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Skiing the slopes with James Lafferty

James Lafferty, a senior at Conifer competes at a high level of Freeride skiing on Winter Park’s Freeride Team
Sullivan Ramirez, Reporter • April 14, 2025
James Lafferty shreds up the slopes on a powder day. The Freeride team requires previous experience in park and alpine conditions, including avalanche safety. “I look up to Birk Irving a lot his style is sick and he won park and pipe X Games,” James Lafferty said. (Provided by James Lafferty)

James Lafferty is a senior at Conifer High School, and one of his greatest passions is skiing. Lafferty has been skiing since he was two years old and he has been competing for the last five years. Currently, Lafferty is on the Winter Park Freeride Team, a team he has been on since he was in the 7th grade. The Winter Park Freeride Team is geared towards big mountain skiing and is focused on those passionate about fine-tuning the skills necessary to compete in such an environment.
“Sometimes my team does shoots with the Red Bull team, and I look up to Birk Irving a lot. I usually ski with him a few times a season, he’s a Winter Park local and won X Games for park and pipe,” Lafferty said.
The Winter Park Freeride team requires skiers to have experience in Alpine, Freestyle, or Park & Pipe competition teams, along with education about big mountain terrain, weather, and avalanche safety.
“I love the team a lot, the guys are super cool and my coaches are great at pushing us and motivating us to get better,” Lafferty said.
The effort that Lafferty dedicates to skiing has not gone unnoticed, as he has received a brand deal from Blizzard Technica, a popular sports equipment company that is based in Austria. Through his deal with Blizzard Technica, he receives free skis and boots, and in return he represents them during tournaments by wearing their gear. Lafferty is also offered pro deals from Fly Low, another winter gear company. Lafferty owes some of his success with sponsorships to his coaches.
“I have been coached by many different people over the years, like Colby Stevenson, and Bobby Brown who both ski for Red Bull, and my coach now Kelly Kwoles, every coach I’ve had is an awesome skier and has helped me with my progression in different ways,” Lafferty said.

The Winter Park Freeride team captures a photo at the top of the mountain. The Freeride team is a team focused on big mountain skiing, including cliff jumping, and backcountry. “I love the team a lot, the guys are super cool and my coaches are great at pushing us and motivating us to get better,” Lafferty said. (Provided by James Lafferty)

Lafferty has been skiing his whole life, and his parents have been his lifeline since the very beginning. They took him up to the mountain since he was young, and have stuck by his side through every team, coach, and new trick.
“I’m super grateful for my parents for taking the time to take me up to Winter Park every weekend and help me stick with it through it all, I wouldn’t be where I am without them,” Lafferty said.
While his gratitude towards his parents is unwavering, Lafferty also highlights what skiing represents on a more personal level, to him. It’s not just about the competition, it’s about enjoying the time spent with friends and making the most of each day on the mountain.
“To me, skiing means going out, having fun with my friends, having a good day on the mountain, relaxing, and just having a good time,” Lafferty said.

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