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The premier podcast and YouTube show for ski mountaineering interviews and analysis. Explore the high-altitude, high-stakes world of skimo as elite athletes prepare for Olympic competition and beyond. From the World Cup podium to the local skintrack, SKIMO GOLD is THE podcast for smooth-gliding, quick-transitioning, lung-burning, kick-turning beta on training, racing, gear, fueling, mindset, and–most importantly–FUN! Join hosts Travis Macy and Cam Smith regularly for novel conversations with the world’s best athletes, coaches, organizers, and skimo aficionados plus just-in-time race analysis. Produced for all podcast players by Palm Tree Pod Co.
25 Episodes
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In this episode of Skimo Gold, Travis Macy is joined by co-host Cam Smith and special guest Doug Stenclik of Cripple Creek Backcountry to unpack one of North America's most iconic endurance races: The Elk Mountains Grand Traverse. From gear choices and sleep strategies to course beta and big-picture training plans, this episode is packed with practical insights for anyone tackling the Grand Traverse—or any big backcountry mission. Cam breaks down what makes the GT so unique, Doug shares stori...
What happens when two of skimo’s most cerebral minds sit down to talk training? You get this episode of Skimo Gold. Travis Macy and Cam Smith are joined by longtime coach Joe Howdyshell for a deep dive into the principles that drive high performance in endurance sports—and how those principles apply to athletes of all levels. From heart rate zones and strength training to mindset, nutrition, and recovery, Travis, Joe, and Cam cover the strategies behind building consistency and long-ter...
Join host Travis Macy for a special episode of the SKIMO Gold podcast as he sits down with trailblazing American ski mountaineering athlete Nina Silitch. Nina shares her remarkable journey from competing (and winning) on the World Cup stage in Europe to pioneering ski mountaineering clubs and mentoring new generations of athletes in both France and the U.S. Listeners will hear Nina’s insights on balancing elite athletics with life as a parent, teacher, and artist, and the powerful role commun...
Team USA is officially headed to Milano Cortina 2026 and they’re doing it in style. In this episode of SKIMO Gold, Cam Smith, Travis Macy and some special friends break down Team USA’s historic World Cup victory where the Mixed Relay squad clinched an Olympic quota spot with a gold medal finish. Cam takes us behind the scenes of the race, including what it felt like to cross the line first, the strategy behind the team’s performance, and what this milestone means for the future of skimo in th...
What does it really take to bring a grassroots mountain sport onto the world’s biggest stage and advocate for the athletes behind it? In this episode of Skimo Gold, Travis Macy and Cam Smith sit down with skimo racer, engineer, and Athlete Advisory Council liaison Rory Kelly for a candid look at the rise of ski mountaineering in the U.S. Rory shares how he found the sport later than most, climbed his way onto the national team, and ultimately became the bridge between Team USA athletes and th...
In this numbers-packed episode of Skimo Gold, Cam Smith and Travis Macy welcome Roland Hric, the stat wizard behind Skimo Stats. Roland dives into what the data reveals about last season’s standout performances, Olympic qualification odds, and which athletes are trending up heading into 2025-26 skimo season. From who’s dominating the vertical events to which countries are best positioned, Roland breaks down the stats in a way that’s insightful and fun. They also explore how technology i...
In this episode of Skimo Gold, Travis and Cam are joined by elite trail runner Anna Gibson to recap their 2025 trail season and look ahead to the upcoming skimo winter. They reflect on the highs and lows of racing in Europe, managing injuries, and staying mentally resilient through setbacks and surprises. Anna opens up about navigating a tough year with humor and perspective, while Cam shares what it’s like to pivot goals mid-season and return to his skimo roots. Together, they talk about tra...
In this episode of Skimo Gold, Cam Smith and Travis Macy chat with Italy’s Nicolo Conclini, a rising star on the international circuit and a strong contender for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games. Hailing from the iconic ski town of Bormio, Nicolo shares what it’s like to grow up in a place where mountains and racing are a way of life. They dig into his breakout season, his approach to training and recovery, and the passion that fuels his Olympic dreams. From World Cup courses to the alpi...
In this episode of Skimo Gold, Cam Smith and Travis Macy sit down with Michael Silitch, a trailblazer in American ski mountaineering whose roots run deep in the Alps and the global skimo community. Michael shares his decades-spanning journey from racing in Chamonix to mentoring young athletes and what it means to pass the torch while staying in the game himself. Michael reflects on the evolution of the sport, the value of long-term athletic development, and why mindset matters as much as VO2 ...
Join hosts Travis Macy and Cam Smith for an unforgettable episode of Skimo Gold with Austria’s Johanna Hiemer, currently ranked #3 in the world. From World Cup podiums to parenting wins, Johanna opens up about what it really takes to chase elite performance while raising two young kids and running a business. She shares candid insights on the mental and physical challenges of returning to sport after childbirth, navigating serious illness, and rebuilding confidence through mental coaching. Jo...
Emma Cook-Clarke’s journey to the top of the skimo world is anything but conventional. In this episode, Emma joins Cam Smith and Travis Macy to share how a decade of firefighting, art, and endurance sports shaped her mindset and performance on the global stage. From racing in hand-me-down gear to chasing Olympic dreams, Emma opens up about mental performance, the power of play, and why trusting the process matters more than chasing perfection. It’s a conversation full of heart, humor, and har...
She’s the reigning queen of skimo, but how did she get here? In this episode of Skimo Gold, Travis Macy and Cam Smith sit down with Emily Harrop, three-time overall World Cup champion and one of the sport’s most electrifying talents, for a candid and inspiring conversation. Emily opens up about growing up in a tiny mountain village in the French Alps, her transition from alpine skiing to skimo, and the injuries and inner battles that shaped her path to the top. She shares what it means to tra...
You know the voice, but do you know the story? In this episode of Skimo Gold, Travis Macy and Cam Smith welcome Catie Friend, the beloved voice of skimo, for a wide-ranging conversation about her unexpected path into race commentary and what it really takes to bring this quirky, high-stakes sport to life on screen. Catie shares how she went from total novice to front-row storyteller, becoming one of the sport’s most trusted narrators and biggest cheerleaders. From juggling spreadsheets to bui...
What do carbs, cold weather, and cookie-cutter nutrition plans have in common? They’re all on the chopping block in this episode of Skimo Gold. Travis Macy sits down with Kylee Van Horn, sports dietitian, author of Practical Fueling for Endurance Athletes, and co-host of the refreshingly honest podcast Your Diet Sucks to cut through the confusion around nutrition and performance. Kylee brings a science-backed, no-BS approach to fueling for skimo and endurance sports. She dives into what it re...
What happens when an Ironman World Champion trades the lava fields of Kona for the snowy mountains of Steamboat? In this episode of Skimo Gold, legendary triathlete Tim DeBoom joins hosts Travis Macy and Cam Smith for a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation about the evolution of sport, identity, and finding new purpose beyond the podium. Tim reflects on his iconic triathlon career, including two wins in Kona, chasing Olympic dreams, and navigating the shifting tides of professional e...
At just 19 years old, Griffin Briley is already making waves on the World Cup stage and he’s just getting started. In this episode of Skimo Gold, Griffin joins hosts Travis Macy and Cam Smith from Europe, fresh off the Olympic test event in Bormeo and prepping for the World Championships in Switzerland. Griffin shares what it’s like to train full-time at 2000 meters in Chamonix, France, and how he balances the high-pressure world of Olympic sprints and relays with his love for long ski tours...
Before SKIMO hit the Olympic stage, Pete Swenson was already carving the path. In this episode of SKIMO Gold, host Travis Macy reconnects with one of the sport’s foundational figures in the U.S., a pioneer whose influence runs deep through the gear, culture, and competitive scene we know today. Pete reflects on his early days transitioning from pro mountain biking to ski mountaineering, racing the first U.S. events in Crested Butte, and bringing lightweight European skimo gear stateside. Fro...
How do you train like an elite skimo athlete without losing yourself in the process? In this episode of Skimo Gold, host Travis Macy sits down with longtime friends and legends of the endurance world athlete Jack Linehan and coach Joe Howdyshell for a conversation that’s as thoughtful as it is informative. Jack shares what it’s like training in Chamonix (yes, carbs and croissants are involved), laying out a high-performance weekly routine that includes 10–14 hours of aerobic work, 6–7 h...
From elite racer to grassroots builder to Olympic team leader, Sarah Cookler is helping shape the future of ski mountaineering in the U.S. In this episode of Skimo Gold, host Travis Macy sits down with Sarah, Head of Sport for USA Ski Mountaineering Association. They dive into her incredible journey from Vermont Nordic skier to head coach, race director, and force behind Project Podium. Sarah shares how she’s grown the Silver Fork Ski Mountaineering Club into a powerhouse program, fostering ...
Espresso and ski mountaineering: two things Davide Giardini takes very seriously. In this episode, Travis Macy sits down with the Italian-born, Boulder-based endurance athlete to explore the deep cultural roots of ski mountaineering, from its military heritage in World War I to its modern-day evolution as an Olympic sport. Davide shares his personal journey from triathlon to skimo, the challenges of transitioning between sports, and how he found community and purpose in Boulder’s endurance s...
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