Athlete profile: Karina Alder

Aspen Daily News Staff Report
Aspen

Current residence (town):  Aspen, Colo., in the winters; San Martin de los Andes, Argentina, in the summers (my other winter)

Age: 39

Sports: Ski, ski and ski some more; mountain bike, hike, all outdoor sports, and some indoor sports too!

Day job/profession: Ski instructor, trainer and examiner for both the American and Argentine Ski Instructors Association.

Athletic achievements: Member of the Argentina National Demo Team (ski), member of the Aspen Team Diva (several times Synchronized Skiing World Champion), trainer and examiner for PSIA and AADIDES, 2nd in the US national Powder 8s 2007

Athletic aspirations? To continue to grow in my field every day, to continue to enjoy my sport as much as I do today for many more years, and to continue to share my passion for skiing with all of those who come across my way.

Favorite pre-game/pre-competition meal? Latte and a toasted bagel with butter and jelly.

If you could go to dinner with one athlete — living or dead — who would it be and why? One of the best skiers I have ever met was a good friend of mine called Quito Astete. We grew up skiing together in my hometown in Argentina. He was a great athlete, but by the age of 28, he had passed away in a plane crash. He had been to the Olympics, had been in the National Demo Team several terms, was running our ski school and was vice president of the National Ski Instructors Association. Loosing him at such a young age, when you take life for granted, really affected my outlook on life. So If I could go to dinner with an athlete, it would be with him.

Favorite workout music? Any kind of music that makes the time on the treadmill go faster would be my favorite music.

Ankle or tube socks? Ski socks!

Who or what inspires you? Little people who do great things!

Vegetarian or carnivore? Both!