She’s affectionately called Pammy, Cita, Mamacita, Pamacita, Sister of Blessed Acceleration, and even Bombita. But at the root of it all, Pam Warman is a cancer survivor, mother of two, and the first (and only) female ski technician for the US Ski Team.  When Pam was diagnosed with cancer, the US Ski Team and the Lake Tahoe community rallied around her to provide emotional and financial support.  Bode Miller even auctioned off his 2010 Olympic Slalom helmet to raise money for her.

As a resident of South Lake Tahoe, she currently teaches skiing at Heavenly Mountain Resort while tuning skis at South Shore Snow. Pam recently taught a free clinic for the Nor Cal SheJumps group on and hopes to teach more all women tuning clinics in the future. Meghan Kelly, our regional director of SheJumps Tahoe, took the time to ask her some questions about her career and the many jumps she has taken throughout her life. 

Where are you from originally and how did you end up in Lake Tahoe?

I was born in Santiago de Chile in 1962. I grew up there, went to an all English private school, and got married at 18, fresh out of high school. That lasted 10 years. 3 years after the divorce, I met a cute ski instructor who was teaching at Portillo Ski resort, and with him I adventured my way to Lake Tahoe. I did several winter seasons back to back teaching skiing and tuning skis. Eventually I stayed in Tahoe, even though I was longing for summers and flip-flops.

How did you get into skiing and more specifically tuning skis? And how did you get the position as tech for the US ski team?

I moved to upstate New York (Hunter Mountain) for 2 years and managed the repair shop there. It was at Hunter that I met the members of the US Ski Team and got a job with them as a tuner. I then moved to Europe and traveled with the Team from race to race.

My cute ski instructor and I moved our home to Crested Butte for some years, but eventually we returned to South Lake Tahoe, after which I promised I would never leave again.

You're a cancer survivor, what is the thing that stuck with you most from that experience? What advice would you give to someone dealing with cancer now?

When I was diagnosed with cancer, the athletes who I had been tuning for on the US ski team decided to help me out by donating all their Olympic gear. Among this gear was Bode Miller’s helmet, which went viral and nationwide. I was speechless to see my name on the news all over the country as the breast cancer women from South Lake Tahoe who Bode Miller wanted to help!

Any words of advice to fellow women who want to "take a jump" in their life like you have done so many times?

Truth be told, I have been ‘jumping’ since early age, although back in Chile it was the sign of a problematic and wild child. My first huge jump was at 28 years old when under political and domestic problems I had to leave my 2 children (7 & 9) behind to save my life. Another big jump was to take the job as a tech for the Men’s Alpine Team. I left my husband behind to join a team of men that chased the snow through the mountains in Europe.

About 3 years ago, I was pushed by my cancer. Once again, I had to jump into the unknown and leave my second husband behind (the cute ski instructor!) to pursue my healing. I went through a divorce, cancer and the loss of my house all at the same time, but it was worth it.

Currently, I am still working on my healing. I decided to ‘walk the line’ and become the best human being I can. Sometimes it’s not easy, but I wouldn’t change one thing about my life. I live for that minute when you feel the pressure of having to jump into the abyss, not knowing what is down there, simply surrendering and trusting that the Universe knows better. It has never let me down.

Among people in general, I have gotten to that stage in life where even though I love everybody, I want to be surrounded by interesting characters. I like to learn from people, as much as I love to teach and share my experiences, but somehow I have gotten pickier than years ago.

I have just decided after the tuning clinic with SheJumps that an instructional tuning video MUST be done, so I am jumping again and going for this new challenge!

Mentors? Absolutely. Guides? Without a doubt. Like minded females? Bring it on!