Despite pandemic freeskier plans for epic season at Killington
By Brooke Geery
Brandon Westburg, 24, is a KMS coach and sponsored freeskier in Killington who’s hoping to top 150 day this season. Former Killington parks director and KSA Built founder Jay Rosenbaum has watched Westburg develop his skills through the years in Killington’s parks. He said Westburg is not only a world-class athlete but also among the humblest and most appreciative riders on the hill.
“There are many super talented skiers and riders out on the mountain. There are also lots of happy, positive, friendly skiers and snowboarders on the mountain, too. It’s less common that both of the traits combine. It’s this combination that best describes Brandon Westburg,” Rosenbaum said. “From years and years of working on the mountain, staff far too often take grief from locals about trail conditions or what lift is open or whatever was the complaint du jour. Not Westburg. He brought me and my staff holiday cookies every Christmas and often packed extra snacks to offer the staff while out on the hill. It was those moments that made us smile when we saw him in the park, let alone for all the amazing tricks he brought to the park for our eyes to gaze upon.”
“Quiet in general nature, he lets his skiing do the talking. And that is a powerful statement,” Rosenbaum continued. “On the forefront of the terrain park skill set, whatever could be seen in the latest ‘snow porn,’ was what we got to witness by Westburg on a day-to-day basis on the hill. Aside from a few cheers from his friends watching, you would never know what was happening was anything other than ordinary based on his body language. It was just skiing, it was just another day. Just another day to say hello to some friends on the hill and a smile and a wave to the staff.”
Q&A with Brandon Westburg
MT: Where did you learn to ski?
Brandon Westburg: I am a 24-year-old diehard Killington local. I grew up right down the street in Rutland, and ski raced at Pico for most of my childhood. I outgrew Pico pretty quickly when I was younger, and made my dad drive me to Killington every day, even though he was a Pico skier. I have been an avid Killington ripper for about 11 years now, shooting for the 100 Club ever since.
MT: How did you get sponsored? Who is supporting you and what does that actually entail?
BW: Getting sponsored as a younger freestyle skier is definitely not for everyone, it just takes a lot of passion, media content, and the right connections. For me, it was constantly riding with locals that were older and far better than me that really sparked my passion to be the best skier I could be. Locals like Mike Garceau, (former head of events), Kevin “Tweak” Merchant (Line Skis rep and former KMS freeski coach), Jay “Rosey” Rosenbaum (former head of Killington Parks) constantly gave me opportunities to succeed, and pushed me as a freestyle athlete to always ski faster, more consistently, and to go bigger! I wondered why these older guys wanted to help out some 14-year-old kid, but I am sure glad they did. These guys stoked the fuel to my freeskiing fire that is still burning red hot this season. Without these guys, I surely would have not met or built relationships with the people within the freeski realm that I still work with some 10 years later.
Currently, I am supported by Smith Optics New England, K2 Skis New England, Image Manufacturing Company, BlackStrap Facemasks, and Black Dog Sports. I have to juggle a variety of tasks to keep these sponsors supporting me from season to season, and have to of course, positively represent these brands while on hill. For Smith Optics, K2 and Blackstrap, and Image, I make sure I am always rocking their gear 24/7, on and off hill, and always recommend these brands’ facemasks, goggles and helmets, outerwear, and skis to anyone wanting to upgrade their gear. Black Dog Sports is definitely my savior and go-to shop in Killington. I don’t even want to know how many skis and boots I have brought in to Dave Manning with core-shots, delaminations, missing edges, broken brakes, broken bindings, and ripped apart boot buckles I have thrown at him to fix over the years, but he always keeps my gear in the best possible condition, and somehow fixes all of my skis so they are rideable. Go see Dave at Black Dog, most consistent tunes and best customer service in the game!
Most importantly, I have to produce a large amount of media content for these brands who support me, many pictures, videos, demo days, and product reviews throughout the year. I share a lot of my media content that I produce for these brands mainly through Instagram, but also other social media sites. Not only do I have to share my talent with others while repping some sick gear, but I also have to look good while doing it! I practice a ton and get a lot of reps in before I shoot video of specific tricks that I am trying. I do a mix of filming and media by myself, with friends, and with Woodward Killington.
MT: How do you like working at KMS? What’s your favorite and least favorite parts of coaching?
BW: I love working as a freestyle ski coach at KMS and love working with all of my kids, they are always full of energy and stoked to be there and learn. I see a lot of myself in a few of the kids, I can definitely tell that their passion is growing for the sport, and they are motivated to get better and better. I love passing down my skillset and passion for freesking to the kids, that really brings a huge smile to my face at the end of the day. My favorite part of coaching is definitely seeing one of my kids land a trick that they have been working on for a while, it is like the best feeling in the world for them, and everyone is always so excited!! It honestly feels like a big family when I am skiing around with my kids, they always are so excited to ski with each other, will ski in any conditions (even the pouring rain!), and never question helping each other out when in need. All of the kids and their families are so kind, supportive, and so passionate about skiing! My least favorite part about coaching is the last day of the season, always sad to say goodbye and see you next season to my kids.
MT: How have things changed for you due to Covid?
BW: Let’s face it, Covid has changed everything as we know it, but Killington has been doing an amazing job with parking, precautions in the lodges and in the lift lines, lift capacity, and enforcing mask wearing. I am super impressed so far on how well they have been handling Covid precautions. For me personally, I have been looking forward to getting out there on the mountain again and putting everything crazy going on in the world in the back of my head, and just focusing having fun skiing! Of course, Covid has caused some job layoffs for me, plenty of uncertainly, and has me guessing what is next to come, like most others. But what matters most is that we have an amazing resort that is making it all happen, so we can enjoy skiing this season.
MT: What do you like most about Killington?
BW: What isn’t to like about Killington? First to open, last to close, never ever gets old to me. From preseason North Ridge, to postseason Superstar bumps, I am truly blessed to be a part of the greatest and longest lasting season on the East every year. You really can’t beat the Killington lifestyle and the friendly locals, knowing a large majority of locals always leaves me with a buddy to ski with, no matter if I am out ripping at first chair, or the last gondi. There is no way you could convince me that I would be just as happy as a hardcore local at any other resort in Vermont. Killington has my heart!
