Top 25 Skiers: Hugo Harrison

SKIING’s interview with Hugo Harrison, one of North America’s top 25 skiers, and probably the best skier you’ve never heard of.

Name: Hugo Harrison

Hometown: Whistler, B.C.

Age: 23

Age when you started skiing: I started when I was four years old.

Where you learned to ski? Matane, Quebec

When did it hit you that you could become a pro skier? I’ve done manyfreeskiing events in the past three years and last season I won the IFSA World Tour. That’s when it hit me.

Current ski mountain: Whistler

Claim to fame/results: I twice won the freeskiing event during the World Ski and Snowboard Festival at Whistler and, like I said, I also won the 2000 IFSA World Tour.

Any pets? I have a dog, Chowchow.

Favorite food: Pasta

Beverage of choice: Molson Export

Favorite band: Bob Marley

Are you religious? Yes

What kind of car do you drive? Eagle Vista 4X4

Do you have a ski hero? Who? Why? Jeremy Nobis — he’s very fast and fluid.

Movies you’ve been in: RIDE,this fall’s Warren Miller film.

Pastimes off the hill: Mountain biking

Plans for the future: I want to ski for as long as I can.

What are your thoughts on the state of the ski industry? I think the ski industry has changed a lot in the last few years, and that snowboarding has brought with it a lot of new ideas and the ski industry has used them and has continued to evolve. Change is good!!!

Do you think fat skis are a game-improvement tool or a crutch? They’re the best gift the ski industry ever gave to the skiers.

Skiboarders… shoot ’em, or hug ’em? Like I said before about snowboarding, they will only help the ski industry.