Outskiing Mikaela Shiffrin and Lindsey Vonn, 74-Year-Old Enthusiast Breaks Silence on Sporting Stint

Longevity and persistence are the qualities any sportsperson grows to embody. While they are a necessity, the path towards owning them isn’t as easy. However, defying age and laze, a 74-year-old skiing instructor from Oregon recently made the news for his unwavering determination and will.

Gordon Garlock, a long-time instructor at the Timberline Lodge and Ski Area has glided through his ups and downs to maintain a streak for 41 years straight. Starting in the year 1982, Gordon hasn’t missed a single month of skiing ever since. Making the better of his doubts and uncertainties along the way, Gordon has managed to push himself to stand his ground. 

The Skiing Journey of the 74-year-old

It was in 1982, at the age of 33 that Garlock started his streak. During the initial years, Gordon made a habit of skiing every September during the season for at least 5 days a week. This persistence and Gordon’s hand at being a high guidance counselor and track coach provided him a base to being a well-respected instructor at the TimberLine.

Denes Balaze, the Training Director at Timberline for eight years, has been a worthy accomplice of Gordon through his journey. In 2021, when the warm weather threatened to put a stop to the 74-year-old’s streak, Balaze lent his hand by shoveling snow onto a 100-meter path. The mentioned bump however hasn’t been the only obstacle along the way. In the unfortunate occurrence of events, Gordon got diagnosed with Sarcoma cancer in his hips. Having to undergo his chemotherapy, Gordon had missed skiing for the entire month of August. However, with his friends on his side, Gordon drove up to Snowfield on the last day of August emerging successful.

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Further, Gordon was also faced with a shoulder replacement, a freak accident, and the wrath of the warming weather. But blasting through all of the obstacles, Gordon always managed to step out and maintain his streak. “He has put so much effort into this, his passion and commitment is just awesome…” “He overcomes most of these challenges that come his way, it’s just incredible,” Balaze said, speaking about Gordon according to Snowbrains.

Onto the possible nearing end of his skiing streak, Gordon’s convention hasn’t gone unnoticed. Be it friends and family or the staff at the workplace, Gorden’s pedestal enfolds the recognition and regard of those around him.

High Praises for Gordon Garlock

Gordon, living through the challenges that life threw at him, has managed to outski the stars of the skiing realm, Mikaela Shiffrin, and Lindsey Vonn. While the two have a combined total of 36 with numerous titles, Gorlock has tried to make a name amongst his small community for a staggering 41 years.

The staff at the Timberline have grown to have a fondness towards the skiing enthusiast. They have shown their respect and admiration through the simplest of ways and continue to support him. The lodge has also named one of its trails after Gordon called “Gordo’s Mile.” According to Balaze, Gordon has always been the one to give, he has been a great person, a great resource, and a teacher. Adding to his impressive records, it was Garlock who helped shape Chris Hargrave’s career, a coach to the Olympic gold medallist Shaun White. According to Hargrave, he would not have made it if it weren’t for Garlock’s words.

Gordon says that this may be the last year of the streak but the end decision is his. On the field or off, Gordon has lived to inspire people through his actions and words. Though the streak was a practice for himself, it was still a showcase of perseverance and strength, an act that inspires and humbles many.

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