Monster Army Captain Ben Smith is the new Athlete of the Week. Ben has had quite an impressive season. Ben has been competing in the Rev Tour series, the North Face Park and Pipe series, and had an impressive showing at the Carinthia Freeski Open. Ben took home 2nd place at the North Face Park and Pipe series in Stratton Mountain, VT, and also took home 2nd place at the Carinthia Freeski Open a few weeks ago.
Who influences you and why?
-The people that influence me the most are mainly my good friends
that I have grown up with, or typically hang out with most of the time. They
just push me, and help me to kinda shut off the mindwhile skiing, and let the
body take over.
What/ Who inspired you to ski?
-I think that my dad had a huge
role in me skiing. I wasn't allowed to even ski park until I was about 8 years
old, so naturally I always wanted to ski park really bad. But the more I lookback on it I'm
glad I have a background of skiing moguls, and just freeskiing. Then there was
Chris Logan and P White. They inspired me to stay in the park, and have helped
me get to where I am today.
What are your proudest moments/
accomplishments in 2013/2014?
-Some of my proudest moments have
been getting 2nd at the NFPPO in Stratton, and 2nd at the Carinthia Open. Also
probably my proudest moment would be skinning to the top of Breck under the
full moon with a buddy and getting to ski down with that natural light. That
was sick.
What part of your riding are you
looking to improve upon most this season?
-I'm looking to improve on my
backcountry skiing. Its crazy how much harder it is to hit a jump you build
just out on the mountain. Everything is so perfect in the park, so hitting
jumps and doing tricks kinda becomes second nature. But hitting a backcountry
jump can be quite scary. So I just want to be out there and see what I can do,
try to improve my skiing, and jumping in the BC.
Have you had to overcome any
challenges that made skiing an obstacle at times? (i.e. Injuries, support)
-Yea defiantly. When I was 13 years
old I broke my Tibia, Fibula, growth plate, and tore my patella tendon. That
was a really hard one to get over. Being 13 I didn't really know what could
happen. But I'd say it has made me a safer skier, and made me realize that if
you want to be at a certain level then you have to work your ass off, it doesn't
just come to you. Oh and any other challenges.. High school for sure, can't
wait to be done. Haha
What is your daily routine and how
do you prepare yourself for a day of skiing?
-Usually I wake up around 8:00am
and look outside my window to see what kinda day It's going to be. Then I shower, plan out the day and organize my thoughts. After that I make some breakfast, usually bacon, eggs and hashbrowns. If It's a quick morning then I eat cereal or waffles.
Then I play some obnoxiously loud music while I get ready to go skiing haha.
Once I'm ready I grab a Monster and head up to Breck or Keystone. After
skiing, I'm usually just hanging out, or at Crossfit Breck. Then its dinner,
maybe some school work, and time to relax.
Where would you like to see
yourself inthe next few years?
-Man, I'd like to see myself
skiing, getting to travel and let skiing take me to places I would never get to
see otherwise. I also hope to have a little bit of college under my belt, and
just be happy, never stress to much and just love life. Have my home base be
out of Summit, and just surround myself with good people.
When I'm not skiing you can find me
____________________?
Skating, Crossfit Breck, or in the woods depending on the season.
Who would you like to thank?
-I'd like to thank the Monster
Army, My Family, Rossignol, Electric, Tomahawk International, Carinthia Parks,
Bern Unlimited, Phunkshun Wear, Full Tilt Boots, Jimbo, Matt, and Ania. You
guys are the best.
Follow Ben:
Insta @ xben_smithx
