Alumni Spotlight: Jenny Karns

How old were you when you joined JHSC?

5th grade/age 10 Little Waxers/Intermountain Alpine


Jenny Karns, shopping for boots at the 2022 Ski Swap.
Jenny has been involved with JHSC for over 40 years and counting!

 

How long were you a part of JHSC?

3 years Jr. High ski racing, 10-20 years PPP, 10 years Margarita Cup & Town Downhill, 7 years coaching NGS . . . and currently on the Hall of Fame Committee. 40 years total

   

In three sentences or less, explain your entire experience with the club.

I was an alpine ski racer in the Intermountain program and did well. From competing in different events as a child and adult, supporting fundraisers like the Ski Ball, to coaching my own children as Next Generation Skiers, I grew up in the Ski Club. I enjoyed ski racing in the 1980s and even beat Picabo Street a couple times and won. However, I ended up racing for the high school ski team in 9th-12th grade and was State Champion my Junior and Senior years. 

  

If you were to do it all over again, what would you do differently?

I loved ski racing, but I would say I was not as serious or as dedicated as I could have been while in the ski club. I wanted to enjoy school and a social life, but ski racing took a lot of hard work, time off from school and dedication. I don't regret the way I did things, but I probably could have been really good if I had pushed myself and had more self discipline. 

What was the most fun part of being with the club?

Traveling to different ski resorts such as Sun Valley and Park City and making friends in other places. I also truly enjoy the exhilaration of skiing fast!   

What do you do now?

Clinical Massage Therapist and owner property management 

How does your experience with JHSC affect you today, if at all?

I have been involved in athletics, skiing, outdoors, coaching, physical therapy, and mind/body work all my life. What I do today is connected to my early experience in the ski club with both my family and ski community. It’s what we do! 

What skills did you learn while competing that apply to life outside of the club?

To be committed to a difficult sport and a group of elite athletes that strive hard to win and be the best, but also happy for others to do well while learning from my own mistakes and failures. 

What is your all-time favorite memory of JHSC?

When I won my first race at age 12 and beat Picabo Street, among others. I used to stay at her little cabin in Hailey, ID, while my other teammates stayed at other huge houses when we raced in Sun Valley. In those days, families hosted each other. We also drove to races in “Stretch”, the long old station wagon/limo type car.