Travis Ganong
Alpine Ski
Hometown: Truckee, CA
Current residence: Lake Tahoe, CA
Instagram: travisganong
Twitter: travisganong
Career Finish Highlights
- 3-time FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Downhill podium finisher, 2014-2017 seasons
- Winning World Cup runs: 2014–15, 2015-16, Downhill
- Silver-winning World Championship Run, 2015 – Beaver Creek, Colorado
- Member of the US Olympic Team at Sochi 2014
Alpine Ski
Hometown: Truckee, CA
Current residence: Lake Tahoe, CA
Instagram: travisganong
Twitter: travisganong
Hometown:
Truckee, CA
Current residence:
Lake Tahoe, CA
Instagram:
travisganong
Twitter:
travisganong
Career Finish Highlights
- 3-time FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Downhill podium finisher, 2014-2017 seasons
- Winning World Cup runs: 2014–15, 2015-16, Downhill
- Silver-winning World Championship Run, 2015 – Beaver Creek, Colorado
- Member of the US Olympic Team at Sochi 2014
Featured Photos & Video
2017 Garmisch Winning Downhill Run
Ambassador Interview
What keeps you inspired to continue to train and be disciplined in your sport?
My entire life has been devoted to the act of sliding on snow, and the pursuit of pushing my limits on the world’s biggest stage continues to inspire me to train hard and dedicate myself to the sport. Racing downhill is a very special activity; it takes the right conditions and venue to do it safely and I know that when I retire I’ll never have the opportunity to push myself in skiing like this again so that also keeps me coming back.
What is a piece of advice you would pass along to generations who aspire to follow in your footsteps?
I think that being a well rounded athlete is more important than labeling yourself as just a ski racer. Being a snow sports athlete first and building your passions around activities in the mountains will give you many different skills that will translate into whatever winter sports activities you choose to pursue. I skied cross country, backcountry skied, ski races, ice skated, did some pretty competitive backyard sledding, snow camped, snowshoed, snowmobiled, just did every activity that I could growing up in Tahoe, and that love for the mountains and snow has allowed me to enjoy a long career as a professional skier-while having many different snow sports outlets, and I never get burnt out!
Please share a fond memory of your time at the Olympics or another race/competition you competed in.
Walking into the Olympic stadium with team USA for the opening ceremonies was an amazing experience. Before this moment, I had combated in World Champs, and big World Cup events, but being gathered with all the best athletes from all different winter sports together as one team USA gave me a new understanding to what the Olympics meant and what it stood for-I was proudly representing my country and home town on the world stage. This moment inspired me and I was able to have a career best (to that point) 5th place performance in the Olympic Downhill!
What is one thing you always do before a race/competition?
Right before I kick out of the start gate during a race, I always try and take a moment to hit the pause button and look out at the amazing view. This helps me remember how lucky I am to be traveling, skiing, and competing in the iconic mountain ranges of the world, doing what I love.
What is something people don’t know about you and would surprise them?
I have a love hate relationship with competition. People assume that all professional athletes live for and thrive off of competition, but for me skiing is such a personal and meaningful experience that I find that the competition side of it takes away from the true feelings I get while flying down the mountains on snow. I also love how the conception side of ski racing makes me push my limits and find out what I am capable of, but I think after my competitive career is over, I will really enjoy just skiing for my own satisfaction without results or my “time” determining a good day or a bad day.
What is one thing the SNOW Museum can do right now to support you?
I think that a lot of people don’t really know that I am traveling and competing all over the world 9 months out of the year every year. While I am still racing the museum could help inform people back in the US of our competition schedule and how to watch and support us on TV and through social media. Think viewing parties to watch us competing.
Why are you excited about supporting the SNOW Museum?
Our region has such a rich history when it comes to snow sports and skiing. The Sierra Nevada mountains served as one of the birthplace of skiing in North America starting with the long board races in La Porte, and has built from there through the Olympics at Squaw, to the invention of powder skis and big mountain skiing. I am proud to be a part of that legacy and I am excited to help make sure people know about our history and the stories of the snow sports pioneers that came before us, while also inspiring a continued love for our mountain and snow sports.
Get Involved
> Sign up for E-news
> Make a Donation
> Donate Things
> Host a “Fireside Chat” (Informational Social Gathering)
> Volunteer (at the Boatworks temporary museum, collection program, social media input)
>Join our Board/Advisory Board
HAVE A GREAT IDEA…?
Do you have an idea to share with us about gear you could donate? A cool fundraising scheme? Historical photos, items, stories? A fun event for the temporary museum in the Boatworks?