Nature Valley US Alpine Championships come to Squaw Valley this week

The Nature Valley US Alpine Championships take place this week at Squaw Valley Ski Resort Wednesday March 19-Sunday March 23. Visitors can join Squaw Valley’s Tamara McKinney and Truckee’s Jeff Hamilton for après ski, 1–4 pm each day of the event, at the Sierra Sotheby’s International Realty office located in Squaw Village for a discussion about competitive skiing. McKinney’s four World Championship Globes are on display and refreshments are provided by Uncorked.

A Lexington Kentucky native, McKinney began skiing as a one-year-old on snow banks built on her front lawn. As the youngest child of eight in a skiing family, McKinney says she was motivated by trying to keep up with her older siblings and after seeing her family members make the US Ski Team, it seemed like a natural progression for herself.

McKinney moved to Squaw Valley at the age of 9, and her competitive skiing ambition came to fruition during her 14-year long career on the US Ski Team. She won 10 US National titles, became the first American woman to win the overall World Cup title, competed in three Olympic Games, and retired with a haul of medals including gold.  McKinney now coaches the Squaw Valley Ski Team and will watch her daughter compete during this week’s event.

“I have a lot of fun watching the kids ski, and it’s wonderful to see the caliber of event that Squaw can put on for the best racers in America in this week, we can literally see the races from our office in Sotheby’s. I’m inspired by racing and it continues to be a great part of my life in Tahoe. I really enjoy showing people the area and helping them find their dream homes. Living and working here is a gift,” McKinney said.

Jeff Hamilton (shown left) is an Auburn California native and began skiing at age 4 with the Auburn Ski Club. Hamilton’s father also took him to ski at Boreal Mountain Resort every winter as a kid. Hamilton moved to Truckee after college and ski coached at Squaw. He competed in his first speed race at Kirkwood Mountain Resort, and went on to set a world record for being the first person to ski 150 miles per hour, he became an Olympic Bronze Medalist, and became a four-time Speed Skiing World Champion during his career.

Hamilton says that seeing his kids begin fun careers in ski racing and carving their own paths in Nordic skiing has been fun for him. He watched his oldest daughter compete in the Nordic Junior Nationals earlier this month in Stowe, Vermont.

“Events like the US Alpine Championships are great for the community. These events provide goals and a legacy for the next generation to continue when they get to see the best skiers compete. The lifestyle of being able to ski and live in Lake Tahoe is unique, and the opportunity to meet newcomers and help them live that lifestyle is very fulfilling,” Hamilton said.

Join us at the Sierra Sotheby’s International Realty Squaw Village office for refreshments provided by Uncorked during each day of the event. For more information about the Nature Valley US Alpine Championships, visit www.squaw.com. For more information about our extraordinary listings, visit www.sierrasothebysrealty.com and contact one of our local experts.