Kelly Brush on Ski Racing Safety, Adaptive Access, and Changing the Culture of Risk

Former Division I ski racer Kelly Brush joins Fresh Corduroy for a powerful conversation about ski racing safety, adaptive sports access, and how culture—not just equipment—shapes risk on snow.After a 2006 collegiate racing accident left her paralyzed from the chest down, Kelly turned her focus to preventing avoidable injuries and expanding access to sport for people with spinal cord injuries. As founder of the Kelly Brush Foundation, she has helped drive major improvements in U.S. ski racing safety through education, grants, and advocacy—while also funding adaptive sports equipment and access nationwide.In this episode, we discuss:Why safety culture matters more than checklistsHow ski racing in the U.S. has changed—and where it still needs workThe rise of laceration injuries and stop-the-bleed response on snowSit-skiing, adaptive equipment costs, and access to chairliftsWhy international safety education is the next frontierThis is an essential listen for ski racers, coaches, parents, mountain operators, and anyone who believes skiing should be both challenging and responsible.Theme music by Eric Zolan from the album Calder's Universe