Kate Olson Interview
She's Colorado to the core, but this 20-year-old is ready to soar. As a Boulder native, Kate Olson knows that the mountains are where it's at in life. If she's not looking for fresh tracks and burley lines in her favorite backcountry stash, East Vail, she's searching the globe for bigger peaks and fresher snow. Her travels have taken her from New Zealand to France, with some school along the way and big-mountain competitions every chance she gets. This past season, Kate took home first place at the Helly Hansen Winter Ride Grands Montets and a fifth place finish at the Verbier Ride. Her drug of choice (telemark or alpine skis) depends on the day, but her addiction to pow stands unwavered. After an Internet stalker tipped us off with a few well-placed pictures in our email, POWDER decided to find out what makes this skier chick tick.
POWDER: For starters, why do you compete?
Olson: I like the challenge. I'm a very competitive person. But even more, it's cool to meet other skiers and watch everyone step it up.
POWDER: You've competed and done well in several European and New Zealand big-mountain competitions; have you done any North American?
Olson: I have never done any North American competitions, but that's the plan for this year, specifically the IFSA North American Tour and the Aspen Freeride Series.
POWDER: Do you believe big-mountain competitions help progress the level of women's skiing?
Olson: Definitely. The more women that compete in big-mountain and freesking competitions, the more the industry will respond and manufacture aggressive women's skis. I used to ride on 160cm 1080's, then one day someone handed me a pair of skis 10cm longer and nearly twice as wide. I was blown away by the difference, and I have never looked back. Competition also helps get more women involved in the sport. The more women you have competing, the higher the level of competition, and in turn, an overall higher level of skiing. It's awesome to see more and more women getting into a sport dominated by men.
POWDER: In your opinion, what's the worst thing about competing? Best thing?
Olson: The worst thing about competing is the waiting. When I was in Verbier, we stood at the top of the face for seven hours because the clouds kept rolling in and the judges couldn't see the face. Instead of calling it, or letting us go ski, we just stood at the top freezing and waiting. Finally, at the end of the day they said that we would run first thing the next morning. It sucked to have stood up there all day looking at fresh powder and not being able to ski it. The best thing about competing: free hoodies.
POWDER: How did you end up in New Zealand and France?
Olson: The motivation should be obvious: they are two of the most beautiful locations on the planet, not to mention the fact that they both have phenomenal skiing. I went to New Zealand on a study abroad program through Denver University. I got to ski tons, and hang out with the crazy Kiwi's. It was awesome. Then I took half a year off to go live in Chamonix and pursue two things I love: skiing and French. I went to a language school where I was the only American amidst a sea of Swedes (that's a whole other story), and skied practically every day. I had the time of my life, and plan on returning the second I finish school.
POWDER: If you could ski anywhere, where would it be?
Olson: There are so many places I want to go ski: Russia, Japan, Alaska, South America. But my next somewhat local destination is Mt. Rainier. I want to summit and descend the Fuhrer Finger to the Nisqually Glacier. It's a 10,400-foot ski descent that is fairly technical.
POWDER: What was your scariest ski experience?
Olson: I took a bad fall in Chamonix this past March. I hit exposed glacier ice and fell 500 feet down a 48-degree face. It was the most out-of-control fall I have ever taken. When I finally stopped, I looked back up to see a rather impressive yard sale, and a nice little bershrund I had gapped during my fall.
POWDER: What was your worst ski injury?
Olson: My worst ski injury came from that fall. I dislocated my shoulder and broke my humorous. I was back on skis within two weeks. However, I once managed to stick my ski pole through my face after I landed on the flat part of a tabletop.