The Skippy Report

Jed Kenerson of The USTSA

Jed has a very inspirational story about recovering from a life threatening incident to returning to living a normal life but to racing on the World Cup Telemark circuit.  Jed also shares his Telemark Tale about growing up in Sugar Hill, New Hampshire and learning to ski before he could really walk, and growing up in a Telemark family. Enjoy!

Helen Burkart episode of "The Women in Telemark Skiing" series

Helen Burkart shares her Telemark Tale in this episode of "The Women in Telemark Skiing" series. I became aware of Helen through Instagram, this past winter, and what she was doing, at Belleayre Ski Resort in New York State. Helen Lives and works in the Catskills of New York, however she hails from the Lake Tahoe area of California, growing up and skiing at Heavenly Ski Resort, most of her life. This past winter was Helen's second full year skiing on Telemark gear and is loving it so much that she wants to give back and share the excitement of the new set of skills that some good friends have helped her develop, by hosting Telemark meet-ups at Belleayre Mountain, most importantly, Helen is encouraging women to join her and her crew to ski together and have fun!  This was a fun episode, I hope you enjoy it!

Gary McGuffin, Paddler and Telemark skier extraordinaire

Wow! This will be one of my all-time favourite interviews.  I had the opportunity to sit down with Gary McGuffin, of The McGuffins paddling duo fame.  Gary is a Canadian paddling Legend, photographer, Telemark skier, Nature Conservator, and well-known author. Gary shares his Telemark/Nordic tale, from a very young age to today. As well, he chronicles how growing up in rural Southwestern Ontario and summering in Northern Ontario informed his choices later in life, schooling, activities, and the meeting with Joanie, his lifelong partner, while attending Seneca College and how they made a life of adventure together. They live just outside of Searchmont, Ontario where they continue to be very active in the paddling scene, and very importantly with land/shoreline conservancy of the Lake Superior environs.  Gary and Joanie are founding members of The Lake Superior Watershed Conservancy. He shares why this Conservancy is so important to he and Joanie as well as to other Canadians. I hope you enjoy this episode, which is hopefully only the first of a few more.

Sophie Studd episode of "The Women in Telemark Skiing" series

Sophie Studd, a level 4 Telemark Instructor and examiner and Alpine Instructor with The Australian Professional Ski Instructors shares her Telemark tale with us. She also shares her backstory of how a Brit ends up teaching skiing and living Down Under, as well as being part of the flight crew for an airway that specializes in flying Scientists in and out of The Antarctic. We may also geek out on Telemark ski instruction and biomechanics in this episode, no surprise there.  Enjoy!

Robin MacIntyre and Enn Poldmaa of Bellevue Valley Lodge

Meet Robin and Enn, owners and hosts of Bellevue Valley Lodge in Searchmont, Ontario, in this episode.  Bellevue Valley Lodge is the premiere backcountry ski destination here in Northern Ontario, Canada.  Listen to Robin and Enn's backstory and Telemark Tale in this episode.  Learn about the allure of the North and why people fall in love with this year round playground destination. Enjoy!