NEXT LEVEL SKIING S1: E4 | YOU GOTTA PAY YOUR DUES – TOMMY MOE
Season 1, Episode 4: Tommy Moe – You Gotta Pay Your Dues
On this episode of Next Level Skiing we chat with Olympic skier Tommy Moe. He was 16 when he started chasing his heroes on snow, a pursuit that has made him one of America’s most decorated Olympic ski racers. Today, Moe works as a ski instructor and guide in Jackson Hole and is part owner of Tordrillo Mountain Lodge in Alaska. Listen in to hear about Tommy’s journey as an Olympic skier, how he improved his technique, and how skiing has evolved since his days on the US Ski Team.
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Topics & Times
[01:45] In 2005, Mike Overcast and Tommy opened a heli-skiing business in Alaska.
[02:30] Tommy starting skiing at a young age in Montana, where his father was a member of the ski patrol.
[03:18] He joined the US Ski Team in 1986 at Copper Mountain.
[03:32] When he was 12, he moved to Alaska, where he attended a ski academy. His training there led to his becoming a member of the US Ski Team.
[05:20] He had the bug from an early age and pursued skiing with a fiery determination.
[06:08] Tommy went to summer camp at Mt. Hood, when Phil and Steve Mayer talked to the kids about being on the World Cup team.
[06:36] When Tommy started racing at a young age, he always had the drive to improve and keep up with others.
[07:55] You can improve simply by skiing with your friends.
[08:32] If you want to hone your skills, Tommy suggests hiring a ski instructor or attending a ski clinic.
[08:54] There are great “steep and deep” camps at Jackson Hole.
[10:15] When he was racing on the Ski Team, members would videotape everything so they could analyze their techniques.
[10:48] When Tommy was a younger skier, he was aggressive but had a loose style.
[11:18] When he started tightening up his form, he focused on improving his angulation.
[12:45] Improving his angulation was one of the best things Tommy did to better his technique.
[13:15] The construction of skis is so different now; it allows for amazing turns where you won’t “boot out”.
[15:25] Ski tech has improved so much that you can now stand on both feet and equally weight your skis.
[15:50] In this day and age, you’re doing race turns with 60% of your weight on the outside foot and 40% on the inside.
[16:05] It looks like perfect railroad tracks, which is vastly different from how it was even in the ‘80s.
[17:45] Most heli-skiers are pretty seasoned skiers, but Tommy likes it when he gets people who ask for advice.
[19:00] Tommy works as a ski guide in Jackson Hole as well. If he sees someone having a hard time, he will give them pointers that will help them attack the mountain.
[20:30] Skiing is a lot like dancing, in that everyone has their own technique.
[21:30] Tommy believes that you always want to be on the offensive when skiing.
[22:54] The Art of Skiing is a classic book that still serves as a great resource.
[24:22] Tommy’s dad used to let him skip school to ski on powder days.
[24:30] Now, Tommy is teaching his young daughters to ski.
[25:04] His kids are just as enthusiastic about skiing as their parents (Tommy’s wife was also an Olympic skier).
[27:30] Tommy and Jason discuss the quick feet of various Olympic skiers and how techniques have changed over the years.
[28:45] Tommy thanks everyone who has a passion for the sport and encourages enthusiasts to get out there and keep working on their skills.
Resources
Listen to Other Episodes
Intro – Next Level Skiing Podcast
Angel Collinson – You Got This
Jake Hutchinson – You Can’t Fake It Anymore
Chris Steiner – Powderball
Tommy Moe – You Gotta Pay Your Dues
Jim Lindsay – Building From the Feet Up
Dr. Tom Hackett – Get Something Out of Every Day
Klaus Obermeyer – It’s Easier to Ski Than It Is to Walk
Chris Davenport – Speaking the Language of the Mountains
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