2017 - Line of Descent

Current favorite piece/pieces of gear? Why?
Black Crows Corvus Free Bird Ski- It's my one ski quiver for the backcountry designed for its versatility and its super pink so I am more approachable. Norrona - some of the best technical and most 'stylie' outerwear out there. Designed for any mountain adventure and more importantly with the environment in mind, using recycled materials which makes me feel good about the clothes I choose to wear out there!

What’s your “Back in my day, we…”?
Back in the day, we were fortunate to survive. Living the extreme lifestyle in Chamonix is finding out where the boundary lies.

Who has inspired your skiing the most?
My older friends were my heros. I would follow them around shredding the 'loup loup', or hiking all day for 10 pow turns. I'm so happy for that face shot we found. Scottt Schmidt early on, Remy Lecluse of Chamonix.

Best recovery exercises?
Acro Partner Yoga

Ideal down day?
Getting up and realizing it's puking so hard that I dont have to go and can relax for the day. So I can get some other stuff done and prepare for the next one.

Favorite on-mountain fuel/snack?
Kind vegan cookies man- OR Coconut Oil mixed with pure maple surap.

Spiciest/most intimidating line you've skied or ridden this year?
North Face Aguille du Midi - Frendo Solo exit with speed wing. 

Goals in skiing/riding this next year?
Enjoy the journey, realizing all the moments matter and we are apart of it. Oh, and skiing big mountains using the speed wing to exit where close out lines exist.   

What’s a great book you’ve read recently?
Jonathan Livingston Seagull - Did you say my favorite? Most recent I dont know, I am reading all the time to fly in the story instead of my mind. 

Favorite mountain range?
Washington Cascades / Mont Blanc Chamonix

Working title for the book or movie about your life?
Birdstory

Best moment filming with WME this year?
Following in the footsteps of Warren Miller and recreating some of the scenes he shot back in the day in Chamonix. Skiing powder on a perfect day at Grand Montet with Camille, not to mention the electro party that evening.

How did Warren Miller the man influence your skiing/riding career?
Since I was a little kid, I think Warren had the biggest influence on our small town of skiers. That he could travel around and make a life out of skiing, sharing and inspiring people. This set an imprint in my brain to do the same and here I am fortunate to be doing a little inspiring myself.

Line of Descent - 2017

This year, don’t miss Warren Miller’s Line of Descent, presented by Volkswagen. Travel the globe, by land, air, and sea, exploring the ties that bind us. Visit skiing icons who have made the mountains their home and raised the next generation of winter adventurers. Go from New Zealand, home to some of the Southern Hemisphere’s deepest lines, to the French Alps, where native son Jean-Claude Killy’s legacy fills Val D’Isère hearts with pride. In Norway, a Canadian ski patroller enjoys the company of his Norwegian brethren, and in British Columbia, the Provo brothers discover the powsurfing stashes of Mustang Powder Lodge.

Cruise through the Northern Rockies with Kalen Thorien by motorcycle and rip the rugged terrain of Jackson Hole with legends like Tommy Moe and Jess McMillan. For 68 years, ski families have cheered on the official kickoff to winter with the ski film company that started it all, and this year is no different. As the family grows, the traditions grow richer in Volkswagen Presents Warren Miller’s Line of Descent. Deeper and fresher than ever.

 

Current favorite piece of gear? Why?
My Unity Snowboard. For the last few years I've been working with Unity owner Pete Wurster to fine tune my board to my favorite specs. It's been a fun mission of trial and error, and Pete's awesome to work with.
Best way to spend your down days?
Playing guitar and giving the body a little TLC!
What is your number one goal in skiing/riding right now?
Right now my main goal is to learn a few tricks in the pipe leading into the Olympic trials this coming winter.
What was your first job?
Snowboarding?
Best advice you were ever given?
Anything can be achieved in small, deliberate steps. But there are times you need the courage to take a great leap. You can't cross a chasm in two small jumps. - David Lloyd George
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I'm inspired most by the crew I ride with every day during the winter. So easy to progress when you're just having fun with your best friends.
What is your greatest fear?
Injuries.  
Best moment filming with WME this year?
Jumping over a snowcat was super fun!

Current favorite piece of gear? Why?
My powsurf, it's the greatest way to get down the mountain. 

What is your number one goal in skiing/riding right now?
I just want to have as much fun and ride as good of snow as I can. 

Best advice you were ever given?
Do what makes you the most happy. 

Where do you draw your inspiration from?
From within, if I am doing something I love to do I am naturally inspired, but if I am forcing myself to do things I don't want to do I will work less hard at it. 

What is your greatest fear?
Balding. But that is already happening.

Best moment filming with WME this year?
Getting to hang with the boys up at Mustang Powder with great snow and even better soup.

Photos by Scott DW Smith 

Current favorite piece of gear?
Strafe Outerwear Sickbird Suit, or my Volkl Confessions and Marker Kingpins. Between all these things you can go up and down anything no matter your style of skiing. 

What is your number one goal in skiing/riding right now? 
Ski deep powder 

Best advice you were ever given? 
Always think about "Risk Vs. Reward"- Jim Jack

Where do you draw your inspiration from? 
From the mountains I'm in and the people I'm with. 

What is your greatest fear?
Regret

Best moment filming with WME this year? 
Impossible to say, the whole experience was a dream come true, and getting to film in my home state of Colorado was really cool too

Current favorite piece of gear?
Salomon QST 118 Skis! Perfect combination for speed and fun. They make every day on snow better than the last and truly bring out the pure joy of skiing powder!

What is your number one goal in skiing/riding right now?
I want to combine my love of backpacking with skiing and focus on traversing big mountain ranges throughout the world and skiing unknown lines and discovering new areas.

Best advice you were ever given?
Nature will reveal you, but she'll never judge you.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?
My parents, music, authors like Edward Abbey and Hunter S. Thompson, and Google Earth!

What is your greatest fear?
Losing my free will.

Best moment filming with WME this year?
When we spent the day touring off Beartooth Pass skiing perfect corn, avoided getting crushed by cornices, and laughed until the sun went down! Perfect day in the mountains.

Photos: Jay Dash Photography

Current favorite piece of gear?  
Fernie Ski Patrol belt buckle. It helps hold up my Helly Hansen Elevate Ski Pants and you can wear it at work, ski and play.

Best way to spend your down days?
Legendary Griz Bar after a Peak to Pints run.

What is your number one goal in skiing/riding right now?
Après!

Where do you draw your inspiration from?
My two kids (Suzanna 4 and Desmond 2) keep me pretty inspired and on my toes. They are both way too smart and love skiing. Of course, they get their brains and ski legs from their mother.

What is your greatest fear?
Swimming in the open ocean.

Best moment filming with WME this year?
Last day of filming in Lyngen Alps, Norway. The sun came out and the skiing was fantastic. Snow covered peaks, great snow conditions, fjords in the background and of course awesome company. A close second, when we were filming in Fernie at the patrol clubhouse and we had a few people get "in the boots" and we had a "dance on, pants on" contest. I would like to say I was the winner but Emma Christie might put in an official protest.

Photos © Warren Miller Entertainment

Current favorite piece of gear?
Probably my Rockstar helmet. It's saved me more than a few times, and I wouldn't ride without it. It's also branded by one of my biggest support systems- Rockstar Energy- and I love representing those guys in any way that I can.

What is your number one goal in skiing/riding right now?
Right now my first priority is to have fun snowboarding. Obviously, I want to continue progressing my riding, but at this point in my career, especially during an Olympic year, my priorities have changed a little bit. Having been through this whole process before, I know how easy it is to get wrapped up in the results and to forget the whole reason I started snowboarding in the first place - because I love it. I know that when I'm having fun riding, I'm really able to embrace the whole process, and the progression comes so much easier.

Best advice you were ever given?
Have fun. My dad says it to me nearly every day. It's so simple, but there are a lot of days when it's exactly what I need to hear.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I've always been fortunate to be surrounded by a group of people with the determination and the work ethic to succeed. Watching the athletes and people around me has always inspired me to become a better person and a better athlete. My brother, Taylor, has always had a huge influence on me. It's because of him that I started snowboarding in the first place, and he is the reason that I ended up pursuing it as a career. He is so passionate about what he does, and so dedicated to the process. Seeing that in him inspires me to do the same.

What is your greatest fear?
The fear of disappointing myself. It's happened more than a few times, and when it does, it's always a challenge for me to overcome. When you dedicate so much of your life to something, your successes give you a high that is better than anything you could ever imagine, but the lows can be your downfall. It's always a challenge to step back up after something like that, but when you can get back to one of those highs, that's what makes it all worth it.

Best moment filming with WME this year?
Filming with WME was such a great experience for me. I hadn't ridden my home mountain in almost 2 years, so it was so much fun getting to go home for a few days and film with such a rad group of guys. The whole park crew at Steamboat did an amazing job getting 'Mavericks' (the superpipe) into great shape, and the lighting for the night shoot was the best I've ever ridden with. Thank you guys so much for the incredible opportunity!

Headshot via Facebook, cover photo by Chris Figenshau

What is your number one goal in skiing/riding right now?
Being proud of your actions in the mountains, whether you achieved what your goal was or not.

Current favorite piece of gear?
My down booties. They're like sleeping bags for your feet.

Best advice you were ever given?
You can always come back another day.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Travis Rice, Laird Hamilton. They don't ski, but I like their approach to life.

What is your greatest fear?
Snakes. I hate snakes.

Best moment filming with WME this year?
Hitting some of the best conditions of the season in Jackson Hole.

Headshot via Facebook

What is your number one goal in skiing/riding right now?
Ski hard and fast, and be a positive role model for others on the mountain.

Current favorite piece of gear?
Boots. Once you get a good boot setup that you like and feel comfortable in, it makes everything else come together.

Best advice you were ever given?
Ski fast, take chances.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?
My inspiration comes from watching other sports, and I like to see how I can apply those techniques to skiing. Also, there is something powerful about standing on the top of a mountain all by yourself, getting ready to ski.

What is your greatest fear?
Really high old chairlifts freak me out.

Best moment filming with WME this year?
By far, my best moment was a day we had in Silverado at Squaw Valley USA. We had the place to ourselves for the whole day. I got to go through my list of lines that I have always wanted to ski.

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