Funky Interview
Ian Deans is a master in the art of skiing and life. A former ski-cross racer from Canada, Ian's true love is fresh powder and living life to the fullest. His skiing in recent years is a unique combination of searching for fresh snow and teaching his three-year-old son how to ski.
WHICH THREE WORDS WOULD YOU USE TO DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Goofy, energized, but focused.
WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF SKIING?
Skiing is like creating your own mosaic on a blank white canvas.
DID YOU HAVE ANY ROLE MODELS WHILE GROWING UP?
I looked up to some of the Canadian Ski team members like Manuel Osborn-Paradis when I was a kid but it was never really an obsession. Oddly enough, I loved watching Snowboard Cross because Ski Cross wasn't televised yet. So guys like Jasey-Jay Anderson were who I liked to watch.
WHAT DOES SPEED MEAN TO YOU?
Speed means going off jumps and jumps are fun, therefore speed equals fun.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SKIING MOMENT?
After rehabbing a knee injury for 2 seasons, my first race back was early December 2014 in Nakiska, Canada. This was the season just after the 2014 Olympics and in the first heat I was up against the Gold, Silver, and Bronze medalists. In front of the home Canadian crowd, my family and friends, I managed to get the hole-shot and hold off the 3 Olympic champs down the track and celebrated at the bottom like I won the race. I didn't make it through the 1/4 finals, but it was still epic.
COULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT SKIING DAY?
Laughing and goofing around with friends. Doesn't have to be good snow or sunny!
YOUR BEST AND WORST SKIING MEMORY?
Hurting my knee in Telluride & skiing with my son for the first time.
WHAT WOULD YOU BE IF YOU WERE NOT A SKIER?
While in university, I did rotations through the cardiac surgery unit and witnessed multiple open-heart surgeries. In another life I would have loved to go to med school and been a cardiac surgeon.
WHO WOULD YOU VOTE FOR THE BEST SKIER OF ALL TIME?
This is hard, but if I had to say, without a doubt, considering all the facts, across the world, there is one person, who is above all the rest is... the GOAT.
WHAT OTHER SPORTS DO YOU PRACTICE?
Literally everything.
WHEN WINTER IS OVER, DO YOU START COUNTING DOWN FOR THE NEXT ONE OR YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE SUMMER?
I enjoy summer because the sunlight hours are sooo long, but if were being honest, as soon as the first dusting of snow hits, my stoke level for winter sky rockets.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SUMMER ACTIVITIES?
Biking, golfing, surfing, fly fishing, hiking.
FAVORITE SUMMER AND WINTER PLACES?
Summer: North Bend, WA where I live. Winter: Big White Ski Resort
WHAT WAS YOUR LAST VACATION?
Hawaii and Banff, Alberta. Epic surf and epic snow
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE?
Slashy if that makes sense.
DO YOU WEAR JEWELRY OR DO YOU HAVE A LUCKY CHARM?
No and like the cereal.
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR CHARITY AND FOR REDUCING CARBON FOOTPRINT?
My platform focus is to reduce barriers of entry to snow sports. Giving to non-profits like Share Winter Foundation is an important aspect but doing simple things like skiing with local kids in the racing programs, donating gear for club fundraisers, or donating gear to programs for people who don't have gear is where I can make the biggest impact.
WHICH IS YOUR FAVORITE SPORT?
American football. I don't have a favorite player I idolize, but I do enjoy watching Christian McCaffrey play. My favorite club is the Seattle Seahawks.
LAST BOOK, MOVIE, CONCERT, THEATRE, EXHIBITION?
I watched my buddy Stan Rey's recent film with Blank Collective. Epic.
DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS?
Do kids count?
DO YOU COOK YOURSELF?
Cereal count?
WHAT IS THE BEST DISH YOU CAN MAKE?
Chicken tortilla soup.
WHAT WERE YOU THE MOST AMAZED BY?
Heli-skiing last year with the Elan crew was probably the most stoked that I’ve been in a hot minute. Glorious sun and pow.
GUIDING PRINCIPLE IN LIFE?
Do not be too serious, have fun and the rest will take care of itself.
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