Local big mountain skier Mason Heflin is having a big-time season. He is one of just 60 skiers across the nation invited to NorAms at Kirkwood from April 11-17.
The 17-year-old Team Breck skier has been to NorAms before, but never to Kirkwood.
“I’m really excited to go out there, but nervous for the comp already,” Mason tells Krystal 93 news director Phil Lindeman. “It will be fun to find a different line and see the variety everyone else is coming up with.”
His last trip to NorAms was two seasons ago at Kicking Horse. This time around he is older and he’s better, entering the competition ranked No. 18 in the nation. He took second at Copper Mountain and third at his home hill of Breckenridge.
“Visualizing my turns, visualizing my airs, knowing where I need to go and how to get there,” he explains. “I wouldn’t be able to send on those cliffs alone. It’s great to have a coach there and other kids there to back you up. It gives you a level of confidence.”
Also older and better this time around? The competition.
“The top three runs are definitely always super, super heavy,” Mason says. “Everybody there has the potential to take the win.”
With a solid run, and just a touch of luck, he could leave NorAms with a top-10 ranking.
“Just keep trying,” Mason says. “Stay dedicated. Keep after what you want. You’ll get there.”