Clear Creek’s Parker and Addyson Scott’s shared passion for skiing has helped them become some of the best young skiers in the state.
The siblings represented Colorado at the Western U.S. High School Championship races March 10-12 at Nevada’s Mount Rose between Reno and Lake Tahoe.
It was Colorado’s first time competing at the event, and both its boys and girls teams placed first, sweeping the six other states.
The event consisted of slalom and giant slalom races. Parker placed 25th out of 80 male skiers, and Addyson ranked 51st out of nearly 80 female skiers.
The siblings, who live in Georgetown, said skiing in the championship races was a lot of fun, and they were honored to be among the 12 boys and 12 girls representing Colorado.
Skiers qualified based on how many points they earned over the high school skiing season, although sportsmanship and involvement in the sport were also considerations, the Scotts explained.
Parker recalled learning he qualified at the March 1 Skimeister competition in Steamboat Springs, saying, “It made my day when I found out.”
Parker and Addyson described how their Colorado teammates were skiers they’ve competed against before, and it was a fun experience to join forces and forge new friendships with them.
“It felt like we were an actual team,” Parker continued.
Moreover, parents Justin and Lycia Scott said the championship “brought everyone together” and provided opportunities for the young skiers to network and train.
Parker’s goals for his senior year are return to Skimeister and the Western U.S. High School Championship and win both.
A skiing family
Parker and Addyson both started skiing when they were 2 years old, and parents Justin and Lycia started learning when their children did.
The family trained at the Copper Mountain Ski & Ride School, and Parker and Addyson eventually became fascinated with racing. So, at 7 and 5, respectively, they joined a racing program.
The “club” skiing environment can be incredibly intense, with several days each week spent training and competing. Lycia described it as “nonstop,” and Parker said it can feel like a job.
Addyson said she got a little burnt out in such an environment, and wanted to do something different but still progress as a skier.
Thus, the two siblings joined the skiing program at Clear Creek Middle School/High School.
“It feels more relaxed and fun,” Parker said of Clear Creek’s team environment.
Like most siblings, Parker and Addyson typically get along whether they’re at home, school or skiing practice. But, Parker clarified, they definitely have their days when they don’t.
Addyson said she doesn’t appreciate when her older brother tries to coach her, while Parker described how his younger sister likes to give him very honest feedback on his runs.
Once he graduates in May 2023, Parker plans to attend an instate college, and hopes to ski at the collegiate level.
After skiing together for so long, Addyson wasn’t prepared for the prospect of eventually competing without her brother.
“It will be different doing it without him,” she said.
Short-term, though, the Scott siblings have more training to do together this spring, before competing at Loveland Ski Area’s derby on April 9-10.
Parker described how he loves skiing because it’s something fun that brings his family together.
“Skiing is like my second home,” he continued, adding that no matter what is going on in his life, skiing is a great outlet for him.
Addyson described her love for the sport as: “It’s never the same. There’s always new things to learn.”