Christmas Q&A with Stefan Sander-Green

Were the first NorAms what you were expecting?

I don’t think you can ever really be 100% ready for the first races. No matter how much intensity you do, it’s always a shock to really get out there and race. Going into the first NorAms it’s always exciting to see how much your summer training is going to pay off and how you compare with the other athletes from across the country. Over all it felt like I was in good shape and it was a lot of fun to be out there, so I think that’s a good thing.

What are you going to do over the holidays? How do the races in the new year effect your plans?

I plan on getting out and having some fun, hopefully do a bit of downhill skiing and play some hockey to change it up with all the X-C skiing. Having really important races right after means we need to make sure we stay in race shape, that means not too much relaxing and lots of intensity.

What is your favorite holiday tradition?

Obviously all the delicious food gets and honorable mention, but when it comes down to it I think my favorite is skiing on your home trails with family and friends. Having spent so many hours training on you local trails it is always nice to be able to go back and ski what is familiar to you.

What are you going to take away form watching the World Cup events in Canmore?

As an athlete sometimes it feels like you hit a wall and aren’t improving as much as you would like. Being able to see the best in the world compete reminds us of what we are working towards and helps motivate us to keep training hard. Seeing the way they generate their power and their technique is awe-inspiring. It’s pretty rare that we go to a race and don’t compete, so its fun to be able to relax and enjoy the race environment and cheer on all the other athletes.

Describe your perfect ski? (Location, conditions, weather, technique, time)

Location doesn’t matter to me. I’ll be in heaven on a bluebird day anywhere! I’m not a huge fan of having to where lots of layers so I’m happiest when its just below zero degrees and I can get away with just wearing an icebreaker top. I enjoy going on long skate skis because having completely exhausted legs afterwards is strangely satisfying and adds to the endorphin rush. Oh yeah, It better be freshly groomed corduroy, I hate having to deal with ruts or powder slows me down.