Name: Chelsea Sullivan
Hometown: Buckhams Bay West, ON
Currently living: Whistler BC
Age: 24
Years skiing: 22
Mints or bubble gum? Chips and vinegar
Snowblades or Big Feet? Big Feet
Website: www.chelseahsullivan.com
Holly: So you abandoned us in Whistler and moved to Kamploops… there must be a really rad reason?
Chelsea: I am currently attending Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops. I am taking the Adventure Guide Diploma. The program is 60% outdoors, and is focussed on hard adventure tourism. It’s the most fun I have ever had at school. I would encourage anyone who wants to hone their skills in an adventure discipline to fill out an application. I guarantee you’ll love it.
Holly: What is the main focus of your studies and what is the craziest course you are taking?
Chelsea: My goal is to complete the mountain program which focuses on climbing, mountaineering, ski touring and backpacking. This program is helping me work towards becoming a full IFMGA mountain guide.The craziest course I have taken so far was white water kayaking. I had been in a kayak before but never in moving water. Two days in, I was running class 3 wave trains. It was super intense. They call the intro to white water kayaking crying week for climbers, but I held it together and had a great time. What a fun sport! I decided to do the second level of white water kayaking; and I am looking forward to taking it up as a new passion.
Holly: Besides studies, are you busy working at all or lots of playing in the mountains?
Chelsea: I am not currently working any jobs. I applied at Red Bull for the Universities Student Brand Manager. The job requires throwing parties and being involved with student life. I am still waiting to hear back though.
Holly: Where you shredding the pow pow yet this season?
Chelsea: I have a pass at Whistler Blackcomb of course, but I am also sporting a Sun Peaks Pass this year. I am excited to say I will be taking a course at Golden Alpine Lodge, and also planning a ski mountaineering expedition in the Rockies.
Holly: I hear you are working on some top secret designs at the moment…any details you might be able to share?
Chelsea: I am working on designing my own touring boots. It’s a hobby I picked up from a fellow skier in Whistler. So far I have not perfected the design, but when I do I’ll let you know.
Holly: Any chance you may be able to break away from studies and compete again this season?
Chelsea: I will be competing at “Wrangle the Chute” in Kicking Horse BC in February. I have no other definite plans but you may find me at the Canadian Championships in Revelstoke in January, and a few other Canadian events, if I can find the money.
Holly: Gossip tells me you are getting into ski mountaineering…details?
Chelsea: I am always looking for ways to get deeper and higher into the mountains. Ski mountaineering is a natural progression for me from big mountain skiing. How can you access the goods if you only ever ski the lifts? For me, climbing to the peak is just as fulfilling as skiing down a steep couloir on the other side. My most recent summit was Mt Habel in the Wapta Ice Field on course with TRU.
Holly: Any other new goals?
Chelsea: I am really excited about sea kayaking. I took my first course here at TRU and love it. I can’t wait to get certified and start guiding.
Holly: How is the old knee treating you since your ACL surgery?
Chelsea: It’s amazing. I can’t tell you what a difference it makes to finally have had the surgery. I have been skiing on a loose knee now for 4 years. To now finally have the stability is a blessing. I can’t wait to show the world what I can do when I am in top shape.
Holly: Sponsors, funny joke or anyone you would like to thank?
Chelsea: Thank you Rossignol for all your support and generosity.
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Skier and writer Holly Walker lives in Whistler when she is not traveling
in search of perfect pow turns. She is sponsored by K2 Skis, Smith and Pow Gloves.
