Chris Kroger

Hometown : Montclair, California
Birthday : Winter Solstice,  December 21, 1968
Sponsors:  Merelli

I was born and raised in the Bay Area of California. While in High School I became a member of the ski team that competed in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. We were the team from the big 'city' competing against the local small towns around Lake Tahoe. Our coaches were from Switzerland, we came back to the Bay Area every week with our faces sun burnt. We managed to take third place at the California-Nevada State Championships - I remember the tears of joy running down the faces of our coaches as they accepted the third place  award - they were so proud of us.

It was clear to me by then, the emotion the mountains played in the lives of people. And as time went by, I pushed myself deeper into the magic and energy the mountains provide. The beauty of remoteness, clean air, wicked storms, silhouette of jagged peaks, couloirs becoming distinctly apparent as ski lines, the morning glow, the evening sunsets, the focus of effort, the sore body and muscles from early and long days all have become attracted to me.

Skiing, quickly, became undeniably my passion. Not all find their passion in life. For me personally, traveling on skis gracefully, efficiently, smoothly through the high alpine country with many variables to negotiate - powder, steeps, avalanche terrain, cold weather, ridges, finding the correct route, climbing and ski partners important, became instrumental in my life. The challenges in the mountains have always cleansed my mind and soul. Though often completely spent from a days workout in the mountains - I find myself relaxed and soaking up the energy the mountains have provided. I work to find my own rhythm in life and on skis. I push my own limits and try to find out if I can achieve limits beyond my own expectations.

Jackson Hole and the surrounding ecosystem provide many challenges and beauties in which to push yourself to your own limits and goals. For me, all the while, enjoying the beauty and energy that I take home after a day in the hills.