Deer Valley offers another connection to Park City’s Olympic history ties besides memories of 2002 and anticipation for the 2034 Games.Through Ski with a Champion, skiers can book half and full days with seven Olympic champions, all locals and all legends in their sport, at Deer Valley. These days are not designed to be lessons, though athletes may offer up a handy tip or two, but time to get to know the athletes many have watched over the years. Champion Kaylin Richardson chats with clients on a lift in 2022. Credit: Deer Valley ResortThe program began at Deer Valley nine years ago, led by former aerial skiing Olympian Kris “Fuzz” Feddersen. Feddersen competed in the 1992 and 1994 Winter Games in aerial freestyle skiing, placing fifth and 11th, respectively. Feddersen plays a part in aerial skiing history, participating in the 1988 games, when aerials were only featured as a demonstration and finishing fourth.  There are six other Olympic athletes across disciplines in Ski with a Champion, all available to request. Ashley Caldwell was added to the roster this season, alongside veteran champs Jillian Vogtli, Kaylin Richardson, Shannon Bahrke, Chris Waddell and Trace Worthington.Feddersen’s motivation to join this initiative started with his connection to the sport. “I got involved after I was done competing. I was trying to find my way, and got involved with some corporations who would book athletes to go ski or speak with their team. I thought, ‘Hey, this is really quite cool.’,” he said. Kris ‘Fuzz’ Feddersen has been a part of Ski with a Champion since its beginning and continues to ski as an athlete on the roster, nine years running. Credit: Deer Valley ResortJillian Vogtli has been a part of Ski with a Champion since its beginning, as well. Vogtli competed in her first Olympic Games in 2002 in moguls freestyle skiing. The 2002 games held the women’s moguls event at Deer Valley Resort on the Champion trail. Vogtli placed eighth on the same hill she now skis with clients. She returned to the Games in 2006 and placed 11th in the same event. “For me, I’m a passionate person,” said Vogtli. “I spent all those years focusing on myself with my sport, and I love people and I love the mountains, so to be able to share that passion with people is really very rewarding for me.” Reserve a Champion for a full-day of skiing ranges between $2,570 and $2,845 during high season. Half days range from $1,470 to $1,655. Groups may not be larger than six, and the cost does not include the Deer Valley lift ticket. On top of the cost, skiers often experience the added pressure of having to showcase their own skiing abilities before an Olympic champion, said Feddersen.“The funniest thing we often hear (from guests) is ‘I don’t want to ski with an Olympian because I’m not that good of a skier,’” he said. “But there’s a lot of days where I ski with people on green runs all day, and it’s all just for the fun of it.” Jillian Vogtli carves a turn at Deer Valley in March, 2024. Credit: Deer Valley ResortVogtli echoed this sentiment, saying she has learned more from this experience, more perhaps even than her clients. “When I was done with sport, I was sick of me,” she said. “For me to be able to give that passion back to others, that immediately fuels me.” Vogtli aims to bring the spirit of challenge and growth that she experienced as an athlete to her clients. Her favorite moment as a Deer Valley Champion has been watching clients who began the day feeling fearful or unsure of their ability end the day victorious. “As clients come down (the ski hill), and all of a sudden I see their shoulders go up, and that is so rewarding. When you can just see that progress in everyday people,” said Vogtli. Families and groups have returned year after year to book “their Olympian”, said Feddersen and Vogtli. “You get to know them,” Vogtli said. “You get to see the kids grow through changes in their lives. And so that’s a really beautiful thing. It’s more than just coming to ski with you.” Shannon Buhrke smiles with family of clients in 2022. Credit: Deer Valley ResortSki with a Champion runs from opening day at Deer Valley, Friday for season pass holders and Saturday for everyone, until closing. “Ultimately, it’s about helping people remember who they are and who they can be,” said Vogtli. The post Deer Valley’s Ski with a Champion program open for reservations appeared first on Park Record.