Tahoe XC’s Board Member, Roger Chaney: A Life of Support for Cross-Country Skiing
Tahoe XC Board Member Roger Chaney was raised in what was then known as Squaw Valley. He went to Tahoe Lake Elementary, attended middle school in Truckee, and then was back to attend North Tahoe High School which he graduated from in 1985.
Roger's Racing Days
“We started downhill skiing in Squaw. When I was 11 my Mom, Alice Chaney, introduced me to cross-country skiing. Since then I’ve never looked back,” said Chaney. He raced for North Tahoe High School under Coach Bill Ulicki during an era of all classic skiing on the trails that are now part of Tahoe XC.
After high school Roger went on to race for Montana State in Bozeman. During breaks he would come home to Tahoe to teach cross-country skiing under Skip Reedy at what was then known as Tahoe Nordic Ski Area.
Chaney was sponsored by the ski company Rossignol through both high school and college and later worked with Rossignol as a ski tech and ski rep in Oregon, before eventually returning to live in Reno. Since moving to Reno he has worked for both Toko as a wax expert and with Bill Sterling promoting both Solomon and later Atomic gear.
Roger's Adult Life
In addition to working in the cross-country ski industry, Roger has been teaching elementary school in Reno for the past 25 years.
When asked why he joined the Tahoe XC Board Roger said: “I grew up in the area and have a passion for cross-country skiing. I’ve known Ben Grasseschi for years, we used to race together.” He said he has been enjoying working with Tahoe XC Executive Director Grasseschi to support his efforts at Tahoe XC. Roger is on the marketing committee “helping to promote the different aspects of the experience you can have here,” he said.
“Tahoe XC has always felt like home, the experience the people have there is profound. It is one of the most unintimidating areas I’ve ever been to. Tahoe XC offers a welcoming experience. A wonderful place to introduce people to cross-country skiing,” said Chaney.
Given his years of experience in the cross-country ski industry Chaney brings a wealth of knowledge about ski waxing and how to take care of ski equipment. He is going to pass on that knowledge to the public at three waxing clinics to be held this season. Waxing clinic dates are listed on our Events Calendar, here.