Girdwood, AK

Featured Athlete: Jim Ryan 

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

My buddy Chris Moody. Whenever we're scheming and dreaming, he never laughs at my ridiculous ideas...."Dude, why not?" is his standard response. That attitude makes the impossible, possible.

 

What would you do if you won the lottery?

I'd buy a Cat (snowcat) and a lodge in BC and just shred with the crew - happily drifting into obscurity.

 

Breakfast of champions?

Smoothie: Banana, Blueberry, Ginger, Garlic, Peanut Butter, anything green in the fridge. I crave it. Plus, early AM garlic breath is a good way to get some personal space on the Tram.

 

Favorite chairlift and why? 

Sublette Lift at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The terrain is so steep (and often hacked) and runs right under the chair. I love the show, I love the performance.

 

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

Papillon (book), by Henri Charrière - it's an incredible adventure story. The main character is a total folk hero: He's a hardened criminal and yet it's impossible not to root for him from the very beginning.

 

Ideal down day?

I've gotten really into saunas recently. I'm morphing into an old Finnish man. For real, the scandos have it figured out. It's so nice to sweat after a long day of freezing your buns off.

 

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

Neal Cassady. That answer kinda freaks me out, but when I read about him, I can't help but see myself. Dude had a hunger for life and was unwilling to accept anything less than peak experience.

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

Oh this one is easy. Kaylin and I got to open up this run called Skyeburst in perfect cowboy cord just as the sun was coming up over a frozen Vermont dreamscape. Unreal. We got to the bottom and turned to each other... I can't even remember what we said, but we both knew it was special.

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

More gratitude, less people are going to take just being outside with friends for granted.

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

I got a pair of Volkl Rise High 88's paired with the Marker Alpinist 12's...so sick, when so much of touring is the up, weight makes a huge difference. I'll happily sacrifice a couple cm's underfoot in order to enjoy the whole process. Buy light, ski more! And the Helly Hansen Odin Lifaloft Down Hybrid, if you buy just one good puffy layer, you rarely need much else.  

 

What is your vision for the future of skiing?

Continued diversification. It used to be all about the resorts, now people are finding new ways to get their vert (touring, snowmobiles, etc)... I'm currently researching the possibility of accessing lines via human flight.

 

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

Food rescue programs. The program here in Jackson is called Hole Food Rescue, and it helps feed those in need by "rescuing" perfectly good food that grocery stores would normally throw out. Rescue programs often need volunteers, the task of picking up the food and making it accessible requires a lot of work. Most cities have a program, check yours out!  

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

Where would you like to ski that you haven’t been to before?
New Zealand

Who has been the biggest influence to you in your ski career?
Too long to list

Where is your absolute favorite spot for après-ski?
Whistler Village

What is the worst skiing injury you have ever had?
2 blown knees, but they're not so bad.

What is something you wish you had more time for outside of skiing?
Surfing

Current favorite piece of gear? Why?
My Marker Kingpin bindings on Volkl BMT 122 skis--pure freedom for going uphill easily and then charging downhill that makes for the best backcountry days.

How do you like spending your down days?
If I'm not skiing, I like to go skate skiing near our house, or for a long walk outside. I'll probably take some time to make a nice dinner and spend some time on the computer. This winter's down days will be spent with the baby!

Fondest memory from learning to ski or ride?
Getting bribed to stay on the hill longer with M&Ms.

Do you have any hidden talents?
I'm a good speller.

What would your superpower be?
Flying

Spirit animal?
Owl

What career accomplishment are you most proud of?
Actually having a career from skiing is what I am most proud of!

Any pre-riding or skiing rituals or superstitions?
Coffee...

Do you have any pets? What are their names?
We have an Australian shepherd dog named Buddy.

Can you speak any other languages? What other languages would you like to learn?
I speak some French and a tiny bit of German and Spanish. It would be pretty awesome to speak Chinese I think.

What is your biggest goal/something you hope to achieve in your ski career?
To help get more people into skiing and help promote safe skiing.