Carpe Diem!

Colin Puskas
23 years young
Faithfully Supported by Smith, DNA, Dynastar, Look, Lange, Kerma, Fresh Sports, Friends & Family.
Resident of the Canadian Rockies

Winter months find Colin skiing a plethora of mountain ranges, which line the western coast of the Americas, bagging laps on lifts, selfishly polluting our environment with his sled for freshies, or slogging up a mountain only to take in the scenery for a moment before vanishing in a trail of white smoke.







SBC Skier, winter ’04 issue 3, portrays Colin; ghost like, holding an 18 pack of Kokanee, standing on the railroad tracks. Here for present, beer in hand, preparing to move on down the line.

Ski History: Started skiing at ‘Puskapoo’ (now COP) at age 2. By age 17, Colin’s realization of skiings’ freedom prompted the move to work at a resort; where skiing got in work’s way, and patrol got in skiings’ way. There was no choice but to move to the Rockies, where a low level Dynastar sponsorship allowed Colin to “ski more, work less, and still reap the fruitful ski life”. Due to the El Nino winter, “I stuck to the resort … and worked on developing my tricks and style”.





Landscaping during the summer financed a Canadian Avalanche Association Level 1 Ski Ops course, and what looked to be a promising season for Colin to learn the ways of the mountains. This dream was cut short in early February, as Colin became the victim of a halfpipe accident; albeit more serious than most park wrecks, he was heli evacuated and rushed to the hospital for treatment of a broken humerus, and punctured brachial artery. A serious case of hurry up and wait … for like three weeks in the hospital. Not so humorous!







The positive support of friends, and a winters’ worth of thought lead to Colin’s enrolment at Mount Royal … the collage that is. Spending the winter studying business, and gaining an appreciation of the magnitude of nature in and around Rogers Pass. Despite the knowledge and skills gained from touring and sled skiing, gains in sponsorship were minimal for the season.

An early spring, and job turned sour prompted a trip with friend Eric Hjorliefson to Whistler, where Colin’s skills and connections allotted him a trial as a coach for the Camp of Champions. His work ethic and passion for skiing kept him on the glacier for the duration of the summer - “employed and living the dream”.




“With support behind me, the next season proved to be the beginning of my breakout. Armed with determination to prove my presence, and a unique desire to go places on the mountain where others hadn’t, I set out on my path. With neither commitments nor responsibilities to hold me back, I put all my efforts into having fun, and doing as many things possible that season.”







The results of this determination were astounding as Colin received coverage in both films and print. He was deservedly rewarded by his sponsors, allowing him to turn pro.


The commencement of the ‘02/’03 season was fuelled by that same fire that burnt so bright the previous year, but this flame was quickly snuffed out as Colin once again became a statistic in halfpipe injuries. A torn ACL, and surgery to follow put Colin back in school for three semesters. Although set back, skiing had been ingrained deep into Colin’s veins, and, once mobile, he was back in the mountains judging big air, slopestyle, and big mountain events. You can take the redneck out of the bush, but you can’t take the bush out of the redneck.




A winter of recovery and built-up energy placed Colin back on skis for Sunshine’s closing weekend, which was followed by a summer in the Blackomb terrain park. The success of a healthy knee allowed for Colin’s first ski mountaineering trip to Argentina and Chile to begin the filming of his next segment for PFP.

“A new desire and stronger passion fuelling my competitive breath, as well as a greater appreciation for life, have kept me focused on my goal of seizing the day. I’m looking forward to sharing my passion I have for skiing through future video, photos, and articles. Carpe Diem!”


DT – How would you describe your skiing style?
CP – I like to paint my own picture down the mountain; hitting fun features, going fast in spots, and slow in others, being exposed, linking as many drops as possible, big airs … being original.

DT – Where do you find your motivation?
CP – I’m motivated by people with passion, such as P.Y. Leblanc

DT – You have committed to some pretty rowdy lines with severe consequences, how do you deal with fear in those situations?
CP – It is a fun head space getting onto certain lines. You can’t be thinking of the consequences, instead you must be concentrating on all aspects of the line. Focus your energy on success not on failure and thou shall stomp!

DT – What is South America like?
CP – It was like going back to the roots of skiing; people still ski as a family activity for recreation, not for a ‘job’ like us, as there is little to no ski industry. With no avalanche control it was a little sketchy. Locals are not aware of the risks involved with mountains and snow. It can snow three feet and they will have the whole ski area open without avalanche control.

DT – How have injuries affected the way you ski, and think on skis?
CP – I learn from my mistakes, becoming smarter and more calculated, yet still pushing myself. You need to learn how to be like a cat, but on skis.
I have gained an appreciation of my abilities, and realized the importance of a fitness program to keep in proper shape.

DT – Like a cat … but not a pussy!
What are your goals for this season?
CP – Again film with PFP, Theory 3 Media, TV programs, and shoot still photos. Put my helmet camera to use.

There are a few sick lines that I have been waiting for years to set up properly, maybe this will be the season for some to go down. I just want to have as much fun as possible and ski as many zones as I can.

DT – What are you planning to do with your education?
CP – My degree will be in marketing management – ignorance is bliss. I want to run my own business, but it is top secret. I need to finish school first so that I can put all my focus into my master plan.

DT – Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
CP –In a chalet in the mountains with my family and friends; loving life.

DT – What do you consider failure?
CP – When your positive mental attitude breaks down – then you have failed!

Seize the Day!