Carrie Jo Chernoff

I am honored and excited to be a Colorado FreeSkier team member.  This year should prove to be an exciting and amazing ski season.  My focus this year is to compete on the IFSA free skiing circuit, get into shooting for films and most importantly continue to coach the little rippers at the Crested Butte academy.

I really didn’t get into skiing as a main passion or way of life until college.  Up until that point I was a vacation skier from the east coast of Maryland and a weekend at the Poconos was the extent of my ski season.  We made it “out west” a few times when I was in High school and I was hooked and obsessed about getting back to the “real Mountains” ASAP!!   My time growing up was dedicated to Karate and equestrian.  I started Karate when I was six and continued until I was 18.  I feel my success in skiing comes directly from my Martial Arts training.  I was taught focus, dedication and the mental aspect of sport at a young age.   College became my justification to move to Colorado and I did just that.  Starting at Western State College in Gunnison, CO in 1992 was where my passion for skiing was able to flourish into more than a hobby and from that came just lots of time on skis (and as my freshman GPA proved not much time at the library).  I was able to pull it together and find a balance of getting an education and plenty of ski time and graduated in 1997.  My path at that time was to continue on to Law School and chase the “American Dream???”, but my heart was defiantly telling me NO and nothing about that plan felt right so I blew it off and moved to Utah to wait tables and ski waist deep pow everyday!  That felt oh so right.  Four winters there and still spending my summers in Crested Butte I decided to give Jackson Hole a try, I tuned skis at Pepi Stieglers and continued to ski amazing powder and insane terrain everyday.  Before my return to a full time Buttian, I spent a spring up in Valdez and experienced the Ultimate “when I die I hope this is Heaven”.

My return to Crested Butte was a hard choice, not the Champagne 3foot Utah dumps or the crazy vert and wide open skiing of Jackson, but Crested Butte had my heart and I have never found a town with more soul.  So here I am working as a Massage Therapist, personal trainer, fitness instructor, free skiing coach and competitive skier.  Last year I managed to squeeze out a US free skiing series title and am hopeful for another great season.  My biggest accomplishments and proudest moments are ones where I have helped others recognize their own potential and move beyond their own personal limitations to achieve their goals and dreams – whatever they may be.  That is an amazing feeling!  When I need a little  inspiration in my skiing I always look to my father who is a US boxing coach and seeing the dedication of his athletes, mostly inner city kids with nothing who never let their story and past stand in the way of their passion for boxing. That really puts it into perspective for me.  “Whatever it takes plus 150% more”.  My biggest lesson from my parents is to focus on living totally present in the moment with the highest integrity and your heart wide open to every experience, and you will lead the life you are meant to lead.  .  Namaste, and see ya on the hill!

~Carrie