Scot Schmidt Interview
Scot Schmidt
Photo: Larry Prosor
[click to zoom]
We recently visited Scot Schmidt, ally of The Mountain Zone, honorary Zone Ranger and extreme skier extraordinaire. Here's a guy who's taken skiing to the level of his own art form. When we interviewed Schmidt, he had that unfaltering gaze of a master of his endeavor — The Man, as we say around the Zone.

Scot Schmidt kayaking
Photo: Larry Prosor
[click to zoom]
Hard core ski bums shudder at his name, and Schmidt has proven worthy of the shivers of inspiration he sends to those of us who've watched him make the sickest lines look easy. Now 37-years-old, Schmidt is into his family, and he's advocate for the environment, proving that skiing is not the only thing to which he gives 100%.

Scot Schmidt kayaking
Photo: Larry Prosor
[click to zoom]
Skiing and a regular diet of adrenaline have given way to new found priorities like a wife and two daughters, and an environmental awareness that has manifested itself in Island Lake Lodge. Schmidt was a key player in raising funds to purchase 7,000 acres of land in the Canadian Rockies from Shell Oil Company. In the Lizard Mountain Range, this effort to protect pristine land has its benefits, such as the backcountry operations run from the lodge.

Scot Schmidt kayaking
Photo: Larry Prosor
[click to zoom]
We couldn't help but wonder what sort of tasty terrain morsels Schmidt might be planning next. It's not unlikely that, depending on the season, he might be seen roughing up waves off the California coast, sea kayaking in Alaska, riding his dirt bikes or laying lines on his boards. We like 'em, we talked to 'em -- and here's what he is up to these days...

Interview with Scot Schmidt
[Click Here for written transcript]
[Download RealPlayer to hear audio]

Question 1 [Click to hear audio]
How does it feel to be an icon for extreme skiing, and how do you see your personality fitting into the growing culture of extreme sports?

Question 2 [Click to hear audio]
How has the role of skiing changed in your life in the last 5 years and where do you see it fitting into the future?

Question 3 [Click to hear audio]
What skiing plans do you have for this year?

Question 4 [Click to hear audio]
You are an advocate for the environment, with the Gathering Foundation for example, and often times extreme sports are at odds with environmentalists. How do you hope to bridge that gap and bring the two sides together more?

Question 5 [Click to hear audio]
How do you balance sponsorship and your feelings about the outdoors? Are you choosy about who you work with?

Michelle Quigley, Mountain Zone Staff

[Transcript] [More Scot Schmidt] [Skiing Home]