One of the coolest things about skiing is how varied it is. Racing between icy gates and tearing down open powder fields are both technically the same sport, but in terms of the types of people who do them and the approach they take, the two couldn’t be more different. Lycra-clad slalom racers have about as much in common with freeskiers as road bike riders do with BMXers.
Despite this, however, it’s interesting how many skiers cross over from one to another. Patagonia ambassador Piers Solomon certainly isn’t the first freeskier to have started off as a racer. But there aren’t many who have made the transition with such style. Have a look a his latest video part ‘Solitary’ below and you’ll see what we mean.
Born in Switzerland to an American mother and a British father, Piers started racing at a young age. His UK citizenship meant he was eligible to race in the British national championships, and his Swiss upbringing (“kids are just taught how to ski at a young age,” he tells us) meant he stood out from the crowd. He soon found himself picked for the British National Children’s team, and a potential career in ski racing beckoned.
