Kate Hourihan: SKIS (telemark)

Age: 26 | Vitals: 5’6” | Years skiing: 23 | Current Residence: Salt Lake City, Utah

Background:

I was born and raised in Massachusetts. My committed weekend warrior parents brought me to Vermont at an early age where I learned to ski at Sugarbush and Mad River Glen. I raced most days after school on a small hill in Massachusetts. I went to college in Maine, where I discovered and fell in love with Telemarking. After a year of honing my skills, I instructed for a Telemark group on weekends through the school’s outing club. After graduating, my first priority was to fulfill my dreams of “ski-bumming” in the west. So, I came to Alta, UT with a pack of friends. After one season, I was hooked.

Kate Hourihan, Alta Ski Area.

Four years later, I still ski Alta and Snowbird nearly every day. And I’m still telemarking. Last season I competed in the Crested Butte Telemark Extreme Championships and finished in 4th place. This winter, I took 2nd at the Grand Targhee comp.

I’m an aggressive in-bounds skier, preferring to ride Utah Powder in expert terrain. When the snow stops falling, I tend to head out of bounds. I tour anything from short shots across the street in Little Cottonwood Canyon, to longer more technical mountaineering expeditions, especially in the Spring. But I also have fun ripping groomers in the sun, hitting jumps and cliffs with friends and, on occasion, I like to relive my east coast days in bumps and tight trees. In short, if it’s called skiing, I’m doing it.

Some favorite skis:

2011 Armada JJs, 175cm, 2010 4FRNT VCT turbos, 175cm, 2008 Karhu Team 100s, 172cm

All Content by Kate Hourihan