We are pleased to announce Taylor Merritt as “The Unofficial Pick” for this week. Every week from January to April, IFSA and Unofficial Networks will feature an athlete, freeride program, or coach who earns their mark in the competition sport of big mountain freeskiing.
Athlete Name: Taylor Marie Merritt
Freeride Program & Head Coaches: Winter Park Big Mountain Team; Nicholas Whittemore & Jeremie Livingston
Nicknames: Tay-Tay, T-money, ToTo, Merr-Bear, Boog
Age: 18
Years skiing: 16
Highlights: 2010 – 3rd JFT Crested Butte, 7th JFT Snowbird, 1st Winter Park, 7th overall JFT 2012 – 8th Red Mountain, 11th Snowbird Regionals, 15th Taos
Favorite Skier: Definitley the late and great Shane McConkey
Favorite Run: The Shadows in Steamboat on a nice pow day
What would you buy for $50? Well if that were the cost of a heli-drop, I’d be there in a heartbeat!
What do you eat for breakfast? Usually a protein shake or waffles
What’s your gear? My FORTITUDE SKIS of course! My Dakine backcountry backpack, BCA avy gear, helmet, Hestra 3-finger gloves, my uber-big mens jacket, and my GoPro.
Other hobbies? I ride my horse everyday when I’m not skiing and show him in the summers. I’m also totally addicted to mountain biking.
Pet Peeves? I am bothered when people ask too many questions
Goals for 2012: Having missed last season due to knee surgery, I just want to go out there and have fun with my team it being my last year with such awesome skiers, and my last year on the Junior Tour! A podium would be sweet, but honestly, I’m just happy to be skiing again.
Any Scars? I have 5 from ACL & meniscus reconstruction surgery, and lots more… like another one on my knee from when my friend and I ran into each other and I superman surfed on the concrete
Who do you want to high five? Jim Jack
