Skiers by choice, brothers by destiny; Riley and Casey Rose, students at Juan Diego Catholic High School, share more than just the same parents. They both share a passion for the sport of skiing.

                Riley, 16, and Casey, 14, have been skiing for 13 seasons at Alta Ski Resort and Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort. For the past five years, the brothers have spent their winter days on the Alta Freeride Division (AFD). The brothers not only ski for entertainment, but they ski competitively.  They have participated in competitions in Utah, Wyoming, Washington and Canada.

       In 2010, Riley took second place at the Crystal Mountain competition in Washington. He competed with the top skiers in the nation. “Skiing is my passion,” said Riley.  “When I am with my closest buddies at Alta, there isn’t a day where we don’t fall over laughing.”

       Big mountain competitions are not anything new to the Rose brothers. At the young age of 15, Riley took second place at the National Championship for boys ages 15-17. The year before, he took home the first place trophy at the National Tour for boys ages 12-14.  Casey followed in his brother’s footsteps and took first at the National Championship for boys ages 12-14. He also took first at the Snowbird Freeski Nationals, first at the Grand Targhee Freeski Open, and fourth in Stevens Pass Washington and at Crystal Mountain Freeski Championship.

     The boys have competed together in numerous competitions. However, not only are they continually victorious in their skiing events, but they win awards for their obvious love of the sport. Casey has won three spirit awards at Crystal Mountain, Grand Targhee and Stevens Pass. Together, Riley and Casey won the Captain Jack Spirit Award, deemed the top skiers among everyone in the competitions. “That is the award that means the most to me,” Riley said.

       One of the biggest accomplishments in the both of the young skiers’ lives was being featured in the national magazine “Skiing,” a publication read by thousands of people across the United States. “I was really surprised,” said Casey. “I felt like it was a really big step in my ski life.”

       Riley and Casey may be brothers, but on the mountain they are mere competitors. “I like skiing with my brother,” said Riley. “He pushes me to continue to outdo him.” However, after fracturing his leg earlier this season, Riley had to watch his brother from the bottom of the slopes for the whole month of December. Riley said “This has made me appreciate my love for skiing and for the mountain more than anything.”

      Overall, the brothers have accomplished more in their lifetimes than the average teenager.  Amidst their skiing lives, Riley and Casey are on their high school swim team, lacrosse team, and are members of Student Government. However, skiing is definitely their favorite hobby. “I love the freedom of skiing,” said Riley.  “I love to be able to go wherever I want and to be able to use my imagination and be creative.”