In an effort to share her story and spread awareness of her sport, U.S. freeskier and Oak Creek resident Riley Jacobs will give a presentation at Oak Creek Library on Tuesday, Jan. 3, starting at 4:30 p.m.

South Routt Libraries will continue to host monthly programs throughout the year with Jacobs starting things off in 2023. 

Growing up in Oak Creek and picking up skiing at two years old, Jacobs was a longtime member of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club. Though she was raised in South Routt, she says her true home was always on the mountain. 

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“I grew up in Oak Creek but I really grew up with the Winter Sports Club in Steamboat,” Jacobs said. “I grew up going to Steamboat after school every day and skiing and training with whoever I was being coached by at the time.”

Jacobs tried her hand in a few different ski sports before falling head over heels for freeskiing. Steamboat did not have a large freeski team so Jacobs transferred to Ski and Snowboard Club Vail where she trained and competed until joining the U.S. Ski Team in 2020. 

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Jacobs invites any and all to come hear her story and she hopes to inspire some of the South Routt youth to gain a passion for her lesser-known sport. 

“I want to talk about growing up in Routt County and going from just a little skier on the mountain at two years old to being able to compete in World Cups and how that all started for me,” Jacobs said. “My little halfpipe world isn’t a huge one so I will go into detail about what the halfpipe is and what you do and get judged on.”

Perhaps the most interesting part of Jacobs’ presentation is the demonstration on freeski technique. 

While it is unrealistic to take the audience outside on skis, Jacobs will show how she does certain tricks and grabs using pool noodles. Those interested can also try out some skills on pool noodles while watching videos of Jacobs in action. 

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“I kind of had the idea of showing people what you do in the air without having to go outside to ski,” Jacobs said. “Being able to replicate that, how you grab your skis and the different types of grabs.”

The program series at Oak Creek Library will run once a month, covering topics like sports, culture, entertainment and more. 

The first five programs of 2023 have already been scheduled with seven more on the way: 

January: “Skiing the Halfpipe” with local USST skier Riley Jacobs

• 4:30-6 p.m., Jan. 3

February: “Pottery, Old and New” with Margaret Chipman

• 5-6 p.m., Date TBD

March: “Family-Friendly Sandhill Crane Program” with Erin Gelling 

• Time TBD, March 8

April: “Dancing with Literature and Children” with Wendy Mikelsons

• Time TBD, April 7

May: “Bicycle Tune Ups” with Routt County Riders and Ski Haus

• Date and time TBD