When people think about Native athletes, speed skiing probably isn’t the first sport that comes to mind. That’s exactly why I wanted to sit down with NDN All-Star #54 Ross Anderson (Cheyenne/Arapaho/Mescalero Apache).
Ross is often called “the fastest Indian on Mother Earth,” and once you hear his story, that nickname makes a lot of sense. He’s not just fast — he’s one of the fastest humans to ever point skis straight downhill. His top speed? 154.06 miles per hour, an All-American record that has stood for nearly two decades.
But like so many great Native athlete stories, Ross’s journey didn’t start with top-tier gear, big sponsors, or a clear roadmap. It started with a kid in Durango, Colorado, learning to ski at three years old and racing by the time he was six.
From a Small Mountain Town to the World Stage
Ross grew up racing everything — slalom, giant slalom, downhill — and skiing was simply part of life. Speed skiing wasn’t even the plan. He remembers seeing it near Silverton, Colorado and being drawn in by the look of it all: the shiny speed suits, the aerodynamic helmets, and the extreme nature of the sport.
It looked wild. It looked different.
It also didn’t seem realistic.
That changed when a friend — Olympic speed skier Dale Womack — told him to give it a shot. At 22 years old, Ross made a decision that still sounds unreal today. He drove all night from Denver to Tahoe, stopped at a pawn shop to grab whatever protective gear he could afford, borrowed old skis, showed up with no sleep… and qualified.
Just like that, he was in.
Within a year, Ross was racing in Les Arcs, France, competing internationally with second-hand gear and a whole lot of belief. Eighteen years later, he had built a full career on the U.S. Speed Ski Team and etched his name into the record books.
What 154 Miles Per Hour Actually Feels Like
I had to ask him the obvious question: What does it feel like to go that fast?
Ross described something most of us will never experience — being so locked in that time slows down. Over a mile-long course with a 65% pitch, helicopters circling overhead, and wind pressure strong enough to rip you apart, he was completely calm.
He talked about feeling the air the same way you feel wind out of a car window, making tiny adjustments to reduce drag while moving at a speed most people can’t even imagine. Even when turbulence lifted him slightly near the bottom of the run, he held it together.
At the finish line, Ross thought he’d blown it.
Then the number came up.
154.06 miles per hour.
A new All-American record.
That record still stands today.
Being Native in a Sport Where Nobody Looks Like You
One of the most meaningful parts of our conversation wasn’t about speed — it was about visibility.
Ross grew up in a sport where Native athletes were almost nonexistent. Skiing is expensive. It’s often inaccessible. And representation matters.
From the very beginning, Ross made it clear who he was and who he represented. His helmet became his signature — designed by Ross himself — a way to carry Indigenous identity onto the world stage. He wanted people to see him and know that Native athletes belong everywhere, even in places where people don’t expect us.
That mindset didn’t stop with competition.
Creating Opportunities for Native Youth
Ross went on to create youth ski programs that brought Native kids from places like Oklahoma, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, and Colorado to the mountains — many of them seeing snow or mountains for the first time in their lives.
He worked with ski resorts, instructors, hotels, tribes, and local businesses to make it happen. What started with eight kids grew to more than 80 youth participants in just a few years. PBS featured the program, and international media took notice.
Ross described it as a “mini European vacation” — a chance for kids to experience something completely new and walk away knowing they could handle it.
That part of his story stuck with me. Because once you ski down a mountain you never thought you’d even stand on, other goals don’t feel so far away.
A Legacy Recognized
Ross’s impact hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Over the years, he has been inducted into five separate Halls of Fame, an extraordinary honor that reflects both athletic excellence and long-term impact:
That’s rare company for any athlete — and historic for a Native athlete in winter sports.
What Ross Is Doing Now
These days, Ross isn’t chasing speed records — but he’s far from slowing down.
He continues public speaking, community work, and youth outreach. He was recently featured in a nationally aired New Mexico tourism commercial highlighting his journey from childhood skier to record-setting athlete. He’s also been invited to serve as a keynote speaker, sharing his story with the next generation.
And yes — he still tells some great stories. Including the time a fan in Europe asked where his horse and bow and arrow were.
Why This Episode Matters
This episode isn’t just about skiing fast. It’s about showing up fully as yourself in spaces where people don’t expect you — and then turning around to make sure others can follow.
Ross Anderson didn’t wait for permission. He went for it, represented proudly, and made sure his success opened doors for others.
If you haven’t listened to this episode yet — or if it’s been a while — it’s worth your time.
Bill Black is the creator and “General Manager of NDN All-Stars, celebrating great Native American athletes past and present. He is a first generation descendant of the Okanogan Band of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, and resides in Omak, WA.
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