US Freeski Team: Konnor’s Journey
FUNDRAISER NOVEMBER 7 from 2-5pm at LEWIS & CLARK BREWERY: Come say 'hi' to Konnor! Join us for live & silent auctions, and 50/50 raffle! Auction items include: FLY FISHING TRIPS, WHITEWATER RAFT TRIPS, PRIVATE SKI HILL RENTAL and so much more!
Konnor Ralph has qualified for the US Ski Team. He joins Rogers Little, 1972, as the only Helenans to do so!
Konnor is required to pay for ALL of his expenses as he competes in his first year on the US Ski team. All donations will pay for Konnor's travel and competition costs and allow him to participate in this incredible opportunity!
I have known Konnor since he was three years old. He is like a second son to me. He has such a humble spirit, a tremendous work ethic, and a great sense of humor. I couldn’t be more excited for him, his wonderful family and our community! Please read about his journey so far, share with your friends and help us raise money so that Konnor can travel to competitions where he can work towards qualifying for big events like the X Games, World Cup and the Winter Olympics.
Konnor has achieved one of his lifetime goals and has been named to the U.S. Freeski Rookie Team! After years of training, grit and hard work, he received a call from the U.S. coaches in the spring of 2021 inviting him to join the national team and be a part of a life-changing experience. Konnor now has the best opportunity to reach his ultimate goal of skiing in the Winter Olympics.
This upcoming season will be exciting but challenging for Konnor. The travel and living expenses will be significant. He will move to Park City, UT, where he will live and train with the other U.S. Ski Team members. He is scheduled to compete in two European events and numerous competitions in the U.S. and Canada. He will also compete in two Olympic qualifiers.
His journey started when he was just a young kid skiing in Montana. He found a love for park skiing at age five and taught himself with the help of his older brother and YouTube videos. Konnor began competing in slopestyle events around the Northwest and won almost every competition he went to. Konnor’s parents quickly realized that his dream of becoming a pro skier could someday become a reality. His passion for skiing was unstoppable.
Konnor needed more, so at thirteen he moved to Truckee, CA, where he lived with his aunt and uncle for the winter. He joined the ski team and received coaching for the first time. The next year Konnor attended Wy’East Mountain Academy in Oregon. He spent the next four years skiing, training and going to high school at the academy. His life was quite different compared to other kids and he faced different challenges. During those years, Konnor traveled and competed in slopestyle and big air competitions around the U.S., Canada and Europe. The expenses were high and his parents worked full time and did numerous side jobs in order to pay for his schooling and travel. Konnor worked in the summers to also help with the cost.
Giving back to the community is important to Konnor. During his Christmas breaks he hosts an annual slopestyle coaching session and competition at his Montana ski hill, Great Divide. Konnor creates excitement with other park skiers and works with skiers of any age, providing guidance for improving their skills. The competition is fun for the young skiers and they love the prizes Konnor gives out at the end. Konnor loves sharing his knowledge of the sport with others.
Please visit @konnorralph on Instagram or Google his name if you want to see some of his skiing.
I am asking all of you to please support this amazing young skier. Help Konnor continue on his incredible journey, as the first Helenan in 49 years to be named to the U.S. Ski Team. Thank you so much.
