SYNC Staff Member + Former NCAA Athlete Rachael DesRochers chatted with SYNC Team Member Liv Moritz to learn a little bit more about her background and goals for the season and beyond.

Well hello! Please tell us your name, age, where you are from, and who do you ski for? 

My name is Liv Moritz (pronounced Leave), I am 18 years old, and I'm born and raised in Vail, Colorado and I ski for Ski and Snowboard Club Vail. 

How has where you grew up influenced your skiing career? 

Growing up in a major ski town has influenced me a lot. Also, our club is very big so I have gotten the opportunity to ski with a lot of talented and hardworking girls.   

Since you grew up in the Vail valley, do you like Vail or Beaver Creek more? 

Oo, I ski at Vail way more but I think I like Beaver Creek more just because it's a little less crowded. 

Especially on a weekend! (Waiting in lift lines is not a vibe.) Anyways, you have a twin sister, right?

I do!

How is it competing against her?

It's very interesting, definitely a different experience from everyone else because we are so hyper competitive with each other. At times it can be a little negative because we are both so competitive. Overall though I think it helps us to be better athletes just because we hold each other to higher standards. 

How is your season going? I did some FIS stalking and saw you had some really great results. 

Yes, I am having a pretty good season. I have been doing most of the NorAms and then I also went to World Juniors in Austria, which was a super cool experience. I am just really having fun this season.

How was your World Juniors experience?

It was good! My main event that I did was the slalom and it was just so awesome to compete against these amazing women skiers from Europe because I think European racing is just completely different compared to the U.S.

What are your goals for skiing? 

I do want to ski at the highest level, meaning the World Cup but I also want to just enjoy skiing because I can put a lot of pressure on myself for races. 

I couldn't agree more, once racing stops being fun it can really take a toll mentally. You're still in high school so how is it balancing school and racing? 

It's good because I am at Vail Mountain School and my teachers have been really flexible with my schedule this year but it definitely can be a balancing act.

Are you planning on doing a Post Grad year or going straight to college?

At the moment, I think I am going to go straight to school. I am going to the University of Denver where I am going to ski and play soccer for them. 

That is awesome that you have the chance to do both sports at college. Are you excited, nervous, how are you feeling about that? 

Overall I am excited but if I am nervous for anything it's the soccer team just because growing up in the mountains you don't get a lot of exposure to a high collegiate level. 

Also skiing and soccer are so different because soccer it's all about a team working together meanwhile skiing is so individual but for you, how has soccer helped with your skiing? 

I think the ability to bring over more of a team aspect from soccer so I can be someone for my ski teammates to go to for advice and I think it helps me with being able to receive feedback. 

Do you have a favorite place you have traveled for skiing and why?

I would say this tiny ski area called Krakauebene (Crack-cow-ben-ay) in Austria. I went there during the covid year and I really liked it because we kinda had the hill to ourselves and it's surrounded by a bunch of farms which just made it so different than anywhere I've skied before. 

Do you have a favorite dinner to eat the night before a race? 

I do eat a lot of pasta (As they say eat pasta, ski fasta) before races but I think my favorite would be stir fry or teriyaki chicken.

Do you have any pre-race routines?

I don't have set routines, but if it's available, I will spin out in the morning and do some active warmups. Once I am on the mountain I of course will do some free-skiing and drills. 

Is there a summertime activity or workout that you do to help keep you in shape for skiing?

I really enjoy cross training, so I am a super big mountain biker and I love to play tennis with my sisters and dad. 

What races are left for you this season?

I'm going to NorAm finals in Whistler, Canada, and then U.S. Nationals in Sun Valley, Idaho. 

Once the season ends, do you start prepping immediately for next year or do you take some time off? 

I don't usually start prepping right away, but I usually start my soccer season right as I am ending skiing. (The girl doesn't stop)

Do you have a favorite World Cup skier that you watch? 

Watching Mikaela's technical ability is always a good idea but I also really enjoy watching the men and especially Marco Odermatt or Loic Meillard (She's a big Swiss skiing fan). Loic fore-ran the Copper NorAms last year and it was just eyeopening how good he was. 

Now it's not your first year on the SYNC Team, but why did you apply in the first place and any advice for future applicants?

I applied because a lot of my friends from Vail were on the SYNC Team and I looked up to them a lot. Also, I've always been wearing the gear since I am from Vail so it was a no-brainer. As for advice, I think to remember to have fun while skiing and to not get too caught up in results because it's not a sustainable mindset.

Awesome! What are your favorite SYNC products?

I love the Pano Jacket, I wear it to soccer practice all the time too. 

The Pano Jacket is an all time fave. Alright time for some more silly questions!

Sounds great!

Have you ever forgotten a piece of equipment for a ski trip or training?

Not for a ski trip but on a ski trip in New Zealand, I did forget my poles for training and it might not seem like a big deal but training without poles is actually super challenging. 

Do you have any songs that get you hyped for a race?

Ok well I am a big K-pop fan so anything by BTS or Enhypen will get me hyped. 

Love it! Last question and I don't know if I am going to date myself but do you recall the controversy of The Dress? People would see two different colors of it. 

Yes I do!

Awesome! So what colors do you see? White and gold or black and blue? 

I see black and blue for sure. 

I swear I have seen both but honestly who knows what the color of that dress is. Anyways, thank you so much for sitting down and chatting with me and good luck on your final races of the season!

March 15, 2023

Comments

Shay Armistead said:

I found this QandA very very fascinating. It was so helpful to hear from another athlete especially when you do the same things that she does! I’m so excited this year to play with you Liv, I hope I get to know you more, and I can’t wait to see what you do in the future!

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