20
Questions
Describe your skiing
background:
I grew up in Aspen CO and my parents had
me on wooden House skis when I was able to
walk. I began alpine skiing at one and a
half years old. I ski raced and freeskied
up until high school and during that time
I also tried snowboarding. Alpine skiing
and riding got old, so I started telemark
skiing with Nick DeVore. His positive influence
and my switch to teles is one of the best
decisions I have ever made. Now I plan to
progress the sport and lifestyle of telemark
skiing and show everybody how awesome it
is.
What was your big breakthrough or defining
moment in skiing?
I would have to say that it was converting
to telemarking, finishing third in the 2005
Tele Nationals in Crested Butte and getting
together with Black Diamond—in that
order.
Describe a skiing experience when things
got out of hand:
I haven't really had any out of hand experiences
while skiing but, this year, while shooting
in the backcountry off of Highlands, we did
get into some exposure that was pretty hollow
underneath. We knew that we should get out
of there, so we headed back toward the mountain.
On our way back we found this ridge that
had a different exposure and was a bit more
stable. The cameraman set up and Chris Erickson,
who felt good about the line, dropped in.
Two turns into the line the snow fractured
at his ski tips. It happened pretty fast
but luckily Chris was able to stay on his
feet and get into a safe zone, while the
slide kept going. It wasn't a huge slide
but it definitely caught us all by surprise
and made us aware that anything can happen
and that it is always necessary to go by
your first instinct, no matter how good it
looks.
What are you up to when you’re
not skiing?
When I am not skiing I mountain bike, kayak,
fly fish, hunt and enjoy almost anything
outdoors but I have yet to find any reason
to play golf.
Any training advice or suggestions?
Cross training in the Summer and Fall makes
a huge difference, and climbing to the top
of a mountain before skiing it is both great
training and very rewarding.
Who or what inspires you?
All of my friends—especially the alpine
skiers because of the looks on their faces
when the telemarker is waiting at the bottom
for them
How do you see skiing evolving in the next
five years?
I see the evolution of skiing branching off
into two different directions in the future.
There will be those who ski fast and steep
big mountain lines with plenty of airs and
a few park tricks, which is already happening
more and more. And then there will be the
park and pipe riders—jibbers that spend
everyday in the park, perfecting their nasty
tricks without really being able to ski.
Telemarking is also growing in popularity
at a very rapid pace and I see it becoming
a major contender in the progression of skiing
because more and more skiers are seeing telemarkers
doing the same big mountain lines with speed
and even more style than alpine skiers.
Do you think the best skiers today are better
than the best skiers twenty years ago?
Yes, but if the best skiers 20-years ago
had the equipment of today they would probably
be ripping just as hard.
How does fear affect your skiing?
There are definitely times when you are standing
at the top of a gnarly line and your adrenaline
is pumping and it is definitely scary. But
once you drop in your mind usually puts everything
aside—you are officially in the zone—like
your brain turns off leaving you to rely
on instinct and your muscles.
Ever been caught speeding or ever been arrested?
Been caught speeding once but I am pretty
good at alluding the authorities with everything
else.
Any near death experiences?
Actually, I almost got attacked by a bull
elk once, while hunting but that’s
another story
Are you a fan of skiing history? Explain?
I don't see how someone who skis and who
has grown up in a ski resort can't be a fan
of skiing history, especially in Aspen.
What are your future plans or goals in skiing?
To progress the sport of telemark skiing
through big fast lines on big mountains.
