With 16 days until Jackson Hole Mountain Resort opens, Cloudveil ambassador Jess McMillan is training, training, training and blogging, blogging, blogging.

She’ll be in Jackson for the mountain’s Nov. 29 opening and here through December before she leaves for Russia in mid-January, taking the first step in her path toward reclaiming her 2007 championship crown from the International Freeskiing Association.

The 30-year-old, who learned how to ski through Wilson Elementary School’s winter sports program and won state skiing titles at Jackson Hole high school, is chopping wood in Wyoming, skiing powder in Argentina and even turning some tricks at the Olympic splash pool in Salt Lake to prepare for this year’s competition roster. Read more here about last year’s experiences that inspired her to hit the ground harder this year.

The latest from McMillan’s blog highlights the Wild Card pics for the Sochi, Russa competition in January. Russia is the first stop on the Freeride World Tour, a different, but equally badass competition series from the International Freeskiing Association Tour (mentioned above).

When you go out to the Village, watch out for the blond streak zooming past you in her Volkl Kuros and Cloudveil coat.

From Jess:
The Freeride World Tour just announced the Wild Cards for Sochi, Russia. Congratulations to everyone who received a wild card. The FWT is an amazing tour. I am really excited to see more women on the tour this year. I think having more women will push all of us to ski our very best and bring the level of competition to a new height. Can’t wait to see you in Russia.