The ski gear hasn’t been put away yet, but for David Wise, the ski season essentially concluded in mid-February on the Olympic halfpipe in Sochi. His goal has been accomplished.
Wise, who skis out of Northstar California in Lake Tahoe, is still wallowing in the spotlight of becoming an Olympic champion. Wise took the Olympic gold medal at the Sochi Olympics, capturing first place in the first-ever men’s freestyle halfpipe event.
The “victory tour” brought Wise back to Northstar ski resort last weekend, where he signed autographs, skied briefly with adoring fans, and took center stage at an afternoon ceremony in the Northstar Village.
“Basically I show up and look pretty,” joked Wise, who has become quite accustomed to accepting accolades since becoming a gold medal skier in February. “It seems like I’ve done a million interviews. It’s become easier and easier.”
Following his efforts at the Sochi Olympics, the season was essentially done for Wise, who is now looking forward to a casual summer back in his hometown of Reno. That means hanging out with wife, Alexandra, and 2-year-old daughter, Nayeli.
Unlike some of his contemporaries, Wise doesn’t seek the spotlight on the tour or off it. He’s never been into the party scene or self-promotion, which is why the New York Times nicknamed Wise the “The UnDude.”
Wise, 23, rarely parties and is so socially conscious that he takes 10 percent of his winnings – that other competitors often use to provide drinks for other skiers – and donates it to water projects in the Dominican Republic, where his sister Jessica periodically works.
So coming home to Reno and just being David Wise – husband and dad – is very cool. For Wise, family comes first, skiing second.
“I enjoy this time of year when I get to come home and get out of the ski industry for a while,” Wise said. “I come home, play in a softball league, ride my mountain bike, and get to hang out with family and friends. I’m able to just relax.”
However, he doesn’t mind days like this one at Northstar. Wise enjoys being a role model and representing the sport he loves.
“I like the fact that I can get people excited about skiing,” said Wise, who was joined at Northstar by his wife, daughter, other family members, and numerous friends. “It’s an opportunity for me to talk about skiing in Tahoe and the sport in general. I can do a day like this and still enjoy my family time. I’ve spent a lot of time since Sochi wearing my gold medal.”
But he’s rarely wearing that gold medal at his home in Reno. “Nayeli really loves wearing my gold medal and doesn’t like giving it back,” Wise said with a laugh.
Wise is a hero to his family and plenty of young skiers who find inspiration in his impressive Olympic gold medal victory. That includes San Jose’s Christian Schenkel, 13, and his younger brother Aiden, 11, who were among the Northstar crowd who showed up to meet Wise.
“He won the gold medal, he’s an amazing skier,” Christian said. “He inspires me. It’s so cool to be here, get to talk with him, and have our pictures taken with someone who won an Olympic gold medal.”
For youthful David Wise, it’s a pretty cool time in his life.
This is the first of a three-part story on David Wise. The next segment will focus on his upbringing in Reno and his rise to prominence in skiing.
