Colorado is known for being one of the country’s major ski capitals. Celebrated for its dry powder, picturesque terrain and high-altitude runs, nothing compares to a ski season in the Rocky Mountains. Will Enterline, a 25-year-old professional skier based out of Winter Park finds solace in an art so many hold dear.
Will grew up on the slopes in a family of avid skiers. He was motivated by his mom and aunt’s commitment to the sport and aspired to be a skilled skier like them. Throughout his life, Will always returned to the sport that ignited a unique passion from a young age. “I like to be bad at things and then work hard and become good at them — I think it’s really satisfying,” explains Enterline.
When the COVID pandemic hit and everything was upended, Enterline decided to take a break from college and refocus his efforts on the childhood sport he grew to love many years ago. He moved to Winter Park, devoting all his time and energy to getting a sponsorship and becoming a professional skier.
“Living up here in a ski town allowed me to really stay focused and then kind of give it a shot,” adds Enterline. It was not easy, though, but Will’s academic background came in handy as he tried to make it in the industry. “I studied marketing, so a huge thing was being able to pitch and sell myself. I got rejected by a bunch of ski companies. Took like three solid years of kind of like reaching out, sending videos.”
One of Enterline’s sponsors is San Util Design LLC, an outdoor and sporting goods company. “San Util is a really cool company out of Winter Park,” attests Enterline. “Everything is handmade and it takes about 9 to 12 hours to make a backpack. Everyone cuts everything and it’s all sustainable.” The innovation does not stop with San Util; Enterline is also sponsored by J Skis, 22 Designs, Grass Sticks, Pret Helmets, Ignik Outdoors and Ombraz. He credits these industry standouts with championing the sport and supporting his odyssey.
Enterline telemark skis, which is now a rarity despite its longstanding history. Invented in the 19th century and named after the Norwegian province of Telemark, telemark skiing is considered the first form of skiing. Its uniqueness stems from its toe-only bindings, allowing for more mobility. During the 2010s, alpine skiing became more popular due to its accessibility and intuitiveness. Because of this, telemark skiing almost died.
This ski season, North America is in a northern La Niña which refers to the climate pattern affecting the region’s weather and temperatures. The Front Range can expect high levels of precipitation which will make conditions user-friendly. However, in the out-of-bounds areas, the snowpack is unstable due to Colorado’s regular sunshine. For conditions such as these, Enterline stresses the importance of being aware of your skill set, researching the route and staying alert for potential avalanches.
His biggest advice for anyone interested in pursuing skiing is to enjoy the experience. “People should go ski, and have fun with it. Do not take it too seriously. The person having the most fun is probably the best skier that day.” Focusing on performing or having the most expensive gear misconstrues the point of the sport. Skiing gives you a chance to connect with nature, find community, and commune with yourself. “I was really just trying to chase a dream,” acknowledges Enterline. While the chase may mean encountering tough terrain, achieving the dream is worth the journey.
For even more fun during the ski season in the Rocky Mountains, follow Will on Instagram at @tele_wille