On this episode of Skimo Gold, Travis Macy sits down with Italian World Cup standout Giulia Murada for a wide-ranging conversation about growing up in the Italian Alps, the deep cultural roots of ski mountaineering in Valtellina, and what it means to race toward the Olympics in her own backyard.

Giulia shares what it was like to grow up watching her dad compete in skimo, how she joined the Italian national team as a teenager, and how her perspective on the sport has evolved as skimo moves onto the Olympic stage. We talk about her shift from long-distance racing to Olympic-format sprint and mixed relay events, what it’s taken to retool her training, and how developing faster starts and a sprinter’s mindset has changed her racing at the highest level.

The conversation also dives into racing on the World Cup circuit in places like Andorra, Courchevel, and Utah, the challenges of altitude and travel, the emotional side of Olympic qualification on a deep Italian team, and the unique dynamic of being coached by her father. Giulia opens up about confidence, fairness in selection, growth mindset, and what it feels like to prepare for the biggest moment of her career with family, friends, and her home ski club right there on the slopes.

If you’re curious about the future of Olympic ski mountaineering, what it takes to transition from endurance racing to explosive sprint performance, and what skimo culture looks like at its roots in Italy, this is a must-listen.

Let's go!

Special thanks to TrainingPeaks, DYNAFIT, POMOCA, REVANTA Creatine by NEURORESERVE (use code SKIMOGOLD), and CAMP for sponsoring Skimo Gold's Olympic Dispatch!

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Thanks to our sponsor CAMP

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith

Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show

Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

What is skimo…and why on earth are these people skiing uphill instead of taking the lift?

Today we're kicking off Skimo Gold's Olympic Dispatch with Travis Macy and Andrew Vontz (host of Choose the Hard Way and co-host of Beyond the Peloton) for a rapid-fire, beginner-friendly breakdown of ski mountaineering—built for the skimo-curious and anyone watching the sport hit the Olympic stage.

Travis unpacks the two Olympic disciplines—the Sprint and the Mixed Relay—and explains what makes them so brutally fun: head-to-head racing, steep climbs, sketchy descents on skinny race skis, and the make-or-break details of transitions. You’ll learn what’s actually happening in the zones (skinning, bootpacking, skiing downhill), why transitions become pure muscle memory when you’re “tasting blood,” and how the best athletes can “tighten the screws” until mistakes start showing up.

They also get into the bigger question skimo fans love to argue about: Is the Olympic format “real” skimo? Travis shares the case for the short, explosive events and the long, high-consequence mountaineering-style races—plus why the Olympics might be the perfect gateway for new fans to discover the full spectrum of the sport.

If you’ve ever watched a clip of a double skin rip and thought, “what did I just see?” — this one’s for you. Let’s go!

Special thanks to TRAINING PEAKS, DYNAFIT and POMOCA for sponsoring Skimo Gold's Olympic Dispatch!

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Thanks to our sponsor CAMP

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith

Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show

Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

Two major World Cup weekends. One deep dive into what actually mattered.

On this episode of Skimo Gold, Travis Macy is joined by longtime ski mountaineering commentator Catie Friend to break down the Andorra Vertical World Cup and the Boí Taüll Sprint and Mixed Relay. Together, they analyze the results, the racing dynamics, and the small moments that decided big outcomes—especially in the sprints and mixed relay, where transitions, downhill skiing, and tactical positioning made all the difference.

They discuss dominant performances, rising athletes, Team USA’s progress, and what these races reveal as the Olympic window gets closer. From technical course features and changing snow conditions to confidence-building wins and costly split-second mistakes, this episode offers an insider’s look at how elite skimo racing actually unfolds.

If you want more than just results—and care about how races are won and lost—this is your World Cup recap.

Big thanks to CAMP for supporting Skimo Gold, and to DYNAFIT and POMOCA for powering the Olympic Dispatch series.

Let’s go!

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Thanks to our sponsor CAMP

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith

Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show

Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Thanks to our sponsor CAMP

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith

Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show

Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

Getting into skimo can feel overwhelming — the gear, the races, the rules, the learning curve. So where do you actually start?

On this episode of Skimo Gold, Travis Macy sits down with Mark Koob, race director, coach, educator, and the driving force behind Rocky Mountain Skimo, to break it all down. Mark shares his path from Idaho snowboarder to Colorado skimo lifer, what it really takes to organize and grow races, and how the sport is evolving in the U.S.

They talk through beginner-friendly entry points, what races to consider, gear expectations, and the behind-the-scenes challenges of building accessible, community-driven events. You’ll also hear how youth participation, the National Cup Series, and Olympic recognition are shaping skimo’s future — and where the growing pains still live.

Whether you’re lining up for your first race, thinking about directing an event, or just skimo-curious, this episode offers a grounded, insider look at where the sport is headed and how to be part of it.

Let's go!

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Thanks to our sponsor CAMP

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith

Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show

Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

With Milano Cortina 2026 fast approaching, the Skimo Gold team dives into the latest action from the Courchevel World Cup and what it means for the Olympic picture. Catie Friend and Travis Macy break down the standout performances, rising stars, and surprising shake-ups across the individual, vertical, and sprint events.

They analyze who's peaking at the right time, how different countries are positioning themselves for Olympic success, and why this year’s World Cup scene is more competitive than ever.

Let's go!

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Thanks to our sponsor CAMP

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith

Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show

Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

Join hosts Travis Macy and Cam Smith on Skimo Gold as they welcome special guest, Sage Canaday—elite runner, mountain athlete, and YouTuber for an exciting dual sport conversation!

Sage shares his evolution from running prodigy and ultra-marathon champion to embracing the learning curve of ski mountaineering in Colorado. Discover how running and skimo complement each other, the role of gear and training at altitude, and strategies for balancing backcountry adventure with safety and performance.

Whether you’re a runner curious about skimo, or a seasoned athlete seeking fresh insights, this episode offers practical advice, inspiring stories, and expert mentorship for your own mountain journey.

Let's go!

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Thanks to our sponsor CAMP

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith

Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show

Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

Join hosts Travis Macy and Cam Smith as they go deep on one of the world’s most iconic ski mountaineering events: The Power of Four. Featuring special guest Doug Stenclik, course architect, veteran racer, and founder of Cripple Creek Backcountry.

This episode is a masterclass for anyone curious or passionate about skimo racing. You’ll get a detailed, insider breakdown of the race’s four-mountain course, expert tips for training, gear, and on-course strategy, plus behind-the-scenes stories from years of race experience. Whether you’re a first-timer, a returning athlete, or a fan of mountain sports, you’ll find actionable wisdom and entertaining anecdotes to help you enjoy the Power of Four and skimo to the fullest.

Let's go!

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Thanks to our sponsor CAMP

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith

Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show

Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.