Ask a HOji. The continuation

[butterscotch]

Why is Hugo out of the MSP crew? Can someone who crushes that hard really just hang it up because of a pup? Inquiring minds want to know.

IIRC, huckasoreass wrote that it was his choice and was a result of the child. I'm disappointed as well -- his segment in Push is a clinic on how to absolutely stomp your landing. [/thread drift]

back on topic, I've been following this thread and don't know if it's been asked before: What skiers, past and present, do you admire and what have you tried to learn from their style?

[Mustonen]

IIRC, huckasoreass wrote that it was his choice and was a result of the child. I'm disappointed as well -- his segment in Push is a clinic on how to absolutely stomp your landing. [/thread drift]

back on topic, I've been following this thread and don't know if it's been asked before: What skiers, past and present, do you admire and what have you tried to learn from their style?

I want to see my kids grow up. I want to go skiing with them, play with them, learn with them, watch them have kids of their own, play with those kids. Your concept of acceptable risk changes drastically when you have a child..... Just saying, I get that.

[sb]

This may have been asked before but does he tune/wax his own skis? Mounts?

My guess is yes.

[mntlion]

Sorry for the delay everyone, been too busy ski-habbing gear testing and generally avoiding the computer vortex at all costs, Haha! Lucky for you all I am stuck on a 10 hour flight to ISPO I can't sleep and know I will suffer from some serious jet lag, figured I would knock this out so enjoy...

1. Arcteryx. Care to ellaborate any on your relationship with them? Any upcoming collaborations or your input on future products?

1.I feel that my relationship with Arc'teryx will continue to grow in the future. I get along great with the design team, we share similar philosophies when it comes to product development. They are highly active people that are always searching for ways to improve the gear they use, perfect fit! I am excited to see what the future brings…

2. Any thoughts about building a shorter Renegade for small fellers or women?

2. Initially I wanted to build a shorter Renegade over a longer one, after lengthy debates with owner Matt Sterbenz and ski developer Cody Barnhill we decided to go with a 196 first. Hopefully in the future as we continue to improve and streamline our SLC production capabilities we can increase the lengths we offer the Renegade in.

S's Questions

1. I'd like to know if Hoji has ever had custom mods fail.
I'd guess that his current boot hardware arrangement is an evolved version, stemming from multiple previous iterations. Is this the case? Were there ever any other parts or pieces that broke or bent? Buckles that were too flimsy? Rivets that tore out? Plastic that cracked? How many tries did it take to get to the current version? Or was it a vision that ended up working on the first try?

1. I have had a pretty good track record, besides minor buckle blowouts, unavoidable if your putting lots of miles on your boots. Kye Petersen is still using my original Modified Titans from 3 seasons ago as his touring boot, still solid… The Titans I skied in all last season were the second version, they are essentially the same,definitely refined as my fabrication skills have advanced with practice. Having the Arc'teryx design team and lab available also has greatly improved what I am capable accomplishing. I have made very few mistakes when it comes to modifying, partially luck but also I attribute it to the amount of consideration I put into anything that is irreversible. It is a bit of a rush when you start hack a brand new pair of boots apart, especially at the beginning when I was just figuring it out and not sure if I messed up if I could get another pair of Titans, haha!

2. Where does Hoji gather all his spare parts? Does he have a giant pile of boots in various states of disassembly in his garage? A 20-lb box of buckles? Is there a shop that he goes to regularly to find parts?

2. Untill I Start official working with Dynafit I retrieved my boot parts from old boots left at a few key shops in Whistler, you would be surprised how many perfectly good parts get tossed in the trash. I also stripe all my old boots for parts and pillaged shops parts bins. I have also placed order though shops for replacement parts, this is really hit or miss though, Boot companies do not always send replacement parts that are ordered. It was fantastic visiting Dynafit's Boot HQ, I loaded up my suite case with everything that looked interesting.

3. When do we see the production boot model?

3. Dynafit is releasing new boots, the Vulcan and Mercury for fall 2012, they have some of my influence as well as other innovations that are very exciting. Can't wait to test them, hopefully this spring…

3.Where/how did you learn to ski? If someone wanted to ski like you and at your level, what are the steps to take?

3. I learned to ski at a very young age before I was 2 my folks had me sliding down the bunny hill. I don't even really remember really learning to ski. Then I raced for 6 years, probably one of the best ways to dial in your technique. Once racing became too regimented and too competitive, I started hit jumps with my friends and became obsessed with learning tricks. Salomon released the 1080 video featuring the New Canadian Airforce and that was it for me, at 16 I was the perfect demographic for their propaganda. My Ski racing coach Guy Mowbray, started the Rocky Mountain Freeriders RMF, one of the first junior freeride clubs in North America, right after I quit racing. He saw the future of the sport and made it happen! I was also fortunate enough to have excellent mentors, all my friends that I skied with growing up in the Rockies are 10 years older than me. They definitely showed me the way to approach the backcountry and skiing big lines.

4. Does he use visualization techniques before hitting lines?
-What does he do to manage or calm down any fears before dropping in?


4. Ski racing taught me how to memorize and visualize how I would ski a course, it isn't the exact same procedure as skiing film lines, you can't touch the line before you ski it when you filming but the skills are very transferable. Skiing lines at speed with confidence is all about know exactly where your are at all times and where you need to be and ultimately end up. I am definitely addicted to the process of challenging myself to step up to harder lines, nerves are a big part of it... Hugo said it best, if your not scared it won't make the movie, Haha! It all comes down to confidence in your ability to pick lines that suit your style of skiing. The more you understand your own technique and capabilities the easier this becomes. The hardest part is judging terrain size and scope and evaluating snow conditions. If you develop your skills and trust in your judgment then you are gold!

5. Does he back off alot of lines after getting to them?
I'd be curious what his snow assessment plans looks like (does he keep a journal, does he dig pits every time he goes out, etc) and if he's considering wearing an ABS (why / why not).

5.It is rare to be able to pull out of lines once you've dropped in, depending on the situation of course. Most of the times I choose not to ski something it is from the bottom or the top before dropping in. You have to be %100 committed to drop a lot of the more challenging lines, lots of time there isn't a lot of room to stop, speed is your friend and know your safe zones and back up exits is key. I haven't kept a journal, I should. Most of the time will filming we work with guides that keep log on conditions. When filming we are constantly having open discussions about conditions and devising plans about what to do. Group dynamic and communication are the most important things.
ABS pack technology is about to blow up, literally! Over the next few years I predict that they will become standard protocol for backcountry skiers, just a transceivers, probes and shovels currently are. I am excited to see this transition and advancement, its all about floatation.

6. I'm always a little startled when Hoji doesn't wear a helmet when charging gnarly-looking tree/pillow lines. What's with that? Comfort thing?

6. I am old school when it comes to helmets for sure, as a ski racing youth I was forced to where them while all my friends and coaches were rocking sweet Silverfoot toques! I developed such distain towards helmets that once it was up to me I refused to where them. The invention of P.O.V cameras definitely caused me to start wearing a helmet to get additional footage. I have become accustom to my Smith TLD full-face and actually have grow to like it while skiing aggressively for filming. I still find it hard to wear a helmet while skiing, especial ski touring, helmets just seem to get in the way, I also do not like how the limit my hearing perception as well as interfering with how your goggles sit on your face. I just started using a new Smith Vantage helmet occasionally and it is slowly growing on me I guess it is a good idea. Always remember, if you wearing a helmet your probably doing something you shouldn't be doing! So wear your helmets kids!

[mntlion]

7. What does Hoji's off-season look like in re: to staying in shape? Mountain biking? Yoga?

7. this summer I underwent reconstructive ACL knee surgery, if there is one thing I can say about the rehab experience that is positive is that it forced me to focus on my body for the first time in my adult life. Previous summers I have been consumed by skiing, ski design, graphic design, ski building and Stone Masonry. This summer I was forced to take my body's recovery very seriously this made me focus on balancing out my body: I greatly increased my core & upper body strength. I stretched more, did some yoga and learned how to enjoy mellow mountain biking. It is funny, I mountain biked more this summer than ever before, my knee injury actually changed my approach towards biking, I now really enjoy it in a similar fashion a I enjoy ski touring: long mellow contouring climbs followed by nice smooth decants, I am hooked.

2nd this. Where or how would I go about getting the ankle buckle mod for my TLT5's?

Part 2. TLT 5 ankle buckle can be made from any ankle buckle you can get your hands on, the best combo I have found so far is: A Dalbello Krypton cable and ladder assembly with a Scarpa pivot fastener (found on most Scarpa telle boots, some serious backcountry shops carry spares).

8. have you always modified your gear, esp boots. i have begun to modify my gear to fit my preferences as well.
good luck shooting
bobbyf

8. I've always enjoyed taking things apart and understanding how they work. My interest in improving my ski equipment started about 10 years ago, definitely taken it to a new level about 3 years ago. Ski design and production of the Renegade has taught me a lot about the process involved developing an idea into a concept then testing it and finally whats involved to produce it. I can honestly say I really enjoy this side of skiing and hope to become more involved with product consulting and development in the future, can't huck for dollars forever, haha!

9. How are your gecko skins holding up?

9. Geckos are still holding up nicely, recently had some colder conditions -20 to -15 ºC to test them in, with 3 to 4 transitions per day. No problems, I did ski with them in my jacket on the colder days to keep the suction performing at optimum levels. I have been using them tail clip-less with no real issues. The key with Geckos is skin management if you are carful and meticulous: don't through them in the snow apply them methodically ensuring a solid bond, really rub them on(stoke em like a kitten) then they seem to work perfectly. If you aren't that careful person, drop/throw your skins in the snow and slap them on quickly you might not have the same results as me. One thing I have observed is that they fine when they are wet but not if they have snow cystals on the suction backing, melting any snow that may end up on the suction side with you bare hand and then applying them seems to work well. Geckos advantages are: Lightness, compact-ability, good glide and they are far less abrasive on your bases, don't strip moisture and wax/P-tex base patches like traditional adhesive glue skis. time will tell about durability but so far at least 35 days and they are still going strong.

10. I'd like to know how he feels his race background has shaped his skiing, and if he ever gets in the gates or does any technical training to keep things up. What was his preferred event when he was a racer?

10. see answer # 4, haven't skied gates in over a decade… I am constantly focusing on my skiing while freesking, trying to improve. Once the filming begins it is all about reaction and instinct. my favourite race was during my last season racing, we got to race the Lake Louise downhill course after the world cup left, Still don't think I have gone that fast since!

11. When I met him I was struck by his physique, dude is wirey and muscular. I have a two part question regarding it.
1- how or what he trains, during the ski season and off season?
2- What his diet is like? What does he eat? What doesn't he eat? Does he limit particular items (soda, alcohol, sweets) and does it change during the season vs off season? Maybe he doesn't give two shits about it, but I'd like to know...


11. See answer #7, actively is how I live!

12. Whistler or Blackcomb and why.

12. Whistler and Blackcomb, why limit yourself to one they are only 11 minutes apart. both have Mountains have their advantages, you have to put in you time to figure out what they are…

13. does he find the dynashim shown below in "the way I see it", to aid in not prereleasing? I like his comments about properly cleaning under the toes, but wonder if this, along with brakes, adds stability...beyond those using them for the intended bellow boot decent.

13. Thats cool you picked up on that, impressive! I experimented with the Scarpa Dynashim the first few days on my Dynafit test trip: 2 weeks of filming everyday with MSP at GAH. The footage from that trip in "The Way I See It" is the actual documentation of my personal experience testing them out, pretty cool looking back on it… after a few solid days I determined that skiing in a stiff soled boot such as the Titan that the shim wasn't really effectively doing anything so I stopped using it. I noticed it flopped around, was annoying for touring snow would build up under it while walking. Now I have been skiing my modified TLT 5 Performances, (they've been my Knee have boots, haha) I fastened the Dynashim to my ski with Quiver killer inserts and found them to greatly improves boots with flexible soles downhill performances in Dynafit bindings. I am not sure if it helps with retention, in fact it could be the opposite providing a fulcrum point for the heel to prerelease but so far I feel it is worth adding them to support the boots soles.

14. What are EH's thoughts on the additional rocker added to the Renegade for 11/12? Was this done to make the skis more user-friendly for the masses or is it something he orchestrated and appreciates? Do his personal skis have the extra rocker or do they have the original profile introduced in 09/10?

14. Very observant! The Renegade is a work in progress, I am never satisfied, we are constantly improving the production quality in attempt to increase consistency and performance. This summer we replace our wooden form blocks with aluminium ones for better heat transfer and more accurate rocker profile results. I feel this is a performance/quality improvement and am stoked on the new profile.

15. Also, does he ever use 4FRNTs other than his pro models (e.g. the CRJ when it's mellow blower, or the MSP or Turbo on hard days), and is he involved in the testing and development of those other skis at all?

15. Unfortunately I simply do not have enough time to ski on all the 4FRNT models, I do consult with Cody Barnhill on ski design, he is currently at the helm and doing a mighty fine job in my opine!

[mntlion]

16. Why is Hugo out of the MSP crew? Can someone who crushes that hard really just hang it up because of a pup? Inquiring minds want to know.

16. Hugo is on his own path, I can't speak for him but I do know he is stoked on his current fatherhood role and filming arrangement with Warren Miller Entertainment. He is the man, hands down changed the sport of ski as much as any other influential skier in recent history in my opine. I have tons of respect for him, he definitely showed me around Blackcomb when I first arrived and taught me an ton about skiing film lines. I my opinion he is still one of the best in the business!

17. Are there restrictions from the elan factory that keep you from doing the 'core to the edge' in full production. That seems like the best of both worlds.

17.Funny you ask, our contact at Elan actually wrote a thesis statement on how wooden side wall skis construction is an unacceptable construction method manny years ago, haha! What does the word renegade mean again? Hahah!

18. I've been following this thread and don't know if it's been asked before: What skiers, past and present, do you admire and what have you tried to learn from their style?

18. So many amazing shredders out there its hard to list everyone: Richard Jagger, Guy Mowbray, Kevin hjertaas, Andrew sheppard, JP Auclair, Hugo Harrison, Chris Rubens, James Heim, Matty Richard to name a few…

19. This may have been asked before but does he tune/wax his own skis? Mounts?

19. More and more I am becoming a tune snob, I wax frequently myself, for bigger repairs i usually bug my friend Turtle and more recently the Profile Tune Centre in the Whistler area. I always hit up the Tune Shop in Banff and Renstal in Park city does all the White Room finishing down in Utah.

Cheers,

Eric

[verbier61]

Pretty useful, thanks!

[D(C)]

This is awesome. Thank you mntlion and Eric!

[auvgeek]

Awesome! Really neat to read his responses. Kinda forgot about this thread, but mntlion and Eric deliver again.

[Norseman]

Yes, thanks to both of you for spending the time to answer our questions.

[gunniride]

Had been curious where this had gone. Thanks for the follow-up mtnlion and Eric.

[butterscotch]

x100. Big ups to both mntlion and Hoji.