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

The 420 Episode is a collection of true stories from myself, friends, and athletes that I think you'll find entertaining. I've never done a proper 4/20 episode before, and I wanted to make sure I got one in before I end this podcast. So, this week you get a different episode. It's the 420 episode, the weed episode, the cannabis episode, the marijuana episode. If you have kids, maybe have them skip this podcast. But if you like to laugh, tune in. Some names have been changed to protect identity and image.

420 Show Notes:

4:00: Powell Canada story and Mike French story

23:00: Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better.

25:00: Cam Hoffman Story, Bobby Landers story

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

40:00: DJ Mullet Story, Powell Louisville story with Wade Whitman

Benny and Luca Harrington were both born to be pro skiers. Their parents were featured in Warren Miller movies in the 90's, and these kids were born with skiing genes and the passion to be the best. And right now, the Harrington brothers are killing it. Benny's the built-like-a-tank older brother that's 2-time Olympic halfpipe skier and Luca is coming off back-to-back seasons of X Games Slopestyle Gold and recently took home his first piece of Olympic hardware with a Bronze. It's the "2 brothers, one podcast," episode and Uncle E asks the Inappropriate Questions.

Benny and Luca Harrington Show Notes:

4:00: Ben Harrington, Brothers, ripping parents, dual passports, competing at 6, making it from NZ, not being on the national team after being on the national team, knee injury,

23:00: Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better.

25:00: Sponsors, Olympics, judging, what's next and Inappropriate Questions with Uncle E

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

40:00: Luca Harrington, being delivered by another pro skier's mom, big bro's shadow, X Games, trick progression, contracts, his first Olympics, and Benny

57:00: Inappropriate Questions with Uncle E and Benny Harrington

Josh Malczyk is the Global Brand Director for K2 and Line Skis, he's a good friend, and a guy that I saw go from the bottom of the barrel of ski marketing with a niche brand, to the top of the food chain directing one of the industry's most iconic brands....From the core skier wearing Tall T's to the collared shirt wearing brand guy. It's fun to see friends grow up/move up and last time I talked with Josh on the podcast, he was secretly on his way out of Line Skis for the first time. On part 2,we talk about leaving his job, Season Equipment, coming back to Elevate Outdoor Collective, how K2 became a boot company, and how to bring K2 Skis back.

Josh Malczyk Show Notes:

4:00: Athletes, round 1 at K2, and the beginning of Season Equipment

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

24:00: Season, snowboard factories in Dubai, Josh's last Season, and back to Elevate

42:00: Outdoor Research: The best comes out of the Pacific Northwest

45:00: Round 2 at K2 and it's a different company, promoted the top, travel, and more

63:00: Inappropriate Questions with Stewart Beall

The Pain McShlonkey Classic, aka the PMS, is the most important ski event in the world. While some may argue that the Olympics and the X Games are the crown jewels of snow, anyone who's been to Palisades for the PMS knows that, winning Saucers is more important than winning medals. Shane McConkey is the most important and arguably the best skier of our time, and that's why celebrating his legacy is so important. On top of his ski legacy, the dude was one of the funniest humans I've ever met, and he had the unique ability to make anyone and everyone feel like they were part of his inner circle. He's missed by so many and this podcast takes you behind the scenes on McConkey weekend!

Pain McShlonkey Classic Show Notes:

4:00: Palisades crew and day 1

12:30: Matt Peterson

17:30: Mike Rosen

28:00: Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better.

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20:00: Daron Rahlves

27:00: Cam Hoffman and Barb Gardner

29:00: Race Intro

34:00: Mike Rogge

36:00: Outdoor Research: Click here for 25% off Outdoor Research products (not valid on sale items or pro products)

39:00: Tyler Curle

50:00: Mike AK

Kevin Quinn, the founder of Points North Heli and a true Alaska pioneer, has done more rad stuff than almost anyone I've had on the podcast. He went from pro hockey player, to ski instructor, to pro skier, to entrepreneur, to famous pilot, to coach, and that's just some of what Kevin has done. He also did time in Tahoe with folks like Kreitler, McConkey and so many more; when life was all about shredding, jumping off things and shenanigans. But Kevin didn't ski bum forever though, he started a heli ski business- with no idea how to manage the books, then he figured it out without going bankrupt, and eventually, lived the American Heli Ski dream life. Not too bad for a kid that dropped out of high school and made a name for himself in team sports by using his fists.

Kevin Quinn Show Notes:

4:00: Flying, death, the early days of Palisades, the bungee and B.A.S.E. crew, and PSIA with Greg Harms

21:00: Best Day Brewing: All of the flavor of your favorite IPA or Kolsch, without the alcohol, the calories or sugar.

Insta360 Cameras: The only action sports cam that matters. Get a free gift with purchase over at the site.

23:00: Hockey, figuring out life in Palisades, sponsorship, heli skiing, believing he could start his own operation with no money or understanding of business and the Gold pass

43:00: Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better.

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

45:00: The PTSD of owing so much money, accidents, what is going on in Tahoe now, the best AK athletes, long lines with Micah Black,

67:00: Inappropriate Questions

Cassie Abel had a different road than most to the ski industry. While her peers were spending as much time as possible on snow, Cassie was winning 4 State Championships in HS before her Hall of Fame collegiate career. After a stint of a 9-5 lifestyle, Cassie got sucked into the ski industry, first with resort marketing, and then on the brand side with Smith. But when her dream job left town, Cassie stayed back in Sun Valley, started a PR agency, eventually jumped into entrepreneurship with her Ski and Mountain Bike start up, Wild Rye. This is fun episode with a passionate, tenacious, awesome person. Maro LeBlance asks the Inappropriate Questions.

Cassie Abel Show Notes:

4:00: Chelsea Handler, Vashon Island, K2, Elite HS, 4x State Champion, and College

21:00: Best Day Brewing: All of the flavor of your favorite IPA or Kolsch, without the alcohol, the calories or sugar.

Insta360 Cameras: The only action sports cam that matters. Get a free gift with purchase over at the site.

24:00: Work, coaching, getting a job at Targhee, Smith, and the decision.

42:00: Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better.

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

45:00: Leaving Smith, PR, starting a brand, challenges, buying her partner out, big accounts, and what's her end game

63:00: Inappropriate Questions with Maro LeBlance

Jason Arens was the Head Ski Judge at the Milan Cortina Olympics and when he's not traveling the most important ski events, to judge the best athletes in the world, he's an Owner of Surface Skis, Joystick Poles, and Causwell Outerwear. Jason always has a lot going on...I met him calling tricks at a contest years ago, I was blown away by his ski nerdery, and these days, Jason may be the most knowledgeable person on the planet when it comes to competition skiing. On the podcast, we talk his sponsored ski career, Olympics, judging, Good Enough, brands and more. Khai Krepela and the Good Enough crew collaborate on the Inappropriate Questions.

Jason Arens Show Notes:

4:00: The Olympics, judging, FIS, and the course

21:00: Best Day Brewing: All of the flavor of your favorite IPA or Kolsch, without the alcohol, the calories or sugar.

Insta360 Cameras: The only action sports cam that matters. Get a free gift with purchase over at the site.

23:00: AI judging, technology, Olympic best and worst, growing up in Tahoe, and South Shore Soldiers

39:00: Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better.

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

41:00: Salomon, the end of contests, Good Enough, the beginning of judging, trick calling, Windell's and Surface/Joystick/Causwell

57:00: Inappropriate Questions with Khai Krepela and the Good Enough Crew