I give up. I admit defeat. After twenty-two years I realize that my dream of becoming a pro skier is over. Never will I grace the cover of Powder Mag and you will definitely not see me in a segment of Almost Ablaze. That’s fine—life has other plans for me. As I reflect back on why this happened I have to place the blame on two people: my mom and dad. Not because they didn’t sign me up for ski school or drive me up to the mountains of New England each winter, but because they named me Jonathan. Have you ever heard of a pro-skier named Jonathan? With this name I feel destined to sell insurance or use the word “synergy” at a company picnic outside of Topeka, Kansas. I will not make the same mistake, however, when I name my future shredders. And luckily, I’m prepared to share my little secrets with you. When it comes to raising a future ripper, it all starts with the name.
Option A: Nature & Plants
In case you did not notice, most skiing takes place in the great outdoors. What better way to ensure your little rugrats end up on the podium of the FWT than by naming them after shit in nature? Names like Sage, Forrest, Kale, Fir, Carrot, and Leaf seem like a great place to start. Disclaimer: Your kid may also end up selling psychoactive drugs at Burning Man or use the phrase “totally organic” in every other sentence. But hey, what is life without a little risk.
He was named after this...
...an actual Sage plant
Option B: Names Ending in “er”
I have no fricken clue why this is a thing but it is. Want to see your little tyke “freeskiing” in the Olympics or X-Games, name him Shroder, Tanner, Tucker, Colter, Casper, or Jasper. Disclaimer: It takes a lot of laundry detergent to wash that many tall tees.
Colter Hinchliffe shredding pow thanks to the "er."
Option C: Two Letters
There are twenty-six letters in the alphabet. Literally take any two of these and stick them next to each other and bam, your snot-nosed kid can shred. There are literally 676 combinations of letters that allow you to create the next TGR athlete. Think JP, TJ, KC, and PK. Disclaimer: If you name your kid ZZ, he might feel the need to grow a large beard and pick up the guitar.
Option D: Named After a Physical Location
Do you know what kids and mountains have in common? Yes—they are both pretty expensive, but they also have names. Want to see your little pain in the ass throw down on some steeps? Name him Rainer, Jackson, Baker or McKinley. For the ladies, consider Sierra or Aspen. Disclaimer: If you name your kid Vail you are an asshole.
Forrest Shearer shredding the trees...coincidence?
There it is—the foolproof way to ensure your kids become pro skiers. In addition to following these tips, don’t forget to sign up for ski school, buy them new gear every season, pay for season passes, and instill a lifelong passion for the sport in them. We’ve heard those things are also important—but they sound like a lot of work.
About The Author
stash member Jonathan Desabris
Digital Content Producer at TGR. Jackson Hole transplant from the Green Mountain State. Contrary to popular belief I have never lived in New Jersey.
cross 'em
June 25th, 2014
I named my son Stowe Jackson…no joke. By god, he better ski…
dwlrpa
September 2nd, 2014
So i guess my daughter is screwed, we named her ‘Vail Yawgoo’ and call her GOO for short.
As for a name, you could go with J D, shred Des or Johnny Boy. Don’t give up, you can come up with a cool ski name and hopefully live up to it.
Later from the state with ‘the claim to fame’ of the lowest starting elevation of any ski area in the US
Zen_lunatic420
January 8th, 2016
McKinley? ....no disrespect to McKinley as a civil war here and advocate of sound money and the Gold Standard, but I named my girl Denali because that’s how the natives know it…..and now how the rest of US know it as well.
As for my Denali, she is seven, we get out to the mountains a few times a year, she can hang on the black diamonds and catch air….and she can ride her mountain bikeclike a champ too….she has fun and loves being outside….and that’s the most important part!
Skirotica
November 15th, 2016
Three days after this article, I climbed Rainier. Had just found out wife was pregnant. Came to terms with fatherhood at 12 or 13000 feet. Came home, told wife, Rainier is my son’s name.