First off thanks for taking the time for this interview with BMP....
BMP: I was excited to read about your partnership with FRNT, they seem like a very progressive company, interested in more than just making a dollar. So what are some things that you are trying to accomplish with the company this year, 2008?
CR: 4FRNT is a great company, I couldn't be any happier than being with them. This year and now, I am developing a ski that is developed specificly to support the exact kind of skiing I am doing, Progressive Backcountry. It will be a true promodel, designed and developed be myself and our engineer. I plan to develop these skis and other soft good products, that are cutting edge and appealing to many people.
BMP: I know that 4FRNT always seems to put out Big Mountain skiing influenced products. Do you see 4FRNT leading the charge in years to come with Big Mountain skiing in mind?
CR: We at 4FRNT, are going to develop cutting edge products for all aspects of progressive skiing. Big Mountain, Terrain Park, and All Mountain, we are going to make products that support all kinds of skiing. Specificly with Big Mountain and Back Country, we are going to have a strong influence in the future. Our team is leading the charge in the Back Country and know how to design products soecificly for what we need and what we are doing.
BMP: Have you ever competed in one of these events (big mountain skiing) and if so which one/s?
CR: I have never competed in Big Mountain contests.
BMP: Many people know that you you are recovering from a major freak accident in December of 2005 with a lengthy hospital stay. Do you feel that this recovery process has caused you to look at yourself and industry any differently than before and how so?
CR: That accident was a major life changing experience, and made me look at every aspect of life differently. Skiing has always been so easy for me, and now I am working harder than ever to ski as best I can. I proved to myself that I know how to and am willing to, work as hard as possible to keep doing what I love. I don't want to ever let that be taken from me. From an industry perspective, I learned who is behind me and who doesn't care about me. Spyder Clothing, and Smith Optics stepped up huge and supported me. Salomon, my biggest sponsor at the time, provided me with the only discouragement I received from anyone. At the same time, 4FRNT steped up and provided me with major encouragement and gave me a whole new world of opportunity.
BMP: What has been one of the hardest things about coming back to a sport that you dedicated a big part of your life too and now having to relearn it all over again?
CR: The most challenging thing I have to deal with is; that I have a huge subconscious fear of death. It is hard to consciously make myself ski aggresivly when my subconscious holds me back, due to fear.
BMP: We know that you first got your status in the industry by throwing it down hard in the park. How do you feel that has influenced you when you get outside of the ski area boundary which BMP is sure happens often?
CR: Skiing park and back country together has made my skiing what it is. I like to through tricks off of cliffs, and I learned those tricks in the park. When I mix the two styles, that is when I am skiing my strongest.
BMP: Can you name three things that you want to accomplish this year in the ski industry (not in any specific order but if you want to do it like that then by all means please do)?
1.Over come the left over effects of my accident and continue to ski as strong as I ever have.
2. Continue to progress from the strongest level I have ever skied.
3. Make a high level film segment in the new Matchstick Productions film. I want it to be progressive back country, i.e. throughing tricks off of cliffs while skiing cool lines, and some nice jumps.
BMP: Do you see Big Mountain skiing making it to the x-games any time soon? why or why not?
CR: I can almost say, deffinatly never. It is improssible for a lot of people to watch, and the X-Games is a spectator based event.
BMP: What are some of your thoughts on the FREE SKIING Subaru world tour? Ever think about entering?
CR: I am not interested in competing back country. Back country is a different experience for me. I love to go out there with a group of friends and experience skiing in the middle of no-where with no preasures of the outer world.
BMP: We see that you fancy yourself a golfer.... whats your handicap? Just kidding you don't really have to answer that...
CR: My handicap is a 13. That means I shoot in the eighties.
BMP: OK we have racked your brain enough and hopefully it wasn't to painful because we could go on and on with no end.... To finish this sweet and juicy interview off though, how about a little word play..........
PICK ONE:
triple bogey or par: Par, for sure
booter or park: Booter, in the back country
mountain or ocean: Mountain, but I love both
matchstick or TGR: Matchstick
PBR or BUD: BUD
burke or backstrom: Burke
plake or schmidt: Schmidt
one piece or baggy gear: CR Johnson outfit from Spyder Active Sports.
