Jt Holmes has been on the forefront of the ski industry for over a decade now. From endless movie appearances to countless parachute assisted jumps JT has been there. Along with long time friend Shane McConkey, Holmes helped to change the face of skiing as we know it today. By pioneering the Ski B.A.S.E. movement they were able push the idea of what is possible in the mountains to a whole new level. On his way to the North Face South American Freeskiing Championships MSI was able to get a few words with the man himself.
photo: Fred Syversen
What’s up JT, how’s your summer been treating you?
It has been great, and I am looking forward to a winter session next week. I leave Sunday for La Parva.
What’s been keeping you busy?
I have been enjoying summer at home. Other than that, I’ve been flying my wingsuit in Norway, and had a great surf trip with family here in California.
You have been in the spotlight of the ski industry for quite some time now, skied all over the world, been in every magazine, and countless movies. What inspired you to head to Chile for the North Face South American Freeskiing Championships in La Parva?
I had a great visit to La Parva last August. My timing was exceptional and I just skied powder for nearly ten days straight. I hear they are having another great ski season, and I just couldn’t miss it.
Can we expect to see you at any other stops of the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour this season?
I am not sure, let’s see if I can qualify for any! I always love to compete at Kirkwood because that is a great venue. I like the venues that are truly big mountains, extreme skiing if you will, because those let my experience shine.
You are generally known for your huge airs and fast lines, or just huge airs with parachutes. What sort of approach are you going to take with your skiing at the upcoming event in La Parva?
I feel I am known for strong landings, I’ll look for the biggest airs that I can land all feet. No butt-check, no back slap, none of that stuff.
What is the biggest challenge for you in an event like this one?
Well, we’ll see when I arrive. I am curious if the venue will be heavily skied up once we get to competition day, or still pristine. Often the biggest challenge is line choice. One must find a line that not only appeals them, but also has potential to win. If it doesn’t appeal to you as fun, that will show in your skiing.
Over the years I am sure you have witnessed the progression of skiing in so many ways. What is it about the industry and the sport that motivates you to be a part of it and keep skiing year after year?
To be honest, it isn’t the industry that motivates me to ski every year. It is the mountains and the fresh tracks and the fact that skiing is my life, my lifestyle and my livelihood that keeps me motivated. I enjoy riding chairlifts, sliding around on my skis, socializing, hiking peaks, exploring, all of the stuff that is a part of a ski experience.
What do you see as some of the biggest progression in the sport of competitive big mountain skiing?
Actually, there are lines that won competitions 10 years ago that would win them today. I competed against Seb Michaud in 1995 in Squaw Valley, and again in 2009 in Squaw Valley and on the Bec Des Rosses in Verbier. We are both veterans, I guess I am just a young veteran now and was a very young rookie then.
That is not to say there has not been a huge progression, it is just that there are more people skiing at the level now. More strong skiers, more skiers that know how to ride the gear that made those runs 10 years ago possible. More skiers dedicating themselves to their skills makes the competition much, much stiffer.
You and Shane McConkey helped pioneer not only ski BASEing but big mountain skiing, as we know it today. La Parva Ski Resort recently named their terrain where the venue will be held “McConkey’s” in honor of Shane. How does it feel to be competing on terrain that has recently been named after your good friend?
I would be competing in La Parva either way, but with this terrain recently renamed in honor of Shane, it just feels like I belong there, on that mountain, in this competition; A competition whose roots come from an organization that Shane started.
As you may or may not know much of the lines to be skied in this event have never been skied before which gives the skiers a unique opportunity to name some of these newly pioneered lines in competition. If you ski a first descent line in South America any idea what kind of name you want to give it?
No clue whatsoever. Those are the types of things that come to you when it actually happens. For example, I recently opened up a new wingsuit flight in Norway, all by myself, after an overnight bivouac atop the mountain waiting out some weather. Since my first attempt on the mountain was with two Russian friends in a quest for new terrain, I named the exit Cold War.
What are you looking forward to the most at the North Face South American Freeskiing Championships?
Just skiing. It has been a while. Shane’s death in the spring really took the wind out of my sails. I enjoyed late spring turns, but for some reason it just feels like forever since I skied and I am jonesing for it hard.
Top 5’s
1. It is just me. It is what I do. My skis feel like extensions of my feet. What the hell else would we do all day in the winter if I weren’t sliding around on snow?
2. Fresh air.
3. Mountains.
4. Infinite variety.
5. My Squaw Valley family. I am at home sharing chairlifts, hikes and turns with all those familiar faces at my home mountain.
Top 5 Reasons South America is the place to be in the summer
1. Powder.
2. Andes.
3. Preseason training.
4. La Parva
5. A little venue named “McConkey’s” it is a short hike that always delivers.
Top 5 highlights of your career
1. 5th place, 2009 Verbier Extreme on the Bec Des Rosses
2. 1st place, 2009 Lake Cushing Crossing, Squaw Valley USA.
3. Pioneering and pushing modern day ski basing with Shane.
4. MSP’s Hit List, 2005
5. 1999 X-Games big air event in downtown SF
5 Words to end this interview
1. Might as well
2. Hand
3. Over
4. The trophy
5. Now!
Photo: Per Mundjel
Words: Mike Reff/MSI
Headline Photo: Tom Erik Heimen
