, co-founder and CEO of CARV, a digital ski coach that uses sensors to improve skiing techniques. We discuss Jamie's journey into skiing, the evolution of CARV technology, and how it helps skiers enhance their skills through real-time feedback and metrics like Ski IQ. The conversation also touches on the future of CARV, its potential expansion into other sports, and the importance of user experience in the development of the product.

In this episode of Fresh Corduroy, we talk with Dr. Jim Taylor, a leading authority on the psychology of ski racing. They discuss Jim's journey from a young ski racer to a sports psychologist, emphasizing the importance of mental training in skiing and other sports. The conversation covers how mental skills can be introduced to young athletes, the role of parents in fostering a positive environment, and strategies for overcoming setbacks in competition. Jim shares insights on how skiing teaches valuable life lessons, resilience, and the significance of making the sport enjoyable for young athletes.

In this episode of Fresh Corduroy, we speak with Senator John Curtis of Utah, discussing his journey from local politics to the Senate, his passion for skiing, and his efforts to bridge the gap between environmental conservation and the Republican Party's stance on climate change. The conversation explores the importance of public lands, the need for bipartisan cooperation, and the challenges of navigating political conflicts surrounding climate issues. Curtis emphasizes the significance of engaging the public in climate action and the necessity of finding common ground to protect the environment for future generations.

In this episode of Fresh Corduroy, host Craig Zolan speaks with Erin Sprague, CEO of Protect Our Winters (POW), about the organization's mission to combat climate change through outdoor advocacy. The conversation delves into the importance of systemic change over individual actions, the role of clean energy, and the need for bipartisan support in climate advocacy. Erin emphasizes the significance of public lands and the outdoor industry's involvement in driving change. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to engage in climate advocacy and support POW's mission.

In this episode of Fresh Corduroy, host Craig Zolan interviews Jason 'Moot' Nelson, the program director of USSS & FIS alpine ski racing at Proctor Academy. They discuss Moot's skiing origin story, the unique educational experience at Proctor Academy, and the school's appeal compared to traditional ski academies. Moot shares insights about the Proctor Ski Area, the importance of balance between academics and skiing, and the philosophy behind coaching young athletes. The conversation also touches on the competitive landscape of ski racing, the impact of age eligibility, and the rewards of leading the Alpine program at Proctor.