Families that ski together, stay together
Chad & Jenise
Chad and Jenise Johnson are the procreators of what has become The Big Ski Family. Happily married for over 25 years, they’ve had the joy of welcoming 11 children and soon to be 3 grandchildren into the world.
Kathryn Joy
- Age: 25
- Height: 5’5”
- Favorite Ski Spot: Headwall, Squaw Valley
The oldest of the Johnson crew, Kathryn Joy is married to the love of her life, Elisha Voetberg, and together they have two precious little ones, Leon and Luci, with number three on the way arriving in July, Lord willing. With a passion for being a wife to Elisha, hacking motherhood, and entrepreneurship, life is rich and very, very full. Elisha and Katie are optimistic the whole family may be able to join us on our skiing adventures.
Kyla
- Age: 23
- Height: 5’6”
- Favorite Ski Spot: Squaw Valley
- Dream Ski Destination: Valle Nevado, Chile
- Instrument of Choice: Cello
- Favorite Movie: The Happiest Millionaire
- Favorite Food: Kale
Growing up, Kyla was known as the “Responsible One.” This was partly due to the fact that her older sister, Kathryn, was rather “out there” and thrill-seeking. That said, Kyla is, in fact, pretty responsible. So responsible in fact, that she just married the man of her dreams, Adam Van Wingerden.
Kyla’s love for the outdoors has lead to her excelling in many sports as well as serving in a variety of capacities. For the past two summers, she’s worked on staff at JH Ranch where she lead teams to summit Mount Shasta, biked 210 miles to the ocean, and acted like a dork in comedy routines.
Although Kyla is skilled in many different areas of life, the prominent characteristic that people know her for is her heart for the Lord. She’s a perpetual student of God’s Word and is always ready to encourage a fellow christian in their faith or share the gospel message with an unbeliever.
Kelsey
- Age: 22
- Height: 5’5”
- Dream Ski Destination: Niseko United, Japan or Switzerland
- Favorite Sport: Volleyball
- Favorite Childhood Home: The Army Tent in Riverside
- Favorite Beverage: Coffee… Don’t tell Mama. Shhh…
- Favorite Beverage: Kombucha
- Instrument of Choice: Piano
Kelsey has never seen a crowd that didn’t possess someone she could become best friends with. She’s a social savant with the ability to make anyone and everyone feel loved and valued. She’s also rather spasmodic, which is probably another reason her older sister, Kyla, was deemed the “Responsible One.”
If there’s a bridge and something resembling water beneath, Kelsey feels an obligation to jump. Although the third oldest, she was the first Johnson girl to land a backflip on her skis. Kelsey has spent the last two summers serving at JH Ranch where her reputation for “jumping off things” only grew. She even jumped off of Mount Shasta. Just joking! But she did seem to find hidden cliffs for which to scratch her adrenaline itch.
Kelsey is a natural born entrepreneur and loves teaching her many piano students and playing the Harp at weddings and events. Known for speaking life into people, she’s not afraid to tell people exactly what she thinks and this has lead to many people growing their faith and refining their vision.
Baylor
- Age: 20
- Height: 5’11”
- Dream Ski Destination: Jackson Hole, Wyoming (Corbet’s)
- Weight: Ripped
- Favorite Surf Spot: Trestles (San Clemente)
- First Vehicle Owned: a wrapped 1999 Ford Minivan
- Instrument of Choice: Guitar. And sometimes bass…
- Favorite Book: The Man from Yonder
Baylor is the fourth child and the oldest boy. There was a time when each of his older sisters could beat him up, but that time has long passed. He’s developed his self-defense abilities through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and running for his life.
Name a sport and Baylor is either phenomenal or on the path towards becoming phenomenal at it. Skiing, surfing, volleyball, soccer, basketball, mountain biking, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, golf, and tennis are just a few of the many sports Baylor loves participating in.
Last year Baylor started a window washing business with his best friend and worked his tail off marketing, washing, and managing. Experiencing time freedom, and seeing the profit from his first business endeavor has got him hooked on the entrepreneurial spirit and working for himself.
Baylor is a skilled musician and songwriter. He writes songs about girls and God. His friends never question whether or not he is serious about his faith and convictions. Baylor puts his confidence in the Lord. Period.
Karaline
- Age: 18
- Height: 5’7”
- Dream Ski Destination: The Austrian Alps
- Favorite Guitar Teacher: Elisha Peter Voetberg
- Instrument of Choice: Guitar
- Favorite Day of the Week: MONDAY!!!
- Favorite Quote: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky
Karaline has always (and will probably always have) a posse following her wherever she goes. She is a confident leader capable of getting stuff done. If she doesn’t know the right way to do something, she doesn’t ask, she does it her way.
After playing mandolin for a few years, Karaline picked up the guitar and fell in love with it. She has an uncanny ability to put whatever the Lord is teaching her into a song that encourages all who hear.
Once Karaline got her driver’s license, she had a flourishing babysitting business that has kept her busy for the better part of a year. She LOVES children and certainly hopes to have her own someday.
Karaline knows where everything is in the house and is a master organizer. She probably knows where everything is in your house, too…
Kimberly
- Age: 17
- Height: 5’4”
- Dream Ski Destination: Any mountain, anywhere, anytime… I’m there!
- Instrument of Choice: Ukulele
- Favorite Sport: Skiing
- Known for: Best jump shot in the family
- Favorite Past-time: Taking ice baths
Kimberly is a quiet and steady woman of excellence. If ever someone was to be a “natural” at athletics, it would be Kimmy. She goes from just learning a sport to having superb form and technique the following day. But this excellence doesn’t stop with sports. She’s an accomplished musician, painter, and comic, too.
It goes without saying that in a family of 8 girls, the drama can run high. Very high. However, you’ll never find Kimberly being the cause of any drama and her contributions to it are minimal.
She’s a faithful companion to each and every one of her siblings, always having their back and ready to stand up for anyone being attacked. She also volunteers to follow up the “rat pack” when the whole family ski’s ensuring everyone makes it down alive.
Kloe
- Age: 15
- Height: 5’5”
- Dream Ski Destination: The Alps
- Instrument of Choice: Singing
- Favorite Time of Day: Morning
- Greatest Fear: Not having cold water to jump in
- Favorite Movie: Kung Fu Panda
Kloe is an artist through and through. Mystery and unpredictability come to mind when people think of her. She’ll have you belly laughing one minute and scratching your head the next. She always finds a way to hang with her older siblings in sports and conversation.
Kloe is sporty and loves mixing up outfits with her unique flair and personal style. She has more social life than the rest of the family combined.
Over the last year Kloe has grown from being a girl to a young woman, taking on more responsibility, growing in her faith, and excelling in art, academics, and adventure.
Barrington
- Age: 13
- Height: 5’1″
- Dream Ski Destination: Anywhere in Colorado
- Favorite Challenge: Following his brother Baylor off drops
- Favorite Hobby: Making forts and knives
- Favorite Book: White Fang
Barrington (Bear) is commander and chief of all kid adventures and is head supervisor for all fort development. Along with his younger siblings, Barrington has invented possum traps, built mini colonies, and grown in his abilities to apologize to neighbors when accidentally extending beyond the family’s property line.
Barrington is a command-man through and through and all of his siblings are excited to see how God will use his disposition towards leadership.
When he’s not making millions on the side with his recycling business, he stays occupied grappling with his brothers, Baylor and Bentley.
Kinsey Lee
- Age: 11
- Height: 5’1”
- Dream Ski Destination: Mt. Hermon, Israel
- Favorite Animal: Black Bunny (before she had to sell it)
- Favorite Cooking Show: K’s in the Kitchen
- Instrument of Choice: Ukulele
Kinsey Lee is a fireball of passion and willpower. A leader from birth, Kinsey doesn’t know a stranger and is eager to welcome anyone, old or young, under her wing. It’s hard staying ahead of Kinsey’s sharp mind and she’s full of surprises. One day she’ll come share a new song she learned on her ukulele, the next she’s asking you questions about a conversation she overheard a week ago between two adults.
Kinsey loves to share the love of God with people of all ages. A cuddle-bug and quick study, she’s a fire and ice combo to be reckoned with.
Bentley
- Age: 10
- Height: 4’6”
- Dream Ski Destination: Niseko United, Japan
- Favorite Food: Ketchup
- Favorite Jiu-Jitsu Move: Crab crawl choke
- Favorite Restaurant: Panda Express
Bentley is the first to run up and greet guests with a hug and bright smile. His love of people and life is contagious, and he’s a gyroscope of activity that never stops wiggling, wrestling, or trying new tricks.
Bentley is a tender hearted happy-go-lucky guy and a friend to everyone he meets. A typical week consists of taking Jiu-Jitsu with Bear, riding the one-wheel behind Bear’s bike, and getting ordered around by Bear.
Kordelia
- Age: 7
- Height: Size Small
- Dream Ski Destination: Japan, too!
- Favorite Activity: Brushing Mama’s hair
- Favorite Color: Pink
- Favorite Book: Miss Suzy
Kordelia May is the extra special bundle of joy as the baby of the family. She delights in playing with her nephew, Leon, dressing up for special events, and copying her big sisters.
Kordi found her “ski legs” at Steamboat last season and proved her ability to ski the whole mountain. Steeps, chutes, bumps and powder in the trees. The whole family agreed unanimously that she had earned the right to wear “the suit”. Yes, she got her own matching onesie! Sure, she has to roll up the pants and sleeves, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. Although quiet and sweet, she possesses a strong sense of determination that ensures she isn’t left behind.
