For our fourth interview of the Frame of Mind Series, we spoke with Solitude Ambassador Harrison Hogan Holley. Harrison is hands-down one of the nicest guys you’ll find on the mountain and is very much responsible for helping the Spread Stoke crew fall in love with Solitude Mountain Resort. Born and raised in Park City, Utah, Harrison grew up competing in freestyle moguls on the Park City Freestyle Team. He then started competing on the Freeskiing World Tour and continues to compete on the Freeride World Tour this season. Between competitions and work, he also spends all season making us drool with his pow shots on Instagram.

Harrison Hogan Holley at Solitude, Utah | Photographer: Eric Dyer

Spread Stoke: Where is your hometown?

Harrison: Park City, Utah.

SS: Who can you usually find yourself on a chairlift with?

Harrison: My good buddy Eric Dyer aka Derr, Benny Mikes, the Spread Stoke ladies or any other members of the Solitude MYST.

SS: Conditioning off the mountain is an essential element to performance on the mountain.  Do you have any training techniques (whether physical or mental) you would like to share?

Harrison: Hate on it as much as you want, but CrossFit has gotten me in the best shape of my life. I haven’t been to any other gym other than Alpenfit in Park City so maybe other gyms fit the “bro” mold that is associated with CrossFit’s negative image, but the coaches at Alpenfit are nothing short of amazing! They focus on knowledge and progress in life outside the gym, making you a better athlete in whatever discipline you enjoy. If you want to get in shape for skiing give it a shot, I swear by it.

SS: What’s been the most challenging aspect of being an athlete?

Harrison: The mental aspect of competitions is by far the most challenging aspect. Nerves can really take over when you are competing. I always say that the worst feeling in the world is standing on top of a comp venue waiting for your start and the best feeling ever is being at the bottom after stomping a good line. Focusing on skiing and having fun in comps always seems to help me ski better.

Harrison Hogan Holley at Solitude, Utah | Photographer: Eric Dyer

SS: Besides shredding the white wintry wave, what else do you enjoy doing?

Harrison: In the summer I love to mountain bike and whitewater raft. Mountain biking helps me keep in shape and there is nothing like rafting to help escape reality.

SS: What is your life motto?

Harrison: “Send it before you send it”. The phrase was created while on tour with my good buddies Connor Pelton and Connery Lundin. It basically means don’t let the present hold you back from the future or vice versa, live life to the fullest, do it all!

SS: What fuel goes into your body before and after a day on the hill?

Harrison: Before skiing: Coffee and a smoothie. After skiing: Beer and mostly pizza.

SS: What does skiing do for your soul?

Harrison: I love getting away from crowds by exploring the mountains which is often the case while skiing (especially since there are no crowds at Solitude), but I don’t see skiing as anything ‘spiritual’ like many people talk it up to be. I think it was a quote in an old TGR or Matchstick movie that said something like “everyone talks skiing up to be this spiritual cleanse, but I look at it more of a funny concept that we hike up a mountain just to go back down and if we are lucky we will have sh!t hit us in the face the whole way down”. I guess I always try to keep things light and comical while on the hill. I’m not very mature.

Harrison Hogan Holley at Grand Targhee, Wyoming | Photographer: Jasper Gibson

SS: Solitude, it’s all in the name.  What are some of your favorite attributes of Solitude and how is it unique from other Utah resorts?

Harrison: More powder per person. There is never the powder panic you get at other resorts where people freak out, push and shove, cram like sardines into trams or track an entire mountain out in an hour. The overall atmosphere is laid back and fun, which is exactly what skiing should be. You can ski untracked snow in Honeycomb days after a storm or get into some of the steepest most challenging inbounds terrain offered anywhere in the world.  If you disagree go hike Fantasy Ridge.

SS: What goes through your mind before, during and after executing or capturing a technical line or feature?

Harrison: Before: Nerves. During: Blackout and/or concentration, I usually can’t remember. After: Stoke! Or a need for redemption. Or, where are my skis?

SS: When you’re not on the hill or working out, what can we most likely find you doing?

Harrison: I bartend at Highwest, so come stop by and grab a delicious Old Fashioned from me and I’ll tell you how much better of a skier I am than you. Just kidding. But really, the Old Fashions are delicious!

SS: Let’s talk 2017 Goals: What can we expect from you for the rest of the year?

Harrison: #1: Stay healthy. #2: Ski often. #3: Defend my title at the PCMR Chinese Downhill.

SS: As athletes, you serve as role models in the outdoor industry.  Any advice, reflections or ideas on the types of things you would like see the outdoor industry strive for?

Harrison: Being from Utah, I would love to see the state recognize the value of its open spaces. This article by Black Diamond Founder, Peter Metcalf perfectly sums up my point.

Harrison Hogan Holley at Solitude, Utah | Photographer: Eric Dyer

SS: What’s bumpin’ in your earbuds?

Harrison: I like my beats like I like my cereal, crunchy.

SS: Spread Stoke’s values are: Do what you love, leave this world a better place than you found it, and spread stoke to those around you.  How do you demonstrate these values?

Harrison: On the mountain I always strive to be the person who brings the morale of the group up. That may be pumping a buddy up on a cool line or most often cracking terrible jokes. Everyone talks about not leaving a footprint on the world insinuating a footprint is a bad thing. I think everyone should strive to leave a footprint on the Earth, but have that footprint be an improvement in whatever you enjoy.

SS: Do you have any shout-outs to sponsors?

Harrison: Sego Ski Co., Soul Poles, Solitude Mountain Resort and Spread Stoke for putting this together. Looking at the list above, I guess anyone else that has a company that starts with an “S” please contact me for sponsorship.

We hope you enjoyed our Frame of Mind interview! Be sure to say “What’s up!” to Harrison on the hill this season and give him a follow on Instagram @harhoghol (seriously though, he ALWAYS gets the shot!).

Stay tuned for our next Frame of Mind interview. If you know someone who should be featured, let us know.

Solitude Mountain Resort is putting on a killer series for the Women of Winter this year. Here is an updated calendar featuring some incredible events to take advantage of in 2015! Cheers to a great 2015 and lots more snow this season! Happy New Year! Pre-register here.

For 3 consecutive seasons, she’s been an elusive mistress who seemingly left her devotees abandoned to dwell in a land of dry and warm uncertainty. We were left wondering if she’d ever return. There were stories passed from locals to newly relocated transplants, sharing tales from when she was basking us in her glory, blanketing us in a blower heaven. There were non-believers, those that didn’t believe in the possibility of her return. The faithfully blind, almost to a fault, had nearly caved into the dark despair that the glory days were gone for good. But then it happened …

With the daunting high pressure ridge haunting Utah’s Cottonwood Canyons shunned into hiding, the magical snow machine of the Wasatch has returned and bestowed her beloved rage upon us. With a perfectly cooled 0-15 degree breath of fresh air, she blew in over 3 feet of snow last week and laughter was spread far and wide. Screams of joy were shouted from perfectly angled tree lines. Shouts of glee echoed across the ridge lines. Giggles, uncontrollable, heard from those who found themselves back in Trenchtown, USA.

She’s back, for now. Beg pardon for whatever work you might miss. Do whatever needs to be done to push aside the burn in your legs. Forgo the tempting distractions and responsibilities that will lead you astray.

Let your heart guide you into mountains and follow your soul into her lair.

Kevin Smith at Solitude Resort, Utah. Photo: Eric Dyer

Casey Sowul at Solitude. Photo: Eric Dyer

Tori Sowul at Solitude. Photo: Eric Dyer

Kevin Smith at Solitude. Photo: GoPro

]]> http://spreadstoke.com/snow/skiing-wasatch-snow-machine-utah/feed/ 0 http://spreadstoke.com/snow/international-womens-ski-day-solitude-resort/ http://spreadstoke.com/snow/international-womens-ski-day-solitude-resort/#comments Thu, 04 Dec 2014 03:54:23 +0000 http://spreadstoke.com/?p=3921 Living in a ski town is amazing for many many reasons. You get to skip school on powder days. You get to be surrounded by incredible people who are willing to live on couches, out of cars, and survive on PB & Js in order to follow storms across the country in their beat, but adored, Subarus. You ‘get’ what it is to be obsessed with the mountains and will do anything (including bail on relationships, career climbing opportunities, and steady cashflow) in order to make sure you’re able to take full advantage of every single damn winter! I know, sounds like paradise, right? There is a small dilemma that comes with most mountain towns – and dudes have known this for years! They know that it’s not easy to find a plethora of ladies around town. Generally, this has certainly been in our (I’m speakin’ for the gals here) massive favor when it comes to dating. But – there’s more to it than that. Lookin’ for fellow female comrades to shred with on a daily basis can be tough, intimidating, and sometimes, downright frustrating. I’ve spent most of my life skiing with guys – and I love every damn one of them. Then there are days that are extra special,  spent with my best girlfriends on the mountain while laughing, dancing, being silly, pushing each other harder than they boys, giving each other endless shit when we crash, talkin’ smack on the chair lifts. But, to be honest, meeting and connecting with other female riders can be tough when jobs, kids, sleeper pow days, boys and everything else in life gets in the freakin’ way. That’s why International Women’s Ski Day is super exciting! Solitude Mountain Resort is hosting a massively awesome “Women of Winter” series and they are kicking it off with International Women’s Ski Day. This is the perfect excuse to get your butt out on the slope and meet some new friends, get a little wild with fellow female athletes, and simply celebrate being a chic. Below are details on the entire W.O.W series. Spread Stoke will be up at Soli next weekend for International Women’s Ski Day. So come say hi and meet the crew. For more information on the incredible Women of Winter (W.O.W) Series that Solitude is putting on the entire season, check out their schedule of events here. ]]>

Living in a ski town is amazing for many many reasons. You get to skip school on powder days. You get to be surrounded by incredible people who are willing to live on couches, out of cars, and survive on PB & Js in order to follow storms across the country in their beat, but adored, Subarus. You ‘get’ what it is to be obsessed with the mountains and will do anything (including bail on relationships, career climbing opportunities, and steady cashflow) in order to make sure you’re able to take full advantage of every single damn winter! I know, sounds like paradise, right?

There is a small dilemma that comes with most mountain towns – and dudes have known this for years! They know that it’s not easy to find a plethora of ladies around town. Generally, this has certainly been in our (I’m speakin’ for the gals here) massive favor when it comes to dating. But – there’s more to it than that. Lookin’ for fellow female comrades to shred with on a daily basis can be tough, intimidating, and sometimes, downright frustrating. I’ve spent most of my life skiing with guys – and I love every damn one of them. Then there are days that are extra special,  spent with my best girlfriends on the mountain while laughing, dancing, being silly, pushing each other harder than they boys, giving each other endless shit when we crash, talkin’ smack on the chair lifts. But, to be honest, meeting and connecting with other female riders can be tough when jobs, kids, sleeper pow days, boys and everything else in life gets in the freakin’ way. That’s why International Women’s Ski Day is super exciting!

Solitude Mountain Resort is hosting a massively awesome “Women of Winter” series and they are kicking it off with International Women’s Ski Day. This is the perfect excuse to get your butt out on the slope and meet some new friends, get a little wild with fellow female athletes, and simply celebrate being a chic. Below are details on the entire W.O.W series. Spread Stoke will be up at Soli next weekend for International Women’s Ski Day. So come say hi and meet the crew.

For more information on the incredible Women of Winter (W.O.W) Series that Solitude is putting on the entire season, check out their schedule of events here. 

For the last three years Utah has seemed to be on the short list from old man winter.  Its hard during these lack of snow winters to stay motivated.  Long high pressures dominate this once wintery wonderland.  Finding motivation to get out and do anything can be hard.  You just get in a slump and find yourself talking about the good old days and trying to remember what a powder day is like.  That’s when you just need to call a friend and go for a walk somewhere in the Mountains.

The Wasatch mountains always have something for you to do and good snow is to be had.  Today a few of us from MtnRanks decided to go poke around in Big Cottonwood canyon.  The moment we pulled into the trail head our spirits were lifted, we put our skins on and started to tour up through the woods.

The sun was shinning, the birds chirping and the comforting silence of the wild filled our ears.  No expectations, we just went a direction to see where we’d end up.  Happy to be outside, skiing was the last things on our minds.  Shooting some photos and enjoying the sun, we geared up and skied back down to the road.  To our surprise the snow was awesome, creamy and shredable.  So next time you are waiting on it to snow, maybe the snow is waiting on you.