Alps & Meters is delighted to announce its newfound brand partnership with American Downhiller & United States Olympian, Travis Ganong. Drawn together by our mutual passion for alpine sport and skiing’s timeless traditions, Alps & Meters is proud to collaborate with Travis while supporting his journey to the ‘22 Winter Olympics in Beijing and beyond.

A veteran of the United States Ski Team, Travis is an FIS World Championship silver medalist, a multi-time winner on the FIS Tour, and long-standing U.S. Olympian. Hailing from a bastion of American ski culture, Lake Tahoe Californian, Travis’ spirit, on-hill prowess, and off-piste tastes reflect Alps & Meters values and our mission to uphold the classic traditions of alpine sport.

Please join us in welcoming Travis to the Alps & Meters family and wish him well as he kicks-off the downhill circuit in Lake Louise next month.

What drew you to partnering with Alps & Meters and what are you looking most forward to?

I think that the timeless look of Alps and Meters pieces is what first caught my eye, and learning of the brands use of proven natural materials the likes of what mountain people have been living and working/playing in for hundreds of years spiked my interest. I am really looking forward to skiing and traveling the mountain ranges of the world as an athlete on the US Ski Team putting the Alps & Meters products to the test, and hopefully bring my expertise as someone who lives and breaths skiing into the brand. I love the more traditional subtle look of the gear, and I am really excited for this partnership.

What is one of your early ski memories?

I grew up on the backside of Red Dog (one of the six iconic peaks at Squaw Valley) in Alpine Meadows, and my backyard consisted of a perfectly pitched 1,500 vertical foot mountain with amazing tree skiing, a big cornice to jump off, and a beautiful bowl that we dubbed “Juniper Mountain Bowl.” My dad was the local doctor, and one of the clinics was on the front side of Red Dog at the base of Squaw Valley. When conditions permitted, his “commute” to work consisted of booting up in the mud room of the house and skinning that 1,500 vertical up and over the ridge and skiing down to the office. After work, he would retrace his steps and ski home. Growing up with this work/life balance mentality—and getting to join him on these early morning adventures before going to school—helped shape my love for the mountains and started me on my journey as a professional skier.

“I am really looking forward to skiing and traveling the mountain ranges of the world as an athlete on the U.S. Ski Team putting the Alps & Meters products to the test...”

— Travis Ganong

What pushes you to be the best skier?

As a junior skier I was pretty good, but what really helped elevate my skiing to the next level was when I met my fiance, Marie-Michele Gagnon, 13 years ago. She is a member of the Canadian Ski team, and we met at a race in Nakiska, Alberta. I grew up skiing at Squaw Valley, where as athletes we were notorious for being laid-back, loving to freeski, and relying on talent more or less—which will only get you so far. Marie grew up in Quebec with a much more focused and hard-working mentality. When we started dating, she taught me what it meant to truly be a professional athlete and all the hard work that has to be put in to accomplish goals. We both progressed from that junior level to the highest level of winning World Cups and competing in the Olympics. We’re both happily still following that path, living together and pushing each other as we head into this season with Olympics in Beijing.

What are your upcoming goals and expectations this ski season knowing that it is an Olympic year? What are you most excited for?

I have always tried to shy away from setting concrete goals for my competition season, and rather have tried to focus on the process; tried to focus on taking care of all the little details that need attention when it comes to being an American Downhiller. I find that with this mindset, the big accomplishments and goals take care of themselves. Obviously I want to fight for the podium in Bejing. In my last Olympic Downhill in Sochi I finished 5th place and was only hundredths of a second from a medal. Since Sochi, I have stepped to the top of the podium in Downhill, and won a silver medal at the World Champs, so I know what it feels like. With that said, my goal is to take care of all the “little things” between now and the Olympics in February, and then just enjoy the ride!