All year long, Kris Kringle, otherwise known as Santa Claus, works tirelessly in the North Pole with his elves making toys for all the good boys and girls of the world. This hard work culminates in the biggest day of the year, Christmas Eve, when Claus packs up his sleigh full of toys to make the worldwide flight led by his nine trusty reindeer. In recent years, the only reindeer anyone seems to talk about is Rudolph. While he may have a red blinking nose and currently leads Santa’s sleigh, there are many underappreciated reindeer living in the North Pole. One of them is Blitzen, the beloved veteran that helps Santa on December 24.

What kind of training must you do in preparation for Christmas Eve every year?

Blitzen: Santa works us all year long in preparation for the big night. From December 26 to December 24 the following year, we’re training for our day long flight around the world. A normal day may consist of a few thousand mile warm up flight to the Arctic Circle and back followed by some acrobatic activities and speed drills. Working with each other with the help of Santa and some trainer elves we get to develop some great chemistry with one another before mounting the sleigh on Christmas Eve.

How do you feel about Rudolph taking away some of the attention from you and the other veteran reindeer?

Blitzen: North Pole scouts saw some great potential in Rudolph from a young age with that blinking red nose of his. After a one and done year in flight school he was brought up quickly through the minor leagues and has made an immediate impact on our herd. He has quite the personality as a young flyer and although he loves the fame, we always make sure to keep him humble as we train for Christmas. As for myself and the rest of the team, this is a team effort so as long he’ll help us and Santa deliver those presents, I welcome him aboard.

What is your most memorable sleigh ride experience?

Blitzen: I’ll never forget Rudolph’s first year on Santa’s sleigh. That Christmas Eve we had the worst storm in years but with Rudolph’s nose so bright, Santa could glide the sleigh that night. It was also very special to give all the citizens of the Island of Misfit Toys a home for the holidays. To this day we still make sure to keep in touch with them around the globe and visit them on Christmas Eve.

What may you be doing in your free time, when not training for Christmas Eve?

Blitzen: Well there is no real offseason, but when we are not training for our sleigh ride, the others and I have many reindeer games we enjoy to play at the North Pole. Some of these include ski vacations, group hikes in the forest and of course, the annual reindeer versus elves pickup basketball game.

What is your relationship with Santa and Mrs. Claus?

Blitzen: Well the Claus’s have always been like family to me. I grew up in a poor household in the South Pole but I pursued my dream of leading Santa’s sleigh and finally made it to the North Pole. The Claus’s took me in as their own and I can never repay them for that. I know that whatever hiccups we may have in the North Pole any year, with their leadership, we will be able to overcome any obstacles.

Have you ever thought of retiring from Santa’s sleigh?

Blitzen: Santa has always told me that I have a job in his workshop when I retire from his sleigh. To be quite honest though, I feel younger than ever and I don’t see an end in sight. I hope that I can be able to fly on Santa’s sleigh till I can fly no longer.

Any comment on the rumors of the Abominable Snow Monster?

Blitzen: I personally have never encountered him; however, my good friend Yukon Cornelius claims to see him while prospecting for gold and silver tinsel every year in order to decorate our trees at the North Pole.