So much in fact that I got lost in the forest, didn’t see the track I usually take to make my way back to the lift because the snow was so fresh everywhere and I ended up riding way down, had to hike back up for an hour. I panicked for a bit as 45 minutes into the hike and I still couldn’t hear neither the sound of people nor the sound of the chairlift, I got completely disorientated. I guess that’ll teach me a lesson: riding alone when the weather’s crap is not a good idea. Live and learn…
Episode 31 of Snowfix is up and I’ve got to say, filming it was a total eye-opener. We went up to Avoriaz last week to interview some of the riders who were competing in the O’Neill Pro Freestyle and we managed to get some time with Gian Simmens, the Swiss dude who won the first halfpipe Olympics. I used to look up to that guy when I was a teen because he was the best, but then I saw some footage of his run in the Olympics and it’s just crazy how much the level of pro riding has improved in the last decade. Guys nowadays get way more air, go way more technical, it’s insane.
Just the other day, I was hitting the park in Chamonix with Freddy Austbo, the 18-year old Quicksilver rider (watch Snowfix 30 to find out more), and he was so impressive that people stopped to watch him. And Freddy wasn’t even trying hard, he was just having a blast with fellow pros James Stentiford, James Sweet and Johno Verity. Watch Freddy now and then watch Gian ten years ago, and the latter comes out looking all clumsy. Still, he’s a nice guy and a bit of a legend so I’m stoked to have met him.
Speaking of interviews, I’d forgotten one I did for a french podcast (I was the interviewee this time) because it was recorded ages ago, then I remembered it today and I found it and they made me sound like a total d*ck. Damn editing. It was just audio and the girl asked me tons of questions but she compiled all my answers in one sequence so it sounds like I’m really excited and talking non-stop.
And last but not least, I just found out that I was going to Canada for a two-week heliskiing trip to shoot a promo movie for a heliski company and I’m uberexcited because I’ve only ever been to Canada once and that was on a business trip back in my stockbroking days, and also, I’ve never been in a helicopter before!!! I’m off on February 26th and back on time for the Brits, life couldn’t really get any better.
Til next time XXX
