Steve Porino interviews Jimmy at World Champs (photo by Doug Haney/ US Ski Team)

In 1961, Jimmy Cochran’s grandfather, Micky, opened the first US not-for-profit ski area using the land behind his house.  The homemade course, consisting of a few trails and a Volkswagon motor that Micky had Macgyvered into a tow line, was to become the training ground for Jimmy’s father and three aunts (Olympians all) and later Jimmy himself.

In his blog, Jimmy describes some of his grandparents’ quirky rules: while his food was free (one of the perks of being a ski-loving Cochran at his grandparents’ course), candy bars were explicitly off-limits; building jumps was also taboo as even the slightest suggestion of a mound would induce what he describes as Bill-Cosby-esque conniptions from his grandmother, Ginny. 

The Cochran Ski Area still operates today.  On 3/16/2009, the Cochrans hosted a fundraising race dubbed “Thank God For Snowmaking” in honor of the snowmaker installed in the 2007-2008 season.  In the event, local skiers compared their times against the runs of Jimmy and other US ski teamers.  One 15-year-old participant who trailed the professional racers by only six seconds noted, "I'm closer to the U.S. Team than I thought".  Ironically, Jimmy placed second to his teammate, Tim Jitloff. 

His ego may have been damaged, but his back, arms, and shins were all protected by safety gear from Slytech.

Today, Jimmy Cochran is an accomplished athlete.  He made the US Ski Team’s A team in 2008 and in Alta Badia, Italy he finished 10th in GS and 8th in slalom.  He ultimately gained points in seven races and finished 25th in slalom at the World Cup finals.  But the recent fame has not diminished his love of the winters spent on his grandparents’ course.  “It’s still by far my favorite place to ski. Traveling all over the world ski racing has yet to turn up its equivalent.”

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