Tim Dutton: Freestyle Saved My Life

Tim who? This was the question when a young Squaw Valley loc named Tim Dutton rocked up to the Freeride World Tour last season. Tim finished the FWT10 with a third place finish at the Nissan Freeride de Chamonix by Swatch, an impressive sixth place overall finish, and as the only American to finish in the top 15. Perhaps it’s time we answered that first question.

 

FWT: As a virtual unknown in Europe, how’d you end up on the Freeride World Tour last season?
Tim: It was great to be a part of this event. For us freeride skiers it is the ultimate competition and challenge, so it is an honor to be a part of it. It was an amazing experience getting to ski in Europe and have that caliber of athletes to ride and push the sport with.

 

FWT: So what’s up with the backflips? Isn’t that kind of like showing your friends that you’ve got a bunch of Shakira songs on your iPod?
Tim: Hahahaha. No Shakira I actually can't stand that kind of music. I love doing backflips because they are so much fun. It allows you to look back at whatever you just jumped off and look at it as it passes by. Pretty exciting if you ask me!

 

FWT: Tell us about the Narrow Ass Snowboards you’re on? Shouldn’t you be competing in the snowboard division?

Tim: Oh man, Lib Tech is an awesome company that has the best ideas and is not afraid to give it a go. The POW NAS that I ride has everything a ski could have from the Magne-Traction to the reCURVE technology – it's the one and only. All in all they are skis from my perspective and they deserve their spot in the ski world. It's amazing though what can be learned from their snowboard team. It really puts a new twist on how to get down the mountain when you’re looking through snowboarders’ goggles.

 

 

FWT: Give us the story behind FUN Jumpers.
Tim: FUN Jumpers is a new web series JT and I started with UnofficialSquaw.com to promote fun in action sports. The story is about us and our friends jumping off whatever we can hoping to promote the fun in action sports. Only two done so far but much more to come!

 

 

FWT: You had a great season last year. How will you be approaching the FWT this year?
Tim: Last season was a blast and that is the goal. I ski better when I am out there enjoying the sport for what it is. I know that in this case the world title is at stake, but at the same time the reason all of us were here in the first place was to have fun. I’m going to stick to the basics and see what ideas come of it.

 

FWT: What are your strengths and weaknesses going into the tour?
Tim: I feel that my biggest strength would be my freestyle background. With the tour now a best three out of six format there is some room for error and I could take the gamble and try to get some tricks incorporated into the lines. My biggest weakness I feel would have to be that I am young and do not have the mountain experience that others do. It's one of those things I feel is learned from experience and can't be taught.

 

FWT: What stage are you most looking forward to this year and why?
Tim: Freeriding is a very recognized sport in Europe and is very respected, not so much in the US. Being from the states I look forward to being home with all these other amazing athletes where we can showcase what we do and share it with everyone here. Looking forward to Kirkwood the most. Don't get me wrong though. I love the big Euro mountains, also!

 

 

 

FWT: What’s the importance of the FWT for you?
Tim: The importance of the tour for me would be the progression. People do crazy things when money and world titles are on the line, which does wonders for the sport. Being a part of the tour I get to watch the progression first hand and try to keep up with it. Another huge part is it keeps you on your game, going out there competing against the world’s best in hopes of a title puts you in a great mental state for what ever else comes of the season.

 

FWT: What does skiing mean to you?
Tim: Skiing saved my life, it is my world. Who knows where I would be without it or what kind of person I would be. It's a peace of mind. When the rest of the world is going crazy a pair of skis and some snow just seem to make all the worries disappear for a couple moments.

 Want to know more about Tim? Check out his blog and keep track of him on his Facebook Fan Page!