Local man helped craft alpine skiing course in Pyeongchang

Geoff Marriner grew up in Franklin Park and graduated from North Allegheny High School.

But for the last two years, he's spent all of his time at the Jeongseon Alpine Center in Pyeongchang.

“It was definitely the biggest challenge I’ve had in my career so far,” said Marriner.

Geoff is the mountain operations manager. He's in charge of snowmaking, grooming, chairlifts and ski patrol.

“When I first got here there was nothing, everything was built up from scratch,” Marriner said.

He came here after working at resorts in Colorado, where he and his wife still have a home.

“The ski industry in general is a global industry but it is still a small industry,” Marriner said.

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He's had to overcome language and cultural barriers, but that's nothing compared to what the mountain is now throwing at him -- dangerously high winds.

Three days of alpine events at these Olympic Games have already been canceled because of strong winds-- a danger for the gondolas and the athletes on the course.

“You can't control Mother Nature,” Marriner said.

But what he can control is finally paying off an Olympic venue that he's poured countless hours into.

“It's starting to sink in now, now that everyone is here, and all the stuff is up,” Marriner said. “Everyone's been happy no matter what. The snow quality, they're super excited about.”