Ian Borgeson
The Winter Ahead
This winter, Colorado native and up-and-coming freeskier Ian Borgeson, 20, will begin his career on the Freeride World Tour, the most elite big-mountain competition series in skiing.
This winter, Colorado native and up-and-coming freeskier Ian Borgeson, 20, will begin his career on the Freeride World Tour, the most elite big-mountain competition series in skiing.
Big Goals
"Honestly, I'm just really, really nervous," Borgeson says about joining the Freeride World Tour. "To have something you've been thinking about for years, wanting to do, your goal, and then you get there? It's a crazy feeling to be doing what you want to do."
"Honestly, I'm just really, really nervous," Borgeson says about joining the Freeride World Tour. "To have something you've been thinking about for years, wanting to do, your goal, and then you get there? It's a crazy feeling to be doing what you want to do."
His Roots
Borgeson grew up skiing at Colorado's Arapahoe Basin, where his father was the snow-safety director and a longtime ski patrolman.
Borgeson grew up skiing at Colorado's Arapahoe Basin, where his father was the snow-safety director and a longtime ski patrolman.
Borgeson Family
Ian's father, Leif, died in February 2011 of a heart attack while hiking the ridge at Aspen's Highland Bowl with Ian. This photo shows Leif with his two sons, Ian and Aidan.
Ian's father, Leif, died in February 2011 of a heart attack while hiking the ridge at Aspen's Highland Bowl with Ian. This photo shows Leif with his two sons, Ian and Aidan.
Father Figure
"I always looked up to how good he was at everything, especially skiing," Borgeson says about his father. "I wanted to be a better skier because he was so good."
"I always looked up to how good he was at everything, especially skiing," Borgeson says about his father. "I wanted to be a better skier because he was so good."
Ian and Leif
As a longtime ski patrolman, Leif Borgeson was known for his tireless devotion. Here he is pictured with his son Ian.
As a longtime ski patrolman, Leif Borgeson was known for his tireless devotion. Here he is pictured with his son Ian.
A Winding Road
Before finding his niche in big-mountain skiing, Borgeson competed in telemark, slopestyle and mogul contests.
Before finding his niche in big-mountain skiing, Borgeson competed in telemark, slopestyle and mogul contests.
Years Ahead
Borgeson was the champion of the Freeskiing World Qualifier Series in the U.S. last year, making him the youngest American to qualify for the Freeride World Tour this coming season.
Borgeson was the champion of the Freeskiing World Qualifier Series in the U.S. last year, making him the youngest American to qualify for the Freeride World Tour this coming season.
Talented Genes
"Ian is the most naturally talented person that I've ever seen ski," says Drew Petersen, a fellow big-mountain competitor. "I don't just think he can win an event. I think he can win the whole tour."
"Ian is the most naturally talented person that I've ever seen ski," says Drew Petersen, a fellow big-mountain competitor. "I don't just think he can win an event. I think he can win the whole tour."
The Backup Plans
"I would love to win the Freeride World Tour," Borgeson says. "But I really just want to live somewhere that receives copious amounts of snow, ski with my friends all winter and make sweet movies to stoke the kids. If that doesn't work out, I kind of want to be a guide. Or there's always ski patrolling."
"I would love to win the Freeride World Tour," Borgeson says. "But I really just want to live somewhere that receives copious amounts of snow, ski with my friends all winter and make sweet movies to stoke the kids. If that doesn't work out, I kind of want to be a guide. Or there's always ski patrolling."
Use a Facebook account to add a comment, subject to Facebook's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Facebook name, photo & other personal information you make public on Facebook will appear with your comment, and may be used on ESPN's media platforms. Learn more