July 26, 2026

TPM Episode 495: ERIC POLLARD

July 26, 2026/ Mike Powell

Eric Pollard has had a bigger impact than almost anyone in skiing over the last 25 years. From being one of the pioneering switch and rail riders of the late 90’s, to his mind-blowing ski designs, to his 20 years of video parts, to his award-winning media company Nimbus Independent, to the ski company he started (and was recently bought out of) Season, Eric Pollard has always been a visionary. And like many visionaries, a lot of his ideas were made fun of and misunderstood before they became cool mainstream. I’ve been trying to get Eric on the show for 10 years and this is truly a podcast with a living legend. Another legend, Andy Mahre, asked the Inappropriate Questions.

July 12, 2026

TPM EPISODE 493: GLEN PLAKE FINALE

July 12, 2026/ Mike Powell

Glen Plake is the most legendary, the most known skier of our time—maybe of all time—and I’ve interviewed him more than anyone. But this podcast series couldn’t end without a final Plake episode, and this one was timed perfectly, the day after Freeride was named an Olympic sport. You can bet Glen has a strong opinion about that, and we also talk about FIS, SIA, skiing, life, Kimberley, and so much more. It’s another fun episode with a living legend and I get some new stories out of Glen.

July 05, 2026

TPM EPISODE 492: ELAN FACTORY TOUR AND TRIP

July 05, 2026/ Mike Powell

Elan Skis is a longtime sponsor, and they have been telling me for years that I would be visiting their factory in Slovenia to see their incredible ski process, factory, and culture. While I was flattered that they would even suggest bringing me out, I never expected it to happen. But it didn’t just happen, it happened in All-Time fashion. Not only did I get to travel to Europe and become great friends with a bunch of ski industry badasses, but we also got to see the Elan factory and meet the players. And the icing on the proverbial cake was that we sailed from Slovenia to Croatian an Elan Yacht, stopping along the way to swim, take in the sights, and eat incredible food. It truly was a non-ski, ski trip of a lifetime and Slovenia has it all: incredible food, people, the Alps, Wine Country, the Adriatic...

June 28, 2026

TPM EPISODE 491: FINAL BEST OF INAPPROPRATE QUESTIONS

June 28, 2026/ Mike Powell

Inappropriate Questions is how I end every show. The idea is that I find a friend of my guest and record 3 questions with them. The questions can be anything that gets the guest to tell a funny, crazy, embarrassing or really, any good story. The goal is to get some gold without pissing off my guest when I surprise them with the questions. This week, I have a long list of legends on this highlight show. Think Angel and Johnny Collinson, Stan Rey, Uncle E, Matt Reardon, Jaren Grob, Jeff Pensiero, Kevin Quinn, and many more. This is a fan favorite segment of the show, and the final “Best Of” show.

June 21, 2026

TPM EPISODE 490: EROLL KERR

June 21, 2026/ Mike Powell

Eroll Kerr’s professional ski career is actually two ski careers. A race part, where he was so close to making the World Cup and the US Alpine Ski Team and the other was his ski cross career, which was kick-started when he became a fully funded member of the US Ski Cross Team in his first race. Eroll has competed all over the world, raced for Jamaica in the 2010 Olympics, and was a regular at the X-Games. But, while his life seemed perfect, it hasn't always been, and we talk about the highs of winning, the lows of mental health issues, and everything in between. Connery Lundin and I ask the Inappropriate Questions

June 14, 2026

TPM EPISODE 489: RYAN SCHMIES, LEGENDARY SKI ARTIST

June 14, 2026/ Mike Powell

Ryan Schmies is one of the most talented illustrators in action sports and his game changing ski art singlehandedly helped change the look and feel of skiing in the early 2000’s. While he’s best known for dark graphics like the Hellbent and Public Enemy franchises that he created during his 15 years at K2 Skis, in recent years Schmies' artistic talents have been showcased by brands like J Skis, Smith Optics, REI, Ikon Pass, and more. On the podcast we talk about coming up in Wisconsin, art, High North Ski Camp, athletes, and life in the ski industry. Members of the Cascade Posse attempt to ask the Inappropriate Questions.

June 07, 2026

TPM EPISODE 488: JOSH BERMAN, LEGENDARY SKI FILMMAKER

June 07, 2026/ Mike Powell

Josh Berman was an Ivy Leaguer on his way to becoming a professional skier when a catastrophic knee injury derailed his chances of becoming pro. But Josh’s passion for skiing was as strong as ever and pre-surgery, Josh strapped up his leg, headed up the mountain and went out and shot for his first Level 1 Production. What was supposed to be a 3-year adventure in filmmaking turned into an award-winning 25+ year career in snow. It’s one of those episodes that I had to record for historical purposes, before I end the Movement. Freedle Cody asks the Inappropriate Questions.

May 31, 2026

TPM EPISODE 487: THE OUTSIDE DAYS FESTIVAL

May 31, 2026/ Mike Powell

The Outside Days Festival is the crown jewel of what a festival should be in 2026. It is part industry summit, part independent film festival, part interactive brand activation hub, part park experience, and part incredible music festival all rolled up under the Outside umbrella. This event was so well done. I used the access I was granted to take in as much as I could--to give you a peek behind the curtain. I also got sound bites from 14 of the industry’s greatest athletes and behind-the-scenes players, which makes for a fun episode.

May 17, 2026

TPM EPISODE 485: JEFF PENSIERO

May 17, 2026/ Mike Powell

Jeff Pensiero is a talented snowboarder and musician, but he was born to be an entrepreneur...and he knew that from an early age. Jeff grew up learning to move on after losing, which every pre Lebron Cleveland sports fan knows all about. Not being afraid to lose along with many traits taught Jeff not only to roll with the punches and preservere, but to take advantage of the opportunities and take risks that make him happy. And from Kemper to K2, to being “The Guy with a Truck” to founding and building Baldface Lodge in his 20’s, Jeff’s life is all about moving forward and not looking back. On the podcast we talk about building snowboarding in Tahoe for K2, chasing a girl to Canada, founding a lodge, Travis Rice, Craig Kelly, and more. Jeff does a lot of interviews, this one is a little different. Old School K2 Pro and rad dude, Tim Manning asks the Inappropriate Questions.

May 10, 2026

TPM EPISODE 484: BEN FRESCO, GLOBAL HEAD OF PRODUCT, ELAN SKIS

May 10, 2026/ Mike Powell

Ben Fresco has done every job in the ski industry's hardgoods side on his way to his current role as Global Head of Product at Elan Skis. From moving his life from the East Coast to Tahoe and back to the East Coast and now, on a plane traveling the world, Ben’s been chasing the perfect turn. And starting out at the legendary Village Ski House, he did over a decade of, not so much ski bumming, but learning. Starting in rentals and working his way to the sales floor, to store managing, and really, running the show. Then it was back East to a buyer’s role before finding his forever home in Elan. It’s a fun episode with one of my podcast’s biggest supporters. Colorado sales rep Clem Smith asks the Inappropriate Questions.

April 26, 2026

TPM Episode 482: Chris Garcin, Co-Founder, Pit Viper

April 26, 2026/ Mike Powell

Chris Garcin is living a ski bum or anyone’s dream life and it all began when his good friend broke a pair of sunglasses. This week’s podcast is Chris’s story of going from a passionate skier his whole life, to Boulder, to coaching, to almost giving up on the ski lifestyle and settling for the “real world.” Then, his rockstar of a good friend came over to his house with an idea, Pit Viper, that became a joke, a brand, a business, and today, a real business. The Pit Viper story is a fun one and former VP of Brand, Spencer Harkins, asks the Inappropriate Questions.

April 19, 2026

TPM Episode 481: The 420 Episode

April 19, 2026/ Mike Powell

The 420 Episode is a collection of true stories from myself, friends, and athletes that I think you'll find entertaining. I’ve never done a proper 4/20 episode before, and I wanted to make sure I got one in before I end this podcast. So, this week you get a different episode. It’s the 420 episode, the weed episode, the cannabis episode, the marijuana episode. If you have kids, maybe have them skip this podcast. But if you like to laugh, tune in. Some names have been changed to protect identity and image.

April 12, 2026

TPM EPISODE 480: BEN AND LUCA HARRINGTON

April 12, 2026/ Mike Powell

Benni and Luca Harrington were both born to be pro skiers. Their parents were featured in Warren Miller movies in the 90’s, and these kids were born with skiing genes and the passion to be the best. And right now, the Harrington brothers are killing it. Benny’s the built-like-a-tank older brother that’s 2-time Olympic halfpipe skier and Luca is coming off back-to-back seasons of X Games Slopestyle Gold and recently took home his first piece of Olympic hardware with a Bronze. It’s the "2 brothers, one podcast" episode and Uncle E asks the Inappropriate Questions.

April 05, 2026

TPM EPISODE 479: JOSH MALCZYK PART 2

April 05, 2026/ Mike Powell

Josh Malczyk is the Global Brand Director for K2 and Line Skis, he’s a good friend, and a guy I saw go from the bottom of the barrel of ski marketing with a niche brand, to the top of the food chain directing one of the industry’s most iconic brands....From the core skier wearing Tall T’s to the collared shirt wearing brand guy. It’s fun to see friends grow up/move up and last time I talked with Josh on the podcast, he was secretly on his way out of Line Skis for the first time. On part 2, we talk about leaving his job, Season Equipment, coming back to Elevate Outdoor Collective, how K2 became a boot company, and how to bring K2 Skis back.

March 29, 2026

TPM EPISODE 478: PAIN MCSHLONKEY PMS RECAP

March 29, 2026/ Mike Powell

The Pain McShlonkey Classic, aka the PMS, is the most important ski event in the world. While some may argue that the Olympics and the X Games are the crown jewels of snow, anyone who's been to Palisades for the PMS knows that, winning Saucers is more important than winning medals. Shane McConkey is the most important and arguably the best skier of our time, and that’s why celebrating his legacy is so important. On top of his ski legacy, the dude was one of the funniest humans I’ve ever met, and he had the unique ability to make anyone and everyone feel like they were part of his inner circle. He’s missed by so many and this podcast takes you behind the scenes on McConkey weekend!

March 23, 2026

TPM EPISODE 477: KEVIN QUINN

March 23, 2026/ Mike Powell

Kevin Quinn, the founder of Points North Heli and a true Alaska pioneer, has done more rad stuff than almost anyone I’ve had on the podcast. He went from pro hockey player, to ski instructor, to pro skier, to entrepreneur, to famous pilot, to coach, and that’s just some of what Kevin has done. He also did time in Tahoe with folks like Kreitler, McConkey and so many more; when life was all about shredding, jumping off things and shenanigans. But Kevin didn’t ski bum forever though, he started a heli ski business- with no idea how to manage the books, then he figured it out without going bankrupt, and eventually, lived the American Heli Ski dream life. Not too bad for a kid that dropped out of high school and made a name for himself in team sports by using his fists.

March 15, 2026

TPM EPISODE 476: CASSIE ABEL

March 15, 2026/ Mike Powell

Cassie Abel had a different road than most to the ski industry. While her peers spent as much time as possible on snow, Cassie was winning 4 State Championships in HS before her Hall of Fame collegiate career. After a stint of a 9-5 lifestyle, Cassie got sucked into the ski industry, first with resort marketing, and then on the brand side with Smith. But when her dream job left town, Cassie stayed back in Sun Valley, started a PR agency, eventually jumped into entrepreneurship with her Ski and Mountain Bike start up, Wild Rye. This is fun episode with a passionate, tenacious, awesome person. Maro LeBlance asks the Inappropriate Questions.

March 08, 2026

TPM EPISODE 475: JASON ARENS

March 08, 2026/ Mike Powell

Jason Arens was the Head Ski Judge at the Milan Cortina Olympics and when he’s not traveling the most important ski events, to judge the best athletes in the world, he’s an Owner of Surface Skis, Joystick Poles, and Causwell Outerwear. Jason always has a lot going on...I met him calling tricks at a contest years ago, I was blown away by his ski nerdery, and these days, Jason may be the most knowledgeable person on the planet when it comes to competition skiing. On the podcast, we talk his sponsored ski career, Olympics, judging, Good Enough, brands and more. Khai Krepela and the Good Enough crew collaborate on the Inappropriate Questions.

March 01, 2026

TPM EPISODE 474: TANNER RAINVILLE

March 01, 2026/ Mike Powell

Tanner Rainville isn't really a talker, he’s a pro skier who lets his skiing do the talking. And while his skiing started with contests, he graduated to the big screen and for 23 years he's put out a video segments with the major players in the ski film business. Tanner Rainville is all about passion and skiing, he doesn't self-promote, and getting him to want to do this podcast wasn't easy. But, for a dude who's been crushing it at the top level for so long, I had to tell his story. Chris Logan asks the Inappropriate Questions.

February 08, 2026

TPM EPISODE 471: WSM TRADE SHOW

February 08, 2026/ Mike Powell

Winter Sports Market, aka WSM, is the only show that resembles what SIA once was. It has all the brands, all the new products, all the in-house staff, all the reps, and all the dealers. As far as industry building and culture building events, outside of movie premiers, this is all skiing has. I went down to SLC to cover the event and detail my trade show experience and along the way I chat with folks like Mike Hattrup, Ted Ligety, Cassie Able, Griffin Post, Jonny Moseley, Alex O’Brien and some other incredible industry legends and insiders.

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