New Mexico ski instructor wins third freeski national championship

The all-around men’s freeski national champion posed with his medals in his mouth and one ski in each hand, making sure the camera captured the base of his skis emblazoned with the New Mexico zia symbol.

Edward Herrera, 38, was proud of his accomplishments — four medals, including three golds — at the United States Snowboard and Freeski Association (USASA) National Championships, held April 5-9 at Copper Mountain, Colorado.

“You can be from a little town like Las Vegas, New Mexico and still thrive,” he said last week.

Herrera took first place in halfpipe and ski cross, plus a silver in slopestyle, earning him the title of all-around national champion. Only a handful of other skiers competed in his classification, but they were all regional champions, he said.

According to Herrera, the USASA National Championships is the elite competition for his sport of freeski — think doing tricks on skis, as opposed to downhill or jumping.

Herrera trains and teaches skiing in New Mexico. He says the slopes are tough in his state.

“There were a lot of adjustments because the snow was so rough in New Mexico this year,” Herrera said. “A lot of what I was doing in regional events would’ve been easier with the snow and conditions I had in Colorado.”

Herrera’s skiing journey began in third grade in his hometown of Las Vegas. Just two years later he was teaching college students at New Mexico Highlands University. He’s been a certified ski instructor since 2007, and for the last three years he’s served as director of the Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort — overseeing the largest school skiing program in New Mexico. He teaches students from third grade through high school.

Herrera also coaches football and track at West Las Vegas High School.

“I’m trying to be an inspiration to the young kids out there because there’s a lot of kids who are challenged in our state, not having enough money, or dealing with family issues or dealing with family members who are on drugs,” Herrera said. “That motivates me to try and inspire these young people to go after their dreams and be able to accomplish anything if they put their mind to it.”

After winning USASA national titles in 2022 and 2023, Herrera took last season off to spend time with family. Herrera first starting competing in 2018 and has won more than 18 medals in national competitions.

In 2019, he suffered a setback after being in a serious car crash. He endured eight months of physical therapy, the longest break he’d ever taken from skiing.

“It takes willpower and dedication for people to be successful, and that’s what I want people to know,” he said. “If you work hard, you can be successful.”

Now back on top, Herrera says his goal is to continue training young skiers and build a legacy that reaches far beyond the slopes.

His personal dream?

Skiing his way into the New Mexico Ski Hall of Fame.