SNOWMAMA OF A PRO, SUE MCJAMES: MOTHER OF OLYMPIC ALPINE SKIER MEGAN MCJAMES

Published February 23, 2010

Every child dreams of going to the Olympics. How would it feel if your child's dream came true? Recently I sat down with Sue McJames, mother to Megan McJames, a homegrown Park City athlete who will make her Olympic debut when she competes in the Women's Alpine GS and Slalom competitions. megmcjamesphoto (megmcjamesphoto)

What was your first experience on snow? When I was 4 years old, we took a family vacation to Alta and it snowed a lot. I actually got to take a ski lesson from Alf Engen.

When did you introduce your kids to the sport? Both of my kids starting skiing when they were about 2 years old. At that age, Meg was always in a dress, tights and party shoes. So, I would pick her up in the Alta daycare, shove her into a one-piece snowsuit, dress and all, and away we'd go.

What is it like watching your daughter compete at such a high level? It is thrilling and scary all at the same time. I feel very fortunate to have the technology to be able to watch her European races live in the middle of the night. A lot of kids growing up in Park City have a goal of competing in an Olympics but, as a parent, it is hard to tell how realistic that is. Meg has worked really hard towards this goal and I am so happy for her that her dream is coming true.

Do you have any tips for parents who are introducing their kids to snowsports for the first time? Through all the years and races, my husband, Scott, has always emphasized having fun. Our initial goal in having our children join the Learn to Race program in Park City was to become good skiers that enjoyed the sport and we accomplished that along time ago.

What is your favorite thing to do with your kids in the snow? Definitely skiing on a powder day.

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Megan started racing at the age of nine when she joined Park City Mountain Resort's "Learn to Race" program. She competes in the Ladies Giant Slalom race on Wednesday, February 24 and in the Ladies Slalom on Friday, February 26.

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