Chris Rubens
In early December, pro freeskier Chris Rubens, as well as skier Greg Hill and mountain guides Marty Schaffer and Kevin Hjertaas, will be leading a freeski camp in the backcountry of Rogers Pass, British Columbia (the camp is already sold out. Sorry). Rubens, a star of recent Salomon Freeski TV episodes, has been having quite the fall already: The oft-photographed skier has appeared on three ski magazine covers this fall alone. We spoke to him about living in Revelstoke and his plans for this winter.
Tell me about this upcoming ski camp you're doing.
We are super stoked on this camp. We are doing a freeski camp up at Rogers Pass. Basically, we are going to teach you how to be rad. We have talked about doing a camp like this for years and finally pulled the pin. The response has been insane, so we might have to do some more over the years.
You have three covers already in Powder, Backcountry and Skiing Magazines. Nicely done.
Yeah, I never really thought that would happen. Pretty stoked because I really like the photos that are on the covers. Skiing is just way too much fun.
How was your summer?
This summer was crazy busy, but it's good to be busy. Jordan Cropper and I started a little carpentry business in Revelstoke last summer and we were fortunate to work very hard all summer. I would say the highlight was building a spherical screen for Sherpas' Cinema's latest project, Fly Over Canada and a wicked boot room up at Blanket Glacier Chalet. Working construction has an amazing way of keeping me very grounded after winters of skiing around the world.
Why did you choose to live in Revelstoke?
I moved to Revelstoke seven years ago from the Rockies, in search of deep powder skiing. I found exactly that, combined with a changing town with amazing people and opportunities. It was great to grow up in the Rockies because it taught me how to ski, how not to fall (too many rocks), and gave me an appreciation for snow.
Any upcoming winter plans that have you excited?
I'm headed back to Annecy, France, to work on product for Salomon. They have a wicked proto lab over there and it's a dream come true to build ski equipment in it. It's really cool to be involved in the design aspect of skiing. I really enjoy trying to brainstorm ways to make products better for everyone. After that, the general plan is to ski as much powder as humanly possible. I will be following the snow with Salomon Freeski TV, Sherpas Cinema and Sweetgrass Productions.
How do you stay balanced during the winters with all of the travel you do?
I'm not sure that I do stay very balanced in the winter. It is a pretty one-sided affair with skiing. I spend a lot of time ski filming and shooting. There is something about nailing a film line that is very addicting. You only get one chance before the shot has a track in it, so you have to have your line 100 percent dialed. Aside from that, I ski every available moment when I'm not filming.
How did you get the name "Smashface" for your beloved 1989 Chevy Truck?
My gas-guzzling Chevy got its name after I crashed it into a cement divider at Sunshine a couple of years ago. It was only my bumper that was smashed so I didn't bother changing it for a couple of years. My roommates affectionately called it Smashface one day and the name stuck. The bumper is fixed now so I'm trying to change the name to Blue Thunder.
