Richelle Blanken

Richelle was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, where she started skiing Mt. Hood at the tender age of 3. She spent her high school and college years, at the University of Utah, ski racing. After graduating from college Richelle lived in Mexico where she enjoyed the beach, playing volleyball, and drinking Corona. Six months passed and she missed the mountains and ski racing so much that she returned to Oregon to get back into competition shape for the European ski-racing season. Richelle was a member of the US Ski Team from 1991-1994, competing in the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France.After retiring from the US Ski Team Richelle moved to Florida and formed Alpine Adventures with her brother Rick. Alpine Adventures began by organizing ski groups to Europe, however, they quickly recognized a need for other adventures and the company grew. Richelle’s favorite places to ski are off-piste in Courmayeur, Italy and Chamonix, France.Her preferred non-snow adventures are rafting in Costa Rica and kayaking in Thailand.