Featured Athlete: Cheryl Varner 

What would you do if you won the lottery?

If I won the lottery I would take a group of my close ski buddies for 2 weeks to Las Lenas, Argentina, my 2nd most favorite ski area. Gotta love the Marta chairlift

Breakfast of champions?

The best place in Olympic Valley to get that breakfast of champions is the Wildfour Baking Co. because everything is made from scratch with the best ingredients.

Favorite chairlift and why?

My favorite chairlift is KT22, at Squaw Valley because it has everything. The diversity of this chair is beyond compare. For over 20 years now I have made it my mission to be1st on the KT chair on a powder day. That 1st run can be the best thing on the planet.

Highlight memory from filming with WME for this year's film?

Some of my fondest memories of filming for this WME film was the peace and tranquility of being on the mountain before any of the public and making new ski friends. One morning we were up on Granite Chief Peak. The wind was howling and the powder was deep and it was all ours, for at least one run. It was awesome to get to ski for Tom Day and his crew.

Gear you are loving right now, on or off the ski slopes, and why?

I super love my Volkl Secrets. They are super versatile and quick to respond. I have been on Volkl skis for years and years. Same goes for my Atomic boots. My feet are always warm and happy.

What is a cause you care about that you'd love to share with the Warren Miller audience?

There is a cause that I’ve held dear to my existence for over 50 years and that is “STOP LITTERING”. I cannot believe that in this day and age that littering is still a major issue. I thought that after a couple of decades of our youth being taught the importance of caring for our planet that it would be second nature to everyone that we need to take care of our planet first and foremost.

How do you think the year 2020 will shape the future of skiing?

The longer lift lines created by “covid spacing” and the number of folks on each chair actually turned out a benefit. Fewer people were on any run at any given time. That was sweet.

What is your vision for the future of skiing?

My vision for skiing and snowboarding is a culture, an industry and a community of inclusion. I hope that rather than our sport becoming more exclusive, that we can grow the sport to include more and more people, sharing the joy of the mountains and sliding on snow with as many people as possible. I believe there is plenty of powder to go around for everyone!

What do you do to calm your butterflies before a big line or race moment? 

To calm myself before any big venture, be it competing in the bumps 35 years ago or stomping in front of a camera, I sing a song to myself . This seems to center my energy and calm my nerves.

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Don't miss Cheryl in our 72nd film, Winter Starts Now, dropping Fall 2021