The Basics
Name
JP Auclair
Date of Birth / Birthplace
August 1977
Summer Home
Québec city
Winter Home
Québec city
Website
www.alpineinitiatives.org
www.alpineinitiatives.blogspot.com
Riding Since?
1982
Home Resort
Stoneham
Sponsors
Oakley Eye-Wear, Armada Skis, Orage Clothing, Giro Helmets, Pull-In underwear, Level Gloves, JoyStick Poles, BackCountry Access, Fresh Sports..
The Essentials
2008/2009 Recap and best memory?
My best memory from last winter is the day Julien, Tanner and I skied Triple Shot, Caffeine, a run near Bones Away and Too Long, in Haines. 4 awesome runs with two amazing skiers and people I love being with in the mountains. The snow was amazing, the vibe was epic and everyone pushed themselves and came home safe. There are some pictures from that day:
www.armadaskis.com/news
2009/2010 Outlook and goals?
Similar to last year. I’ve been trying to travel by car rather then airplane and I really enjoy it. I would like to get a better traveling rig though. I’ve been dreaming about getting a Defender 110 and converting it bio diesel… that would be sweet! I’ll leave Québec sometimes in January, ski in Alberta and BC in February and March and make my way up to AK towards the end of the season. Then it’s time to head back home. I’ll do a little bit of flying for certain things but my home base for the winter will be my car.
What is your ski style – how would you describe yourself?
I have no idea.. I don’t think I have any particular style. Most of the time, I try to keep skiing fun and creative but in certain circumstances I like to stay traditional. My new favorite thing last winter was to do straight airs off cliffs…no grabs! It’s probably just a phase. I guess a way to describe my skiing would be to say that it constantly changing?!
Your ideal day on the mountain is…
Friends, powder, challenges, with everyone coming home safe.
Where do you find clarity and inspiration?
I think I see more clearly and I’m more inspired when things are chaotic around me. That would explain why I always keep myself busy with different kinds of projects.
What’s your favorite trick, and one you want to work on?
Favorite trick - back flip. Working on - stomping straight airs off cliffs!
What was the moment of the biggest breakthrough in your skiing progression?
Not sure, although, it seems like things started happening really fast for JF, Vincent, Mike and I after the 1998 US Freeskiing Open in Vail.
Before you got all your gear and lift tickets for free, how were you able to fund your skiing?
Newspaper delivering, lawn mowing, landscaping, dishwashing, and night shift railway track maintenance for the Calgary city transit.
How did you get your first sponsor?
Through summer camps in Whistler, 1995 (Oakley).
How, as a gifted athlete in the spotlight, can you act as a positive force in the ski world and the greater community at large?
You don’t need to be a gifted athlete in the spotlight to have a positive impact on the world, and you don’t need to have money either as a matter of fact. There are plenty of different ways to help and to get involved. If you have a specific talent or skill though, it’s great to figure out how to use it in a positive/beneficial way. My skiing won’t help me find a cure for cancer nor solve world poverty. But I found different ways to use other skills I’ve learned through skiing (video editing, photography, graphic design, marketing, branding, PR, networking) for projects outside of my ski career. Because of my involvement with the ski industry, I also have access to a vast network of people. I think it’s great to be able to use all that to work on project like Alpine Initiatives.
What drew you to be part of the Armada family?
7 years ago, it was the bigger companies’ lack of passion and energy that made us want to create Armada.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? Was skiing always the plan?
When I was younger I waned to be an architect and later on, an industrial designer. Skiing’s been on my mind as long as I can remember, but it was more of a dream than a plan. At age 19, I realized it was possible to make it happen and it became more of a goal.
Your influences?
There are too many things and people that have shaped me into the person I am to mention here, so I’ll narrow it down to the people who have had an influenced on my skiing; My dad, my brother, my friends from ski clubs, Glen Plake, Greg Stump,Terry Cook, Brad Holms, Greg Tuffelmiere, Sergei Shupletsov, Edgar Grospiron, Jean-Luc Brassard, Christian Marcoux, Cusson, Vincent Dorion, Julien Regnier Lafforgue, Seth Morisson, Johnny Decesare, Jeremy Jones, Anthony Boronowski, Eric Hjorleifson, Nicholas Muller, Dave Rastovich.
Who was your local hero growing up?
I looked up to my older brother and his “ski crew” growing up. I would tag along and try to keep up…
When and where was your first skiing picture published? What trick? Did you stick it?
Mute 360 on the wind lip, Blackcomb, Powder Mag August or September 1997, buyers guide. Yes.
Where was your first video appearance and with what music?
State of Mind, PBP.
How important is music for you in a skiing video?
Music can make or break a seggy. It’s just as important as the editing and the skiing itself.
What’s your favorite music track for a video part, if you could choose any?
I’m not going to tell you what music I’m planning to use for editing in the future, sorry… In the past, I’ve really enjoyed editing to Sigur Ros.
What’s your favorite Ski Movie ever and why?
Blizzard of Ahhhs, just watch it.
The Random
Your ride?
Yes?
Pets?
No!
Any overseas horror stories?
Many. Just yesterday (I’m writing this from Kenya) I was riding my bike through Meru and I got chased by chokoras (street kids: http://current.com/items/76348662/kenya.htm). They were able to get a hold of my bike and they pulled me to a stop. One of them had ran with a bottle of glue (most of them are addicted to glue) to his mouth and his eyes were all crazy, he must have been 11 or 12. They’ll only let you go if you give them something and I didn’t have any money or food on me. On one hand I felt desperate and sorry for these homeless kids and on the other I was about to become aggressive, as I didn’t know how else I could get out of that situation. I was torn. Once I accepted that I wouldn’t be able to talk rationally with them, I finally hopped back on my bike and pedaled as hard as I could. On of them hung on and ran behind me for 500 meters. It was a pretty horrible experience. Kids shouldn’t be living in the streets like that.
With what Star Wars character do you most closely identify?
The 57th storm trooper (in order of appearance)
Something you are terrible at.
Filling up these bios.
I am…
that’s it.
