CATEGORIES
CATEGORIES“We had a game called Shred or Die,” said Canadian pro skier Eric Hjorleifson, discussing his transition from racing to freeskiing. “We had to keep up with the coaches all over the mountain and if we fell off the back, we had to wait out the rest of the day out in the lodge.”
Such a swim-or-sink endeavor, far from being harsh, characterizes Hjorleifson’s career. From touring pillow lines in his native Alberta to scouting first descents aboard Match Stick Productions’ choppers, Hjorleifson’s skiing echoes that polarity: shred or die.
Image via Arc'teryx
Home Mountain: Originally Mt. Norquay, now Whistler Blackcomb
Sponsors: Arc'teryx, 4FRNT Skis, Dynafit, Smith Optics, Gordini, Fresh Sports, Whistler Blackcomb, Dissent Labs socks
Favorite Terrain: Pillowy spines
Off-season outdoor passion: Mountain biking and scrambling.
Music you’ve had on repeat lately: Sunny Disco 1-6 by Fiervo
One celebrity (dead or alive) you would want to ski with: Hans Gmoser. I just picked up his remastered 10 DVD set collection from the Whyte Museum in Banff. It is truly impressive what he accomplished as a pioneer of ski touring and climbing. And he managed to document all his amazing adventures with the heavy film camera equipment from 50 years ago. Certainly a visionary and legend in the sport of skiing.
When “Hoji” takes his high-velocity turns to the backcountry, he chooses Arc’teryx to shield him from extreme conditions. Learn about Hjorleifson’s picks to focus more on shredding and less on suffering.
This model stands at the summit of Arc’teryx’s ski-and-ride Whiteline. The burly, ergonomic backcountry jacket makes use of two complementary GORE-TEX fabric technologies. Durable N80p-X GORE-TEX Pro cloaks the shoulders, head and upper body to minimize abrasion from packs, skis and trees. Waterproof N40p-X GORE-TEX Pro protects your torso from rain and snow; a lighter, more breathable fabric that allows moisture to escape while touring.
Best For: Serious skiers ready to invest in their success
Stinger will convert bib holdouts by reaching high (well above the waistline) with a front closure system that’s easily adjusted by gloved hands. The N80p-X GORE-TEX Pro fabric is as tough and waterproof as a sea serpent’s scales, but far from a fantasy. Built for reality, an unexpected storage capacity (four pockets), ¾ side zip vents and rugged Cordura cuffs affirm the Stinger as a leading choice for backcountry adventurers.
Best For: External protection in changing and extreme conditions
