Jeannie Thoren started on a quest to improve her own skiing through equipment modification. Along the way she found herself revolutionizing the thinking of the entire snow sports industry. Jeannie has spent the last 30 years researching the way women ski. As a competitor, she found that to perfect her own skiing she needed to make some serious adjustments to her ski equipment. Jeannie has pioneered the notion that the wrong equipment is the biggest factor keeping women from progressing in skiing. Women’s bodies are different than men’s. Therefore, their equipment needs to be different. Jeannie has been sharing her expertise and solving the problems of other women skiers since 1980. Jeannie was named “One of the 100 Most Influential Skiers of the Century” by Ski Magazine and one of the “Top 25 Most Influential People in Skiing in the last 50 Years” by Skiing Magazine. We think she is the most hilarious as well!We caught Jeannie while in between one of her cross country stops across the country and got to ask her a few questions... Outdoor DIVAS: What do you think is the greatest improvement made to women’s gear in the last few seasons?
Jeannie: Without a question, that manufacturers are finally taking the Women’s Specific Category more seriously than in the past. Not only is there specific gear for beginners through intermediates, there are now plentiful models for women who rip. It is no longer necessary for expert women skiers to ski on men’s skis.
Outdoor DIVAS: Life as a traveling ski representative must be fun but do you still get to ski for fun?
Jeannie: Absolutely!!!!! I think about skiing 365 days of the year. I actually ski ±100 days a year. I’ve done so for over 50 years. Skiing is my life.
Outdoor DIVAS: We know you are the gear expert, but what do you look for in winter clothing?
Jeannie: I shop for clothes that are toasty warm, lightweight, breathable, and stretchy. I ski in a down jacket with a hood most of the year, I refuse to ski with heavy skis, boots and bindings. The same goes for my clothing. I want my clothes to move and stretch when I bend so I look for lightweight, warm clothes with built in pliability.
Outdoor DIVAS: Do you have plans of promoting the “women specific” concept to any other sports, like dirt biking or say horseback riding?
Jeannie: There have been women’s saddles for horseback riding since before I was born, and bikes have morphed light years ahead in the past 5 years. I’m actually much more intrigued with something that affects the jumping, running, and skiing sports. The mystery of the higher rate of ACL injuries to girls and women preoccupies most of my thinking time. I read and research every single article that comes out on the subject. It’s a given that we should be in better shape, work out, etc., but I’m also interested in the gear females play in. I’m a gearhead. Balance is key no matter what the sport. Stay tuned for what I come up with next!!!!! The fairy godmother of boot fitting is back in Colorado for an exclusive presentation. Jeannie is a guru when it comes to women specific ski gear and can help make your skiing experience a much more comfortable one. Jeannie's famous presentaion will be Dec. 8th at the Cherry Creek store at 6:30pm. She will be offering FREE private boot fitting sessions in Cherry Creek on Dec 9th and for the Boulder ladies on Dec 10th. Please call to book your appointment. 303-320-DIVA. |
