Jared Hedges
On snow background:
Son of a 45 year volunteer ski patroller. Started skiing at age 3, ski racing at age 7. Raced until college. Taught ski school in high school and college. I began coaching in college for my home club, Labrador Mountain Race Team. (The Flying Puffins)
Racing accomplishments:
Competed in State Championships and in the Empire State Games. My favorite accomplishments have been those of the athletes that I have had the privilege of coaching. I have trained athletes that have gone on to race in college, on the World Cup, and in the Olympics. I have had athletes that competed internationally as j4s and j3s at Whistler Cup. I have coached athletes who later competed at j2 Nationals, Nationals, and Nor-Ams.
Your history of working with youth and coaching:
Started coaching ski racing at Labrador Mt. in Truxton, NY in 1996, J3 program. Taught 3yrs ski school at Labrador, PSIA level 100 cert. Have been coaching Age Class at Team Summit since 1999. Level 100 USSA coach. CO-RF, officials and referee cert.
What do you like to do outside of Skiing/Snowboarding/Summit County?
Enjoy most anything outdoors or having to do with sports; golf, surfing, basketball, camping, fishing, hiking, and biking.
I like Geology and all kinds of science. I like history and tales of adventures. I like Philosophy and whatever the subject; I want to know “Why”.
Something that makes you stand out from the rest:
I still like to run the courses that I set. I love slalom, blocking combos and trying to be quick and ahead. I love GS and linking clean arcs from the high line. I love the speed events, carrying speed and managing terrain.
Aside from racing, I like snowboarding, freestyle, Nordic, Nordic jumping, snowmobiles, snollerblading shoobee, and lightly poking fun at ski bikes. I love powder, groomers, bumps, kickers, rollers, cornices, cliffs, trees, chutes, bowls, and being on the top of high peaks. (I don’t prefer tabletops or rails, although I can be coaxed) I love old school jibbing; spread eagle, daffy, comma, backscratcher, twister, frog, truck driver, and the iron cross. I love Woodward, and with the help of my coaches, Chris Carson and Mike McFarland, have been continuing my improvement with inverts. Into the foam: I will go backflip, front flip, Lincoln loop, misty, or rodeo. I have also been dropping switch but have yet to survive until the lip. Snoflex takes skin with no hesitation and no apologies.
I take pride in the athletes who have competed on tele gear in alpine races. I appreciate the kids that drop big rocks. I love the kids that puke at the top of steep chutes from fear and then ski down them anyway. I love kids learning to cross block, finding the guts to tuck Rosie’s or Go Devil, or stomping their first three sixty. I love their learning and the pride that they take in it. I love the whole sport of “skiing” and love sharing it with happy adventuresome people.
Email: Jared@TeamSummit.org
Assistant Coaches: Tiania Adams, Liz Erickson
