River Radamus

R A C E R

COLORADO-BORN, VAIL-RAISED PRACTICALLY LEARNED TO CARVE BEFORE HE LEARNED TO CRAWL.

RIVER RADAMUS HAS BEEN CHASING SPEED SINCE BEFORE MOST OF US COULD PARALLEL SKI. A THREE-TIME YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES GOLD MEDALIST (THE FIRST EVER!), RIVER HAS GONE FROM WIDE-EYED PRODIGY CHASING HIS HEROES' AUTOGRAPHS TO FULL-BLOWN WORLD CUP CONTENDER, WITH A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM GOLD TO BACK IT UP. HE RIPS SUPER-G WITH THE SAME GRIN HE WEARS CATCHING WAVES , AND OFF THE HILL YOU'LL FIND HIM HIKING, DIRT-BIKING, GOLFING, OR RUNNING A FOUNDATION BUILT TO MAKE SKI RACING LESS EXCLUSIVE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION.

WILD HAIR, UNPREDICTABLE BUZZ CUTS, AND HIP-DRAGGING ANGLES INCLUDED, RIVER PROVES SUBSTANCE ALWAYS BEATS STYLE, THOUGH SOMEHOW HE'S GOT BOTH.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST KNOW PRO SKIING WAS POSSIBLE FOR YOU?

I don't think I actually believed it until it was already happening. Growing up, all I wanted was to be like the guys I looked up to on the team, but it seemed impossibly far away. It wasn't until I found myself on the team, training with the guys I used to chase for autographs, like my man Steven Nyman, that I actually believed this might be possible.

EVERYONE HAS A "BEST DAY EVER" ON THE HILL; WHAT WAS YOURS?

A couple years ago, we were in Palisades for a World Cup. Day before the race, it snowed like I'd never seen. Almost 3 feet overnight. Nobody expected the races to happen, so about 100 of the best GS and slalom skiers in the world went out for the best pow day I'd ever seen. The skiing, the vibes, the atmosphere. It was the perfect storm. And the races still happened the next day!

WHAT DOES YOUR PERFECT SKI DAY LOOK LIKE? WHO'S WITH YOU?

No lines, good snow, snacks in the pocket so we don't have to stop. I love skiing with my family and friends, but I think the perfect ski day involves making a few new friends.

WHAT MOUNTAIN OR TOWN LEFT YOU IN AWE, AND WHY?

One that stands out is the Sella Ronda in Italy. The scale is mind-melting. Trails and lifts as far as you can see. Everywhere you look, the mountains are postcards. It's hard to wrap my head around how long you can ski without hitting the same trail twice.

WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU'D LEARNED SOONER ABOUT SKI APPAREL AND YOUR PREFERENCES?

Substance always beats style. Looking the coolest on the mountain doesn't mean a thing if you're cold all day and the stuff doesn't fit right, but it's a double win if you can get the Spyder gear that works in all weather and looks good too!

BESIDES SKIING, WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT TRAVELING THE GLOBE?

Meeting people and seeing life through a new perspective. I feel like it helps me learn things about myself and broadens my horizons. My favorite sentiment I think about when it comes to traveling is "it's not about the journey or the destination, but who you become along the way."