Inside The Parlor: Julie Minahan
Julie Minahan is another great friend and ambassador to Parlor living out in Park City. Like many of us, Julie comes from an east coast racing background, but since then she has found her way out to Utah where she has been coaching mountain biking and adaptive ski programs since graduating from UNH in the late 90s. Currently, Julie is the director of a youth mountain biking program called Young Riders, and very busy with her young family. We recently sat down with Julie so that you all can get to know her a little better, enjoy!
How old were you when you learned to Ski?
JM: I was 3 years old.
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Tell us your life story as seen through skiing (skip all that boring stuff that doesn't involve playing in the snow)
JM: I grew up in up state NY with brutal winters, where we had nothing better do but ski at our local ski resort, Brantling (made famous by Diane Roffe Steinnrotter.) Brantiling was a small hill with only t-bars and rope tows. We could drive to the top of the race start, it was a max 6 gate GS course. Needless to say we were bred into slalom skiers. My mom made all my downhill suits (picture below, black with neon colors.) I grew up racing all the new England ski resorts, and then went to National Sports Academy in Lake Placid which progressed to skiing for the University of New Hampshire. Being exposed to the skiing conditions in the west, I knew that once I graduated I was on a quest to live out West. I landed in Park City, Utah coaching an adaptive ski team. I’ve been skiing the Utah champagne powder for 20 years now!!!
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What's your favorite mountain in New England?
JM: I’ll have to say Stowe, the memories of their spring slalom race with eating maple syrup on the snow and a pickle to finish off the sugar buzz!
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Tell us about the most epic ski day of your life.
JM: I don’t want to brag, but 2 feet of powder at Deer Valley is pretty epic. People want to make fun of the posh resort, but the best kept secret is 3 minute lift rides to untouched virgin light snow, top to bottom runs, and no run outs or flats. My first experience of understanding the joke of wearing a snorkel to breath from the face shots; it’s crazy when you breath in snow, a bit scary and exciting all at the same time!
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What do you like about working with Parlor?
JM: This is my first year on Parlor skis, but I love the local support and reaching out to us westerners. Love how we can design our own graphics, and very excited to have a conversational piece on the lift!
