EPISODE 406: LOU DAWSON

EPISODE 406: LOU DAWSON

Lou Dawson is one of the most accomplished ski mountaineers in the US, but he’s so much more than that. While Lou is known for being the first to climb and ski Colorado’s 54 fourteen-thousand-foot peaks, his career included a rock-climbing era, an ice-climbing era, and his mountaineering and ski mountaineering ear. He’s a living legend and is considered to be one of the godfathers of backcountry skiing in the US. On the podcast, we talk about growing up in Texas, moving to Aspen, the counterculture movement, the draft, the mountains, his must-read book, Avalanche Dreams, and much more. Another legendary mountaineer, Andrew McLean, asks the Inappropriate Questions.

Read More

EPISODE 405: DANA FLAHR

EPISODE 405: DANA FLAHR

Dana Flahr wasn’t born to be the big mountain slayer he worked so hard to become. Growing up in a single-mom household, things were a struggle, but one thing Dana’s mom figured out was how to get him on the mountain, and from there his passion took over. Moving to Whistler at 17, Dana didn’t party; he skied daily, honing his big mountain skills in the winter and building his trick vocabulary in the summer. That combination got him a tryout with TGR, where he sent it harder than almost anyone in their movies then. Over the years, he’s won Powder Awards, earned the respect of the best in the business, and banged out video jaw-dropping TGR segments and more each season. Eventually, burnout got the best of Dana, and he disappeared. We talk about it all and more on the podcast. Ian Macintosh asks the Inappropriate Questions. and that turned into Powder Awards

Read More

EPISODE 404: GORDI EATON

EPISODE 404: GORDI EATON

Gordi Eaton is a legend in the ski industry, and while many people don’t know his name, because he was born in 1939, he’s had a huge impact in the development of modern ski technology. Before he was involved in helping to bring sidecut, shape, top shape, rocker, and so much more tech to the table, Gordi was an Olympian on the first Bob Beattie-created US Ski Teams that featured athletes like Bill Marolt and Buddy Werner. Then, after coaching at the highest level, Gordi became K2’s Race Director, a sales rep, and more. On the podcast, we discuss coming up with no grooming or releasable bindings, putting the Mahre Brothers on K2, and his history with George Torme and Bode Miller. This one’s a history lesson that needs to be told.

Read More

EPISODE 403: ALEX ARMSTRONG

EPISODE 403: ALEX ARMSTRONG

Alexandra Armstong, better known as Army, has had one of the longest runways to making her pro skier dreams come true of any athlete I’ve had on the show. She has done every job in the industry, from working the shop floor to coaching, patrolling, flow riding to pro, and she’s dirtbagged it most of her way to the top. While she didn’t get paid to ski for cameras until she was 27, Army is making the most of her time in the spotlight filming with outfits like the Blank Collective and Teton Gravity Research. As a special bonus, we get Alex’s sock sponsor and new Powell Movement sponsor, Josh Hall, the founder of Dissent Labs, to talk about Whistler in the early 90s, founding a sock brand. Then Josh asks inappropriate questions provided by Blank’s Alexi Godbout and Emily Childs from The Blondes.

Read More

EPISODE 402: JOHNNY DECESARE PT. 2

EPISODE 402: JOHNNY DECESARE PT. 2

Johnny Decesare helped usher in the “new school” movement of skiing by showcasing the talents of The New Canadian Air Force in his Poor Boyz Productions films. The youth went wild in Johnny’s films, and they helped change the industry. On part 2 of his podcast, we talk heading to Whistler for the first time, meeting the Shane Szocs, JF Cusson, JP Auclair and the rest of the talent in Canada, his films, the business behind them, The Windsurfing Movie, finding Kai Lenny and so much more. Tyler Hamlett asks the Inappropriate Questions

Read More

EPISODE 401: JOHNNY DECESARE

EPISODE 401: JOHNNY DECESARE

Johnny Decesare is the legendary ski filmmaker who helped usher in the new school movement of skiing through his groundbreaking media house, Poor Boyz Productions. While Johnny spent his early life surfing in Southern California, ABC's Wide World of Sports inspired him to want to become a skier. These days, Johnny is a fixture behind the lens for the WSL, but when he was in his athletic prime, Johnny was a Pro Mogul skier alongside Shane McConkey, Scott Kauf, and so many more. On part 1 of his podcast, we talk about working at IBM, moving to Vail, The Pro Mogul Tour, McConkey, and so much more. Cody Carter asks the Inappropriate Questions.

Read More

EPISODE 400: RILEY POOR

EPISODE 400: RILEY POOR

Riley Poor landed his dream job, filming backcountry skiers with MSP. His life was a dream, and eventually, he moved on to shoot with Standard Films as a skier, spearheaded a two-year Red Bull project, all while simultaneously managing ski athletes at Nike. He was killing life until a gainer gone wrong at a party created a life-altering injury. On the podcast we talk about moving to Crested Butte, Seth Morrison, the Matchstick mentorship, the accident, and the aftermath.  It’s a must-listen podcast with one of the most beloved people in snow and beyond. Jamie Starr asks the Inappropriate Questions 

Read More

EPISODE 398: ALEX BEAULIEU-MARCHAND

EPISODE 398: ALEX BEAULIEU-MARCHAND

Alex Beaulieu-Marchand wasn’t born to be an Olympian. He was one of those core super-grom kids who skied the streets with his older friends. While other future Olympians were focused on adding rotations, ABM was focused on mastering rails, which would become his secret weapon. Through a random series of events, ABM found his way on to the Dew Tour and from there, the contest opened for the kid who liked skiing the streets. On the podcast, we talk urban, contests, not having a win-at-all-costs mentality, and a lot more. Alexi Godbout asks the Inappropriate Questions.

Read More

EPISODE 388: ACE KVALE

EPISODE 388: ACE KVALE

Ace Kvale has lived the ultimate ski bum life, but he’s no bum; Ace is a legend. A Midwest kid who hitchhiked his way west at 18 for bigger mountains and a better lifestyle. After a few years of resort hopping, Ace made his way to Europe, connected with Marko Shapiro, and became part of the original Clambin Crew. He started out living in a chalet in Verbier, traveling the world skiing for the camera, and he climbed in the summertime. Eventually, Ace’s life transitioned to working behind the lens, and he is an award-winning photographer who focuses his talents on shooting adventure. This podcast is one of those must-listen history lessons from one of the original stoked ski bums. Stanley Larsen asks the Inappropriate Questions.

Read More

EPISODE 387: BOBBY BROWN

EPISODE 387: BOBBY BROWN

Bobby Brown was a dominant force at contests starting in 2010, and by 2017, it looked like he was on his way to his second Olympic Games, until that dream was taken away by injury. Knowing that traditional contests weren’t in his future, Bobby pivoted and took his tricks to the backcountry.  Now, his pro ski life is totally different than when we talked in 2017, and this time around, we discuss his latest project, sponsor changes, breaking his back, Dynamic Medium, and a whole lot more. Peter Olenick asks a couple of Inappropriate Questions.

Read More

EPISODE 384: PETER OLENICK

EPISODE 384: PETER OLENICK

Peter Olenick changed halfpipe skiing when he landed the first double in competition. His “Whiskey Flip” defined Peter’s life on and off snow; he went big, took chances, and partied his face off during his legendary career. He was on top of the contest world during one of the most run eras. On the podcast, we talk about not being cool growing up, Aspen, finding confidence at High North Ski Camp, success, partying, and a lot more. Colby James West asks the ‘Inappropriate Questions.’

Read More

EPISODE 383: JEFF THOMAS

EPISODE 383: JEFF THOMAS

Jeff Thomas is an award-winning filmmaker, a once-sponsored skier, and a guy who was born to be a baseball player. While he can still throw the ball at 85 mph, the day Jeffy’s dad showed him the brochure to high North Ski Camp in the late ’90s, Jeff’s life went from boring baseball to the epicenter of the new school of skiing. At camp, he met his heroes, athletes, and his biggest inspiration, filmmaker Johnny Decesare —all of whom would become the forefathers of the sport and the lifestyle the twin tip movement bred. On the podcast, we chat about his Hall of Fame pedigree, Theory 3 media, Poor Boyz Productions, Teddy Knape, Switchback Entertainment, and more. Nerdy About Nature’s Ross Reid asks the Inappropriate Questions

Read More

EPISODE 380: DANE TUDOR

EPISODE 380: DANE TUDOR

Dane Tudor has had an incredible pro ski career that’s been going on for 15+ years, and while he’s getting older, Dane shows no sign of slowing down ski-wise, and no brands seem to care for some reason. When I say no signs of slowing down, in 2009, when Dane was 19, he won “Male Performance of the Year,” a huge award in skiing. Then, in 2023, 15 years later, Dane won that same coveted award again. While that’s so rare, so is the fact that while he’s always found success in both Moto and skiing, nothing has ever been easy for him on the sponsor end. Maybe it’s because he didn’t grow up with a dad or because he was always traveling between Canada and Alaska and was isolated with homeschooling…I try and find out the answers on the show, and Colston VB asks the Inappropriate Questions.

Read More

EPISODE 379: JAKE HOPFINGER

EPISODE 379: JAKE HOPFINGER

Jake Hopfinger created a name for himself in skiing at the Kings and Queens of Corbet’s in Jackson Hole. The double backflip he threw there for a 3rd instantly made his name known worldwide. While the dollars and travel budgets are now coming in, Jake was once an aspiring D1 East Coast ski racer who could never finish a race. Then he quit racing, moved to Montana, and learned to ski powder. The rest is history in the making. Parkin Costain and Jonnie Merrill ask the Inappropriate Questions.

Read More

EPISODE 378: JESSICA SOBOLOWSKI-QUINN

EPISODE 378: JESSICA SOBOLOWSKI-QUINN

Jessica Sobolowski-Quinn is a lifer in the ski industry. She’s skied more powder than almost anyone on the planet over the past 20 years, which is what you’d expect from the owner of one of Alaska’s premiere heli operations, Points North. But Jess didn’t grow up chasing powder in helicopters; she was a D1 ski racer who made her way to Palisades after college. From there, she met famous friends, started skiing rowdy lines, lined up sponsors, and traveled the world to film for a decade and eventually reeled it all in to manage the family business she runs with her husband, Kevin Quinn. Ingrid Backstrom asks the Inappropriate Questions.

Read More

EPISODE 377: COLTER HINCHLIFFE

EPISODE 377: COLTER HINCHLIFFE

owing up near Aspen, dropping out of college to shred, moving to Alta, and returning to Aspen, he made the right contacts to make the dream come true. He was tending bar in Aspen, making handfuls of cash, allowing him to travel anywhere in the world at a minute's notice...That lifestyle put him in AK and eventually in a helicopter with the TGR crew when he was 25 years old, and that, combined with an unexpected Powder Magazine cover, helped Colter graduate from ski bum to pro skier pretty late in the game. It's a real-life Aspen Extreme Ski Bum Story.

Read More

EPISODE 376: MCCONKEY PMS 2024 RECAP

EPISODE 376: MCCONKEY PMS 2024 RECAP

The Pain McShlonkey Classic is arguably the most important event in all of skiing. The coveted Golden Saucer is up for grabs, and this year, 60 ski bladers had KT early ups on a Saturday pow day. The weekend's goal is to raise money in the name of our time's most important skiers and personalities. While Shane McConkey didn't look like an elite level athlete, he was way more than that: the funniest guy everyone knew, the most inclusive, the most awesome, and McShlonkey weekend is a way to celebrate his life and times with his friends at his home of Palisades. I put out a yearly podcast recapping the event and digging up old McConkey stories for your entertainment. This year, while you don't know all the names, the McConkey stories do not disappoint.

Read More

EPISOE 375: ELYSE SAUGSTAD

EPISOE 375: ELYSE SAUGSTAD

Elyse Saugstad is not only a Powder Award-winning skier known for her impressive movie segments over the years, but she’s also a woman who’s put her career on the line to better the treatment of women in big mountain ski competitions. Throughout Elyse’s career, people have said no to her, but she’s never taken no as the final answer. On the podcast, we talk about growing up in Alaska, ski racing, college in New Mexico, ski bumming turning into a pro career, and a whole lot about gender and equality. It’s a good one, and Jackie Paaso asks the Inappropriate Questions

Read More

EPISODE 373: MAGGIE VOISIN

EPISODE 373: MAGGIE VOISIN

Maggie Voisin’s life has been defined by skiing, family, and the highs and lows that come with both. A three-time Olympian and 7-time X Games medalist, Maggie knows what it’s like to achieve her goals and experience the highest of highs. But, between losing a brother to suicide, untimely injuries, and countless knee surgeries, she’s also experienced the lowest of lows. Throughout it all, Maggie innovated, inspired, and spent a lot of time on podiums. Inappropriate Questions asked by Ashley Battersby and Parkin Costain

Read More

EPISODE 369: GREG STUMP

EPISODE 369: GREG STUMP

Greg Stump, the legendary filmmaker behind ski classics like Blizzard of Aahhh’s, The Maltese Flamingo, Groove Requiem in the Key of Ski, and Legend of Aahhh’s, is back on the podcast. Stumpy is promoting his March Residence at the Isis Theatre in Aspen this March, where he is screening the incredible films mentioned above. On the podcast, we discuss stories from each movie and talk about many players, including Glen Plake, Scot Schmidt, Mike Hattrup, Tony Hawk, Steve Caballero, Christian Hosoi, Lance Mountain, Laird Hamilton, Craig Kelly, Hunter S. Thompson, and more. On top of that, there’s twice the number of Inappropriate Questions.

Read More