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Locals Know Best: Tyler Ceccanti

tyler

Photo courtesy of K2 Skis

Sponsors: K2Full TiltSmithDakineSpyderMarker and Crystal Mountain

Tyler Ceccanti is one of those quickly-adapting powder skiers from the Pacific Northwest who could probably beat you down the mountain on any ski you handed him. Since he grew up two-planking at Washington’s bountiful Crystal Mountain, and still calls it home today, Tyler is a perfect example of the up-and-coming powder hounds the Cascade Range continues to produce. Here’s what he’s been up to lately…

J: We were stoked to hear of your new webisode project with Chris King – what’s the lowdown?

T: It’s been a slow start to the season with all the warm weather but recently I met up with Chris to start filming our new series: Travelers. We’re going to release one webisode a month and get as much park and backcountry filming as possible to keep the interweb fiendsters entertained. The show will be very focused on what it’s like skiing in Washington, what with all the amazing snow and lack of credit for local skiers, photographers and filmers. We want to give people an idea how much work goes into daylong shoots that are often for one simple shot. I’ve also been shooting with Ian Coble quite a bit – he’s the man. We’ve got some unique shots lined up for this season that I’m really excited to see turn out.

J: You grew up in one of the best playgrounds a kid could ask for. How has the Northwest shaped your skiing and the way you perceive the sport?

T: I give a lot of credit to the race program at Crystal in terms of shaping my style. It gave me the ability to charge across the entire mountain and made me a better all around skier. Racing made me unafraid of speed and taught me to push myself. As soon as I ventured into the BC I found a new creativity in my skiing and kept pushing myself through the Alaska-like lines that are so easily accessible. There’s so much out there…

J: How did you decide to turn your passion into a career?

T: I did my first big mountain competition at 13 up at Crystal even though they didn’t have a junior category. I got 5th, and somehow influenced the program to add a division for younger skiers. A couple of years later I got invited to do a photo shoot with K2 Skis – I met those dudes and then moved to High North to work for a season and have been with them ever since. It’s always a battle staying in the circuit with all the young skiers that are coming up, but I’ve been pushing hard since I was 16 and don’t intend to slow down anytime soon.

J: We’ve seen a lot of changes in ski design over the past ten years. Explain how new shapes have changed the game for you?

T: Looking back, Seth Morrison blew my mind in Focused around the time that K2 dropped the first Seth Pro skis. They were so fat. Skiing switch really changed my skiing style and exploring the backcountry with fat skis is a game changer. Anybody can ski powder now – people are afraid of big fat rocker profiles but I can fully lay out carves on a Hellbent. Being a part of a company like K2 has been great because they push the limits of what new gear is capable of.

Photo courtesy of Smith Optics

Photo courtesy of Smith Optics

J: I noticed you made it out to the Prospecting Idaho zone with Smith Optics – tell us a bit about their setup.

T: Last year I was invited out to their zone and I’m really stoked to go back up there this season. Smith just built a huge yurt up top so we can stay in the middle of their private backcountry zone, but they’ve also got cabin at the Smiley Creek base. Anyone from Smith gets access – it’s genius. I don’t get to ski with those guys as often as I’d like, so it’s great having 900 acres to ourselves when I do – and a cat. We can build anything we want up there.  Instead of spending all day building with shovels, we can set up a private park for ourselves by the early afternoon.

J: With all that new gear and the footage available online, more and more people are venturing into the backcountry – especially here in the NW. What advice or concerns would you offer up to the courageous newcomer who seeks the next level of powder skiing?

T: You definitely have to be prepared. I think all resorts should make the basic gear necessary for going into the BC (beacon, shovel and probe). More and more people are going back there – it’s crazy how fast it gets tracked out now and these guys don’t even know what they’re getting themselves into. That terrain should be accessible for any prepared skier, but I see people go back there with rental gear and just shake my head. I know I’m at least prepared, but I don’t want to have to dig someone out that has no gear and less common sense. Too many people are dying and I just hope we can all take it as seriously as it is.