Flory Kern

Name: Flory Kern

Birthdate: 25.12.1969

Genre of skiing: Freeride, Touring

Athlete talk

How and when did you start skiing, how has it evolved ever since and what got you into freeskiing?
I started skiing when I was 3 years old. Right away I liked it a lot when I started gliding on the white surface. At the young age of about 10 years I tried some alpine ski races but that was not realy what I wanted. At 15 I started Freestyle Mogul competitions, first in national competitions and the following years in World Cup events all over the world. During this period I used every free minute to go skiing way beond controlled slopes and competiton sites.

With long skinny skis, I really enjoyed cruising down virgin powder runs. After many years of competitons I decided that I need to go a step further. A combination of alpinism and skiing realy attracted me, we called it steep skiing. The next year I was able to ride more than 100 steep descents, mostly in the area around Chamonix, where I lived at the time. Somehow I needed to combine my pleasure and passion with a job. What was closer than becoming a professional mountain guide?

For almost 4 years I went through the demanding UIAGM Guide system. I finished with my diploma in 1999 and started my own guiding company shortly afterwards. With "Flory Kern Ski Berge Abenteuer" the idea was to found a company specialized on Freeride Trips and Heliski Trips. So for the last 11 years I took clients to the remotest places on earth always in search for the finest powder. 

 
Who were/ are your idols on and off the hill?
I always look up to successfull people, success in any kind of meaning. Trying to understand what made them successfull. On the hill my idols are for example Glen Plake, he always understood what Freeriding is and lived this passion already long before fashion created the word " Freeriding"

What does skiing mean to you personally?
For me skiing is a great way to express myself. To draw lines into nature, stand below look at it and feel even better. In no other sport do I get the same pleasure and feelings than in skiing. 
 
What were your 3 biggest accomplishments on hill and why?
-At the young age of 19 winning the national title in freestyle mogul skiing. 
-Skiing down big noth faces in big turns with high speed
-taking my clients to some incredible powder lines
 
What aspect of skiing thrills you the most? 
Sure tell me who doesn´t like it to ride in deep powder in steep terrain, dropping pillows and just enjoy turn by turn. But what I also love to ride on is, perfect corn snow, ski each turn to its very end.
 
In what conditions and what terrain do enjoy riding the most? 
I almost like skiing any day and in any kind of conditions, for me always counts what you make out of your day. Sometimes a day with lousy snow can turn out into a great skiing day. 
 
Any activities that aren’t ski related?
In summer I love taking great rides on my mountain bike, alpine climbing is also something I like a lot. I am always open to try out new sports, like kite surfing.
 
How do you manage to combine family/ friends and job?
For me all aspects melt in the end into the same pot. All my activities are related to my work, I work together with my wife, and my kids already like all sports I like and especially are fascinated in winter sports. Most of my friends come from similar spheres so there is alway lots to do together.

Please answer, if possible, with one word only.

 
Band: Jeff Healey

Movie: Blizzard of Ahhhhhhs
 
Book: Mein Leben meine Spur
 
Drink: Red wine
 
Food: Steak
 
Country: Russia
 
Resort/Place to ski: Viluchinsky Volcao/ Russia
 
Car: VW Van
 
What do you like about SCOTT? 
For me Scott is a very innovative and future orientated company. Sustainable quality in products helped to become a brand like it is today
 
What are your favorite SCOTT products?
Sure, I am a skier and most of the quite wide ski range works for me very well. Allthough I have favourites, like the Mega Dozer or Stunt. As I love Mountain biking a lot too, I am 100% convinced by my Genius 10 and can´t wait to get the next step for 2011 the Genius LT.
 
What SCOTT products are you using this year? 
Skis: Mega Dozer, Dozer, Stunt, Crusir, Powdair
Poles: Team Issue
Helmet: Roam Solid
Goggles: Fix
 
Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years? 
I want to continue in my guiding company, always having enough free time to ski for myself. Trying out new places.
Go on expeditions with some friends. And have a well balanced life of work sport and freedom.
 
What sponsors do you ride for besides SCOTT? 
Norröna
Lowa Sport Boots ( nodica ski boots )
Fritschi
Icebreaker
 
People you feel you need to thank? 
My wife Dagmar, she makes a lot possible for me in and off work. 
Also I would like to thank all my friends that I ever skied with and had great fun with. 
Also I would like to thank all my clients, that had trust in all my decisions in mountains.
 
What's playing on your iPod right now? 
You don´t even want to know...