Daron Rahlves, famous speedster, supposedly went into retirement from skiing after the U.S. national championships in March. But this 12-time World Cup victor is still as busy as ever. A California native and Truckee resident, Rahlves, 33 has spent his life racing in the waters, on the slopes and through the dirt.

“I’m using a new word — transition,” Rahlves says when questioned as to his plans for retirement.

“I have more free time these days to do what I want to do,” he says.

So what exactly does he want to do? Ride his dirtbike, surf in Southern California and compete in a ski tour at the beginning of next year, he says.

Starting in January, Rahlves, 33, will take part in a festival in an effort to revive the ski world by bringing together music, entertainment, racing, freeskiing and an all-around good time. The event will tour Sun Valley, Breckenridge, Aspen and Tahoe’s very own Squaw Valley USA.

“Beyond all this, it’s just a way to expel some competitive energy,” he says.

Rahlves has been married three years this September, an anniversary which he and his wife Michelle, 31, celebrated in typical hard-core fashion by competing in a downhill mountain biking race in Downieville. The two met at a former physical therapy office in Truckee.

“The business fizzled out, but the love didn’t,” Rahlves says with a self-conscious laugh.

Michelle grew up in Dana Point and is also an avid surfer.

Previously Rahlves hadn’t had much free time to spend tinkering around his Truckee home, but this year, he says, it’s going to be a different story.

“I like the quiet — the mountain living,” he says of his five-acre property.

He looks forward to spending time in the yard, watching the aspens change color, working in the garage and hanging with his two Husky dogs — just being able to relax.

Rahlves has also got his sights set on hamming it up in front of the camera this next year. He’s a featured athlete with Matchstick Productions.

“I don’t want to be put in a movie with less than a full segment,” he says.

Recognition as an all-around good skier is what motivates Rahlves, including both backcountry and big mountain shots.

“One of my biggest loves is freeskiing.”

Rahlves’ need for speed translates from the ski slopes to the dirt racing track. He’s been clocked at 93 miles per hour on downhill skis.

“But I’ve always wanted to try to go over 100 miles per hour,” he says.

On the dirtbike, if he holds it back in fifth gear and keeps it pinned, he can sometimes hit 60, but usually cruises around 40 or 50 mph.

More modestly, a Chevy truck is his vehicle of choice, though he says he once hit 175 miles per hour in an Audi on European highways.

“It’s insane. I was going, like, 280 klicks … before the car shut down.”

Rahlves also raced personal watercraft until he was 19.

“Like motocross on water,” he says.

While he clearly likes to keep the adrenaline pumping, he is eager to settle in — a bit — to life around Tahoe. You’ll most likely catch Rahlves cruising Sugar Bowl terrain. He hasn’t skied a Tahoe winter for several years, but just gotten little teasers. He said he’s excited to be here for the infamous storms.

If he’s not rocking out to Pennywise or Metallica on the chairlift, he’s cruising full speed ahead on the slopes and “making laps like crazy.” He’s a ski ambassador for the resort and works with the ski academy.

“I’m psyched to be with them. [There’re] a lot of kids up there — to pass along my experience,” he says.

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