Forget those cliché stereotypes circulating around about being a “Karen.” We’re here to debunk that myth. While the pejorative slang refers to middle-class women perceived as entitled or demanding, in Steamboat there are plenty of Karens Who Rip, who will squash both you and that notion, leaving you in the dust on the slopes and trail. To wit:
Karen Wogsland: Don’t mess with this former oil rig environmental worker, who loves all things river and mountain. This kick-ass Karen spent her childhood in Switzerland, sparking her love for mountains, skiing, and cheese. Earning a B.S. in Geology from Colorado State University, an MS in Geology from the University of Montana, and an MBA from the University of Colorado, her career spans cleaning-up contaminated groundwater, managing municipal water supplies, and restoring streamflows with the Colorado Water Trust. In Montana, an $89 student season pass to Snowbowl sparked her tele career in leather Asolo Snowpine boots and pencil-thin, double-cambered, 200cm Karhu skis (she gave away her Alpine gear shortly thereafter). In Steamboat, now living just seven minutes from the gondola, she serves as board president for Friends of the Yampa and spends her winters teleing on-piste and -off, and her summers gravel and mountain biking.
Karen Goedert: This Karen will kick your caboose, from Mount Werner to Denali. After spending seven summers in Alaska in her late 20s exploring the Last Frontier via kayak, float plane, bike, and backpack – and twice hiking the Chilkoot trail – Goedert has been in Steamboat for 20 years doing largely the same things locally. As director of employee engagement at Big Agnes, she practices what she preaches, helping the BA team recreate as often as she does in the Yampa Valley. “My favorite sport is mountain biking,” she says. “I try to ride as often as I can. Secondary would be hiking, camping and fat biking and skiing in the winter – both downhill and up.”
Karen Nann: Kickboxing Karen, anyone? A vet at Pet Kare Clinic, Dr. Karen Nann lives for the outdoors. An avid skier (downhill and cross country), biker (mountain, gravel and road), runner, and horseback rider, she’s also a spin, yoga, and, yes, kickboxing instructor, so mind your Ps and Qs. “I feel blessed to be in Steamboat as we have so many outdoor activities,” says Nann, who studied in the West Indies, where she also worked as a Peace Corps Volunteer. “I love adventuring with my family, including my husband Gerry Verdoner; son, Colin (15 months); and daughter Malia (4 years).” And if you’re ever sore from hanging out with her, don’t worry; she’s been a yoga instructor here since 2002, teaching vinyasana, sculpt, wall, paddleboard yoga.
Karen Church: This Karen is a local physical therapist (www.KarenChurchPT.com) who specializes in functional manual therapy and yoga, with over 30 years of private experience (she’ll help you recover from injuries or train). With degrees in Physical and Health Education and Sport Psychology from Ontario’s Queen’s University – where she was also on the varsity rowing team – she’s the author of “Therapeutic Yoga” and has taught workshops with nationally acclaimed yoga instructor Desirée Rumbaugh. But perhaps the real darin’ for this Karen comes on the ski slopes, as she’s also an avid telemark and skate skier, freeing her heel when she’s not freeing your body. “I’m an avid telemark skier, having skied at Aspen Snowmass for 30 years. Since moving to Steamboat in 2020, I’ve also become a passionate skate skier. I love the proximity to Mt. Werner and Howelsen Hill, which enabled me to ski 81 times last season. I’m also inspired by the high level of athleticism here in this amazing community.” Bonus: Older than 50? She also helps teach Wisdom Warriors, a 12-hour workshop for yoga teachers and practitioners.
