Blake Hamalainen was born and raised in Sandy Oregon. He grew up skiing on Mt Hood, and he ski raced all throughout high school. Blake went to college in Montana, and he skied all over the western United States throughout those college years. After he graduated from Montana State University, he moved back to Sandy Oregon. He and his wife Talla, who is also a coach on MRT this year, coached their 2 daughters and taught them how to ski race.  Blake also volunteers with the Sandy Highschool Ski Team, and he is excited to join the Big Mountain crew this season.