Advertise on podcast: Fresh Corduroy - for skiers

Hig Roberts took an unconventional path to the top of alpine skiing. From growing up in Steamboat Springs to skiing at Middlebury and earning a spot on the U.S. Ski Team, Hig reached the World Cup through persistence, technical development, and a nontraditional route. In this episode, we go inside life on the World Cup circuit—the pressure, travel, and mental challenges of competing at the highest level. Hig shares how personal loss and identity struggles shaped his career, and what led him to step away from professional ski racing. He also discusses coming out as gay after his career, why he didn’t feel ready during his time on the World Cup, and how the response from the ski community changed his perspective. Finally, we explore the business of ski racing. Hig breaks down how athletes make money, his experience as a sports agent at Wasserman, and what skiing can learn from larger professional sports. Now working in business development with the NHL Players’ Association, he offers a unique perspective on athlete careers, sponsorships, and long-term planning. A candid conversation about World Cup skiing, identity, and life after elite sport.

Three-time Olympian Resi Stiegler grew up skiing in Jackson Hole, the daughter of Olympic slalom champion Pepi Stiegler. From those early days roaming the mountain as a kid, she went on to make the U.S. Ski Team at just 15, race on the FIS Alpine World Cup, and represent the United States at three Winter Olympic Games. In this episode of Fresh Corduroy, Resi joins host Craig Zolan to talk about the journey from a Jackson Hole childhood to the highest level of ski racing. She shares what it actually feels like to step into the start gate at a World Cup race, the unique pressure of the Olympics, and how she navigated the injuries and setbacks that are part of a long career in alpine racing. They also discuss the mindset that helped her stay positive through difficult stretches, why free skiing played such an important role in her development, and what she’s doing now—raising a family in Jackson Hole and helping the next generation of racers through the Stiegler ski camps. In this episode: Growing up skiing in Jackson Hole Making the U.S. Ski Team at 15 What World Cup racing really feels like Olympic pressure vs. World Cup racing Injuries, resilience, and longevity in the sport Passing skiing on to the next generation If you enjoy conversations with the people who shape ski culture, follow Fresh Corduroy and share the episode with a friend who loves skiing as much as you do.

What does it take to build one of the most successful programs in NCAA ski racing? In this episode of Fresh Corduroy, host Craig Zolan sits down with legendary Dartmouth coach Peter Dodge for an inside look at the world of college ski racing, athlete development, and the pathway from junior racing to the World Cup. Peter grew up skiing in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, rose through the ranks of the U.S. Ski Team, narrowly missed the 1980 Olympics, and then spent nearly a decade on Bob Beattie’s World Pro Tour—winning both Rookie of the Year and Pro Skier of the Year. He later spent 33 years as head coach of the Dartmouth ski team, helping develop generations of NCAA champions, Olympians, and World Cup racers. In this conversation, Peter shares how collegiate skiing really works behind the scenes—and what ski parents and young racers often misunderstand about the path to racing in college. In this episode: • How Dartmouth became a destination for U.S. Ski Team athletes like Tommy Ford, AJ Hurt, Nina O’Brien, and Olympic gold medalist Tanguy Neff • The truth about NCAA ski recruiting and how athletes actually get noticed by college coaches • Why ski academies have become central to the U.S. ski racing development pipeline • The relationship between college ski programs and the U.S. Ski Team—and how it could work better • Peter Dodge’s coaching philosophy and how he helped athletes reach peak performance • The story behind Dartmouth winning five consecutive NCAA slalom championships • The future of college skiing and NCAA alpine racing If you're a ski racer, ski parent, coach, or fan of the sport, this episode offers rare insight into how collegiate ski racing works—and why it remains one of the most important pathways in American skiing. Follow Fresh Corduroy on Apple Podcasts to hear more conversations with the athletes, coaches, and innovators shaping the future of skiing.

What does ski racing really look like outside the World Cup spotlight? In this episode, Craig sits down with Elsa Powell, creator of the YouTube channel Fall Liners, which documents the unfiltered journey of British athletes chasing Europa Cup starts, FIS points, and long-term Olympic goals. Elsa shares how she went from racer to filmmaker, why she launched the project in 2024, and what it takes to follow self-funded athletes across Europe — from van rides and wax rooms to the emotional volatility of a sport where a podium doesn’t always mean progress. They discuss: The structure of British ski racing and funding realities The brutal competitiveness of Europa Cup FIS points, ranking systems, and why finishing 70th can be a win Filming vulnerable moments without crossing the line Building a niche sports media platform from scratch If you care about ski racing, athlete development, or the behind-the-scenes realities of high-performance sport, this conversation offers a rare inside look at the level just below the World Cup. Follow Fresh Corduroy and share the episode with someone who loves the journey behind the results.

When people think about collegiate ski racing, they think NCAA. But every winter, nearly 5,000 athletes compete through the U.S. Collegiate Ski & Snowboard Association (USCSA) — across alpine, Nordic, snowboard, and freeski disciplines. In this episode, Executive Director Meegan Moszynski and VP of Academic Affairs Jay Moyer break down: • How USCSA differs from NCAA ski programs • Why its team-based format keeps athletes engaged • What a 700-athlete National Championship looks like • Club vs varsity competition • What high school athletes and families should know during the college application process If you’re a skier, snowboarder, parent, or coach exploring college competition pathways, this episode will expand your options — and might change how you think about collegiate snow sports.

Ski patrollers are there before the lifts spin and long after they stop — often invisible on the best days and indispensable on the hardest ones. In this episode, Craig sits down with Stephanie Cox, CEO of the National Ski Patrol, to pull back the curtain on what ski patrol really does. They discuss: What it takes to become a ski patroller — from medical training to high-stakes toboggan rescues The difference between volunteer and paid patrol models Why most patrollers stay involved for 20+ years How NSP supports mental health and resilience after traumatic incidents The recent headlines around ski patrol labor disputes — and where NSP fits in Efforts to recruit the next generation of patrollers Whether you’ve never needed ski patrol — or you’ll never forget the day you did — this conversation will give you a new appreciation for the red jackets on your home mountain. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow skier and don’t forget to thank a ski patroller next time you’re on snow.

In her return to Fresh Corduroy, Annika Hunt reflects on a whirlwind stretch of her career—making her first World Cup starts, racing on the sport’s biggest stage, managing nerves and expectations, and navigating injury just as momentum was building. Annika opens up about what it really feels like to arrive at the highest level: lining up against her role models, dealing with DNFs, racing at home in front of family and fans, and learning how mindset and flow play a central role in performance. We also talk about recovery, visualization, and confidence, and how stepping back—sometimes forcibly—can clarify what matters most when you’re chasing long-term goals at the top of the sport.

Raphael Lessard’s path to the World Cup wasn’t linear—and that’s exactly what makes it so compelling. In this episode of Fresh Corduroy, World Cup speed skier Raphael Lessard joins the show to break down his journey from ski racing in Quebec, through Burke Mountain Academy, formative years racing in Europe, and a deliberate return to North America to ski for the University of Utah. Along the way, he balanced NCAA competition, international racing, and a demanding academic path that included internships in financial services. We talk about winning the overall NorAm title, earning a full slate of World Cup starts, scoring his first World Cup points with a top-20 Super-G in Val Gardena, and navigating the mental and physical challenges of injury and recovery. Raphael also offers rare insight into speed-ski development—covering intentional training, visualization, race-day preparation, and why college skiing can be a powerful part of a World Cup trajectory. A thoughtful, honest conversation with an athlete who approaches ski racing with both patience and purpose.

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 checklists How ski racing in the U.S. has changed—and where it still needs work The rise of laceration injuries and stop-the-bleed response on snow Sit-skiing, adaptive equipment costs, and access to chairlifts Why international safety education is the next frontier This 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 systems College skiing vs. the full-time World Cup path Competing independently and returning to the U.S. Ski Team Her evolution as a Super-G and downhill skier How she thinks about World Cup success versus Olympic success The mental, financial, and personal realities of elite ski racing This 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-COVID Season passes, consolidation, and the role of independent “local” ski areas Public lands, the U.S. Forest Service, and how ski areas operate on federal land Climate change, snowmaking innovation, and sustainability efforts Workforce housing challenges in mountain towns Safety culture, restraint bars, and skier responsibility Why collaboration—not competition—keeps the industry healthy This 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 them Why experience doesn’t always equal safety The role of human factors in avalanche accidents What resort skiers should understand about snow science How avalanche education has evolved — and where gaps remain Whether 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 climate A must-listen for anyone who loves skiing—and wants to understand the technology that makes the sport possible.