The team took a few moments to pose for photos with their Race Trainer from Copper Mt. Left to right, Dale Miller, Chris Smith, their Race Trainer Phil, Emily Harwell, David Fisher, Dani Olson, Garrat Samsal , Monika Higley and Curt Mathieu.

Sporting his morning cup of coffee, Coach Miller poses with the group that is headed to Copper Mt., Colorado for race training. There are some pretty big smiles for 5:30 am! Left to right, front row, Dani Olson and Garrat Samsal. Back left to right, Chris Smith, Coach Miller, Monika Higley, Emily Harwell, David Fisher and Coach Mathieu.

After the storm, activities pick up at the Mt. Base. Nothing like new snow to set your skis on.

Monika watches as Dani snaps a photo of Chris flying into the girls room while he too takes a photo as he is in mid air.

The kids grab some more food. They burn a lot of calories training at the high altitude.

Dani, Emily and Monika settle in for a well deserved rest.

Chris was in awe over yet again another part of the Rocky Mts.: Copper Mountain.

This is the goal of each and every member. A trip to the State Finals like Chris and Jackson had last year. This is Chris at last year's State Finals.

(Jackson, we would love one of you for the site too!)

The trip went smoothly and comradery was developed among the members.

Team...yes, they have become a team this new co-op!

Chris was once again flagged to be checked on arrival to the airport. It has happened four years straight now. This time he only needed to show his driver license, but he did find out why he out of the entire team is always pulled to the side. "It's your name", stated the airport screeners...hmmmmm...Chris Smith sounds like a terrorist name? No, it is his middle name...Aaron, that makes the computers flag his name. Aaron means tower of strength and that is why he was given that name...no other reason. "But you have been flagged and we must check it out just the same."

Chris said he is getting used to it now and he just clings to team member Monika for moral support at the airports.

With that taken care of, they were off to Denver where they arrived to almost a foot of new snow that added to the previous snowfall Colorado had already been getting. They were told by a shuttle driver to not go to the mountains if they didn't have to as there was another foot of snow expected with 60 MPH winds. COOOOOL! The team members thought as they loaded up their gear. While many roads were being closed due to inclement weather conditions, one remained open...the one that would lead them to Copper Mountain. They made it safe and sound and settled in for almost a weeks worth of race training.

.....Gwen Smith, Reporter/Photographer

Coach: Dale Miller
Curt Mathieu

The snow clouds kept rolling in, a blessed site for the down hill racers.

Christopher tried to catch one of our team members racing the course. The little dot farther up the picture is the racer, but he can't remember who it was now..*grin* Thank you Chris for taking the photos that you did for us!

These are the skis that will hopefully take our team to State this year!

Chris said there isn't a bad view anywhere in the Rockys! Mountains and more mountains are what you see while skiing copper mt.

Coach Dale Miller checks the time. He keeps a very strict itinerary.

Main Ski Page for 2005

Looking down from the loft, Chris catches a few of the team members relaxing with their feet up. Even with all the dryland training back home, the high altitudes take their toll on the members for the first couple of days.

Back at the Condo Coach Miller settles in to watch a little TV in the evening, while Coach Mathieu works on the radios that they used for communication.