Once a racer, always family.

Frequently asked questions

Kaylin Richardson: Two-time Olympian, US Ski Team. Read the full story

So much of my success, and who I am, is a result of growing up at Gilboa. It all started because I was a huge tag-along, so naturally I followed my brothers, Chris and Tom, into ski racing. Being an annoying little sister definitely paid off. I was not a breakout phenom or prodigy, but Gilboa did not focus on that. The drills and skills and sneaky life lessons that occurred daily, many times administered by coaches, were not centered on winning; they revolved around work ethic, sportsmanship, perseverance, self-improvement, doing YOUR best (not gauged by anyone else), teamwork (in an individual sport) and fun. I always enjoyed going fast. I loved the wind in my face, but it wasn't until the end of my first year in junior race that the competitive spark actually landed. I still vividly remember it. Not necessarily an “aha” moment (can you have those at age nine?), but it definitely set me on a trajectory to make skiing my passion as well as my livelihood. The reason I was named to the national team at fifteen is arguably in large part due to my years at Gilboa, and not because of the training or skill acquisition, but because of the heart of the program and how that had become a part of me. All of my greatest takeaways from Gilboa I've used at every stage of my career, from NorAm wins to Olympic starts, to backcountry filming. When I look back at my time at Gilboa there is an influx of warm memories, lessons learned, and intentions made. During my time training out of the trailer at the bottom of Hyland Hills, certainly talent was cultivated, but above all, strength of character was what was nurtured and valued. I am so grateful for that.

John Kim: Alumnus, parent and volunteer. Read the full story

I am John Kim and this is my Team Gilboa Story. I grew up with Hyland Hills practically in my back yard. Many nights I threw my ski boots on and skis over the shoulder and walked over to enjoy the snow. After a number of years casually playing at the hill, a girl on my school bus told me about Team Gilboa. As a 5th grader, I was really interested and was eager to be on the team. My first year proved to be a humbling start, to say the least. Dryland kicked my butt figuratively and literally. A soccer ball was kicked so hard at my butt that the head coach swore he saw me lift 3 feet into the air. I stuck through that first year despite how tough it was, and at the year-end banquet, the head coach gave me a special award: a pie tin to cover my backside. Like many others, Team Gilboa and ski racing really sparked a passion in me. Ski racing and this club taught me hard work, self-discipline, and the art and science of time management, especially when I was spending days out of school traveling to train and race. More importantly, ski racing requires young athletes to be self-reliant. You quickly realize the pressure in that it's you against the hill; one mistake and crashing or DNFs are inevitable. I once drove through the night to a race in Steamboat and crashed four gates into the race. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for paying for that trip. Perseverance is mandatory. What I value most from my time with Team Gilboa are the life lessons about friendship, sportsmanship and team work. The Gilboa coaches taught me how to ski, but more importantly they taught me how to deal with challenging situations and how to deal with pressure. Due to Team Gilboa, I enjoyed a lot of success in ski racing in high school and went on to ski with a number of my teammates at Boston College. Following college I gave back to a sport that gave so much to me by coaching. I truly am grateful for all that I learned from Team Gilboa about this great sport and about myself.

Cabot Wohlrabe: Alumnus, coach and parent. Read the full story

I joined Team Gilboa as a 6th grader and I'll admit that the first year was a struggle. Not because I was a bad skier, but because I lacked the confidence, work ethic and drive to really excel. That first year, I didn't attend dryland, extra practices or go to any camps. Week after week of that season, I found myself finishing in the middle or end of the pack and didn't really have the insight or self-awareness to realize I needed to make some changes. Even after a less than impressive performance in skiing my first year, I found myself wanting to ski again the next year. But this season would be different. At the start of the year, the Team Gilboa director personally reached out to me and strongly encouraged me to attend dryland. Did I mention how “strongly” he encouraged me? Well, let's just say I only said yes to get him off the phone. Little did I know that this decision to put more effort into my skiing would turn out to be one of the best decisions I ever made. I not only showed up for every dryland practice that season, but I made extra practices and went to Thanksgiving camp at Lutsen. The commitment I made to skiing, coupled with the undying support and investment the coaches made in me, resulted in my second year on Team Gilboa igniting a passion in me that continues to this day. The Gilboa coaches not only helped develop me as an athlete but also as a young person. They challenged me to be better, work harder, and show up. All things that are essential to the person I am now. Today, my passion for skiing that I gained in those early years has inspired me to be a coach in this fabulous program. Week after week, all the Gilboa coaches carry on the tradition of engaging with the kids, pushing them harder and encouraging them to do their best on and off the ski hill. I believe as a program, we are not only developing great skiers but raising great people. That is why all three of my kids are part of Team Gilboa as well. Since Team Gilboa's inception, fundraising has been a critical part that makes up the difference between revenues and actual operating costs. At Team Gilboa today, tuition alone does not cover our operating cost.

Elsa Peterson: Team Gilboa athlete, 2017. Read the full story

Since I was little I have dreamed of being on Team Gilboa. Riding the chairlift while skiing at Hyland, I'd watch their practices and hoped to someday join the team. When I was nine I joined Hyland D Team, fell in love with ski racing and tried to find as many ways to race as much as I possibly could. That spring I raced as an independent at the Paul Augustine Championship so I could try racing in USSA. I didn't know anyone there and was looking for a training course to ski. That's when Coach Peter from Gilboa offered that I go through their course. At this race I met several of the coaches and team members, Scully and my now teammate Kendra, who encouraged me to join Gilboa, and I really wished that I could. In 7th grade I raced for the Minneapolis Alpine Ski Team. That year I really realized my passion for ski racing and that I really missed racing GS. So in 8th grade I joined USSA as an independent racer. Throughout the year the Gilboa coaches let me inspect with the team on race days, and they always cheered me on, which made me feel like I was a part of the team and wasn't all alone at races. Last year, as a 9th grader, my dream to be on Team Gilboa finally came true as Team Gilboa generously gave me a scholarship to join the team. This past season as a Gilboa athlete I had so many amazing experiences that have changed my life. I trained at the Vail Thanksgiving Camp, La Crosse Camp, Indianhead Speed Camp and I qualified for the U16 Championships. I have realized that Team Gilboa is not just a racing team, it's much bigger than that; it is a family. In addition, I am learning the importance of setting and working toward my goals, taking care of my own equipment and managing the stress of balancing racing and school. When I was younger and looked down from the chair at Hyland I saw racers working hard and having fun. I didn't realize everything else that being on Team Gilboa would mean. In the short year that I have been on the team, my coaches and teammates have made me feel like I've known them forever. I am so grateful and honored to say that I am a member of Team Gilboa.

Marley Barrett: Team Gilboa student athlete, 2017. Read the full story

It was the first race of the year last year. I was at the top of the hill, standing at the starting gate. I fell on the third gate. I wanted to cry. Actually, I did cry. I was so sad that this is how I was starting my season. Coach Peter came up to me and said, “Well, that probably didn't feel very good.” Later after the race, Coach Trevor came up to me with the iPad and took the time to show me the video and talked to me about my run. With his encouragement and investment in me, we fixed some things that went wrong and talked about how to do better. The next race on the same day I did much better. Wow, what a great life lesson. Later in the year before a race, Coach Peter told me that one of my friends on the team said, “I wish Marley would ski at races like he does in practice.” He thought the pressure was making me less confident on the hill, affecting my performance. The coaches worked with me to manage that pressure, helping me to relax and focus more clearly. With their help and investment, I did so much better as the year went on. It was much more fun to be at the top of the starting gate than it was before. My story is just one of many examples of how our club is investing in the lives of students, making us great skiers, and even better people.