SKI Magazine Gear Tester: Michael Rogan
Meet the guy who teaches ski instructors how to ski.
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Michael Rogan is a man who needs no introduction in the skiing world. As PSIA Alpine Team Coach, Michael is ski instructing’s head honcho—the guy who teaches all the other certified ski instructors how to ski and teach skiing. He is also SKI Magazine’s Director of Instruction, the operations manager at Ski Portillo in Chile, formerly a technique and fundamental skills coach and currently still a special project/camp coach for the U.S. Ski Team. Michael started his illustrious ski career in Rhinebeck, N.Y., then Catamount, N.Y., before moving west to split his time between South Lake Tahoe, Calif., and Portillo, Chile.
Vitals
- Height: 5’11”
- Weight: 195 lbs
- Age: 52
- Years testing for SKI: Every single one since 1998
- Avg. days per season: 51+
- Home mountain: Heavenly Ski Resort and Portillo, Chile
Skiing Style & Terrain Preference
- Technically clean
- Athletic
- Crud
- Bumps
“I’ll be the first in line on the Mike Rogan wanna-be train,” says fellow SKI tester Matt Schiller. “I’ve known and skied with him for 20 years, and I’m proud to work on his boot set up. Someone once called me his “mini me,” but I need another 20 years to get close. Mike’s skiing is consistent, powerful, and precise.”
Related: Carving Tips from Michael Rogan
Watch: Michael Rogan’s Bump Skiing Tips
Want to learn more skiing techniques and tactics from Michael? Check out SKI Magazine and AIM AdventureU’s online courses featuring Michael’s tips and tricks here.
Ski Preference
The qualities Michael looks for in a ski:
- Versatility
- Positive edge engagement
- Highest ranked ski from SKI Test 2021: Völkl Kendo 88
View the full Völkl Kendo 88 SKI Test scoresheet
Michael’s Gear
Ski: Nordica Enforcer 94
Ski Boot: Nordica Dobermann (custom build)
Biggest Gear Epiphany
“Modern skis that are GREAT have a very wide range of attributes. What I thought was a great ski but only did one type of turn is no longer good enough.”
If you like Michael’s take on skis, you might also agree with…
“Mark Elling. He’s a very knowledgable tester with years of experience. We’re about the same size, and he’s very smooth and natural in all conditions. But all the testers are pros who have SKI readers’ best interest in mind, or they don’t last as a tester.”
Learn more about the best skis of 2021:
