Seeing as this season I’m going to be sharing the latest and greatest in the ski world and well, everything else to do with that white stuff that seems to fall out of the sky every year around this time, I thought I’d first share what I’m all about. That way, you know it’s legit.
Getting inverted at Canada Olympic Park
Alright so my name’s Eric Beckstead. I was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta for 18 years and I first started skiing at age two and a half. Those first turns…or snow plows, were taken at Kimberly ski hill in B.C. I immediately fell in love with the sport, everything about it intrigued me. From the good vibes, adrenaline rushes, beautiful settings, to generally just the good atmosphere of skiing. I couldn’t imagine a better way too spend a winters day. Throughout the winter, as a kid, I would drive my parents nuts, begging them to take us skiing. By the time I was 6, I was ripping past my parents and I was even giving my then 12 year old sister a run for her money. I would always be cutting into the trees and ripping as quick as I could and launching of anything that, well, could launch me off at all. It wasn’t until I was 14 or so that I began to make skiing my life. I was skiing in the park one day at C.O.P (Canada Olympic Park) when I randomly ran into one of my good friends Ryan Waddell. Remember that name, whenever he’s not injured he’s always out killin it.
Ryan Waddell boostin at the World Cup in France
Anyways, not to digress, but when I watched him and a friend, Noah, hitting the jumps there and floating the smoothest 3’s and 5’s I’d seen up too that point, I instantly decided to make skiing the main focus of my life. I joined C.O.P’s club ski team, C.O.P Freeskiers, the next season where I skied and competed for three years. I also began teaching at C.O.P when I turned 16. I then went on to coach Freeskiers the following season. When i graduated from Lord Beaverbrook High School, I realized I would need to live somewhere where I could go to school and ride as much as possible.
I got accepted into the Art Institute of Vancouver for film and video production. This seemed to workout well with my plan, seeing as I have several incredible ski hills just hours away. Once here, I wanted to be skiing whenever I could and keep in touch with the community. Once again, my plans worked out when I got accepted as a Grousepark.com Blogospondent for this 09/10 season. Here, I plan on letting you guys know the lowdown on all things important on the snow and industry fronts. I also plan on filming as much as i can when out and throwing up something new for you all.
Backflippin a backcountry jump me and the crew built on Rae Glacier
My camera got stolen, so hopefully mom and dad are feeling generous this Christmas and help me out with the camera fund. Then I can throw up some pics. Oh, and any donations are quite welcome! Anyways I’m really stoked on coming out here and spending the season at Grouse. Enjoy it locals, this place has the most beautiful views! (I’d put up some pics if I had a camera..). If any of you see me ridin’ give me a shout, always down to shred! Currently, I’m reppin’ some earth tone gear, green pants, brown jacket and ridin’ Urban Punx or my JJ’s. I like to switch it up so you might have too see through my disguises, hahah. So, there’s a little insight on what makes me who I am. Hope too see all you locals and visitors alike up there!
Here is a new edit from the boys at 4bi9. This recent edit was made while they were at Mt Hood’s West Coast Sessions, it is a spoof on HBO’s hit series “Eastbound and Down”. Check it out!
Sunny skies, pro riders, and a jump bigger than anything the North Shore has seen before… March 29th was a pretty darn good day for a photo shoot. Grouse local, Jason Macfarlane was up Grouse Mountain to shoot the Alterna/Showdown Over the City after session. Here are some of his shots.
Check the goggle shot at the end…damn!
No grab. Huge.
When the takeoff is taller than the scaffolding, you know the jump is good.
Liam Casey corking out.
Timed perfectly...
I got a shot! Jason said he tried this shot about 30 times and these two were the olny ones that worked out. Click the image and head over to newschoolers.com to vote for it!
Beauty.
More shots to come later in the week. Keep checking back!
Word is Grouse Mountain is in top form right now. Get up there before the season is over!
Chuck here, just letting you know about the new PYP edit, check it out and show all of your friends, we have some big plans in the works so hold tight and prepare to be stoked!! Make sure you get up Grouse Mountain very soon, Shaw Butterworth has been making magic from the snowcat and you will see a five table L-XL line in the park, that is unheard of on the North Shore… so thanks Shaw for all your hard work!
Also check out where the 40 box has been moved to, as well has the down rail from Showdown over the City is up and running now. One last thing, the new up-flat-down or battleship rail has also been installed where the 40 box used to be… I am not posting any photos so you guys get up there and see it yourself!
Bright sun, great friends and a sick park, what more do you need?
