
Hosted by The Ski Moms · EN
Family Ski Trip Tips, Ski Resort Insights, Ski Gear Reviews & Ski Travel Stories from Ski Industry Experts and Mountain Moms
The Ski Moms podcast is an award winning weekly (in winter) podcast in our 5th season with over 150 episodes! Join hosts Sarah and Nicole every week as they welcome ski mom guests from ski industry insiders to experienced mountain moms, sharing knowledge, stories, and lessons from the slopes. Whether you're planning your first family ski trip, looking for ski resort recommendations, or seeking advice on ski gear and techniques, you'll find practical tips and inspiration here. We cover everything from beginner skiing tips to navigating ski season with kids, making winter sports accessible and enjoyable for the whole family. Ready to make this your family's best ski season yet? Tune in and discover how to get your crew to the mountain confident, prepared, and excited to return for more adventures!
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Send us Fan MailIn this episode, the Ski Moms sit down with Cindy Dady, CEO of Sunlight Mountain Resort in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Cindy brings 45 years of ski industry experience — from teaching toddlers on the bunny hill to becoming the first female general manager in Colorado not serving as an owner-operator. She shares what drew her to Sunlight, why this independent mountain is a must-visit for families, and how she's leading the resort through its biggest capital investment since 1966.Cindy walks us through Sunlight's welcoming terrain (70 trails, 720 acres), its centralized and stress-free base area, and the resort's commitment to unreasonable hospitality. She also opens up about her career journey, the mentors who shaped her, and what a typical powder day looks like when you're the CEO who greets every guest at the lift.ResourcesSunlight Mountain Resort: https://www.sunlightmtn.comSunlight Ski & Bike Shop (Glenwood Springs): https://www.sunlightmtn.com/ski-bike-shopIndy Pass: https://www.indyskipass.comColorado Ski Country: https://www.coloradoski.comFly into: Eagle/Vail (EGE) – 25 min from Glenwood Springs; Aspen (ASE); Grand Junction (GJT); or Denver (DEN)Key Quotes"We provide unreasonable hospitality to every single guest that comes. We're the Cheers bar of ski areas — everybody knows everybody.""Every single trail leads back to the base. You will always end up in the same spot.Stop by Salem, Woburn, or Framingham, and head to skihaus.com to check store hours and get exact locations. Register by August 15, 2026, and use code SKIMOMSRETREAT to save $100 on your trip.Visit www.theskimoms.co/events to see the 2027 lineup and reserve your spot. Get the best gear recommendations and trip-planning tips directly to your inbox. Head to skimom.substack.com to subscribe. Join for free—or upgrade for all the premium perks. Premium subscriptions start at just $5 a month and get to listen ad-free and unlock exclusive content, including insider travel guides, packing lists and more. Support the showKeep up with the Latest from the Ski Moms!Website: www.theskimoms.coSki Moms Discount Page: https://www.theskimoms.co/discountsSki Moms Ski Rental HomesJoin the 13,000+ Ski Moms Facebook GroupInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskimoms/Send us an email and let us know what guests and topics you’d like to hear next! Sarah@skimomsfun.comNicole@skimomsfun.com

Send us Fan MailKristin Ruud is the founder of Northern Classics, an outdoor clothing brand that blends timeless, elevated aesthetics with high-performance technical outerwear for kids. A University of Michigan business school graduate, Kristin's career took her through financial consulting, hedge fund management, and commercial construction before an entrepreneurial spark and three kids under one and a half during COVID led her to launch Northern Classics. In this episode, Kristin shares how she identified a gap in the children's ski apparel market: technical gear that was either purely functional or purely cute, but never both. Kristin opens up about the challenges of building a brand from scratch with no apparel background, the power of community and customer feedback, and what it's like to see her designs "in the wild" on the slopes out west. As a mom of four (twins almost 7, a 5-year-old, and a 3-year-old), Kristin brings both personal credibility and infectious joy to everything she creates.Notable Quotes:"I always say I'm selling — I am my own customer.""I try really hard to keep my kids at the forefront. I mean, they were the inspiration behind this brand."Resources:Northern Classics Website: northernclassics.comRetailers: Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, Over the Moon, Maisonette, Janie and Jack, select REI stores, and ski shops nationwideInstagram: @NorthernClassicsEmail: info@northernclassics.comDon't miss the Annual Tent Sale, happening August 7th through 9th at the Woburn store only. The sale kicks off Friday at 5 p.m. and continues all weekend, just in time for Massachusetts Tax-Free Weekend.Stop by Salem, Woburn, or Framingham, and head to skihaus.com to check store hours and get exact locations. Register by August 15, 2026, and use code SKIMOMSRETREAT to save $100 on your trip.Visit www.theskimoms.co/events to see the 2027 lineup and reserve your spot. Celebrate your love of the laid-back ski life. Shop cozy gear made for the mellow skier: 👉 Shop the Slow Skier’s ClubSupport the showKeep up with the Latest from the Ski Moms!Website: www.theskimoms.coSki Moms Discount Page: https://www.theskimoms.co/discountsSki Moms Ski Rental HomesJoin the 13,000+ Ski Moms Facebook GroupInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskimoms/Send us an email and let us know what guests and topics you’d like to hear next! Sarah@skimomsfun.comNicole@skimomsfun.com

Send us Fan MailNicole and Sarah spent over a year planning seven days in the Dolomites for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics and it was 100% worth every chaotic, confusing, cowbell-confiscating moment. In this episode, they break down everything: decoding the ticket matrix, hunting down hospitality packages on two separate platforms, navigating snowy switchbacks from Venice with skis on the roof, and what it's actually like to stand in the finish area for some of the most historic women's Alpine races in recent memory.The ski racing delivered in a big way! Federica Brignone won gold on home snow to a stadium full of tiger-suited superfans. Mikaela Shiffrin closed out the women's events with a gold in the slalom that had Nicole in tears. Paula Moltzan won the second run, finished eighth, and later handed out uterus pins in the center of Cortina.Start planning earlier than you think, use miles, go with another family to split costs, and bring really good shoes. Quotes:"I think it was a complete bucket list trip of a lifetime. It was a tremendous mix of experiencing another culture in a really fun way, having intense American pride while you're there." "It was a hundred percent worth it. And we got very lucky with amazing weather, smooth travel — all those things went right."The Patio Place and Ski Haus helps you make the most of outdoor living. Stop by Salem, Woburn, or Framingham, and head to skihaus.com Opening June 20, Portillo Chile is one of the most iconic ski destinations in the world—gorgeous, uncrowded, and incredibly easy for families since everything’s right on-site.Ski Moms listeners get 10% off stays from June 20 to August 1.Email reservations@skiportillo.com and mention SKIMOMS. Celebrate your love of the laid-back ski life. Shop cozy gear made for the mellow skier: 👉 Shop the Slow Skier’s ClubSupport the showKeep up with the Latest from the Ski Moms!Website: www.theskimoms.coSki Moms Discount Page: https://www.theskimoms.co/discountsSki Moms Ski Rental HomesJoin the 13,000+ Ski Moms Facebook GroupInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskimoms/Send us an email and let us know what guests and topics you’d like to hear next! Sarah@skimomsfun.comNicole@skimomsfun.com

Send us Fan MailMegan Harrod has lived many lives, from being born in a trailer home in Montana to spending nearly a decade as the Alpine press officer for the US Ski Team, traveling the World Cup circuit and managing media for some of the world's best athletes. Now a brand strategist, publicist, and podcast producer working closely with Mikaela Shiffrin, Megan shares her remarkable journey from racing on Midwest man-made hills to the finish lines of Olympic venues. She opens up about the financial barriers in ski racing, the importance of accessibility programs like Share Winter, and how her experience managing intense athlete dynamics has made her a better mom to her two children, Pierce and Stetson, who are just 13 months apart. Megan discusses producing Mikaela's podcast "What's the Point," the powerful Mik 100 campaign that raised nearly $500,000 for ski access, and how she's learned to balance remote work with traveling to World Cup races with babies in tow. Her authentic approach to storytelling and her commitment to making the sport more accessible shine through as she reflects on memorable moments like Beijing 2022 and the importance of mental health in athletics.Notable Quotes:"I wouldn't have it any other way. It was such a cool family experience... it was such a strong community and I still have friends from that team growing up.""In many ways, that was the best thing that could have happened because people really saw who she is at the core. And as hard as it was for everyone, I think that was a really beautiful gift that she shared with the world."Resources:Podcast: What's the PointInstagram: @MeganHarrodShare Winter Foundation: Supporting ski access for underserved communitiesYouTube Series: "Moving Right Along" with Mikaela ShiffrinIf your child lives for trail time and is constantly pushing limits on two wheels, we’ve found the summer experience that checks every box. Woodward PA’s Mountain Bike Camp is redefining what an action sports camp can be — blending epic adventure with professional coaching and a whole lot of fresh air.Ski Moms can save $150 off summer camp. Use code skimoms www.woodwardpa.com/summer-camps/moun Opening June 20, Portillo Chile is one of the most iconic ski destinations in the world—gorgeous, uncrowded, and incredibly easy for families since everything’s right on-site.Ski Moms listeners get 10% off stays from June 20 to August 1.Email reservations@skiportillo.com and mention SKIMOMS. Celebrate your love of the laid-back ski life. Shop cozy gear made for the mellow skier: 👉 Shop the Slow Skier’s ClubSupport the showKeep up with the Latest from the Ski Moms!Website: www.theskimoms.coSki Moms Discount Page: https://www.theskimoms.co/discountsSki Moms Ski Rental HomesJoin the 13,000+ Ski Moms Facebook GroupInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskimoms/Send us an email and let us know what guests and topics you’d like to hear next! Sarah@skimomsfun.comNicole@skimomsfun.com

Send us Fan MailWe’re revisiting one of our most meaningful conversations — with Olympic gold medalist, ski mom, and mental performance coach Barbara Cochran.Why now? On February 11, 1972, Barbara won Olympic gold in slalom in Sapporo by just .02 seconds. And 54 years to the day later, her son, Ryan Cochran-Siegle, won Olympic silver in Super-G in Cortina.An Olympic legacy — built on a Vermont rope tow.Barbara grew up skiing at her family’s backyard hill, now known as Cochran’s Ski Area — a nonprofit, community-driven mountain where lift tickets are still affordable, race training happens under the lights, and hot chocolate costs $1.50.We talk about:Growing up in a ski racing familyTraining on the legendary rope towThe “Cochran Way” philosophy of excellence without pressureRaising an Olympian as a single momAnd the mindset that wins medalsBarbara’s father believed skiing should be joyful — but that striving for excellence builds character. Before sports psychology was mainstream, Barbara was practicing it. Heading into her Olympic race, she repeated:“I don’t know if I’m going to win, but I know I’m capable of winning.”That mindset carried her to gold — and now informs her work helping athletes who “train better than tIf your child lives for trail time and is constantly pushing limits on two wheels, we’ve found the summer experience that checks every box. Woodward PA’s Mountain Bike Camp is redefining what an action sports camp can be — blending epic adventure with professional coaching and a whole lot of fresh air.Ski Moms can save $150 off summer camp. Use code skimoms www.woodwardpa.com/summer-camps/moun Opening June 20, Portillo Chile is one of the most iconic ski destinations in the world—gorgeous, uncrowded, and incredibly easy for families since everything’s right on-site.Ski Moms listeners get 10% off stays from June 20 to August 1.Email reservations@skiportillo.com and mention SKIMOMS. Spring family fun in Ulster County:Earth Fest at the Ashokan Center/April 19Kingston Point Beach for the Hudson Valley Kite Festival /May 17, Hudson Valley Faerie Festival/May 30 For more ways to get outside together this spring, head to VisitUlsterCountyNY.com and start planning your spring getaway. Celebrate your love of the laid-back ski life. Shop cozy gear made for the mellow skier: 👉 Shop the Slow Skier’s ClubSupport the showKeep up with the Latest from the Ski Moms!Website: www.theskimoms.coSki Moms Discount Page: https://www.theskimoms.co/discountsSki Moms Ski Rental HomesJoin the 13,000+ Ski Moms Facebook GroupInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskimoms/Send us an email and let us know what guests and topics you’d like to hear next! Sarah@skimomsfun.comNicole@skimomsfun.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode Nicole talks with Jill Brabec, President of Nordic Combined USA, about one of the Olympics' oldest sports that still excludes women. Nordic Combined blends ski jumping and cross country skiing, requiring athletes to launch themselves down steep terrain at maximum speed, fly the length of a football field, then immediately race 5K on skinny skis. Despite being in the Olympics since 1924, women were denied entry to the 2026 Games. Jill, a Steamboat Springs ski mom turned advocate, formed a nonprofit with other parents to save the US team when funding collapsed. Her daughter Alexa trains in Norway but can't compete in the Olympics due to gender restrictions. The IOC will decide about 2030 inclusion this spring after reviewing 2026 data. Jill draws parallels to women's ski jumping, which faced identical arguments 15 years ago and is now successful. She encourages fans to watch men's Nordic Combined February 11, 17, and 19 to show viewership demand, sign the petition at nordiccombineusa.org, and follow athletes on social media. The sport features 17 World Cups for women who jump the same hills as men and train at Lake Placid, Park City, and Steamboat Springs. Families with adventurous kids can find programs starting at age 5-6 through the website.Website: nordiccombineusa.orgInstagram: @NordicCombinedUSANOTABLE QUOTES"It's really hard to see one sibling able to go to the Olympics and the other siblingIf your child lives for trail time and is constantly pushing limits on two wheels, we’ve found the summer experience that checks every box. Woodward PA’s Mountain Bike Camp is redefining what an action sports camp can be — blending epic adventure with professional coaching and a whole lot of fresh air.Ski Moms can save $150 off summer camp. Use code skimoms www.woodwardpa.com/summer-camps/moun Find your perfect family-friendly mountain stay—or list your own! 👉 Browse or list at Ski Mom Family Rentals Spring family fun in Ulster County:Earth Fest at the Ashokan Center/April 19Kingston Point Beach for the Hudson Valley Kite Festival /May 17, Hudson Valley Faerie Festival/May 30 For more ways to get outside together this spring, head to VisitUlsterCountyNY.com and start planning your spring getaway. Celebrate your love of the laid-back ski life. Shop cozy gear made for the mellow skier: 👉 Shop the Slow Skier’s ClubSupport the showKeep up with the Latest from the Ski Moms!Website: www.theskimoms.coSki Moms Discount Page: https://www.theskimoms.co/discountsSki Moms Ski Rental HomesJoin the 13,000+ Ski Moms Facebook GroupInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskimoms/Send us an email and let us know what guests and topics you’d like to hear next! Sarah@skimomsfun.comNicole@skimomsfun.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode Annie Fast, Oregon-based freelance writer and former professional snowboarder, joins the Ski Moms to discuss two critical barriers facing ski families: accessible childcare at resorts and mothers competing at elite levels. Annie's investigative work for Ski Area Management revealed a troubling trend of resort daycare closures post-COVID, including Vail's Small World, Jackson Hole, and Bridger Bowl facilities, while highlighting success stories at Mount Bachelor, Mount Hood Meadows, Brundage, and Tamarack with year-round programs. She explains why finding childcare information on resort websites is nearly impossible and how this impacts both visiting families and employee retention. Annie also previews her coverage of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, spotlighting Olympic moms competing with young children and the challenges of decentralized venues. The conversation covers practical advocacy tips for ski families, thIf your child lives for trail time and is constantly pushing limits on two wheels, we’ve found the summer experience that checks every box. Woodward PA’s Mountain Bike Camp is redefining what an action sports camp can be — blending epic adventure with professional coaching and a whole lot of fresh air.Ski Moms can save $150 off summer camp. Use code skimoms www.woodwardpa.com/summer-camps/moun Find your perfect family-friendly mountain stay—or list your own! 👉 Browse or list at Ski Mom Family Rentals Celebrate your love of the laid-back ski life. Shop cozy gear made for the mellow skier: 👉 Shop the Slow Skier’s ClubSupport the showKeep up with the Latest from the Ski Moms!Website: www.theskimoms.coSki Moms Discount Page: https://www.theskimoms.co/discountsSki Moms Ski Rental HomesJoin the 13,000+ Ski Moms Facebook GroupInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskimoms/Send us an email and let us know what guests and topics you’d like to hear next! Sarah@skimomsfun.comNicole@skimomsfun.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, the Ski Moms head out west to explore Mount Bachelor with Lauren Burke, Director of Marketing and Communications at one of the Pacific Northwest's largest ski resorts. Lauren shares her unconventional path into the ski industry, from growing up in San Diego with childhood trips to Mammoth, to falling in love with mountain life at University of Colorado Boulder. After over a decade at Mammoth Mountain, Lauren made the move to Mount Bachelor in Bend, Oregon, where she discovered a unique ski destination unlike any other.Lauren paints a perfect picture of what makes Mount Bachelor special: affordable lodging in nearby Bend and Sun River, free parking, 410 inches of annual snowfall and 360-degree skiing on a dormant volcano with over 4,000 skiable acres. She emphasizes that spring is the absolute best time to visit, with the whole mountain open through Memorial Day and sunny weather that allows families to combine skiing with mountain biking, hiking, and outdoor concerts.For families, Mount Bachelor offers year-round daycare, Kids Ski Free passes, extensive beginner terrain on both base areas, and affordable lesson packages. Lauren also highlights the resort's four-season offerings incluThis is also that sweet spot where the SKI HAUS deals get really good. Note: Store hours are changing due to in-store inventory going on, so check before you head over.They’ve got locations in Woburn & Framingham, MA and Tax-Free Salem, NH. Head to skihaus.com to check store hours and directions. Spring family fun in Ulster County:Earth Fest at the Ashokan Center/April 19Kingston Point Beach for the Hudson Valley Kite Festival /May 17, Hudson Valley Faerie Festival/May 30 For more ways to get outside together this spring, head to VisitUlsterCountyNY.com and start planning your spring getaway. If your child lives for trail time and is constantly pushing limits on two wheels, we’ve found the summer experience that checks every box. Woodward PA’s Mountain Bike Camp is redefining what an action sports camp can be — blending epic adventure with professional coaching and a whole lot of fresh air.Ski Moms can save $150 off summer camp. Use code skimoms www.woodwardpa.com/summer-camps/moun Celebrate your love of the laid-back ski life. Shop cozy gear made for the mellow skier: 👉 Shop the Slow Skier’s ClubSupport the showKeep up with the Latest from the Ski Moms!Website: www.theskimoms.coSki Moms Discount Page: https://www.theskimoms.co/discountsSki Moms Ski Rental HomesJoin the 13,000+ Ski Moms Facebook GroupInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskimoms/Send us an email and let us know what guests and topics you’d like to hear next! Sarah@skimomsfun.comNicole@skimomsfun.com

Send us Fan MailThe Ski Moms welcome legendary skier Wendy Fisher, whose name is synonymous with both Olympic racing and big mountain freeskiing. Wendy started skiing at age 2 in Squaw Valley (now Palisades Tahoe), chasing her older brothers down the hill. After losing one of her brothers in a tragic accident, she poured her grief into skiing—eventually making the U.S. Ski Team and competing in the 1992 Winter Olympics.Wendy opens up about the emotional toll of elite racing, how fear of failure held her back, and what finally pushed her to walk away at age 23. A soul-searching road trip led her to Crested Butte, where she entered her first big mountain contest and redefined the sport by skiing bold lines no woman had attempted before. She went on to become a two-time World Extreme Skiing Champion and star in iconic films by Warren Miller and Matchstick Productions.Now based in Crested Butte, Wendy shares how she’s reinvented herself many times—becoming a mom of two, ski instructor, DJ, and event coordinator. She talks about teaching through Vail Resorts' “Ski with an Olympian” program and her ongoing love for skiing and community.Resources:Website: WendyFisher.meSki with WendyThis is also that sweet spot where the SKI HAUS deals get really good. Note: Store hours are changing due to in-store inventory going on, so check before you head over.They’ve got locations in Woburn & Framingham, MA and Tax-Free Salem, NH. Head to skihaus.com to check store hours and directions. Spring family fun in Ulster County:Earth Fest at the Ashokan Center/April 19Kingston Point Beach for the Hudson Valley Kite Festival /May 17, Hudson Valley Faerie Festival/May 30 For more ways to get outside together this spring, head to VisitUlsterCountyNY.com and start planning your spring getaway. If your child lives for trail time and is constantly pushing limits on two wheels, we’ve found the summer experience that checks every box. Woodward PA’s Mountain Bike Camp is redefining what an action sports camp can be — blending epic adventure with professional coaching and a whole lot of fresh air.Ski Moms can save $150 off summer camp. Use code skimoms www.woodwardpa.com/summer-camps/moun Celebrate your love of the laid-back ski life. Shop cozy gear made for the mellow skier: 👉 Shop the Slow Skier’s ClubSupport the showKeep up with the Latest from the Ski Moms!Website: www.theskimoms.coSki Moms Discount Page: https://www.theskimoms.co/discountsSki Moms Ski Rental HomesJoin the 13,000+ Ski Moms Facebook GroupInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskimoms/Send us an email and let us know what guests and topics you’d like to hear next! Sarah@skimomsfun.comNicole@skimomsfun.com

Send a textIn this episode, the Ski Moms welcome Tallie Lancey, a Big Sky real estate expert with 18 years of experience representing buyers and sellers in Montana's premier ski destination. Tallie shares her journey from Ohio to Big Sky in 2005. She provides comprehensive insights into Big Sky's unique geography, explaining the three distinct areas: the Mountain (base area with ski-in/ski-out access), the Meadow (six miles away with walkable amenities and better value), and the Canyon (the scenic Gallatin River corridor). Tallie details lodging options from hotelsSki Haus makes it easy with custom boot fitting that actually changes how you ski and how you feel at the end of the day. Located in Woburn & Framingham, MA and Tax-Free Salem, NH. Head to skihaus.com for store hours and directions.SPECIAL IN-STORE OFFERS*Purchase a boot with a custom boot fit > get a free Smartwool sock *Come in for a boot fit on your boots > get Smartwool sock for ½ price It's time to upgrade how you travel to the mountains with Ski Butlers. Ski moms can save 20% off their reservations here https://www.skibutlers.com/portal/momtrends If your child lives for trail time and is constantly pushing limits on two wheels, we’ve found the summer experience that checks every box. Woodward PA’s Mountain Bike Camp is redefining what an action sports camp can be — blending epic adventure with professional coaching and a whole lot of fresh air.Ski Moms can save $150 off summer camp. Use code skimoms www.woodwardpa.com/summer-camps/moun Find your perfect family-friendly mountain stay—or list your own! 👉 Browse or list at Ski Mom Family RentalsMabel's LabelsUse code SKIMOMS for 15% off. Code not valid on sale items or stamps. Other restrictions may apply.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showKeep up with the Latest from the Ski Moms!Website: www.theskimoms.coSki Moms Discount Page: https://www.theskimoms.co/discountsSki Moms Ski Rental HomesJoin the 13,000+ Ski Moms Facebook GroupInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskimoms/ Send us an email and let us know what guests and topics you’d like to hear next! Sarah@skimomsfun.comNicole@skimomsfun.com