Get to know Damonte Ranch competitive skier Ryan Wilson
RENO, Nev. — Reno native, Ryan Wilson (16) won the Nevada High School State Championships in the slalom category.
He also qualified for the U18 Nationals – the only kid from Nevada to do so.
Ryan competes in Downhill, Super G, Giant Slalom, and Slalom. “My favorite is the downhill because it’s the fastest, most thrilling, and most rewarding,” Ryan shared.
In 2020, Ryan suffered a devastating knee injury, requiring a full reconstruction. Another injury (to the same knee) in 2021 meant he missed more time on the snow. None of that stopped him. “He’s so remarkable,” gushed his mom, Christi. “He had a positive attitude, was still there to cheer his team on, and didn’t let it get him down.” She mentioned that with his downtime from injury, he learned to play the ukelele, and took up photography.
He never thought his career was over. Quite the opposite. “In the operating room, he was asking if he could ski on one ski the next weekend,” laughed Christi.
Even with the setbacks, Ryan focused, continued to work out and keep himself busy – and he made a great comeback.
With a goal to race in the World Cup someday, he’s putting in his time now. While racing for Damonte Ranch High School, with his dad Erik coaching, he completes his school work remotely, and uses the extra time to train six days a week, for both his high school team AND the Palisades Tahoe team.
And when our snow quits, Ryan doesn’t. “He skis all year,” Christi confirmed, “he never quits.” That means summer camps with members of the US Ski Team, and summers in Europe. “This [experience] has made him a confident, independent person,” his dad shared. “There aren’t many kids you could drop into Europe and know you’d see them again. He makes friends everywhere he goes.”
As this kid keeps pushing, learning, and growing, there’s sure to be more to come.
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