Colby repping his Red Ledges’ gear.
Skiing comes naturally to Colby Johnson. Colby, John Johnson’s son, grew up on skis. Since he was four, he has been skiing in his backyard in Park City, Utah. Park City is home to some of the best skiing, and “Greatest Snow”, on earth. Colby’s stomping grounds have been Park City Mountain Resort, the Utah Olympic Park, and Woodward Resort Park City.
Now, John Johnson and his wife Michele are ready to root on their son in Switzerland for the FIS Junior World Championships. Colby is one of three skiers in the US, under 18, that have qualified for these events from March 9th – 13th.. He is competing in two different freeski disciplines, big-air, and slopestyle which make Colby a well-rounded free skier.
John Johnson, Red Ledges’ General Manager since 2009, is known around the Club as a friendly and approachable person. John, aka JJ, was an athlete himself and is still a PGA Professional – fitting for his place of work. Michele was also an athlete in her younger years and where their two sons got their athletic genes. Colby’s older brother Conner is a College Baseball player and longtime Red Ledges employee too. Both he and his wife, Michele, have always been there to support their sons’ goals and dreams.
We were lucky to sit down at Woodward Park City with Colby, and JJ, to ask him a few questions about his skiing career before he leaves on what we would call a well-deserved experience of a lifetime!
John Johnson and his son Colby at Woodward Park City
What are you the most excited for while attending FIS Junior World Championships?
“I am excited for the level of skiing that I will witness and the challenge of the skill-level that I am competing with. I am also excited to represent my country, and have fun while doing it.”
What is your biggest accomplishment?
“Qualifying for this event and being in the top 20 for the Nor-Am Circuit.”
Colby getting ready to drop in for a run at Park City Mountain.
How do you get ready for 10 months of skiing each year?
Colby attended the Winter Sports School in Park City, which allowed him to prioritize skiing while staying on top of his academics. He has been lucky to train with some of the best coaches at some of the best training facilities in the United States. Olympians come to Park City from all-over to train at facilities like Utah Olympic Park which features water ramps and airbags, and at Woodward Park City, a newly built ski and snowboard park and indoor trampoline facility.
What is your favorite resort?
“Stelvio, Italy” was Colby’s response. If you are curious to more about this incredible resort click here. It’s pretty unbelievable.
What is your best/favorite trick?
“Best trick is a triple cork 1440. Favorite trick – a stylish 180.”
Who is a role model or skier that you look up to?
Colby’s first response, “Pops”, his dad JJ is a true role-model to his sons and the Red Ledges staff alike. When JJ deflected his son’s response we heard Henrik Harlaut was high up on the list of idolized skiers.
What do you do in your free time?
“I like to skateboard, hang out with my family and my girlfriend. I love to travel.” We also heard that Colby worked last summer at the Red Ledges Village Center pool to help earn money to support his lifestyle traveling and competing in events all around the world. “In the summer months I also work as a Flying Ace All Star at the Utah Olympic Park to earn money for my skiing.” “ I have been a Flying Ace athlete since I was 10 years old.”
Colby during training at Stelvio, Italy.
What are your next steps?
“In the fall, I will start attending Salt Lake Community College, so I can continue to ski in Park City. My goal is to keep it fun and continue to do what I love – skiing. I would love to create a life that allows me to travel.”
The team at Red Ledges is rooting Colby on and we can’t wait to see what he accomplishes at Switzerland and in the future. To watch Colby at the FIS Junior World Championships click here to see the schedule.
To learn more about Colby’s achievements or to learn about additional ways that you can cheer him on and support him, email John Johnson at jcjohnson@redledgesclub.com.