Ben Fresco has done every job in the ski industry's hardgoods side on his way to his current role as Global Head of Product at Elan Skis. From moving his life from the East Coast to Tahoe and back to the East Coast and now, on a plane traveling the world, Ben's been chasing the perfect turn. And starting out at the legendary Village Ski House, he did over a decade of, not so much ski bumming, learning. Starting in rentals and working his way to the sales floor, to store managing, and really, running the show. Then it was back East to a buyer's role before finding his forever home in Elan. It's a fun episode with one of my podcast's biggest supporters. Colorado sales rep Clem Smith asks the Inappropriate Questions.

Ben Fresco Show Notes:

4:00: Intro stories, NH, Attitash, College, Tahoe, and Baseball Golden Ticket

22:00: Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better.

23:00: More baseball, death, Village Ski Loft manager, perks of buying, moving back east, and Elan

39:00: Outdoor Research: The best is built and tested in the brital conditions of the PNW and beyond

40:00: Building a following in the US, the factory, and going global

49:00: Inappropriate Questions with Clem Smith

Heimana Reynolds is an Olympic Skateboarder, a lifelong surfer, proud Hawaiian, and a HEST athlete. Since I spent this weekend at HESTIVAL, a three-day celebration of friends, music, and the outdoors, this episode includes a few minutes from HESTIVAL. I first chat with old friend and HEST founder Aaron Ambuske. After that, while I usually don't have many skateboarders on the show, Heimana is my second World Champion park skater-who also slays the streets and surf. It's an event and an athlete episode with a HEST connection.

Heimana Reynolds Show Notes:

4:00: Opportunities, Hawaii, locals only, skateboarding, culture, and hard to get invited to things

22:00: Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better.

23:30: California, Olympic announcement, how did that change him, X Games, competitiveness, Shawn White, and sponsors

39:00: Outdoor Research: The best is designed and tested in the brutal elements of the Pacific Northwest and beyond

40:00: Contest money, Olympic experience, and his Paris Olympic job

45:00: Inappropriate Questions

Chris Garcin is living a ski bum or anyone's dream life and it all began when his good friend broke a pair of sunglasses. This week's podcast is Chris's story of going from a passionate skier his whole life, to Boulder, to coaching, to almost giving up on the ski lifestyle and settling for "real world." And then, his rockstar of a good friend came over to his house with an idea, Pit Viper, that became a joke, a brand, a business, and today, a real business. The Pit Viper story is a fun one and former VP of Brand, Spencer Harkins, asks the Inappropriate Questions.

Chris Garcin Show Notes:

4:00: Reeling in, Colorado, Ski Club, Crested Butte, Vail, and Utah

21:00: Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better.

22:00: Chuck Mumford, the real Pit Viper Origin Story, what did ownership look like on paper, early road antics, early diy product, running out of that product and Larry The Enticer

39:00: Outdoor Research: Click here for 25% off Outdoor Research products (not valid on sale items or pro products)

40:00: Other influencers, when did he get rich, post pandemic mistakes, giving away stuff, imitation and fake products, and normie glasses.

57:00: Inappropriate Questions with Spencer Harkins