Athlete interview: JT Holmes

FP catches up with the legendary californian kid, JT Holmes.

Field Productions

(15.06.2009 12:35) Tell a friend

 

FP: Hey JT. Whats going on? Enjoying Norway?

JT: Crazy thing going on. Back in March, I met with the producer of 60 Minutes. He was interested in doing an episode on Wingsuit flying and I told him it had to be Norway. He has followed through on everything we discussed and today I am off to Molde to pick up the crew. I arrived a week early to get back into it after being rattled mentally by the Shane thing. I feel good. It is nice to be back here. Good friends, nice hikes, familiar faces and places. The weather hasn’t been good for going to the big mountains, I have jumped the Base Race cliff once a day for the last 6 days.

FP: Oh, nice. Can´t wait to see that episode of 60 minutes.
You visit Norway quite a lot. Why so? What brings you back?

JT: Norway is my favorite.

FP: So, first year shooting with Field Productions. Tell us, how was the experience working three weeks with Filip?

JT: It was great. Challenging snow conditions at first, but we had a cool road trip and spent a lot of time in the mountains. With 3 weeks we were sure to get the good snow, and when it came, it was on. I am really happy with what we got and I hope Norway enjoys seeing it too.

FP: What is the biggest difference filming with Field Productions, compared to the major companies as Warren Miller and Matchstick Productions?

JT: To be honest, it isn’t much different at all, except for that with Field your producer is also the filmer, the editor, the travel planner, AND the business brains behind the operation, so when you pass out dead tired after a long day in the mountains, looking to rest before the next one, you hear in the next hotel room the sound of Filip on the phone, working on the next project, securing sponsors, coordinating his athletes schedules. It is a good thing he is young. Otherwise, he may not be able to work so hard and still spend the day in the mountains full of energy. We’d catch him sleeping pretty hard in the car sometimes, and he likes his Red Bull.

FP: Why do you think Squaw Valley, CA has produced so many professional skiers and snowboarders through the years? Is it the ”Le Chamois” (famous après ski and pizza), or must it be the endless terrain you got over there?

JT:. What have tons of really fun steep terrain, not huge stuff, but fun stuff. The reason that Squaw Valley produces so hard is the terrain and the snow. Our snow fills in the steep goods right away, so we area ble to get into it immediately when the snow comes, whereas in the Alps or the Rockys you might have to wait til mid season to get into the steep fun stuff. Also, it is the overall layout of the mountain. Everything is visible form the chairlifts and easily accessed from the top. During a 7 minute chairlift ride, you are watching everyone skiing lines, hucking, charging. On powder days people are yelling and cheering for big airs, being typical loud Americans. Its not like you are crammed into some foggy cable car where you see nothing. Plus, you get to the top and and just go. We don’t chat at the top or traverse. You just go straight into it. 500 meters or so of fun stuff the whole way and then back to the fast chairs with funny people watching. Its fun. Ask Filip and Eirich. They’ll be back. And yes, very cheap beer and good Pizza slopeside. We win when it comes to Apres ski. Hands down.

FP: Whats on your agenda for the summer?

JT: Just splitting time between here and home. I also have the opportunity to do some big wall climbing in Yosemite and won’t pass on that because it is a great chance for me to learn, and fun experience. Late August is likely to bring some Southern Hemisphere turns.

FP: And, will you be attending the ”Eyes Wide Open” world premiere in Oslo, 19th of September?

JT: Wouldn’t miss it.

FP: See you there!

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