Charting big-mountain attitudes
The divisions in ski culture couldn’t be much greater today. Just one subculture includes New School (slopestyle, big air, park & pipe…) and Old School (the 2010 Winter Games: moguls, aerials and something called ski cross). So Ski Canada canvassed four of Canada’s top freeskiers about their freestylin’ brethen and somewhat surprisingly it sounds as if one good trick deserves another.
JOSH BIBBY
“Bib’s Bumps” at Silver Star may be named after his dad, but Josh is the only Canadian skier with his own signature model: the Moment Josh Bibby Pro is definitely not sponsored by Paul Mitchell hair care products
TJ SCHILLER
His sponsors include Paul Mitchell hair care, Nike 6.0, Monster energy and upstart Coreupt web ski company. A breakthrough victory in X-Games slopestyle in 2004 cemented his rep. He won again last year after being sidelined by a knee injury in ’07. Schiller is another alumni of the Silver Star Freestyle Club.
MIKE DOUGLAS
Godfather of New School in Canada, Whistler-based Douglas designed the first twintip ski, Salomon’s Teneighty, which has excelled in both big-mountain and backcountry. The Steve Podborski of freeskiing has film segments showing in every ski bar and around the world online.
MARK ABMA
He’s been romantically linked with Summerland, B.C.-based Olympian Kristi Richards for several years. Abma started an environmental advocacy group called One Step and is developing an eco-friendly bamboo ski with Salomon. The frequent magazine coverboy is also not sponsored by Paul Mitchell hair products.
*Without looking online, can you name three members of Canada’s freestyle team?
JOSH BIBBY
Off the top of the ol’ noggin, Josh Dueck of the Paralympic team, Warren Shouldice, Steve Omischl, Kristi Richards, Jenn Heil, Vincent Marquis, where should I stop?
TJ SCHILLER
Kristi Richards, Alex Bilodeau, PA Rousseau, Jennifer Heil…I’m pretty sure all four are in.
MIKE DOUGLAS
Kristi Richards, Pierre-Alexander Rousseau, Warren Tanner… Should I keep going?
MARK ABMA
Aside from my girlfriend, Kristi Richards, Pierre-Alexander Rousseau, Vincent Marquis, Jennifer Heil.
* Can you relate to anything that ski cross, moguls or aerials athletes can do?
JOSH BIBBY
Yes, I sure can. I have competed in each discipline and what I do now is a combination of all three to some degree. I also really respect how far the athletes have taken these areas of skiing and all the hard work they have put in. It’s just a different style of having fun on the mountain.
TJ SCHILLER
Everything I learned in moguls I have brought to my skiing career. Growing up working with a team is important. It motivates you, and helps you focus and keep determined. They also have a training program like no other.
MIKE DOUGLAS
Yes, I’ve competed in all of these events. Everything I do on my skis today borrows at least a little bit from all these disciplines.
MARK ABMA
I’ve competed in ski cross a few times, skied moguls for years and I flip on my skis, but I can’t say that I’ll ever see myself do a triple flipping, triple twisting flipper doodle that the aerialists are
pulling off.
* Will you watch the Olympic skiing events on TV?
JOSH BIBBY
For sure! I love skiing as a sport and I don’t think any one way to do it is better than any other. It’s what suits you and your personality that decides which way you want to do it.
TJ SCHILLER
I hope to be on-hill cheering for Canada. It’s not often the Olympics are in the place you were born.
MIKE DOUGLAS
I’ll have to. I don’t have tickets for anything!
MARK ABMA
No, I’m going to be there in person to watch them.
* What would your mom be most impressed with: X-Games Gold, a magazine cover or an Olympic bronze?
JOSH BIBBY
She just wants me to be happy, ski safely and have a roof over my head. Although she says she did like my Freeskier cover.
TJ SCHILLER
You can’t touch an Olympic gold… or bronze for that matter.
MIKE DOUGLAS
Olympic bronze would probably make her pretty happy, although she’s already a proud mama.
MARK ABMA
She’d be happy with any of those accomplishments, just so long as I come home safe at the end of the day.
* Have you ever met an Olympic athlete and asked for his or her autograph?
JOSH BIBBY
I met Jean-Luc Brassard at the water ramps in Whistler—he autographed my hat. I also met Nancy Greene and she signed
my helmet. As a mogul skier, I competed against Alex Bilodeau (and beat him)…but I wouldn’t stand a chance against him now.
TJ SCHILLER
Johnny Moseley. And yes…I did. Still have it.
MIKE DOUGLAS
I have signed posters all over my garage from many of the cool- dude skiers I’ve met.
MARK ABMA
I’ve met and slept with an Olympic athlete. Still haven’t asked her for an autograph.
* Do you think the Olympic torch resembles a blunt?
JOSH BIBBY
Like a tail grab? No, not at all. Definitely a torch.
TJ SCHILLER
Come again? We talking ski grabs or B.C. exports?
MIKE DOUGLAS
What’s a blunt?
MARK ABMA
It’d be the lighter for the blunt.
* If you could boost the 70m Nordic jump, which trick would you throw down?
JOSH BIBBY
I’d do a big ol’ front flip (and get a nice long look) because I’m sure that jump would feel way different from anything I’ve hit.
TJ SCHILLER
Rodeo 540 for sure.
MIKE DOUGLAS
I’ve tried it and couldn’t do squat. I barely made the start of the landing!
MARK ABMA
A big ol’ laid-out back flip.
* In one word, how would you describe the Olympic Games?
JOSH BIBBY
Commercialized
TJ SCHILLER
Prestigious
MIKE DOUGLAS
Paaarrty!
MARK ABMA
PARTY
* Where will you be skiing when the Games are on?
JOSH BIBBY
Revelstoke, if the snow is good, which it probably will be. I’m going to try to watch my friend Josh Dueck compete in the Paralympic racing events.
TJ SCHILLER
I just hope I’m close enough to jump on a plane to Van-city and watch some of the action.
MIKE DOUGLAS
Blackcomb, up to my ears in powder while everyone else complains about the weather.
MARK ABMA
I’ll be skiing in the Whistler backcountry.
