2017 - Line of Descent

FEATURED ATHLETE: Lexi duPont

Name a person who inspires you to be a better skier? 

Michelle Parker

 

Favorite chairlift and why?

The Stoke!!!! (In Revelstoke) Hot laps on the STOKE all day baby!!!! It provides access to my favorite terrain on earth. Nothing beats hot lapping the stoke with a sendy crew on a pow day!

 

Fictitious character you most identify with from a book, movie, etc. and why?

Cookie Monster! "Friend something better than chocolate Ice-cream... maybe friend somebody you give up last cookie for." It's as simple as that.

 

Favorite classic ski film and why?

Blizzard of Aahhh's. Greg Stump changed my life with that film. After watching It I knew I wanted to ski as much as humanly possible and maybe one day grow up to ski like Kim Reichhelm. I feel like it changed skiing and action sports film making forever.

 

FEATURED ATHLETE: JONNY MOSELEY 

 

 

Wish I could remember back that far. The photos are awesome. I do remember losing my sick Oakley blades I won when I was 10. Damn, I miss those still. I remember sleeping in the car a lot on long drives.

 

What career accomplishment are you most proud of?

Gold Medal

 

Any nicknames?

Jmo, JBAM, Slomo, Motown (Karaoke AE), Mozor, Kzor, Mose, Jonathan, Jonny F-in Moseley, Stinky

 

Favorite ski films?

Extreme Winter, Blizzard of Ahhhs, Degenerates, and Art of Flight.

 

 

Name a person who inspires you to be a better skier/rider?
My little bro Nic, he is stepping his game up so he keeps me on my toes.

In lieu of our 70th film, what’s your most memorable or favorite Warren Miller film or segment – past or present?
I can't remember the movie but the segment they did the wingsuits in France I think was insane. It was when they were first coming out and the guy set a world record for the longest flight. I was a kid and my mind was blown!

What would you do if you won the lottery?
A seaplane for sure. I want to be able to park it right at my dock, pack up and fly anywhere I want.

Best meal you can cook?
TACOS!!!

Favorite chairlift and why?
High Campbell aka Chair 6 at Crystal, goes right next to an iconic cliff called Hollywood. Only in rare cases does it have enough snow to send it. I have been lucky enough to send it right next to the chair. Always fun to ride that chair and think about it every year.

The most interesting thing you’ve read or seen this year? (books, podcasts, TV shows)
Amie's Long Underwear podcast has been really funny and interesting to hear different skiers stories and perspectives. I don't have a favorite.

Fictitious character you most identify with from a book, movie, etc. and why?
Shoot... no idea.

Highlight memory from filming with WME for this year's film?
The lodge we stayed at was extremely off the grid but massive. The whole story behind it was amazing as well. The family build it all and actually helped build the highway that connected the interior to Bella Coola. That alone was an awesome experience.

Gear you are loving right now, on or off the ski slopes, and why?
My Garmin Tracker. I've been using it to track output on bike rides and its awesome for training and just seeing how your body works.

Do you have any sponsors, if yes, who?
K2 Skis, Full Tilt Boots, Smith Optics, Crystal Mountain, Discrete

Name a person who inspires you to be a better skier/rider?
Travis Rice 

In lieu of our 70th film, what’s your most memorable or favorite Warren Miller film or segment – past or present?
Our Nepal segment from Chasing Shadows. That was one epic adventure!

What would you do if you won the lottery?
The same thing I'm doing now; snowboarding and trying to inspire people!

Best meal you can cook?
Tom kha gai soup.

Favorite chairlift and why?
Thunder Chairlift at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. I could lap the Mushroom Chutes forever.

The most interesting thing you’ve read or seen this year? (books, podcasts, TV shows)
Recently I've been watching a lot of stuff from an amazing teacher named SadhGuru. His mission to raise the vibration of the world is inspiring. 

Fictitious character you most identify with from a book, movie, etc. and why?
Howard Roark. He is someone who created his life around the idea of who he truly, authentically was.

Highlight memory from filming with WME for this year's film?
Following Ryland Bell up some seriously steep couloirs. That kid has no fear and is beyond stoked on snowboarding. 

Gear you are loving right now, on or off the ski slopes, and why?
My Winterstick pro-model snowboard the ARK. It is my favorite board of all time. I also can't go on the mountain without rocking my AVALON7 balaclava and mesh facemask system.

What is a cause you care about that you'd love to share with the Warren Miller audience?
Protect Our Winters and the Futurepositiv Project.

Photos by Mike Arzt

Where would you like to ski that you haven't been to before?
Svalbard, Greenland, and Iceland.

Who has been the biggest influence to you in your ski career?
My heroes are still Craig Kelly and Terje Haakonsen, but I have had so many friends who have inspired me with their positive energy, love for, and dedication to winter sports that there are too many in my life to name.. I get inspired by seeing little kids and I get motivated to see what people like Jeremy Jones and Xavier Delerue are riding.

Where is your absolute favorite spot for après-ski?
At the base of the Sugarloaf Access Road, a little place called The Rack.

What do you look forward to most after a long day on the mountain?
Food and sleep...I really like to sleep.

What is something you wish you had more time for outside of skiing?
Surfing, golf and just time off.

Photos by Grant Gunderson 

What’s your “Back in my day, we…”?
Used to duck the out-of-bounds ropes at JHMR

Who has inspired your skiing the most?
Doug Coombs

Best recovery exercises?
Pilates

Ideal down day?
Fun breakfast joint with friends, long dog walk, host a dinner party.

Spiciest/most intimidating line you've skied or ridden this year?
Un-named on the Ruth Glacier-Denali.

Goals in skiing/riding this next year?
Push myself.

What’s a great book you’ve read recently?
Diary of a Surf Bum

Favorite mountain range?
Tetons

Working title for the book or movie about your life?
The Road Goes on Forever and the Party Never Ends

Best moment filming with WME this year?
Ruth Glacier-every moment was incredible. 

How did Warren Miller the man influence your skiing/riding career?
He put skiing on the map!

Featured Athlete: JT Holmes 

 

 

Name a person who inspires you to be a better skier?

Shane McConkey (deceased), Timy Dutton (deceased), and Jeff Engergretson (alive and working for WME).

What would you do if you won the lottery?

Buy an airplane, payoff my families debts, then helicopter ski, or maybe purchase my own ski resort.

Breakfast of champions?

Breakfast sandwich from Wildflour Baking Company in Squaw Valley's Olympic House.

Favorite chairlift?

KT-22 at Squaw Valley.

The most interesting thing you’ve read or seen this year? (books, podcasts, TV shows)

Blitzed by Norman Ohler.

Fictitious character you most identify with from a book, movie, etc. and why?

James Bond because he uses clever pieces of gear to outwit his opponents with a confident swagger.

Highlight memory from filming with WME for this year's film?

Speedriding at Solitude right off the chairlift as well as in their nearly endless lift acccessed backcountry.

Gear you are loving right now, on or off the ski slopes, and why?

Alps & Meters Patrol knit sweater and their Alpine WInter Trouser. Both are warm, breathable and very stylish. I like their stuff because of the comfort and because I look different than anyone else on the mountain. I get compliments on my attire all day!

What is a cause you care about that you'd love to share with the Warren Miller audience?

Red Bull's Wings For Life. They raise money for spinal cord injury research.

How do you think the year 2020 will shape the future of skiing?

It was nice to stay at home and ski Squaw Valley rather than travel a bunch. COVID travel bans definitely had their silver linings.

What is your vision for the future of skiing & snowboarding?

I would like to see North American skiers and riders skiing with parachutes inbounds just like they do throughout Europe and Scandinavia. I have seen families of four with kids 11 and 14 speedriding like it is no big deal. In fact, it is not a difficult activity and it should not have the stigma of an extreme sport.

What do you do to calm your butterflies before a big line/moment?

Take slow deep breaths, then exhale with my lips softly closed but relaxed. This makes that horse like sound and flappy lip movement. If you are too tense to flap your lips, you should take a moment to calm down and push the fear aside.

Favorite classic ski film and why?

That is a tough one but it is hard to beat Hot Dog: The Movie. It is hilarious and captures the vibe of early days Squaw Valley freestyle skiing.

What makes the Warren Miller films different than other films you have done?

The cool thing about the Warren Miller program is the tours. Just the fact that it’s still based around having everybody in one room and you feel that energy and pre-season ski stoke, and that just really fires me up, to go and shoot stuff that I know is going to get people off their seats and just stoked.

So you have spent some time speed riding. Is it one of your favorite ways to ski?

Speed riding is adding a fourth dimension to skiing. Suddenly you're able to ski all sorts of places that otherwise aren't available, and you do that by flying over the sections that are un-skiable or even just undesirable to ski, and what that does is it allows you to just ski the highest quality ski experience, and then you're using the wind as transportation to the next high quality ski experience. It's almost gluttonous with the amount of fresh tracks we're able to get and the amount of fun we're able to have.

It's a pretty innovative way to ski, what motivates you to keep innovating?

First of all, it's just fun. Second, doing something new that is really uncommonly done or never done before, that adds kind of an exploration element to it where you feel like you're figuring something out and conquering new territory and it really kind of triggers a new type of motivation. You brainstorm something interesting to do and then you figure out what toys you need to bring or develop in order to make it possible and then when you do complete it, it's not only fun but also an accomplishment feeling. That's really what motivates me.

Anything you would say to someone looking to give speed riding a go?

Everybody needs to try speed riding. Put it on the bucket list and then scratch it off the bucket list and put it on the now list, because it’s just so dang fun. I know a lot about having fun - I'm an expert at having fun, and this is really fun. And it’s not that hard.

 

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Don't miss JT in our 72nd film, Winter Starts Now, dropping Fall 2021!

Featured Athlete: Kaylin Richardson 

 
Name a person who inspires you to be a better skier/rider?

My daughter, Holly.

What would you do if you won the lottery?

For starters, I would do my best to be smart with the money by talking with people that are far smarter about money than I am. Most likely there would be a large chunk to save and invest accordingly. And I would love to help organizations that are doing good work to end climate change, racial injustice, and the poverty/health care gap. But you're looking for fun answers, right? And I certainly would have a frivolous splurge or two. I would love to tour all of Australia and New Zealand, followed by Japan. I also would make it back to see friends in Norway, my happy place. So, travel. I would splurge on travel! 

Breakfast of champions?

Breakfast burrito. Energy and delicious goodness in the palm of your hand.

Favorite chairlift and why?
Mayflower at Deer Valley. I am a sucker for old school doubles and this is one of the last of its kind. Sure, it's a little slower, but its intimate. You have the time to connect with your riding partner and take in the beauty of Mayflower Bowl and the Heber Valley. When I am skiing alone I often gravitate toward this lift because it gives me time to just breathe, a mediation on skis of sorts. It probably will get replaced soon, and that will likely be for the best, but I'll miss it when it goes.

As for access, the best lift is Empire Express at DV. Not only is there all of Daly Bowl, Daly Chutes, and Lady Morgan Bowl, catching Supreme first thing in the morning, after its been freshly groomed is a carving-lovers paradise!
 
The most interesting thing you’ve read or seen this year? (books, podcasts, TV shows)
John Oliver's "Last Week Tonight" segments (I watch them on YouTube, but it's on HBO) never fail to illuminate a subject that I come to find should mean far more to me than I realized- he is a hilarious wizard of education. I also love Malcolm Gladwell's podcast, "Revisionist History"-- how he is able to encapsulate so much fascinating information into 30-40 minutes blows my mind.
 
Ideal down day?

Sleep, food, family, reading, a hike or walk, a movie, snuggles. It's the simple things that rejuvenate me. 

Fictitious character you most identify with from a book, movie, etc. and why?

That is a tough one. There are countless fictitious characters I admire, but that I identify with? Hmm... Elizabeth Bennet from Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" is probably the heroine I would like to emulate and/or slightly resemble. Independent, opinionated, loyal, quick-to-laugh, and constantly speaking before thinking or knowing the whole story. Yeah, I have a bit of Lizzy Bennet in me.

Highlight memory from filming with WME for this year's film?

One morning Jimmy, the crew, and I had early ups to the top of Killington, well before first light. There had been a rain event earlier in the week so all the trees were flocked in glittering frost. As the golden winter sun rose, it reflected off every surface in sight. And then Jimmy and I took off, making huge carving arcs all the way down . Every aspect of that run was dazzling.

Gear you are loving right now, on or off the ski slopes, and why? (Please include product brand and name)

My Helly Hansen Powderqueen 3.0 Jacket is the perfect combination of style and substance, every detail also serves a purpose. The longer cut is a great look, and also keeps me warmer. The pockets are perfectly placed and ample, while creating an interesting aesthetic. The pop of color on the hood is a cool detail, but is actually there as a high vis accent so that your ski partners (on a foggy day at a resort OR on a long backcountry journey) can easily spot you at a distance. And the amazingly low-profile insulation allows for a sleek silhouette, keeping me warm on even the coldest days without inhibiting movement. And the color is feminine AND strong. It is called "Ash Rose," but I think of it as "Pink Steel"... which also would be a super cool skiing superhero moniker. Not that I've given it a lot of thought ;-)

My favorite and most versatile baselayer ever is the Helly Hansen Lifa Merino Midweight Hoodie. The warmth and softness of the merino, combined with the technical virtues of Lifa is a match made in heaven. Lifa is different than the typical wicking fabric which absorbs moisture then requires body heat to evaporate it; Lifa transfers moisture away from my skin so that it can evaporate from the layer not directly against my skin (the merino layer), which not only keeps me warmer, it also conserves way more energy-- it sounds simple, but it is a serious game changer. Plus, the hood and sleek design make for a super cute top if apres turns into dinner turns into dancing!

The Volkl Deacon 84s are the ultimate resort ripper. Never have I skied on boards that were so much fun on ice, corduroy, slush, moguls, and crud. Laying big fat (Phat? Is that still a thing??) arcs is so rewarding, trench town is the operative word. The 84mm waist is stable and versatile, allowing me to ski for speed as well as demand accuracy at the drop of a hat-- all thanks to the integrated titanal frame which provides the torsional stiffness I need to charge hard, without diminishing any playfulness. So. Much. Fun.

And for the days that I want a freeride ski to take off piste that still lays sweet, sweet trenches on groomers-- I grab my Volkl Secret 92. I have also been loving the Volkl Blaze 106 for when it gets deep, but I still want a ski that performs well on anything-- lighter enough to be super playful, yet wide enough for the stability I need.

My Marker Ampire ticks all the boxes: protection, warmth, breathability, fit, and style. The in-mold technology in conjunction with the ABS outer shell for maximum durability takes care of the safety factor, without weighting the helmet down. Vents and the cozy fleece liner regulate my temperature regardless of activity or weather. And the RTS fit system gives it the feel of a custom helmet via the dial at the nape of the neck which adjusts to fit perfectly to your head for awesome comfort and added protection! 

When I venture outside the resort, of course, the first three items I make certain to have are my beacon, shovel, and probe. And then I lovingly place them in my Arva Reactor 32 Airbag. Spacious, comfortable, and especially light for a cartridge based airbag it is fantastic for little trips out of bounds as well as long hauls deep into the backcountry, carrying everything I need. The added line of defense of that I have from the airbag doesn't mean I won't get caught in an avalanche- that is mostly up to my judgement- but it does mean I have a better chance of landing on top. Luckily, I have never had to pull it, but knowing it is there gives me and my family a little more peace of mind.

I have always loved the ritual of throwing back a cold one after a big day of skiing. However, I admit to being a lightweight, and I have never been a huge fan of alcohol. To my delight, I recently came across Athletic Brewing Company, a non-alcoholic craft beer revelation. Gone are the days of watery NA beers! They create high-quality beverages with all-natural ingredients, allowing me to enjoy great tasting beer that keeps my head clear and my body moving. Athletic brews a non-alcoholic beer that doesn’t compromise taste, quality, or my healthy, active lifestyle. That there is the definition of a win/win. And I love to win.

What is a cause you care about that you'd love to share with the Warren Miller audience?

I really believe in the work that ZGiRLS is doing. Founded by Olympic and NCAA athletes, ZGiRLS supports the mental development of girls ages 11-14. One way in which they do this is by partnering groups of girls up with an adult female athlete mentor to discuss mental issues via a thoughtful curriculum and super fun programs, combatting issues from body image to positive self talk. They can share their experiences and difficulties, learning from one another in a space of collaboration, not comparison. ZGiRLS believes confidence is contagious, and so do I. By age 14, girls drop out of sports at twice the rate of boys. 7 in 10 girls don't think they're good enough. If every young girl could eliminate self-doubt what an incredible difference it would make. Strong girls create a strong world.

How do you think the year 2020 will shape the future of skiing?

I believe the racial awakening of 2020 will help the skiing community see the egregious diversity and accessibility problem when it comes to our sport. It has always been there, but the movement that followed George Floyd's murder has not just shed a light on the issue, but finally broken through the complacency. I think the coronavirus pandemic will make us more compassionate, and act as a reminder that our lives and lifestyle of playing in the mountains is so fragile, and such an absurd privilege. If this mentality could translate into a better understanding of the climate crisis and urgency therein, that would be huge. There will be no future of frolicking in the snow if covid-19 continues to propagate OR the temperatures rise to a point that a decent snowpack is a distant memory. My greatest hope is that we emerge from the pain and turmoil of 2020 changed. I pray that we learn and grow, and that moving forward the world operates differently. For the better.

What is your vision for the future of skiing?

A place and activity where friends and families of all shapes, colors, and backgrounds can go to reconnect with nature, each other, and themselves. Everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the mountains and enjoy the rush of a board sliding on snow. Everyone. For generations to come. And that vision is up to us. To create a space for all, and by protecting the land and climate that space needs to prosper.

Favorite classic ski film and why?

"Better Off Dead." It might not totally qualify as a ski film, but I love it. And you will be hard pressed to find a better quote or philosophy on skiing than when Charles instructs Lane at the top of K-12: "Go that way, really fast. If something gets in your way, turn!" Words to live by.

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Don't miss Kaylin in our 71st film, Future Retro, out now!

 

Featured Athlete: Marco Sullivan

 
 
Favorite music to shred to:

Tom Petty

Describe yourself In 5 words:

Love skiing, a life enthusiast

In 10 years I hope to be

… Successful in business, without losing my roots in skiing and clean mountain living

What is one thing you cant live without?

Quiet time

If you could have a drink with anyone who would it be?

David Hasselfhof

What is the one thing you look forward to most after a long day on the Mountain?

Drying out my boots and doing it all over again the next day.

What was the highlight of the Tordrillo trip while filming the Kings and Corn segment for Flow State?

Catching King Salmon in a small river was pretty amazing, like latching onto an anchor in the water! Tommy Moe's AK stories were pretty epic as well.

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