A Quiet Force Behind the Finish Line
Alas, too soon, U.S. Skiing has lost one of the great domestiques of our sport. Look it up, and you’ll find that all the adjectives apply: dedicated, selfless, passionate, tireless, steady, sacrificing, working behind the scenes, shaping the heart of the team . . . You might not have noticed him at first, but once you did, you realize he’d been there all along.
Roots on the Slopes
Trevor Wagner was born in Burien, Wash., in 1969, the son of Cindy Millman and Ron Wagner. In 1971, Trevor and Cindy moved to Jackson, Wyo. A few years later, it was here that Trevor’s skiing and ski racing career got its start, walking daily from grade school to training on the slopes of Snow King. In 1981, Cindy and Trevor moved to Whitefish, Mont., and the passion for skiing was further nurtured at Big Mountain. Following graduation from Whitefish High School in 1987, Trevor joined Cindy and Tim Hinderman in Sandpoint, Idaho, and the skiing odyssey continued at Schweitzer Mountain Resort.
The Coaching Years Begin
In 1990, Trevor embarked on a four-year period of collegiate ski racing beginning with two years at Central Oregon Community College (COCC) in Bend, Ore., followed by two years at Sierra Nevada College in Incline Village, Nev. Following this, Trevor began his coaching career when he joined the Squaw Valley Race Team staff under the renowned Mark “Sully” Sullivan. It was during this time that Trevor was introduced to working with future U.S. Ski Teamers and Olympians including Julia Mancuso and Marco Sullivan.
Shaping Champions
In 1998, Trevor began his career with the U.S. Ski Team when he joined the staff coaching the Women’s Europa Cup tech group. Three years later, he moved up to Women’s Europa Cup Head Coach for the 2002 season. The following year, Trevor moved up to the Women’s World Cup staff to work with Patrick Riml, and in 2005 Jesse Hunt announced that Trevor was named head coach for the Women’s World Cup tech team. Later that season, Julia Mancuso surprised everyone in the world except herself and Trevor when she won the gold medal in the giant slalom at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Sestriere, Italy.
From Norway to the West
Seeking a break after nine continuous years with the U.S. Team, Trevor accepted an offer to work with the Norwegian Women’s tech team for the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons. Later in 2008, Trevor returned to the U.S. Ski Team as head Women’s World Cup tech coach. Trevor continued as head Women’s Tech Coach through 2011. At that point, Trevor’s focus shifted back toward athlete development, and he opted to coach at the Europa Cup level through the 2014 season.
Building the Stage
By now, Trevor had logged 16 years coaching at the international World Cup and Europa Cup levels. It was time for a change, but not time to leave competitive skiing. Utilizing his years of experience at the highest levels of competitive skiing, Trevor teamed up with Tom (Cowboy) Johnson to assist with venue preparation for all major national and international alpine competition events hosted by U.S. Skiing. Between them, they provided countless hours of technical support and hands-on assistance—beginning with summer terrain modification and clearing, and then around-the-clock seasonal support: snowmaking, snow base preparation, on-snow terrain modification, racing surface preparation, all safety netting and padding design and installation, and more. Cowboy’s and Trevor’s most recent project, the World Cup Finals at Sun Valley, Idaho, is best described in this tribute, used here with thanks to Will Brandenburg of the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation:
“Alongside Tom ‘Cowboy’ Johnson and our community leaders, he (Trevor) helped design the downhill and super-G tracks, creating a world-class venue worthy of the sport’s biggest stage. In a region with a deep but fading history in speed events, Trevor helped reignite that legacy—leaving behind a blueprint for future generations.”
A Vision for the West
One thing Trevor appreciated about his winter-long work schedule for venue preparation is that he still had time to spend coaching the up-and-coming junior skiers from the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation. Further comments from Will Brandenburg:
“Trevor didn’t just coach here; he reshaped the future of ski racing in the West. He was instrumental in bringing speed skiing back to the forefront in both the Pacific Northwest and the Western Region. His vision and leadership over the years were key to bringing the World Cup Finals to Sun Valley this past season—marking the return of World Cup speed events to the Western U.S. for the first time since the 2002 Winter Olympics . . . Trevor helped reignite a legacy.”
A Life Beyond the Hill
Notwithstanding all previous content, don’t let the extent of Trevor’s ski résumé compel you to think his life was monochromatic!
In 2008, when Trevor returned from Norway, he settled in Truckee, Calif. In 2009, he met his fiancée, Gladys Weidt, and began a relationship that spanned the next 16 years. They navigated through job and career changes together, and in 2019 their move from Truckee to Sun Valley made it official.
During the formative years of his ski career, Trevor was also entering into the arena of bicycle racing. This would transition into a lifelong passion for high-level mountain and road biking. It was an annual ritual to roll out the bikes when ski season wound down and the skis were hung in the garage.
The Surfer’s Soul
Sometime in the mid-1990s, Trevor discovered surfing. True to form, he was immediately “all in.” As his proficiency improved, his surfing travels ranged from the tip of Baja, through Southern California and all the way to Washington state. He even tried surfing on Lake Tahoe when the wind would kick up big enough waves. Throughout their years together, a post-season trip to Baja with Gladys was their annual recharge.
A Presence That Endures
Trevor’s infectious enthusiasm fueled conversations and debates whenever he was present. He was seldom lacking for an opinion and always willing to share it—yet tactfully never beyond the zone of friendly banter.
As the new kid on the team, the new coach on the hill, the new dude on the beach or the guy that knows nobody at the party, Trevor’s outgoing nature and confident yet likable demeanor powered his uncanny ability to forge new friendships at every turn. His absence will leave a void in the hearts of family members and countless friends and cohorts from ski slopes, beaches and bike trails throughout North America and Europe. However, the memories of the good times, the camaraderie, the inspiration and the unbreakable bond of friendship will never fade.
In Loving Memory
Trevor passed away with family by his side on April 22, 2025, after a brief, intense and stubbornly private battle with cancer. Trevor is survived by his mother, Cindy; stepfather, Tim; fiancée, Gladys; and younger brother Alex.
We are currently planning a celebration of Trevor’s life and will share details soon.
About the Author: Tim Hinderman
