An Interview with the Buzz Kid: Justin Dorey

SkiNet:

A lot of your peers are saying you are the skier to watch this season. What do you say?

Justin Dorey:

I am flattered. In 2006, I entered the open qualifiers for the WSI halfpipe competition and ended up winning the whole thing. It was a total fluke. My home mountain, Silver Star (in Vernon, BC) doesn’t have a pipe.

SN:

What happened after that?

JD:

Everyone wanted me to ski pipe and I didn’t really enjoy it until something clicked and I realized how much potential pipe skiing had. There are eight different ways to approach each trick, which makes so many combinations of runs. Pipe skiing is a lot more creative than slopestyle.

SN:

What are your goals for this season?

JD:

I am more excited than ever, more confident than ever. I had surgery for a torn meniscus this summer, but it went well and will not affect my performance this year. My goal for this season is to have consistent top 3 finishes in every competition.

SN:

What do you think about the DEW Tour’s entry into winter sports?

JD:

I’m stoked. It is exactly what we need. Three more events in addition to the X Games gives skiing much needed mainstream exposure.

SN:

What do you think about the format?

JD:

I think the point system is good because you can’t win the overall if you win one then lose one. You have to be good consistently.

SN:

Of the new crop of skiers, who are the ones to watch this year?

JD:

There is a whole new crop of kids every year. Even here at the (Breck) DEW Tour, there are kids that I have never seen or heard of before that are good enough to win the whole thing. I think the amount of talent makes it really exciting. I think its good motivation and keeps the sport fresh.

SN:

Besides comps, what are your big plans for this winter?

JD:

I am shooting with Level 1 this winter, but competitions are my main focus.

SN:

Is there anything you are really into at the moment?

JD:

Ping Pong is my favorite sport outside of skiing.