Ask Me Anything: I'm Jason Levinthal

[WaistDeepGroomers]

Have noticed an increasing amount of ski chatter on the boards lately, and based on the landing of the new issue of Powder and the plethora of ski movie trailers dropping this week, I thought we'd add to the stoke by bringing the one and only Jason Levinthal onto the boards to slake your thirst for ski stoke.

I'm not sure if he even needs an introduction (I fucking hope not!) but in case you've totally taken your awesome pair of reverse camber, rockered, super fun do-everything skis for granted, J Lev needs much of the credit. J founded Line Skis out of his parent's garage in 1995, basically invented ski boarding, won some X Games medals, then made the first center-mounted twin tip, brought Eric Pollard on board, held onto him while he reinvented powder skis 8 or 9 times, brought tiny Line up to one of the top-selling ski brands in the world, brought Raichles back to the world under the Full Tilt title, then left so he could start his own line, J Skis (http://jskis.com/), where he's working more or less solo, daydreaming for hours on end (a critical part of his business practices), and whipping up skis that won four different magazine awards on his second season in business while not really charging all that much for them, selling direct, offering exchange rate discounts for Canadians, and free international shipping.

Safe to say that if you enjoy skiing today, J Lev is someone you have to thank for that. Plus, he's completely outspoken, so this AMA should be really fun.

J will be stopping by this Friday, August 28th, from Noon-3 PM MST (also known as 2-5 PM EST, also known as 11-2 PM PST). Drop your questions, expect some gruff answers on Friday, and enjoy.

[Timberridge]

or jump them?



Old school hardtail or FS 29'r?

[Harry]

Question for Jason: are you a corporate spancer of the 2016 Bobby Baker Invitational at Alpental ? Free Line skis to the winner of the ski-off between digitaldeath and 4ply ?

[Timberridge]

Would you bet Binky or Buttah at the '15 Ullrfest curb stomping?

You say you like to daydream. Would you ever consider buying a ski mountain in S. Londonderry, VT if the latest owners tire of it?

[whyturn]

Why did line do so much early rise and so little rocker?

Has Seth mellowed over the years?

Are earth tones making a comeback?

[doebedoe]

Two gear-head questions:

- What other brands / ski designers do you find working right now who inspire you? Why?

- What elements of ski construction are most overlooked in reviews/forums/by other ski makers? Particular parts of the ski that you think are due for a revolution (even if you don't know to what...yet)?

[::: :::]

whats the most overhyped advance in current ski technology?

[Bromontana]

You are on a deserted island and only have a volleyball named Wilson, a fruit-laden landscape for sustinence, a pound of well cured chronic, a knife and an unlimited supply of Bic lighters. Now, you have to smoke this bud to stay sane and prevent developing a psychosis-induced friendship with the volleyball. Which strain would you choose and, more importantly, why that strain? Please be specific.

Strain options:

Durban Poison
Jesus Christ
Sour Diesel
Cattle Creek Diesel
Chocolope
Taz
Shaolin
Diamond Jedi
707 Sour
Bubba Kush
Platinum Chemdawg
Platinum Tangerine

[El Chupacabra]

Are you bringing back the Reactor binding?

[digitaldeath]

Need a forward thinking employee that is cut-throat, want a bigger piece of the pie?

hire me, i do not dissapoint

i assume the operation is near a world class resort

[Dhelihiker]

Do you know how to get to Chads Gap?

[El Chupacabra]

Who's doing the raping?

[Dhelihiker]

Fuck Marry Kill
Hillary Clinton
A Lion
Tan Mom


hint: do not kill the lion

[Dhelihiker]

Where is your favorite place to go poop?

[WaistDeepGroomers]

How has the East Coast ski scene evolved from the mid-90s til now?

Best run at Stratton?

Do you still skiboard at all? Do you snowboard much?

Could you save tele skiing? And snowboarding while you're at?

[ghosthop]

Favorite Pollard pro model?

If I was going to buy a ski to last me until I die, does J skis have what it takes? Or would that money be better spent on a pair of boat shoes?

Best run at Stratton?

The most exciting part of your day will be hotboxing the gondi on the way up

[Timberridge]

The most exciting part of your day will be hotboxing the gondi on the way up

Unless its windy. Then its chairlift only.

[sb]

Wots yor favorite beer?

[TahoeJ]

Where is your favorite place to go poop?

Third floor?

Anyway, Jason - do you get out much (or at all) on other brand's gear to get an idea of what else is out there and what they might be going for, or only your own stuff? Not necessarily a question for since you started J skis but maybe back in the LINE days. Any particular designs (not yours) that you were fond of?

[irul&ublo]

Is Tanner Hall still dead?

[TAFKALVS]

Eric Pollard seems super creative but also passionate about his designs and vision for skiing. Did you guys ever butt heads on ski design/shaping?

Also, when you were at Line, besides Pollard what athlete was the most influential in ski design?

[ill-advised strategy]

I don't even have a question....just this:

Thank you for rescuing the flexon. Sweet baby Jesus knows there's no other boot that works right when you're used to the flexon. Thank you so much for rescuing the flexon.

thank you.

[El Chupacabra]

What email address did you use when you signed up at Ashley Madison?

[Binky]

Can you describe your relationship with Worth skis?

[LightRanger]

What happened to Karhu? (I seem to recall the Jak Team (both 100 and 130) were rebadged Prophets.) I owned a pair of BC 90s a decade ago. Liked them pretty well.