While many Sedona residents felt relieved when the snow began to melt, one was just getting started. Eight-year-old Samuel Green received a gold medal in the 2019 Arizona Junior Champs Slalom, in Flagstaff.

The Flagstaff Alpine Ski Team hosted the Junior Championship at the Snowbowl on Sunday, March 3.

“The day was just about having fun and running the course, to be honest,” Samuel’s father, Howie Green, said. “It was about having a good time on the mountain as always, rather than competing.”

Samuel’s win capped off his first season and first year on Flagstaff Alpine.

“We told him to do his best, as he was in a higher age group, but we did not anticipate him performing that well,” Green said. “Obviously, the day ended up way better than we had expected.”

Before Samuel joined Flagstaff Alpine, his father taught him the basics of the mountains.

“With the kids, I kind of took it upon myself to get them up to par as far as parallel skiing,” Green said. “That is where the idea came to put Samuel on a team, so they are finishing off and fine-tuning his skills.”

Samuel trains once a week in Flagstaff with his teammates.

“When he is with his coach, they voyage all over the mountain, train on bumps and through whatever terrain the area holds,” Green said.

The Alpine Ski Programs emphasize teaching children ages six and up the ins and outs of mountain awareness and safety while skiing.

“Alpine sponsors the race and has taught generations of kids the fundamentals of skiing,” Green said. “Samuel’s coach raced when he was in high school, as well as the coach’s uncle, so there is a lot of history with this program.”

The program features a 16-week curriculum of skills and is taught by Level 100 and Level 200 USSA-certified coaches.

One could say the apple does not fall too far from the tree, as Samuel comes from a family of avid skiers.

“It is something my wife and I have always done, so we introduced Samuel to skiing once he turned 3,” Green said. “Skiing is a great family event that we all partake in on Sundays.”

“His mother is from Switzerland and skis, and I am very much into skiing as well.”

Samuel might also experience sibling rivalry soon, as his 5-year old brother Simon Green is a skier in his own right.

“Simon started a little earlier, but technically he is not that far behind,” Green said. “He is probably two years behind his brother, but he has a ways to go to get to where Samuel is.”

Samuel may have to watch out for his younger brother on the mountains sooner or later.

“He is all over the map; he picked up skiing at 3 and is extremely competent for his age,” Green said. “Simon will probably join the younger team when he ages, but he is already an avid skier.”

“While his brother is out with his team, Simon and I ski everywhere together,” Green said. “He has not trained as much as Samuel, but he is a skier right now.”

When Samuel and Simon are not on the mountains, they are both avid soccer fans.

“Sports are important for the development of kids because it gives them balance and helps improve their confidence,” Green said.

Samuel will continue training, as the slalom was the last event of his 2019 campaign.

“I know the Snowbowl is holding a snowboarding event relatively soon, but that was the last event for local skiing,” Green said. “Samuel is 8, so we are not going to travel for any events this year.” Green said.

While Samuel enjoys basketball and flag football, the mountains are where he calls home.

The next Flagstaff Alpine event is the third annual Boz Bump Cup on Saturday, March. 30.

The Boz Bump Cup is a costume bump competition that lasts the entire day.