Michal Smrz

Czech Republic

I did my first steps on skis very early on, at about age of 4 or 5 when my father just cut some adult's skis so that they fit my size then, repositioned a binding and took me out there on a slope. Since then I'm skier and I've been skiing every time when conditions were skiing-friendly over there in Czech Republic from where I originally come. Since I moved to French Alps a while ago, snow conditions stopped being an issue and I can be on almost whole-year-long. Climbing came a bit later for me, during my studies at grammar school and I totally fell into it. As the time flew I've continuously became a pure bouldering junkie and this last till nowadays. Travelling and discovering new areas/problems/challenges is my driver and charger of my "body batteries".

Birthday? 06.09.1981

Year you first started at Black Diamond? 2010

Memory/story of your first week at Black Diamond? A lot of German sometimes spiced by the lovely Swiss accent, motivating/helpful team around and some issues with my work permit in Swiss. Simply jump into a deep water and swimming.

What does working at Black Diamond mean to you? Dream coming true and a next logical step of my career. Big motivation.

If you weren't working for Black Diamond, what would you be doing? I'd work for one company from outdoor business in France

Worst job you've ever had? Definitely a month-long struggle at Mc Donald's back in 1998. Pure hell.

Do you have any pets? No, but my brother has a dog (Border Collie) and I really enjoy spending time with her outside. You must spend more time at home if you want to have a pet and be responsible for it and I usually only at home in the evenings.

Favorite sports/activities? I've been bouldering for a couple of years. I love the process of unlocking a problem consisted of moves which seemed to be impossible at the beginning. When conditions are good, then skis are the choice. I also like playing ice-hockey with my friends on frozen ponds during winter time and carting is great fun.

Favorite climbing/skiing area and why? There're a lot of places I like but I must point out Fontainebleau, some areas in Ticino/Swiss and Silvretta in Austria. Ambient environment is very important for me. For skiing I like powder mecca La Grave and Les 2 Alpes where one can find an endless potential of various powder shortcuts.

Best climbing/skiing experience? Every time I solve a problem that I've wanted to solve for a long time. This is by far the best feeling. You're just standing on the top with shaking (often bleeding) hands, out of breath and slowly realizing that you made it.

What's your dream trip? Where? With who? Travelling around the best bouldering/climbing areas worldwide with my girlfriend and simply enjoying bien être. Some stops at the sea side are a must.

Guilty pleasure? I like going out with my best friends and just chatting and drinking beers. But is it a guilty pleasure?

BD gear you use every time you go climbing/skiing? My old Dropzone crashpad. A legend that still lives on.

What/who inspires you? Generally all the people who know what they want and are able to follow their dreams in a naturally non-aggressive way. My own dreams are also what's always driving me forward.

What's in your iPod? I've no iPod. But in terms of music then it's Prague's internet radio called Radio1 where they play everything but mainstream.

Three things you'd never travel without? First I've to say that I'd never travel alone because it must be boring like hell. So the first "thing" is someone who is in the same mode like I'm. Then I always have my pack, a pair of climbing shoes and a chalk bag.

Superstitions? None, nothing to mention here.

What's your dream job? Just see answer nr.4.

If you could have dinner with three people (dead or alive) who would they be? I'm always enjoying dinners with my family, my girlfriend and my best friends. With those people I feel super comfortable. Even better when we're all together. Unfortunately this happens so rarely.

Do you have any tattoos or piercings? No. I've never been interested in either.