Hank Shields

Hank started GFA at a pretty young age and quickly took to freestyle.   He moved into Competition team and was regularly on top of NH USASA rail jam and slopestyle podiums.  He’s been a USASA Nationals medalist in rail jam and slopestyle and has moved on the Rev Tour at KMS. 

My name is Henry “Hank” Shields, and I am a GFA alumnus, now competing at the Rev Tour level. I attend Killington Mountain School as a junior. My favorite part of GFA when I was younger was being able to lap the park on repeat all day. Skiing the park was all I wanted to do, and GFA opened those doors for me to do that while being coached and learning community and etiquette. GFA also helped me outside of skiing, building strong relationships I still benefit from today. What I got out of GFA, which I don't think I would have gotten from another program, is a smaller coach-to-athlete ratio and supportive coaches I can be friends with rather than report to. If I were six years old again and I had the opportunity to go back and start over again at GFA, I 100% would. The athletes, coaches, and community surrounding GFA are among the best free ski environments to learn and progress in. One thing I would tell a kid who's thinking about GFA is that motivation is key for freeskiing; it takes time to build your skills and do bigger tricks.

Proven results that speak for themselves.