In todays media filled world there are a small group of skiers that get the lions share of the spotlight. They star in the movies, they can be seen in full page ads in Powder and Freeskier, and some lucky few can even make a full-time living off their efforts in the mountain. Guys like Pep, Sage, Tom Wallisch, and Jon Olson have some serious skills and I am stoked that they have been able to turn their dreams into reality. A half step or so down the totem pole that is the ski industry lives a larger group of skiers. A group that have the same passion for skiing and a lot of the same skills, but just have not gotten their break yet. One way this group of skiers attempts to get the industries attention is through skiing at Freeride World Qualifier and Freeride World Tour events. A few of the greats like Seth Morrison and Hugo Harrison were discovered through competitions like the one later this week in Crested Butte and this can be one of the motivations for competing. That, and the fact that it is fun as hell:)
During this years FWQ I will be posting quick bios along with photos and videos of many FWQ athletes. Some of these guys and gals are tour veterans, while some are new to the game. One thing is for sure. These skiers love the sport and are willing to put their time, their money and their bodies on the line just for a chance to show their skills. Â It would be great to build up more of a following for the FWQ, so check out the athletes, decide who you want to cheer for and do it loudly. Â Also, please share these posts with your friends:)
With the Crested Butte event kicking off Thursday of this week it seems appropriate to kick off the Unofficial FWQ Bios with two local fellas. One is home grown and one is a transplant. Both do really cool things on skis. Do they have a home field advantage? Maybe…
Randy Evans
Where did you grow up skiing? The one and only Crested Butte Colorado
Where is your home hill now? Bridger Bowl, MT
What is your favorite thing about your home hill? Skiing it
When was your first Freeskiing competition? 2009 in Revelstoke
How did it go? Not Great, got super nervous up top, sent my first air big, landed it, and sent my second one even bigger and exploded.
What is your favorite part of the FWQ? The people involved. Everyone, whether competitor or someone working the event are equally like-minded. Its incredible to be able to travel, ski, and party with so many badass people from all over the world.
What keeps you coming back? Definitely the atmosphere of it. Every competition you meet new people and have an awesome time. Also the traveling. Having the opportunity to go to so many different mountains with different local scenes is really cool and so much fun.
What have you been working on improving for this season? Mainly the mental part of competing. Its easy to get worked up over a line or get nervous over things that normally wouldn’t phase you. The element of competition adds a whole other level of difficulty to skiing. I always ski my best right after my run, right after the weight of competition is lifted. I’d like to be able to have that mind set while competing.
What do you do to train for the FWQ? Mainly just stay as active as possible throughout the summer and fall. Climbing, Hiking, and Mountain Biking mostly. I also go get my ass kicked at cross-fit at 4800 gym in Bozeman for the last few months before ski season. It’s definitely key to keep from getting hurt during the season.
Do you have a favorite event on the FWQ? Probably Crested Butte. I love going back to the place I grew up, not to mention the terrifying venues and the easy access for spectators. It’s always a rowdy time.
Who is your favorite rider?  It’s hard to say, everyone is a special skier, just the way they are.
Who influenced you most?  Again it’s hard to say, pretty much anyone who skied in MSP and TGR movies through the 90’s and 2000’s
If you could go skiing with anyone, who would it be? Coombs.
Sponsor shout outs? Tecnica Blizzard, Smith Optics, Cast Touring, Voke Tab, I couldn’t do it without them
Any other shout outs? Everyone at Bomb Snow, the rest of the Bridger Brigade, my Mom and Dad and my little brothers Matt and Jamie. And everyone holding down the Grizz, you know who you are.
Motto if you had to say one? Go Big or Go Naked
Anything else unique about you, your skiing story, and how you go to where you are now? I am extremely well versed in the art of mustache sculpting. I always loved skiing and that’s all I wanted to do, so I did it whenever I got the chance. It’s not particularly unique, I feel like everyone in the freeskiing world has a similar story. It’s easy, just have fun and don’t be afraid to give ‘er.
Congrats to Randy on his recent graduation from MSU in Bozeman!
The Kind of stuff you can expect to see from Randy:
Randy’s bio on Bridger Brigades Website
Tom Runcie
Where did you grow up skiing? Mad River Glen, VT
Where is your home hill now? Crested Butte, CO
 What is your favorite thing about your home hill? The terrain is incredible and I have the best ski crew going.
When was your first Freeskiing competition? 2009 CB Extremes
How did it go? 10th place. Everyone else fell in Hourglass.
What is your favorite part of the FWQ? I love how it pushed my skiing, and I love the energy among the skiers at the events
What keeps you coming back? I want to win one. Plus its always fun to see all the comp people and ski with them.
What have you been working on improving for this season? I ski a lot, and always try to focus on skiing everything better than I did last run or yesterday.
What do you do to train for the FWQ? I ski a lot.
Do you have a favorite event on the FWQ? I always loved Snowbird, such fun venues. When you ski at CB all the time, its nice to go somewhere where you don’t have to be scared all the time.
Who is your favorite rider? I had a blast watching Ian Borgeson last year. Hard charging skiing with monstrous 360s, what else could you want.
 Who influenced you most? Watching Arne always made me smile. He was so greasy and confident, he made Dead End at CB look like a mogul line.
If you could go skiing with anyone, who would it be? I think Chris Rubens has more fun than anyone, and is one of the most underrated skiers out there. Also any day you can get with Sam Anthamatten is worth whatever it takes to make it happen.
Sponsor shout outs? Tecnica Blizzard, Julbo, Eider, Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Mystery Ranch, Voormi
Any other shout outs?
Crested Butte Shred Posse, Aaron Blunck (crush it!), my awesome wife Laurel.
Motto if you had to say one? Its all worth it for skiing.
Anything else unique about you, your skiing story, and how you go to where you are now? Nope, not really. I’m just a regular guy who likes to ski.
Last year Tom won a trip to ski in Chamonix with Glen Plake. Check it out!
