BIOGRAPHY:
Stacey Cook enjoyed skiing as a kid but didn't have a passion for racing until she was awarded a scholarship to Northstar-at-Tahoe's racing program at age 10 and subsequently won her first race. That passion then grew when she moved to Mammoth in 2002, added downhill to her repertoire, and promptly won the NorAm overall and DH titles in '04. Now a two-time Olympian with a library of World Cup experience, she's been in the World Cup top five, and it's really just a matter of when it will be top three.

The 2010 Olympic experience (where Cook crashed in a downhill training run but fought through a concussion and bruising to finish 11th) brought her some valuable lessons of inner strength. Those lessons were put straight to work in 2011 by turning what was a weak start to the season into double World Cup top 10s, including a stunning fifth in the Are, Sweden downhill.

However, her coaches will tell you the potential for more exists—she just needs to look a bit deeper when it comes to Cookie, i.e. herself. She posted multiple top five finishes in downhill training runs throughout the year, including winning a number of hill sections. Known as one of the best flyers in the business, Cook tucks off jumps better than anyone, but the next step is putting together a complete run to have those hundredths of a second to fall in her favor.

Along with a passion for skiing, Cook has a big passion for sharing her sport and experiences with others. One highlight is participation in the After School All-Stars program, which brings inner city kids from metro California to Mammoth for a learn-to-ski program. Cook also runs a scholarship program with Sun Valley Valley Ski Tools that provides tuning equipment to four young racers each season—Cook personally reads all applications and chooses the winners. And a notable new addition for the 2012 season prep period was a racing and skicross camp at Mammoth co-coached by Cook herself as well as skicross star John Teller.

STACEY SAYS:
"2011 was definitely the most fun season I have ever had on the World Cup circuit. The entire team was doing well, and there was always someone stepping up to a personal best. It was really fun to see, and no one wanted to be left out of the show, including me.  It is really nice to see smiles in the finish of races.

"As I get older, I start to see just how lucky I truly am. I get to ski and travel, both of which I love, and I get to meet some really great people along the way. It would mean the world to me if I could help bless even one person to live a lifestyle like this. That's why I have such a deep passion for giving back to the sport and helping kids choose a good path."

FIRST TRACKS:
Cook started skiing at age four with her father at various Lake Tahoe ski areas and raced in the low-key Buddy Werner League events run by Truckee's rec department. "When I was about 10, I got a scholarship to the Northstar [racing] program and I won the first race. That's when I got serious," she said. When she wanted to try downhill but the Tahoe coaches resisted, she shifted to the Mammoth Mountain racing program, a couple of hours south, and started becoming more speed oriented.

OFF THE SNOW:
Cook digs summer training in Mammoth because of the mega-quality road and mountain biking plus hiking that fits nicely into her personalized program. Being outside in California during the summer is also a big perk. The other is being at home—and that feeling only comes in Mammoth. Recently she's found her chef hat and enjoys cooking a variety of healthy and hearty dishes. When it's not her kitchen, she prefers Indian food.