SCOTT Sports

Source from Decline Magazine June 2010

Being a professional Freeride mountain biker is a unique and challenging job. Not only do you have to demonstrated out-of-this-world riding skill on a regular basis for still and motion cameras as well as in some competitive environments, but you also have to manage the business side of sponsorship contracts and relations as multiplies this task by two while riding mountain bikes in the summer and also skiing professionally in the winter.



The worlds of Freeride skiing and mountain biking have many paralles, which may or may not be advantageous to a dual-sport athlete. We had an opportunity to talk with Mike recently about these two sports and what unique challenges he faces by shedding the dirt and snow.

Decline: How long have you been mountain biking?
Mike Hopkins: Like most kids, I have been riding a bike ever since I could walk. I think it’s just the natural progression of efficiency, crawling to walking, walking to running, running to biking, then you turn 16, pass your drivers license and the game changes. In ’96 my dad put my brother and I face-to-face with the likes of Myles Rockwell, John Tomac, and an odd-smelling Missy Giove sporting her questionably organic piranha necklace, during the Grundig World Cup in Vernon. That was the catalyst. Since that enlightening encounter, I haven’t been able to put down a bike.



How long have you been skiing?
In Rossland there’s a pretty minimal selection of festivities to keep one entertained. Making your own entertainment was the objective from day one. Having Red Mountain right on our back doorstep kept the endless energy of our youth at bay. My mom put my brother and I in the Red Mountain Race program at the early age of seven. From the moment I finished my premiere race, all my efforts went into winning races, climbing the ranks and, of cours, beating my brother. This was the case until I laid a very dilated set of pupils on the motion picture 13, which instantly skewed my motivation. The new goal/obsession became to grace the silver screen jumping in helicopters, and tearing down the mountains across the world. This pursuit was a long and tedious one. It wasn’t until I shoes to vacate the varsity campus in my second year, when the snowball began to roll. I entered all the IFSA (International Freeski Association) events in Canada, placed really well and ended up winning the Canadian Freeski Overall Title in my rookie year. I took full advantage of the moment, caught the eye of a few sponsors, signed with Rossignol, and for the past few years my winters consist of bouncing around North America and Europe, dodging avalanches, competin, filming and shooting. So in a roundabout way of answering “How long have I been skiing?”…18 years—five as a pro.

Where is your favorite place to ski?
Red Mountain, B.C. or Courmayeur, Italy. I enjoy all aspects of skiing, but these two resorts are (in my opinion) the ultimate playground. Amazing snow quality, and riddled with natural features—pillows, cliffbands, perfectly pitch trees…the list goes on. It’s like being the star of your own reality-based video game.



Where is your favorite place to MTB?
I wouldn’t necessarily say I have a favorite location to ride because every spot has its strengths. However, I recently took a trip to the Sunshine Coast to ride with the boys in the Coastal Crew (thecoastalcrew.com), and I have to say, I may have stumbled into the ultimate area to spin wheels. This saturated wonderland infuses beautiful loamy trails backdropped by old growth forests that only the coast can boast—lofty big bike jump lines, pumptracks papered to perfection…the list is endless. Ultimately British Columbia on a whole is an amazing place to live and ride: Fast and flowing in Kamploops, the leg shattering epics of Rossland, tight and technical in Nelson, Whistler, Fernie, Silverstar…too many overwhelming options.

Do you prefer one sport over the other?
At this point in my career, my focus is teetering towards biking. The sport is relatively young, leaving the door for influence wide open. It is an interesting period; new accomplishments are being achieved everyday, in each aspect of the sport. This being the case, it is something I really want to be a part of. I have a great team and program when it comes to skiing, but I feel that my position in the bike industry has opened doors that are still locked in the ski industry.



Is it easy to switch from one sport to the other?
The transition from one sport to the other is actually, relatively easy. The two sports are more complimentary than some may think. The mindset and mental approach are seeming identical. The same principles apply, looking ahead, weight distribution, line choice, etc…From a physical aspect, it’s a balance between muscle memory, and keeping the proper muscle groups fit. Spring is hands-down the most demanding time of the year for me. I am working to wrap up ski commitments, all while trying to get jump on my bike training. This overlap sometimes involves both ski and bike shoots in the same day, which makes it difficult, but I have been told I have an overabundant amount of energy, so it keeps the entertainment level high. The two sports are really complimentary to each other.

Was being a dual-sport athlete initiated by the geography of where you live?
I owe a lot to growing up in British Columbia, and Rossland for that matter (Well played Mom and Dad). All the staples for getting to where I am today are due to the environment I grew up in. From winters spent traveling amidst the seemingly endless number of resorts with my mom and the race team, to road tripping with my brother and friends in the summers, each step had a hand in shaping where I stand now. Living in B.C. there is a vast abundance of ski hills, backcountry terrain, heli operations, trail networks, riding societies…it is an actively outdoor-fueled atmosphere. Rather than playing video games, we spent out time hurtling down mountains. I feel very fortunate living among the infinite natural outlets that I now have the pleasure of calling my office. Stoked!

Do you think being a dual-sport athlete gives you an advantage over single sport athletes?
I think it is a disadvantage. Athletes competing at the professional level focus solely on advancing their skills in that given sport. For example, a lot of pro mountain bikers, make their way to California or New Zealand to escape the winter downtime, and vice versa for skiing. When I finish skiing in the Spring I have a very short period before the biking season begins. In this given time frame, I have to diligently train to get my riding up to speed with those who have been riding year round. That’s what makes doing both sports so difficult, in the “catch up” period at the beginning o each season. Ultimately, a day will come where I will have to pick one sport, because maintaining a professional level of performance in tow sports will not be feasible—but for the time being I am living the dream on multiple levels, and don’t plan on handling either over anytime soon.



Do you feel more accomplished at one sport than the other?
I feel that my riding career is really starting to take shape, and follow the path that I had hoped. I have had great opportunities come my way through both sponsors and relationships I have developed over the years. I have had “great success” in previous years, and timing seems to have always been on my side. Now I am looking at 2010, and it’s sure to be the biggest season to date. We will finally see the project I have poured the past two and half years into, with the release of the much anticipated feature bike film Life Cycles. This accompanied by the web projects I have in the works, the debut of Tam Forde’s new film Brighter, along with the addition of the usual ad and editorial content, it’s lining up to be pretty outstanding year.

My skiing career has had its peaks and valleys, being such a weather dependent sport, things do not always manifest as we would hope. Shoots get weathered out, snow conditions fail, avalanche danger limits terrain…the list of factors when dealing with winter is endless. Luckily I have great sponsors and have surrounded myself with amazing people who understand the complexities o working in the industry. I have been brainstorming with the team at Rossignol for 2011 and we’re looking to add new perspective and style to sub-alpine skiing.