Johnny Collinson

USA

Right from day one I was on skis. Mom and Dad would throw me in a pack and go skiing. Once I was old enough to stand on my own pair the addiction started. By the time I was 4 I had skied every run in bounds at Snowbird ski resort. My sister Angel and I were incubated in the mountains year round, winters at Snowbird, and summers in an old blue van. This fostered an undying love for our surroundings. We would learn the names of all the plants and animals, and every peak in whatever range we were exploring. We lived out of the van or a tent in the summer until I was 14, when dad got a summer job. Our summer adventures slowed down to support our winter ones. I quit ski racing at age 15, and began freeskiing, my true passion. While ski racing I would travel to all the races, and miss my start while my friends and I skied the terrain park. Dad noticed this, and put me on the Snowbird Freeride team, thus giving me the chance to still travel and freeski. Living in employee housing doesn't give us, a family of four, much extra space. Angel and I share a 5x12 closet that acts as a bedroom (dad's favorite joke is that we still haven't come out of the closet), but that hasn't slowed us down. Angel started to ski race at an international level about the same time I started on a mission to be the youngest person to climb the highest peak on each continent, the seven summits. I finished my goal within 1 year, skiing three of the summits, Denali in Alaska, Elbrus in Russia and the Vinson Massif in Antarctica. I was able to travel around the world, learning and experiencing cultures from each continent. After finishing my quest in January 2010, I came home to compete in all of the Junior Freeskiing Tour events, winning the overall title. I feel so lucky to be able to call Snowbird home, living right at the resort to go out and ski every day. Definitely living the dream.

Birthday? March 29, 1992

Year you first started skiing? When I was about 2.

Three skiing achievements you are most proud of? Filming for the Sherpas Cinemas movie All.I.Can., winning a backcountry.com Sickbird buckle, enjoying everyday I get on skis-it's not going to last forever.

Memory/story of the first time you ever went skiing? I don't have much of a memory back then, but I do remember the first time I decided I wanted to ski the rest of my life. I was at a ski race in Idaho and my team had built a road gap. One other racer was hitting it, and I just remember the feeling of landing a trick and being so stoked, I wanted that feeling of progression and stoke to last forever, so I'm trying to keep that going everyday.

Favorite skiing area and why? I've got to say Alta/Snowbird. I grew up in Little Cottonwood, and I know the resorts better than the back of my hand. Good jump spots, fresh pow, everything. And after months on the road it's always nice to go home, ski the runs I know with local friends, and just be able to totally relax.

Best skiing experience? Its almost like I have short term memory loss, because I think after every powder day of jump session I say it was the best day ever.

Worst skiing experience? Don't really have any of those...

What's your dream trip? Where? With who? Dream trip... just got home from Japan. That was pretty dreamy, so I guess a fully comped AK trip, free heli in deep pow, stable conditions with the Dubsatch crew!

Guilty pleasure? Eating ice cream from the carton with a fork. Tastes so much better.

BD gear you use every time you go skiing? Everyday I ride the AMPerage ski, boundary poles, Virago mitt, and throw a Guide probe, Transfer shovel and sandwich into my Agent AvaLung pack.

Something that annoys you while skiing? Wet chairlift seats. Such a bummer. Then when you try to wipe it off the gomer puts the bar down, smacks your head and almost makes you fall off. That's pretty annoying.

What/who inspires you in skiing? My dad and sister are my biggest influences. I grew up skiing with both of them, my dad being an Old School Wasatch badass, and still skis nearly everyday keeping us safe at the Bird. And my sister, everyone knows, rips super hard, so it's really fun to get to ski with her when we have the chance.

Favorite après-ski meal? A big ol' bloody steak next a pile of pasta with a tall glass of chocolate milk to wash it down.

Favorite skiing flick? Hot Dog.

What's in your iPod? I got everything, but I mostly listen to that hip-hop, and a little rock and roll never hurt either.

Strangest place you've ever woken up? Earth.

Strangest person you've ever woken up with? Whoa... myself probably.

Three things you'd never roadtrip without? iPhone, wallet and  skateboard.

Superstitions? Right ski always on the right foot.

What's your dream job? Exactly what I'm doing.

How are you training when you are not skiing? I like to climb a lot, run, just got into biking a little, and closer to ski season lifting weights.

If you could steal one thing and not get caught, what would it be? A new snowmobile.

If you could have dinner with three people (dead or alive) who would they be? My mom, my dad, my sister.

Do you have any tattoos or piercings? Yep, one.