Snow Trax: Santa Fe native still flying high in slopestyle skiing

Slopestyle competitive skiing is definitely a young person’s sport. Just ask Nadia Gonzales, who at age 27 is one of the oldest participants in the international body of female athletes she faces.

Gonzales — who grew up in Santa Fe, Black Lake and Angel Fire — is often up against competitors ages 16-18.

“It’s becoming a much younger field, and it’s hard to find support, as companies are not looking to help older athletes,” Gonzales said in a recent phone interview from her home in Dillon, Colo. “But I am still progressing, and because I’m older, I think I have a better head on my shoulders. I respect the hill, am a consistent skier and largely avoid injury. A lot of girls do get hurt and don’t come back. It’s all dangerous — on the rails, landing jumps. Almost every girl I know has blown an ACL, including me.”