In this episode Annie Fast, Oregon-based freelance writer and former professional snowboarder, joins the Ski Moms to discuss two critical barriers facing ski families: accessible childcare at resorts and mothers competing at elite levels. Annie's investigative work for Ski Area Management revealed a troubling trend of resort daycare closures post-COVID, including Vail's Small World, Jackson Hole, and Bridger Bowl facilities, while highlighting success stories at Mount Bachelor, Mount Hood Meadows, Brundage, and Tamarack with year-round programs. She explains why finding childcare information on resort websites is nearly impossible and how this impacts both visiting families and employee retention. Annie also previews her coverage of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, spotlighting Olympic moms competing with young children and the challenges of decentralized venues. The conversation covers practical advocacy tips for ski families, the reality of split-day skiing for toddlers, and why true "family-friendly" resorts must offer guest childcare.

Keep up with the latest from Annie!

• Website: https://anniefast.contently.com
• Insta

SHOP HERE

Use Code SKIMOMS for 15% off all labels. Code is not valid on sale items or stamps. Other restrictions may apply.

There are 4 events happening this year at: Sugarbush, Sunday River and Stratton, plus a cross country skiing event at the von Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe. Register here, spots are limited https://www.theskimoms.co/events

Find your perfect family-friendly mountain stay—or list your own!
👉 Browse or list at Ski Mom Family Rentals

Support the show

Keep up with the Latest from the Ski Moms!
Website: www.theskimoms.co
Ski Moms Discount Page: https://www.theskimoms.co/discounts
Ski Moms Ski Rental Homes
Join the 13,000+ Ski Moms Facebook Group
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskimoms/

Send us an email and let us know what guests and topics you’d like to hear next!
Sarah@skimomsfun.com
Nicole@skimomsfun.com

In this episode, the Ski Moms head out west to explore Mount Bachelor with Lauren Burke, Director of Marketing and Communications at one of the Pacific Northwest's largest ski resorts. Lauren shares her unconventional path into the ski industry, from growing up in San Diego with childhood trips to Mammoth, to falling in love with mountain life at University of Colorado Boulder. After over a decade at Mammoth Mountain, Lauren made the move to Mount Bachelor in Bend, Oregon, where she discovered a unique ski destination unlike any other.

Lauren paints a perfect picture of what makes Mount Bachelor special: affordable lodging in nearby Bend and Sun River, free parking, 410 inches of annual snowfall and 360-degree skiing on a dormant volcano with over 4,000 skiable acres. She emphasizes that spring is the absolute best time to visit, with the whole mountain open through Memorial Day and sunny weather that allows families to combine skiing with mountain biking, hiking, and outdoor concerts.

For families, Mount Bachelor offers year-round daycare, Kids Ski Free passes, extensive beginner terrain on both base areas, and affordable lesson packages. Lauren also highlights the resort's four-season offerings including downhill mountain biking, zip tours, whitewater rafting and fine dining experiences at the mid-mountain lodge.

Quotes:

• "There is no winter destination quite like Bend, Sun River, Mount Bachelor. I just cannot find a comparable ski destination that is anything like this."
• "My number one tip for families visiting Bachelor is come in the spring. It is so good in the spring. The whole mountain's open. The weather is good, you get snow, but when it's not snowing, you get sun."
• "The summit of Mount Bachelor is a tr

SHOP HERE

Use Code SKIMOMS for 15% off all labels. Code is not valid on sale items or stamps. Other restrictions may apply.

There are 4 events happening this year at: Sugarbush, Sunday River and Stratton, plus a cross country skiing event at the von Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe. Register here, spots are limited https://www.theskimoms.co/events

Hey Ski Moms—let’s talk staying warm. Ski Haus isn’t just a gear shop—it’s where smart ski moms go to get outfitted for the whole family. Head to skihaus.com to check store hours and directions.

Find your perfect family-friendly mountain stay—or list your own!
👉 Browse or list at Ski Mom Family Rentals

Support the show

Keep up with the Latest from the Ski Moms!
Website: www.theskimoms.co
Ski Moms Discount Page: https://www.theskimoms.co/discounts
Ski Moms Ski Rental Homes
Join the 13,000+ Ski Moms Facebook Group
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskimoms/

Send us an email and let us know what guests and topics you’d like to hear next!
Sarah@skimomsfun.com
Nicole@skimomsfun.com

The Ski Moms welcome legendary skier Wendy Fisher, whose name is synonymous with both Olympic racing and big mountain freeskiing. Wendy started skiing at age 2 in Squaw Valley (now Palisades Tahoe), chasing her older brothers down the hill. After losing one of her brothers in a tragic accident, she poured her grief into skiing—eventually making the U.S. Ski Team and competing in the 1992 Winter Olympics.

Wendy opens up about the emotional toll of elite racing, how fear of failure held her back, and what finally pushed her to walk away at age 23. A soul-searching road trip led her to Crested Butte, where she entered her first big mountain contest and redefined the sport by skiing bold lines no woman had attempted before. She went on to become a two-time World Extreme Skiing Champion and star in iconic films by Warren Miller and Matchstick Productions.

Now based in Crested Butte, Wendy shares how she’s reinvented herself many times—becoming a mom of two, ski instructor, DJ, and event coordinator. She talks about teaching through Vail Resorts' “Ski with an Olympian” program and her ongoing love for skiing and community.

Resources:

• Website: WendyFisher.me
• Ski with Wendy: Available at Crested Butte and Epic Pass resorts
• DJ Services: DJ Red for events and weddings
• Après Ski: The Beckwith (formerly Elevation Spa), Crested Butte Mountain Resort base area

Notable Quotes:

"I felt so much guilt for losing the love of skiing, because by the end of my racing career, I just dreamed of when I was 7 and skiing at Squaw, having fun, hitting jumps, playing. Like, skiing used to be so fun. Where did it go?"

"When that crowd noticed where I was

SHOP HERE

Use Code SKIMOMS for 15% off all labels. Code is not valid on sale items or stamps. Other restrictions may apply.

There are 4 events happening this year at: Sugarbush, Sunday River and Stratton, plus a cross country skiing event at the von Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe. Register here, spots are limited https://www.theskimoms.co/events

Hey Ski Moms—let’s talk staying warm. Ski Haus isn’t just a gear shop—it’s where smart ski moms go to get outfitted for the whole family. Head to skihaus.com to check store hours and directions.

Find your perfect family-friendly mountain stay—or list your own!
👉 Browse or list at Ski Mom Family Rentals

Support the show

Keep up with the Latest from the Ski Moms!
Website: www.theskimoms.co
Ski Moms Discount Page: https://www.theskimoms.co/discounts
Ski Moms Ski Rental Homes
Join the 13,000+ Ski Moms Facebook Group
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskimoms/

Send us an email and let us know what guests and topics you’d like to hear next!
Sarah@skimomsfun.com
Nicole@skimomsfun.com