Racing Through the Season!
As February comes to a close, we’re celebrating an incredible month of ski racing and team spirit! Our athletes have been pushing their limits on the slopes, competing at Monarch, Angel Fire, Crested Butte, Wolf Creek, and Flagstaff. With the competition season in full swing, we couldn’t be more thrilled with the dedication and support from our teams, coaches, and, of course, the incredible parents who make it all possible.
Thank you for being part of this amazing journey, let’s keep the momentum going as we charge ahead into the next races!
TWST Special Olympics Team Heads to State!
The TWST Special Olympics Team is gearing up for an exciting trip to Copper Mountain for the Colorado State Special Olympics Winter Games on March 1st and 2nd! Our athletes have been training diligently every week since January, and the anticipation for this incredible event is at an all-time high.
The weekend will kick off with a special athletes’ procession, featuring a dedication, the lighting of the Olympic cauldron, a torchlight parade, and fireworks—setting the stage for an unforgettable experience. Saturday night, the celebration continues with a dance and costume party for all participants.
Our athletes will be competing in Giant Slalom (GS) and Slalom (SL), and they are more than ready to give it their all on the slopes.
Stay tuned for competition results, let’s cheer them on!
Gateway/Devo – Gearing Up for Competition!
Although Gateway/Devo has only met six times so far this season, we’ve been making the most of our time on the mountain! Our athletes have been working hard on skill development, taking trips to The Ridge, and preparing for the competition season ahead.
On Saturday, February 8th, Gateway/Devo joined the Alpine Race crew on Firlefanze for a Giant Slalom training session. This was in preparation for our first NM Fun Race at Angel Fire on March 1st. This race is mandatory for all Gateway/Devo skiers, and there will be no training at TSV that day. More details can be found on the Stack App.
In addition, several of our Gateway skiers had the opportunity to join Ski Patrol for Jr. Ski Patrol Day—an exciting experience with some fantastic pictures now online!
A special shoutout to Chris Vinella and his group, who have been working hard and using video analysis to refine their technique.
With competition season kicking off in March, we’ll have even more exciting updates next month. Keep cheering us on—Gateway/Devo is ready to race!
Flagstaff Southern Series – Slalom Race Recap
The Flagstaff Southern Series Race marked the second of three races in the Southern Series, featuring a two-day Slalom event on February 1st and 2nd. Our scored athletes (U14 and older) competed in two-run combined races, while unscored athletes had two individual races each day.
Day 1 Highlights
- U14 Women: Phoebe Snow – 4th place
- U16 Women: Ella Knaus – 6th place
- U16 Men: Konik Pearl – 3rd overall, 2nd in age group
- U14 Men: Oliver Mosby – 3rd in age group
- U12 Girls: Emma, Ama, Esme, and June all landed in the top 10
- U12 Boys: Joseph Madrid and Declan Macdavitt secured top 10 finishes
- U10 Boys: Streeter Kastrin – 5th place
Day 2 Highlights
- U14 Women: Phoebe Snow put together an incredible performance to land 3rd place, while Ella Knaus finished 8th.
- U16 Women: Kate Gutow and Sofia Ortiz Amdur, new to the race program, showed major time improvements from Day 1.
- U16 Men: Konik Pearl had a tough first run but bounced back with the 2nd fastest run overall, earning 2nd place in his age group.
- U14 Boys: Owen Knaus and Oliver Mosby had tough first runs and didn’t finish but enjoyed a strong second run.
- U12 Girls:
- Ama Mithoefer – 8th place, June Thornton – 9th place
- Emma Mosby and Esme Fulbright faced challenges, but Emma rebounded in Run 2 to finish 7th.
- U12 Boys: Declan Macdavitt – 7th place, Joseph Madrid – 9th place
- U10 Boys: Streeter Kastrin finished 5th in Run 1 and 6th in Run 2
Congratulations to all our athletes! Your determination and hard work continue to shine on the slopes. Onward to the final race in the series!
Masters Race Program Update
The Masters Race Program continues to thrive, bringing together 20 active athletes ranging in age from their 20s to 80s. This dedicated group has traveled far and wide, competing in races from Red River to Soldier Mountain, Idaho, for Nationals.
Training & Competition
- Weekly training sessions on Sundays at Totemoff and Wednesdays on Firlefranz.
- Athletes of all levels, from those new to racing gates to seasoned pros.
- Supportive team environment—veteran racers mentor and encourage newcomers.
- Everyone works together to set up and tear down courses, fostering a cooperative atmosphere.
- Courses are set by a Level 400 certified coach, ensuring a high-quality training experience.
Whether pushing for the podium or just enjoying the thrill of the gates, fun is always at the heart of the Masters Program!
TWST Athletes Dominate Across Multiple Competitions!
Our athletes have been making waves across Wolf Creek, Telluride, Crested Butte, and Taos, delivering impressive performances and landing podium finishes in some of the season’s most exciting freeride events.
Wolf Creek JR 2*
- 14 athletes and three coaches represented TWST at Wolf Creek.
- U12 athletes competed on Alberta Peak, with standout performances:
- Norah Kelly took 1st place in her first-ever IFSA-sanctioned Freeride competition!
- Greta Swim and Asher Tawil finished 7th in their respective categories.
- Zayden Buck, Truely Barady, and Rylan Davidson had strong runs despite challenges on the course.
Telluride J3*
- Ava Wannamaker placed 5th, and Aksel Boukhalfa finished 6th in the 2* event.
- J3* Qualifiers:
- Sheamus Campbell – 5th, Dusty Elsasser – 7th, Grey Elsasser – 11th advanced to finals.
- Kiana, Liam, and Aksel had unfortunate falls in the qualifier.
- Ari Kolman and Malik skied well but missed the finals.
- Finals:
- Sheamus finished 11th after getting caught on a rock.
- Grey attempted a 360 but fell.
- Dusty landed a 360 but lost a ski on impact.
Crested Butte U12 & J2*
- Kiana took 1st place, making a strong comeback after missing finals in Telluride.
- Ava Wannamaker – 4th, Bryn Montano – 6th, Zayden Buck – 14th, and Hank Scanlan – 15th had solid performances.
- Ian McLean suffered a knee injury after a huge air—please wish him well!
Taos U12 Freeride Competition
- It was exciting to have an IFSA Freeride competition back in Taos!
- Norah Kelly secured her second consecutive win!
- Truely Barady took 2nd, and Zayden Buck placed 5th despite being a tough day for the U12 boys.
Taos Vol. 1 JR 2*
- U15 Ski Girls Podium Sweep!
- Valentina Johnson – 1st, Bryn Montano – 2nd, Greta Schilling – 3rd
- Meena Galer – 5th, while Ava Wannamaker had an incredible run but fell near the finish.
- U15 Ski Boys:
- Sheamus Campbell – 2nd, Milan Vega-Carp – 10th (his first Freeride competition!), Hank Scanlan – 14th, Paulo Montano – 15th
- U19 Ski Girls: Mara Campbell – 2nd place finish!
- U19 Ski Boys:
- Ari Kolman – 5th, Sasho McDowell – 9th, Max Oliver – 12th
Taos Vol. 2 JR 2* (February 25)
- Another successful and sunny competition day!
- U15 Ski Boys:
- Grey Elsasser – 2nd, Cale Baryza – 5th for a fast, technical run.
- U19 Ski Girls: Mara Campbell – 3rd place, landing on the podium again!
- U19 Ski Boys:
- Dusty Elsasser took home the GOLD!
- TWST secured a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finish in different age categories, with Dusty, Grey, and Mara all stepping onto the podium.
Congratulations to all our athletes!
Your resilience, skill, and determination continue to shine on the slopes. Keep charging—next up, more podiums!
Taos Woman
Supporting Taos Women – On and Off the Slopes
Our team is proud to support Taos women, our incredible female staff, and all female athletes who continue to push boundaries and inspire us every day. While we weren’t able to get all of our amazing female coaches in this year’s photo, we made do with those we could gather last minute—because every woman in our community plays a vital role in our success.
“She believed she could, so she did.” – R.S. Grey
Here’s to the strength, dedication, and passion of women in winter sports!
Woodward-Copper
We are thrilled to invite you to join the TWST Free Ride Team at the Woodward Copper Ski Camp from July 6–11, 2025! This exciting summer camp offers athletes the unique opportunity to develop their skiing skills, build confidence, and bond with teammates, all while enjoying the world-class facilities at Woodward Copper. https://www.coppercolorado.com/lessons-rentals/woodward-summer-camp/camp-overview
Camp Details:
- Dates: July 6–11, 2025- Week 6
- Location: Woodward Copper, Copper Mountain, Colorado
- Activities: Ski coaching sessions, trampoline and foam pit training, team-building activities, and access to Woodward’s state-of-the-art action sports facilities.
- Price: Woodward $2595 (discount of $400 for team which is credited by Woodward after registration of our team.)
We are excited to share that Coach John Caylor will be leading the team throughout the week, bringing his expertise and energy to ensure a memorable experience for every athlete.
Why Attend?
This camp is ideal for athletes looking to enhance their skills and prepare for the upcoming season. It’s also a fantastic chance for athletes to refine their techniques and connect with their teammates in a focused yet fun environment.
Scholarship Options: There are two scholarship options. The first is directly from TWST. The second is through Woodward. Descriptions and application deadlines are shown below.
(1) TWST Woodward Scholarship Fund
The Woodward Scholarship Fund, generously established by Ian and Cullen McLean and Jimmy Hayslip, is proud to support talented TWST athletes. This year, two scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded to deserving athletes who demonstrate exceptional potential both on and off the slopes. The scholarship is available to those athletes participating with the team from July 6-11, 2025, at Woodward Copper.
TWST Woodward Scholarship Criteria:
- Open to current TWST athletes
- Two scholarships of $1,000 will be awarded
- Applicants must demonstrate financial need
- Candidates must submit a compelling essay detailing their commitment to:
- Team leadership
- Supporting future Woodward Scholarship fundraising efforts
Interested athletes are invited to apply by highlighting their passion for the team, their financial circumstances, and their vision for contributing to the TWST community. This scholarship represents more than financial support – it’s an opportunity to become a true ambassador for the Taos Winter Sports Team.
Application (demonstration of financial need and athlete essay) must be submitted to Kristi Vine by March 1, 2025. Selections will be announced by March 30, 2025.
(2) Woodward Scholarship Deadline is 4:00pm MST on April 1st, 2025
Application will be available by Jan. 31st: https://www.coppercolorado.com/lessons-rentals/woodward-summer-camp/scholarships/application
All information provided will be held strictly confidential and will not be used for any other purpose. False information will result in your being disqualified for a scholarship. Please review and complete the scholarship application along with all documents carefully. Your application will not be processed until all documents are received.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
· One letter from parent/guardian explaining financial need
· One letter from applicant/child explaining why they want to come to camp
· One letter from mentor (teacher, pastor, coach, etc.) stating why applicant should be chosen to receive a scholarship & things applicant has done to deserve selection
Next Steps:
To secure your spot, please confirm your athlete’s participation as soon as possible, but no later than Feb 1, 2025 to Ted Elsasser sustainablebuilders1@gmail.com and Kristin Swim kristinjswim@gmail.com and register your athlete directly with Woodward Copper for the Week 6 session. Space is limited, and we want to ensure that all interested families can participate. Additional details regarding travel logistics and packing recommendations will be provided upon confirmation.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions or for more information. We look forward to seeing you and your athletes at Woodward Copper this summer for an incredible week of growth, adventure, and camaraderie. Let’s make this summer unforgettable—see you on the slopes!
Gear up for the Season
This season TWST has puffy blankets for sale. Puffy blankets will be available for $88. These will be perfect on those very cold days when are athletes are holding at the top of a venue or start gate. In addition to puffy blankets, TWST hats and Girl Power T-shirts are available for $25 and $20, respectively. Please contact Emily Lee Roberts at Admin@taoswintersportsteam.com for all your team swag. These make perfect holiday gifts.
A Huge Success – Winter Raffle Wrap-Up!
We are thrilled to announce the incredible success of our Winter Raffle, which culminated Sunday, February 16th at 4:00 PM on the Martini Tree Deck. The event was filled with excitement, delicious Taos Ice Cream cones (with sprinkles!), and plenty of free swag from Armada, K2, and TWST—creating a festive atmosphere for all.
Thanks to the generosity of our amazing community and the dedication of our team, we raised an astounding $25,560 for our Scholarship Programs! This achievement would not have been possible without the support of our generous donors:
- The Blake and Taos Ski Valley
- Taos Country Club
- Taos Tennis at Quail Ridge
- Erica Cobb and K2
- Le Ski Mastery
- Maria Samora Jewelry
- REVO
- Taos Tap Room
- KINKO Gloves
- Jill Gores Massage
Congratulations to Our Lucky Winners!
- The Blake Stay VACA – Ciara & Andy Faber
- Taos Country Club Round of Golf (for Two, with cart) – Bill Mook
- Taos Tennis at Quail Ridge – Summer 2025 Pool Membership – Ari Kolman
- K2 Skis & Binding – Angela Pacheco
- Blizzard Jr. Rustler Skis – Truly Barady
- Maria Samora Earrings – Ronald Yachinvich
- REVO Goggles & Hat – Joey Montano
- Taos Tap Room Gift Card – Whitney Shilling
- KINKO Gloves – Tori Martinez
- Jill Gores Massage – Lance Micell
- CIDS Gift Card – Lily Dumrese
- CIDS Gift Card – Mugzy
- TWST 2025/26 Season Program Fees – Fred Shilling
A huge thank you to everyone who participated, donated, and worked tirelessly to make this event a success. Your support helps ensure that more athletes have the opportunity to experience the joy of winter sports. See you on the slopes!
Need Assistance?
Parents and athletes are welcome to reach out directly to coaches if you need assistance. Below is contact information for key staff and coaches.
Julian LaCome-Race- race@taoswintersportsteam.com
Andrea Krejci-Freeride- freeride@taoswintersportsteam.com
Sydney Dunton- Snowboard- duntonsydney1@gmail.com
Jude Arvidson-Devo/Gateway- devo@taoswintersportsteam.com
Peter Donahue – Adaptive and Special Olympics- edu@taoswintersportsteam.com
Jeff Mugelston- Masters – trainingmaster@taoswintersportsteam.com
Kristi Vine – Executive Director- director@tasowintersportsteam.com
Emily Lee Roberts-Administrative- admin@taos.wintersportsteam.com
Bob Heflin- President Board of Directors- turbobob@newmex.com
I want to acknowledge and apologize if we’ve missed coverage of any events you attended. Your input is invaluable, and I encourage you to share summaries of events you’d like to see highlighted in future editions.
This newsletter thrives on your contributions, so if you have success stories, photos, or general announcements to share, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Email your submissions to paulaknepper@gmail.com—we’d love to feature them!
Thank you for helping make this newsletter a vibrant and engaging resource for our community.
