Jason Mack

I was raised in Vermont skiing at Mt.Tom and Suicide Six near Woodstock. I went off to college in Gunnison, Colorado at Western State very close to Crested Butte. That's where I fell in love with steep skiing. Shortly thereafter, I ended up in Lake Tahoe and Squaw Valley where I have been for the last twenty years. I competed in the early days of “Extreme Contests", against the likes of Dean Conway, Doug Combs, and Brant Moles. I wrapped that up in '98 and have been mechanized ski guiding in Alaska ever since. In 2009 I guided for Ice Axe Expeditions on the first Antarctic Ski Cruise and will be returning this Nov. for round two. I'm very proud to have been sponsored by Volkl for the last fifteen years. Thanks guys!

Nickname:
J. Mack
Twitter:
@tahoemack
Height
5' 9"
Date of Birth:
August 25 1970
Nationality:
American
Hometown:
Truckee, California

Hobbies:
Mountain biking, parenting, cooking
Most important contest results or achievements in your ski career:
Eleven years guiding for Points North Heli Adventures.
Life Motto:
An insatiable appetite for glory leads to sacrifice and death, but innate instinct leads to self-preservation and life. Jose Marti
Sponsors:
Volkl, Marker, Technica, Smith Optics, Columbia Sports Wear, Black Diamond, Santa Cruz Bicycles.
Home mountain:
Squaw Valley, USA.
What is your favorite ski in 2011/2012 Collection?
Volkl Shiro 193cm
Short statement about why you like this ski:
The Shiro stable at speed yet quick and playful in the steep technical terrain.
What conditions do you use this ski for?
Any soft snow day.
What other skis in the 2011/2012 collection do you ride?
Katanas and Nunataqs
Can you tell us a little about each pair of skis, and about what sort of conditions you use them for?
I love it when a ski is refined over many years. The latest Katana is perfection. In a 190 they have been my every day ski at Squaw for all conditions accept hard pack. I'm really excited to be taking the Nunataqs to Antarctica with me this November 2011. With Gotama design in a lighter body they will be perfect touring/mountaineering skis.
What about bindings? What bindings do you use? And where do you mount them?
I use Jester Pros on Shiros, Dukes on Katanas, and F12's on Nunataqs. I generally mount my bindings 1.5cm forward of the standard line. I do this for a more balanced feel in steep terrain.
What DIN do you have your bindings on?
12 or less. Think smooth
Favorite skier:
Tom Day
Ski hero growing up:
Rob and Eric DesLauriers
Ideal day in the mountains:
Four friends in the heli after cold clear night
How would you describe your style:
No way, you're the man.
Your biggest breakthrough in your skiing career.
Getting my son to ski KT 22 by age 3
Favorite place to ride:
Chute 75
Best snow trip:
2009 Antarctic Ski Cruise. Thanks Doug!
What age did you start to ski:
4
What can't you live without:
My aero press coffee maker
Favorite phone App.
Cut the Rope
Goals and plans:
To keep doing what I'm doing for as long as I can.