Local Skier Riding High

A local athlete is sliding into the new year riding high. You’re watching the Local News Network brought to you by The Payroll Department and Serious Texas Bar-B-Q. I’m Connor Shreve. 2024 was a banner year for speed skier Ross Anderson. He became the first Native American inducted into the US Ski & Snowboarding Hall of Fame.

It’s been very busy. Exciting, very busy. Been doing a lot of speaking engagements. On top of everything else, I got inducted into the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame, as well as the New Mexico Ski Hall of Fame for the Lifetime Achievement Award. And that just happened recently.

He added honors from the Colorado Snow Sports Hall of Fame, the Indigenous Athletes Hall of Fame, and the New Mexico Ski Hall of Fame. He’s honored by the tributes.

I mean, hard work pays off. You know, it’s been a great journey for me, going from the very beginning of basically when I was three years old. That’s when it all started and started racing ever since I was six. So with all this happening and the dreams that I pursued, I never realized I would be in this position where I’m at right now.

The New Mexico native grew up in Durango and trained as a ski racer at Purgatory Ski Resort. In his late teens, he switched to speed skiing, eventually turned pro, and then set the American record of 154.06 miles per hour. He calls speed skiing an art and credits his record to focus.

You’re able to use your whole entire body and mind to slow everything down in front of you. It was amazing what you’re able to do, your ability to see what’s in front of you and make it slower than it really is.

Anderson has now held the American speed record for nearly 19 years. He’s not sure if it’ll be broken,

You know, that’s what records are for, they’re made to be broken, and you know, I’m just happy and very honored to have it this long. You know, five years is long enough, but having it for 18 years is just incredible. And, you know, whoever does it next, you know, I applaud ’em. You know, I congratulate ’em.

With the legacy of his ski career secure, Anderson says he plans to focus on motivational speaking, ski programs for kids and his memoir. He also hopes to launch an apparel line. Find more information about this and other stories at durangolocal.news. Thank you for watching this edition of The Local News Network. I’m Connor Shreve.