SKIMO GOLD

Travis Macy
  • 5.0 (4)
  • SPORTS

The premier podcast and YouTube show for ski mountaineering interviews and analysis.  Explore the high-altitude, high-stakes world of skimo as elite athletes prepare for Olympic competition and beyond.  From the World Cup podium to the local skintrack, SKIMO GOLD is THE podcast for smooth-gliding, quick-transitioning, lung-burning, kick-turning beta on training, racing, gear, fueling, mindset, and–most importantly–FUN!  Join hosts Travis Macy and Cam Smith regularly for novel conversations with the world’s best athletes, coaches, organizers, and skimo aficionados plus just-in-time race analysis.  Produced for all podcast players by Palm Tree Pod Co.

  1. Inside the PDG: 16 Hours of Suffering, Teamwork, and Alpine Chaos

    5D AGO

    Inside the PDG: 16 Hours of Suffering, Teamwork, and Alpine Chaos

    In this episode of Skimo Gold, Travis Macy sits down with Mike Hogan, Scott Richards, and Dan Mellish to unpack their experience racing the legendary Patrouille des Glaciers (PDG) in Switzerland. A race that’s as much about survival and teamwork as it is about endurance. This is a 57km, 4,000+ meter ski mountaineering race that starts in the middle of the night, crosses glaciated terrain, and demands that teams move together, often roped up, through steep climbs, technical descents, and brutal conditions. For Mike, Scott, and Dan, it turned into a 16-hour effort chasing cutoffs at every checkpoint, managing hydration issues, navigating the dark, and relying on each other to keep moving forward.  But this episode goes deeper than the race stats. They share what it’s like to:  Race under constant time pressure, hitting checkpoints with minutes to spare  Ski technical terrain roped together in the dark  Manage physical lows, cramping, and nutrition challenges mid-race  Stay mentally engaged when the margin for error disappears  Lean on teammates when things start to unravel More than anything, this is a story about friendship, resilience, and what happens when you commit to something that pushes you well past your comfort zone. Because at the end of it, this wasn’t just about finishing PDG. It was about doing it together. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  Thanks to our sponsor CAMP Subscribe to our YouTube channel  Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith  Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show  Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

    1h 1m
  2. Joe Dombrowski on WorldTour Cycling, Endurance Mindset & Training Across Disciplines

    APR 24

    Joe Dombrowski on WorldTour Cycling, Endurance Mindset & Training Across Disciplines

    What can ski mountaineers learn from a WorldTour cyclist? In this episode of Skimo Gold, Travis Macy sits down with professional cyclist Joe Dombrowski for a wide-ranging conversation about endurance training, racing strategy, and the mindset required to perform at the highest level across demanding mountain sports. Joe shares insights from his years competing in Grand Tours and major international races, including how elite cyclists structure training, manage recovery, and prepare for long seasons of high-intensity competition. The conversation explores the overlap between cycling and ski mountaineering, from pacing and fueling to altitude adaptation and durability over multi-hour efforts. They also discuss how athletes transition between disciplines, what mountain athletes can learn from cycling culture, and why longevity in endurance sport often comes down to consistency, curiosity, and staying motivated over time. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  Thanks to our sponsor CAMP Subscribe to our YouTube channel  Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith  Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show  Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

    1h 22m
  3. The Way Out: Risk, Loss, and What the Mountains Teach Us with Devon O’Neil

    APR 17

    The Way Out: Risk, Loss, and What the Mountains Teach Us with Devon O’Neil

    In this episode of Skimo Gold, Travis Macy sits down with journalist and author Devon O’Neil to explore the story behind his book The Way Out—a deeply reported account of a backcountry hut trip that ended in tragedy and reshaped an entire community. The conversation centers on a 2017 trip to a 10th Mountain Division hut in Colorado, where two skiers left for a quick run and never returned. What followed was a chaotic search effort, a powerful survival story, and years of unanswered questions that O’Neil would spend nearly a decade trying to understand.  But this episode goes far beyond the incident itself. Travis and Devon dig into the deeper themes that sit underneath the story:  How risk shows up in seemingly “routine” backcountry decisions  What preparedness really means—and how often we overestimate it  The emotional weight carried by survivors, families, and communities  How mountain towns like Salida respond when something goes wrong  And the question that lingers for anyone who spends time in the mountains: is the adventure worth it?Devon also shares his writing process, the years it took to earn trust and tell this story, and how reporting the book ultimately changed his own relationship with risk, fatherhood, and the outdoors. This is a conversation about skiing, but also about perspective, consequence, and what we’re really chasing when we head into the mountains. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  Thanks to our sponsor CAMP Subscribe to our YouTube channel  Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith  Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show  Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

    1 hr
  4. Villars World Cup Finals + Season Wrap: Overall Champions, Sprint Drama & Farewell to Legends

    APR 10

    Villars World Cup Finals + Season Wrap: Overall Champions, Sprint Drama & Farewell to Legends

    The final World Cup of the season is in the books, and we’re breaking it all down from Villars. In this episode, Travis Macy and Catie Friend recap a stacked weekend of racing across the vertical, individual, sprint, and mixed relay, including a dramatic sprint finish, dominant performances from familiar names, and one of the most exciting relays of the year. They also zoom out to look at the bigger picture:  – Overall World Cup champions crowned  – Breakthrough seasons (Julia Murada, Margot Ravinel, Remi Bonnet)  – How the rankings shook out across every discipline And they take time to recognize a group of athletes stepping away from elite racing, including Arno Lietha, Johanna Hiemer, and others who’ve shaped the sport in a big way. Plus, a quick look ahead to what’s still to come this season, including the Patrouille des Glaciers and late-season racing. Big thanks to CAMP for supporting the show and the sport. Let’s go! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  Thanks to our sponsor CAMP Subscribe to our YouTube channel  Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith  Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show  Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

    1h 4m
  5. Youth Worlds, World Cup Chaos & Grand Traverse Grit with Catie Friend

    APR 3

    Youth Worlds, World Cup Chaos & Grand Traverse Grit with Catie Friend

    It’s one of the busiest weeks of the season, and we’re breaking it all down. Catie Friend is back to unpack a packed stretch of racing across the global skimo circuit, from the Youth World Championships and World Cup action in Puy Saint Vincent, to the Tour du Rutor, North American Championships, and a wild Elk Mountains Grand Traverse that looked more like a run than a ski race. We get into standout performances from the next generation of athletes, including major results from Team USA and a powerful moment of sportsmanship that defines what this sport is all about. On the senior side, we cover dominant performances from the usual names, emerging contenders making noise, and how a chaotic, travel-heavy season is setting up a fascinating World Cup final. We also zoom out to look at the bigger picture, the rise of youth programs, shifting international competition, and what it all could mean heading into future Olympic cycles. Plus, a quick preview of what to watch for at the World Cup Finals in Villars. It’s race analysis, athlete stories, and a full snapshot of where skimo stands right now. Let’s go! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  Thanks to our sponsor CAMP Subscribe to our YouTube channel  Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith  Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show  Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

    1h 1m
  6. Olympic Aftermath, Pierra Menta, and a Wild Val Martello World Cup with Catie Friend

    MAR 27

    Olympic Aftermath, Pierra Menta, and a Wild Val Martello World Cup with Catie Friend

    We’re back with Catie Friend to break down everything that’s happened since the Olympic debut of skimo and there’s a lot to unpack. Catie takes us inside her experience on the ground in Bormio, from calling races in front of a roaring crowd to the emotional highs (and lows) of watching athletes she’s known for years step onto the Olympic podium. We also get into what happens after the biggest moment in the sport, and why the comedown can be just as real as the buildup.  Then we shift into race mode: Pierra Menta and how Olympic athletes like Emily Harrop and Margot Ravinel turned around and dominated one of the hardest stage races in the sport  A breakdown of the ISMF World Cup Val Martello, including standout performances, technical courses, and why this venue might be the most fun on the circuit  Sprint and mixed relay results, surprises, and what’s changing in the depth of the field We also look ahead to what’s next—Youth World Championships, World Cup finals, and the final stretch of the season as athletes balance fatigue, momentum, and one last push. This one is equal parts insight and energy: what it felt like, what it means, and where skimo is heading next. Let’s go! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  Thanks to our sponsor CAMP Subscribe to our YouTube channel  Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith  Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show  Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

    1 hr
  7. Joe DeMoor’s Path from Elite Running to the Top of U.S. Skimo

    MAR 17

    Joe DeMoor’s Path from Elite Running to the Top of U.S. Skimo

    This week on Skimo Gold, Travis Macy sits down with Joe DeMoor for a wide-ranging conversation on endurance sport, ski mountaineering, and the path that led Joe from elite collegiate running to the skimo podium. Joe shares what it was like growing up in Buena Vista, Colorado, competing in multiple sports, and eventually running for the University of Colorado. He and Travis get into the realities of high-level college running, how Joe transitioned from post-collegiate racing into ski mountaineering, and why multi-sport training continues to shape him as an athlete today. They also talk through Joe’s recent run of strong results, including second at the Power of Four with Jacob Dewey and podium finishes at U.S. National Championships, along with his experiences racing internationally at World Championships and Pierra Menta. Joe offers thoughtful insight on fueling, recovery, strength work, ski racing in Europe, and what it takes to stay competitive across both running and skimo. If you want a deeper look at one of the most consistent and versatile athletes in U.S. skimo, this is a fun one. Let’s go! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  Thanks to our sponsor CAMP Subscribe to our YouTube channel  Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith  Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show  Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

    1h 14m
  8. Race Roundup with Cam Smith: Power of Four, U.S. Nationals, and European Championships

    MAR 13

    Race Roundup with Cam Smith: Power of Four, U.S. Nationals, and European Championships

    The skimo season isn’t slowing down. In this episode of Skimo Gold, Travis Macy sits down with Olympian Cam Smith for a full race roundup covering a packed stretch of ski mountaineering competition. They break down results and storylines from the Power of Four in Colorado, U.S. National Championships at the Wasatch Powderkeg, and the ISMF European Championships and World Cup races in Azerbaijan. Cam shares insight on the athletes who stood out, the dynamics of each race format, and what these performances say about the current state of skimo in the U.S. and internationally. They also preview the legendary Pierre Menta, one of the most iconic stage races in ski mountaineering, and discuss which teams could make an impact over four demanding days in the Alps. Along the way, Cam reflects briefly on life after the Olympics, the excitement surrounding skimo’s growing global stage, and what’s next as the season continues. In this episode, they cover: Power of Four results and course changesHighlights from U.S. National Championships at the Wasatch PowderkegSprint, relay, individual, and vertical race standoutsEuropean Championships and World Cup racing in AzerbaijanAthletes and teams to watch at Pierre MentaA quick look at the skimo scene after the OlympicsLet’s go! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  Thanks to our sponsor CAMP Subscribe to our YouTube channel  Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith  Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show  Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

    1h 7m
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

The premier podcast and YouTube show for ski mountaineering interviews and analysis.  Explore the high-altitude, high-stakes world of skimo as elite athletes prepare for Olympic competition and beyond.  From the World Cup podium to the local skintrack, SKIMO GOLD is THE podcast for smooth-gliding, quick-transitioning, lung-burning, kick-turning beta on training, racing, gear, fueling, mindset, and–most importantly–FUN!  Join hosts Travis Macy and Cam Smith regularly for novel conversations with the world’s best athletes, coaches, organizers, and skimo aficionados plus just-in-time race analysis.  Produced for all podcast players by Palm Tree Pod Co.

Information

  • Creator
    Travis Macy
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 SKIMO GOLD
  • Show Website
    SKIMO GOLD

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