Introducing Megan Harrod: Snow-Chaser, #Vagablonde and Alpine Communications Manager for the U.S. Ski Team
Megan is based in Park City, Utah and spends her winter months traveling as the Alpine Communications Manager for the U.S. Ski Team (men and women's alpine.)
As for the rest of her time...it's spent rollerblading with the @PCBladies – the all-female rollerblading girl gang she’s the co-founder of in Park City, traveling on a variety of continents, thriving on the energy of people, sunshine and mountains.
She works, plays and hugs hard and has a charming way of not taking things too seriously.
Instagram: @megansharrod
Website: www.vagablondebasecamp.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megansharrod
Twitter: https://twitter.com/megansharrod
Name: Megan Shisler Harrod
Nationality: American…though I’ve always felt like a child of the universe…and I’ve always felt a bit more comfortable on European soil.
Snowboard or ski: Ski…without a doubt. I started when I was three and haven’t stopped. I tried to learn how to snowboard, but I have little patience and just want to go fast and find freedom doing what I know how to do.
Favourite place to ski/snowboard: I love home – but I’m not there much. I moved to Utah because I fell in love with Alta – the best ski area in the world. But, I find myself spending a lot more time in Europe than home these days. So, I’d have to say Chamonix is a definite favorite of mine. The views are stunning, and I’m in love with the mountaineering culture there. Also, I enjoy Engelberg, Switzerland and I recently traveled to Soldeu-El Tarter, Andorra for the first time for the World Cup Finals, which was a new favorite.
Mountain ‘must-haves’: My Holderness leggings and top – of course – Lobello Pearly Shine lip balm, POC sunglasses, Strafe Outerwear bibs, my Topo Designs backpack
What’s your job: Alpine Communications Manager, U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team – basically my job is to elevate the stories of the athletes I work with and promote the sport of alpine ski racing.
The most memorable experience about your career: Bryce Bennett’s expression when he went from bib 57 to sixth in the Val Gardena, Italy downhill – a breakthrough moment and one of sheer joy.
The toughest thing about being a woman in your industry: In many ways, I benefit from being a woman in a male-dominated industry because I stand out on the mountain. But, as much as it is a blessing, it’s also a curse. I always say that 95% of the time it works to my advantage, but the other 5% of the time – the times when it counts the most – it is still a struggle to find my voice and be heard in a room full of grey-haired men.
What is Vagablonde and what inspired you to start it? Vagablonde…ha ha, it’s funny. It’s kind of my alias. I’ve been wanting to write a book for a long time and entitle the book “Vagablonde,” but I haven’t managed to sit down in one spot long enough to do so. I remember I threw it out there at one point – Blonde Vagabond – and someone came back and said, “why not vagablonde?!” I thought to myself, “that’s brilliant! Yes – why not?!” And it stuck…
Megan’s ski essentials: Labello Pearly Shine Lipbalm, Glacier Base-Layers, Topo Designs Backpack, Strafe Outerwear Bibs, POC Sunglasses
