Nancy Leon is no stranger to steep and deep. After a life spent on skis â competing on the University of Denverâs ski team, instructing in Chamonix and skiing Franceâs backcountry â itâs pretty clear that Leon can handle any and all terrain. I should know: I could barely keep up with her when we skied one of the deepest days of the season together at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. âThis is what Jackson is about,â Leon proclaimed, perched on Marmot lift as the sky spewed flakes of fluffy stuff. Leon used to only be about hard alpine terrain. She started skiing when she was 6 at Wilmot Mountain in Wisconsin â a small resort just an hour from her hometown in Winnetka, Illinois â and eventually began trekking out to Winter Park, Colorado, each year for some powder turns. Leon then studied math at the University of Denver and competed on its womenâs ski team.