At the early age of four, Luke Van Valin clicked into his first pair of skis and everything after that is history. Luke has his hand in many aspects of the skiing community, whether it is throwing down in the park or grabbing the mic and taking on the announcers booth. From filming, to competitions, to magazines, Luke has done it all. Recently he sat down and answered a few questions for the 5’s team.

Luke, what have you been up to this winter and what are your future plans?

This winter I moved out to Dillon, Colorado to live with Pete Olenick, Colby West, Tim Russell, and Simon Dumont for a little change of scenery. So far it’s been quite nice. I spend my weekdays shredding keystone and Breck and I feel that I have my feet back underneath me in the park again. On the weekends, if there is a comp, I usually hop on the microphone for some on-sight or NBC announcing followed by some righteous celebrations. So far with the Dew Tour and everything else, it has been a really fun year and I’m going to Aspen today to get ready for a huge weekend of Winter-X. I’m quite excited.

I don’t really have any future plans, I just want to keep skiing and make occupational choices based on whatever pops up.

When did you start skiing seriously?

I started getting good at skiing about my junior or senior year of high school and after that when I moved to Tahoe and eventually Mammoth, but I wouldn’t say I was ever really too serious. My personality doesn’t do too well when I try to make something fun into something serious.

The ski industry is growing so fast and there are so many up and comers. Who are your idols in skiing right now?

I would say that I Idolize the skiing of Candide Thovex particularly. I have a lot of respect for TJ Schiller’s skiing as well as Simon Dumont’s and T Hall’s. But Candide is like a different animal.

Skiing has changed so much in the past 10 years, where do you think skiing is headed, do you think the progression will slow?

I don’t really know. I can’t possibly imagine that a time could come where an average Joe could see some skier at Mammoth dump a backflip off of top of the world, or witness a kid in the park carve into a floaty switch misty 1080 and not be truly amazed and inspired. To me, that’s what this is all about. It’s not a business or an unsatisfied thirst for something new, it’s skiing. It’s all new.

You have any shout outs you want to give?

Sure, my folks for sure. God for making me able to do all of this and opening the doors. My brothers Tim and Nate. The hometown Crew, My GF Caitlyn, Mr. Chris Eachon for stomping a 3 before me and giving me some hunger, Matt Sterbenz at 4FRNT skis, Josh loubek, Cody Lynge at Orage, GT and Brian Harris at VZ, Jenny Naftalin, Empire, Jimbo Morgan at Skull Candy, TJ, Bibby, Simon, Sammy, Peter, Mikey, T, Candide, Jon Olsson, Timmy, Craig, Stefan, Liam, and all the boys who have inspired me over the years.

This interview was conducted by long-time reader and loyal friend, Mr. Cade Adams, aka The Goat.

Posted by Guest on Saturday, March 28th, 2009 in Snow.

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