NCW 2023 | Lara Falk is shaping Australian Alpine Racing

Alpine skier Lara Falk guided visually impaired skier Patrick Jensen down the slopes at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Paralympic Games, where the team placed 11th in Giant Slalom.

While she was competing at her first World Championships and Paralympic Games with Jensen, Falk was also working towards a Bachelor Degree in Urban Design and Planning, working as a ski instructor at Hotham and building her Australian Professional Snowsports Instructors (ASPI) qualifications.

After she retired from competitive skiing following the South Korean Games, the Coorimungle local transitioned to a Bachelor of Commerce and moved into Hotham’s Race and Event Department where she “found my passion for winter sport outside of Alpine Racing”.

Falk - who was recently announced as one of fourteen retired athletes to be accepted into the 2023 AIS Accelerate Program, aimed at helping women pursue key roles in sports administration - said she is loving pursuing a post-racing career in the snowsports industry.

“This winter I am moving into a new role in Perisher as Race Department Supervisor, after the past seven winters I have been based at Mt Hotham,” Falk said.

“In my role at Perisher I will look after the day to day operations of the Race Department, from running events such as Interschools, to FIS Alpine races, as well as training areas for the Winter Sport Club pathway programs.

“I am looking forward to being in a new resort and working with a new team, it will be a great challenge!”

When looking back on her time as an athlete, the 26-year-old says there are a lot of transferable skills from being an elite athlete to entering a corporate role.

“As an athlete you are always trying to be fitter and stronger. In the workforce, work ethic is also important as it really demonstrates your determination, motivation and pride towards your role which is an important skill,” she said.

“Plus, being a Sighted Guide, you relay everything you see to your athlete,” she explained. “In the workplace, being able to communicate effectively and efficiently to your colleagues, stakeholders, and guests/clients is an invaluable skill.”

Falk’s best piece of advice for individuals thinking about their post-athlete career, is to always look for opportunities to learn.

“I think the best advice I could give to current athletes who may be thinking about retiring is to always be open to learning. Transitioning from being an athlete to a working career, you will have to adapt and gain new skills, no one is ever finished learning no matter your career or accomplishments.”

For more information on how Snow Australia is supporting athletes in career exploration - including the AIS Career Practitioners Referral Network, Elite Athlete Education Network, Apprenticeship Pathways and more - check out our career and education resources HERE