Author Archives: Heidi Voelker

Summertime in Park City

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Only 8 days until school is out, which means summertime for the kids and back to being a full-time Mom. Do we ever have time off? Nope.

Our summer “line up” is looking good for the boys. Lucas starts off with the Park City Town Shootout (lacrosse), then off to ski camp, then back for Eliteam in Park City, then back east for another lacrosse camp in Stowe, VT. Stefan’s schedule includes lacrosse with 212 camp in Park City, Lego Minecraft camp, Eliteam in Vermont and Nike lacrosse camp. Then we’ll go south to Cape Cod after Vermont a trip to the St. Lawrence River in Canada. We land back in Utah in August and stay home saying, “phew” and enjoy the few weeks before school begins all over again.

Before the school doors close (and my kids have a dream summertime schedule), I took part in Park City’s fourth annual “Running With Ed” on Saturday, May 18, 2013. This is a 38-mile relay race that raises money for our local school system. It’s great fun for a great cause. My team this year included: Simone Nixon, Kathy Pederson, Amanda Greene, Michelle Szwajkun and moi. Let’s just say I was the weakest link! Our team raised over $2,000 and this year’s event has raised over $150,000. Not too bad for some fun and exercise!

Personally, I think we had the best costumes with inspiration coming from the Dr. Seuss book, “GO Dog Go”. 2013 Thanks in part to Simone Nixon who came up with the idea. Last year we were “The Running Crayons,” another great theme. 2012I certainly don’t contribute in creativity or to the seven minute mile that everyone else runs!  I’m running for the cause, to be the comedic relief and keeping it non-competitive, (ha-ha). When I woke up Saturday morning, it was pouring rain. Always trying to stay positive, I thought, “at least it’s not snowing!” The weather managed to hold out considering what it had been early that morning. I ended up running in the rain and I must admit it was actually very pleasant! To top it off, we placed third overall for costume and third in the women’s division!

During the summer I try to fit in some hikes with the dog and, my favorite, road biking between shuttling and traveling with the kids. I also try and hit the little white ball and pretend I’m a golfer. Luckily my friends know about my love of the game but I don’t think they realized how much I love it until the other night at dinner. I always tell them about the going-ons from the “Golf Channel” which is on at my house 24/7. Seriously. They think I’m crazy, but I may be the epitome of a “fan/admirer.” My friends are nice enough to listen to me ramble on because they know the game of golf is challenging and I’m hooked on it. While we were having dinner at a local restaurant I looked over and I said, “that‘s Mark O’Meara” they all rolled their eyes and asked who? Are you kidding me? I rattle off some stats confirmed with a friend talking to him. It ended up being the best day ever. Yes, I had spotted my first celeb sighting!photo (37)

Since the summer is just beginning. I’ll continue to keep you posted with the activities and happenings that fill my days until winter rolls back around. No, I’m not ready to be on skis just yet. I need to exercise and get ready for the fall, but I promise to enjoy the warm temperatures of summer. Stay tuned for my next post on my new ski clothing sponsor!

Cheers,

Heidi

 

Dining with Friends at the Seafood Buffet

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SnowballWhere do I begin or where do I stop? Well, it’s easy to know where to stop at Seafood Buffet- the selection of desserts, but how you get there is a different story.

The other night I went to Deer Valley’s Seafood Buffet with my husband and good friends, Pete and Jolie Iacobelli. I can’t remember the last time I dined there. Not one of us left disappointed, eating at the Seafood Buffet is one of the most relaxing ways to dine. It’s a great way to catch up with friends because eating is at your own pace. You go to a food station, come back to your table, talk, and decide when you’re ready to select another station OR repeat the same station because it was so good.

Even though there is a suggested way to visit the stations, there are no specific directions or order you need to follow. We all started with the raw bar of oysters and sushi. After, I went to the grill for steamed clams and mussels. I could be completely satisfied the entire night by staying here and repeating this stop many times.  It reminds me of being on the beach in the summer because when I’m on the Cape that’s all I eat. So much for ski season weight loss after eating at our Deer Valley restaurants! Heck, life is short might as well enjoy the good stuff!

I then followed with the shrimp bisque. Yummy! I think I should challenge someone to see if they can eat everything at the Buffet just once. I wanted to try the Italian soup too, but I knew I needed room for the rest of my wish list. Now this was just my plan (of course it’s always about me) ha, but Tim and Jolie followed my path.  Pete went his own way. He came back to the table with his choices but with a sample of a dessert already! He continued to bring a dessert each time he returned. He is Italian after all.

I then ventured over to the entree station. I am a sushi and fish fan, and I will hands down say the Ahi tuna, seared rare, is best in town! My three dining partners concurred with thumbs up! We all repeated this station a couple of times even though we were trying to pace ourselves. Next came the carvery with duck & prime rib! What is nice are the small, tasting size portions you are given. You can eat a lot and try foods that you may otherwise not.

Finally it’s time for dessert. So many choices again, but my favorite is the Chocolate Snowball.  When I find my favorites, I rarely go off course. Just like Royal Street Cafe’s tuna tacos, I can’t stay away from those!

If I haven’t tempted you to dine at the Seafood Buffet then get out and ski! Start your snow dance and see you on the slopes!

Ski Racing Momma

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IMG_3484I was a race mom again this past weekend and it was great! I think the best part of the weekend race was seeing Lucas aka “Billy Goat” hobble up to the start on crutches to get his little brother organized. He didn’t think I could help (so be it). You can see in the pictures Stefan listened to his brother and big brother was right there cheering him on.

IMG_3488Lucas has had a great attitude even though he has been benched for a few weeks due to his broken leg. All he says every day is, “I want to ski”.  Always having a positive attitude will pay off in the end.

IMG_3848Lucas will be on the slopes soon and the brothers will be back to challenging one another. Ohh the joys of having boys! They just don’t realize Mom can still play.

See you on the slopes!

World Cup and Being a Finish Line Mom

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IMG_6192The 2013 FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup events just finished up at Deer Valley Resort and it reminded me of the good old days.

Frankly, I’m happy not to be in the position of these athletes- in front of a home crowd and wanting to perform to your best. Don’t get me wrong, I know they want to get their personal best of the season, but there is something about competing at home that puts some added pressure on the whole performance. I’m sure they love competing at home, but they would be lying if they say it’s easy. It’s easy that you might get to sleep in your own bed, eat your favorite food and see friends and family that you’ve missed because you’ve been traveling- but that’s why there is an extra bit of heat.

You want to show everyone your best. Sometimes I think athletes might forget (take it from experience), to just focus on the performance and not the outcome. I know how it feels when you want to podium and instead get fourth at home or a top 10 finish. It can be disappointing, but everyone is still proud to see the US athletes compete!

IMG_6835So great job everyone!

Besides watching the next generation of athletes perform, I have another hat. I’m also a finish line Mom. I’m finally in my Mom’s seat- a seat where she watched so many races for her four children. She never skied so that’s why she was always at the finish line, doing the “come to momma.”  Do I get nervous watching my own children, the same as competitors on the World Cup? I would be lying if I said, “no”. It is a bit of a thrill, and I get a few butterflies at this point (my boys are only eight and 11), but, mostly because I want them to have fun. I remember so many times calling my Mom in tears. I just don’t want them to have to experience that, but I’m sure it’s inevitable!

Whether it’s my own children or my friend’s child, it hurts to see disappointment. Hopefully, I can fill my Mom’s shoes and show that results aren’t everything. Yes, they help and are fun, but in the BIG picture there is always something you can gain by just giving your best. Something you don’t realize or understand until you’re out of the “competition world”.

Heidi's son, Stefan, competing

Heidi’s son, Stefan, competing

I also try and make a point when I am at my son’s races to be low key. I missed my son Stefan’s first race this season. Many people said to me, “Oh you must be so bummed!”  Not really, because I know there will be plenty more! But, I know when I am there it’s a bit like the World Cup athletes competing at home. Mom always brings a bit of extra pressure not from my expectations, but other people assuming I’m watching with a fine comb. Although… I did reserve this coming Saturday to watch Stefan race!

Unfortunately for Lucas we won’t know if he gets to race at all this season until February 14 when his cast comes off. But, he will get on skis before the end of the season. That day will bring a smile to him and me. I bet I will have “Mom’s hat” on saying, “go slower”, “take it easy”, “let’s not make too many runs”, but I have a feeling Lucas will take off dancing on his skis!

Congrats to all of the World Cup competitors, volunteers and Deer Valley for putting on a showcase event!

See you on the slopes!

Skiing with Family and Friends

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Happy New Year! Yes, I’m a bit late, but between the holidays, family, working AND a child’s broken tib/fib it’s hard to catch a breath! So it’s time to catch up.

First, my family (both brothers and their families) joined us for the Christmas holidays. There were nine of us living and skiing together. It’s so much fun to ski with them. This is how we started skiing and along the way wives, husbands, nieces and nephews have joined us. The banter between my brothers and I still hasn’t changed. They really think they can beat me, although, I’m not sure they ever did. In fact, the only person around here who has that bragging right is Deer Valley’s own Ski School Instructor, Andi Wieser. He took my time down by .11 after 16 years of pacesetting on the Nastar course. WOW! That’s a long time.

One of the best parts about skiing with the family is watching my nieces get ready and keep up with the group. This is their main ski trip of the year and I have to say, they hold their own. I can’t imagine the fear factor of skiing here in the Wasatch Mountains when they are from New Jersey.  I have nephews that set a quick pace for their cousins. They did a great job, and I think you can see the fun factor in the picture below.

Family Pic
I’ve also been working with my ski sponsor, Blizzard/Tecnica and skiing on my new 2014 skis!  The company needed some photos of the ski tops sheets for upcoming shows and catalogs. (You can see them in an earlier post before the season started.) They ski magnificently and the graphics are sweet looking, don’t you think? It was fun to meet up with the Blizzard/Tecnica group and ski last week. I was able to show them a bit of Deer Valley and spoil them at Royal Street Café for lunch. To tell you the truth, I felt a bit uncomfortable skiing with this crowd of ‘A Teamers’, Marcus Caston, Claire Abbé, Adam Cole, photographer Frank Shine and Joe Dunn, Sports Marketing Director. I think I held my own, but the ages of these skiers really made me feel like their Mom. It would have been fun to ski with my Mom.

IMG_0340 copyIMG_0318 copy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OK- just a quick update on my son, Lucas, who I mentioned at the beginning of the post. He’ll be OK, but got his first taste of being an athlete. His goals for the season have needed to change, but he’ll be back ready and stronger for next season.

And in other news…the new snow has brought great skiing! Take a peek at the video by JF Lanvers below. I think we were all hoping for more snow, but any new snow is good snow! Stay warm and enjoy the slopes. Sundance is in town so you know what that means? We’re in for a snowstorm!  It’s a sure thing- ‘just as hosting a Downhill, it’s guaranteed to snow.  That’s the saying in the ski racing world.

Be safe and see you on the slopes!

NASTAR National Pacesetting

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Its official, the 2012-13 winter season has started with a bang! First, the Celebrity Skifest events, which were followed by the big three-day snowstorm that dropped enough snow to ski the Daly Chutes in Empire.

Most recently, I participated in the NASTAR pacesetting trials at Snowmass.  I go to the national pacesetting trials in order to get a handicap for Deer Valley’s NASTAR racing course. By doing this I can give handicaps to the race crew and I set the pace time every Saturday so it’s as if you’re racing against AJ Kitt who is the NASTAR National Pacesetter.

The NASTAR national pacesetting trials consist of three days of ski races, seeing old athlete friends and ski racing fans.  Of course there is a lot of skiing involved while we are at Snowmass, but there is also time to catch up and recap old time stories.

Bobkie

Bobkie at NASTAR

This picture is me with AJ Kitt, Bobkie (Aka Bob Roll, the Tour de France color commentator and long-time professional bike racer!), my friend Ivan and his son Nicholas. If you think I look as if I never skied before but that’s because I’m having too much fun and not thinking about skiing, my form or even my crooked goggles!

NASTAR Pacestting crew

NASTAR Pacestting crew

But of course, the best part of the pacesetting trials are the ski races and trying to set your best time. Each year, I am reminded that NASTAR is a huge part of skiing culture. It was great to see Ivan’s 10-year-old son skiing so well and enjoying watching everyone else. I can only image he was hoping that someday maybe he’ll be the fastest.

If you’ve never experienced NASTAR, come to race Deer Valley’s race arena at Silver Lake or to any NASTAR course at participating ski areas.  A full list and more info can be found at NASTAR.com.

You’ll get hooked and want to come to the finals with us in the spring! Race fast and most importantly have fun. Ski racing and the NASTAR program has blessed me with the best friendships and memories!

See you on the slopes!

First Powder Day of the Season!

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Empire Bowl on 12/15/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One week into Deer Valley’s 2012-13 season and we were blessed with a powder day! If we keep this pace (and the forecast for the upcoming week looks like we will) it will make for great skiing over the holiday.

I have to admit today’s skiing was a pleasant surprise. Last year, we weren’t able to ski the Empire area and especially the Chutes until mid-January! Yup, we are already a month ahead of ourselves. I met up with some of the locals and ripped a few runs.

This picture certainly isn’t the ” epic” powder shot technically but you can see from the look on my face how fun and excited I was. We took the next picture for fun because we really didn’t know how it was going to be making the first turns of the season in the Daly Chute but at least we could say we were warned.

I’m glad we explored. Come out and see for yourself! If the storms line up as I have been hearing, we are on our way to great skiing.

Heck, just today toppled all of last year!

See you on the slopes.

Opening Weekend and Celebrity SkiFest

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Opening weekend 2012 is officially finished and was successful in all areas. The storm that brought us 6″ of snow on opening day made everyone’s mood electric. I saw big smiles on everyone’s faces. Living in the mountains it is assumed that by December there will be snow on the ground. When the temperatures don’t allow for snow making and the landscape is bare, people start to get grumpy. So our snow storm arrived at the perfect time and was welcomed with open arms.

Opening weekend is paired with the Celebrity Skifest to benefit the Waterkeeper Alliance. In case you didn’t see it on CBS this past Sunday, it’s a celebration of skiing and promotes a great cause, clean water. It was the same musketeers (ahem, skiers), Phil & Steve Mahre, Tommy Moe and me, as in years past. I think I can safely say that we all had a great time and we each skied as fast as we could to beat each other. The competitive adrenaline never goes away.

Heidi and Tommy Moe

There’s something to be said when we all get together. Whether we have shared the same experience of winning an Olympic medal or being at the top of our sport; we have respect for each other and admiration. (Maybe a little more from me towards them.) Whenever I work with these guys and others from the ‘good old days,’ I always have a smile on my face and truly feel blessed that I can still be involved and work with these amazing, successful athletes.

One of the stand-out memories of opening weekend was the Melissa Etheridge benefit concert on Saturday evening at The Montage. WOW, what a voice. She doesn’t even have to sing to know her voice is powerful. She played 7-8 songs and brought the house down.  It was amazing to be so close to someone as they performed. I know I will probably never be able to get that close to a performer at a concert again.

Now that opening weekend is behind us, I have some friends arriving today for 48 hours to
celebrate 12-12-12. I know this date is a neat one, but for a teammate of mine, it represents 25 years from when she had a horrific racing accident. I don’t think there is a better way to celebrate life, as 10 of us old Ski Team-ers get together to ski. I can’t tell you where we will be but you’ll hear us whooping and yelling!

See you on the slopes and keep snow dancing!

Heidi’s Winter Predictions

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I love this time of year. The resorts are opening and the holidays are upon us. I think each day I get a new Christmas list from my youngest son, Stefan. Where’s the Sears catalog? When I was a kid, I remember flipping through that catalog of 1000 plus pages and writing down and ear-marking something from every page.

A few weekends ago we enjoyed Park City Mountain Resort’s opening. Unfortunately, Mother Nature did not cooperate. It hit me on opening day as my eldest son requested to ‘be there before 9 a.m.’ and ski in the “precipitation,” that he really is a skier.  Or maybe he starting to think skiing with Mom just isn’t the cool thing to do anymore! He asked me if I was going to ski, too and my answer was, “I have skied in many days like today and it makes you a better skier, but Mom gets to choose her ski days now.” He asked me what that meant, and I said, “I have put in my time just as you are beginning to put your time in the bank.” He looked at me with an inquisitive look and walked off.

Thankfully we had a great early snow storm. What do I predict for the upcoming season? That we live in the greatest place, have the greatest mountain to ski, greatest community and we will be the number one resort again after the great snow season that is coming. What’s it called? The “calm before the storm.”  Maybe this is the “perfect storm” season brewing. We can only wait and see for now.

I have four days on snow so far and counting. See you on the slopes this weekend!

 

How Heidi Prepares for the Season

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The time is approaching when we all start to anticipate this coming winter. The question being, “is it going to be a big winter?!” I guess time will tell, but anytime on skis is always a good thing.

At this point I’m assessing what equipment I might need to replace and bringing in the new stuff.  I may not be able to predict the snow, but the one thing I can guarantee is my new outfits for this season. I’ll still be skiing in Marker outerwear (my 16th year). This year’s line is really fun and next year’s (yes-I’ve already seen it) is even brighter! I haven’t even worn any of this year’s yet!  My mom loved polka dots so whenever I can, I sport the print, too.

I guess you can call this my purple outfit. I haven’t worn purple before, but this outfit just shouts out CARVING! The coat is tighter fitting and the pants are fun and might even whistle as you ski fast; I’ll probably wear this outfit as I rip up the groomers.

The Blizzard 8.0 ski is made exactly for this type of skiing. It’s a men’s ski because the women’s Agivilate 8.0 doesn’t come in a length long enough for my liking. No, this isn’t because I think I can ski with the men it’s because I skied GS on 205cm back in the day, so I prefer something longer than 165cm. Of course, all my skis will have Marker bindings. I haven’t gotten to mounting my skis or truth be told someone hasn’t mounted my skis yet!

All of my outfits will be with hats and this snowflake hat is made by our very own Mountain Host, Jennie Lewis. They are comfortable and cute!

This might be my favorite outfit. It could be called the “preppy outfit” of skiing. You can tell I don’t mind color or drawing attention to myself!

Last year, as I was walking out of the Lodge, someone said to me, “I hope you know how to ski with that outfit!” For comparison, I merely had polka dot pants on and my Tecnica orange Inferno boots. I can’t wait for this year’s reaction!

The Blizzard Black Pearl ski pictured is, I think, one of the most beautiful skis. I’ll probably be skiing on this these most days because; I love to look at it, but mostly because of the performance. It’s amazing!

The matching headband wasn’t planned, but I’m always one to sport a headband. Watch, they will be back in style soon and it was my signature look when I competed!

Lots of fun again with these colors… I would have never thought of putting lime green and blue together. But it works! Orange and pink together is hot, too. I’ll probably wear this outfit when I’m out skiing with the kids.  The fake fur (green no less) will bring me back to my childhood. This might fare well for a low light and powder day so I don’t get lost! The vest and fleece will be my layering pieces if it’s cold or just worn arriving to the hill and after for après ski. Jennie Lewis’ snowflake hat brings the outfit together along with my Smith goggles with a little bling on the band.

This image speaks for itself. FAST. These boards will be brought out for Saturday’s pacesetting at Nastar, the town race series, Celebrity Skifest opening weekend and for Nastar Finals. I don’t have an outfit displayed because I put together the most areo-dynamite pant and top without having to go to the speed suit. I’m too old to stuff myself into a speed suit and it’s uncomfortable! You’d have to pay me to get into a speed suit. Matter of fact, I like to ski with my coat and pants while on this setup (Marker bindings again) because it slows me down! ha

Again all about fun! I have the polka dots on my hat and the coat buttons. This coat can also be worn with my pink polka dot pants seen in the second photo. Most of my coats & pants can be switched around to maximize the number of different outfits. The green fleece can be used as a layer piece although it might be too warm under the “puffy,” but best used to be comfortable at après ski.

Now for the ski-the Dakota! This ski is really fun and you can ski it hard at the same time. Whether your skiing groomers or 3’ of fresh powder, this is the ski!

So if you recognize any of these outfits on the Deer Valley slopes make sure and come and say “Hi”.

Until December 8 hope for cold temps and lots of snow! See you on the slopes.