Kevin; “Whatcha work’n on?
Eric: Ahh…(distant look) life.

Whatcha pour’n?
Rum and coke. Want one?

Yah
It’s been a good day. I’ve streamlined my junk show quite a bit.

Eric’s ever supportive parents help when they can and get out of the way when they can’t. His dad, Tom, is trying to find a way for Eric to take posters on the plane to New York for autograph signings and makes sure our glasses are always topped up. Meanwhile Eric texts the MSP movie tour’s organizer. When Tom finds out we are working on an interview he says he’ll leave us alone.

Before you go Tom, what’s one thing everyone should know about your son?

Tom: He’s a whole lotta fun to ski with!

I try to ask Eric about the detailed plans he has drawn up for a sled deck in the back of his truck, but the phone rings and I’m left to try and decipher them myself. Eric loves designing things - backpacks, tools, skis, you name it he has a blueprint made up or an idea of how to make it better. The opportunity to design his own ski for 4frnt is easily one of the coolest things about being a professional skier to Eric and he put in a huge amount of effort testing and comparing skis to get it just right.

To kick start the interview we go to check Biglines.com to see what it should all look like, but Eric instantly starts emailing.

No man, we were going to check biglines.
Right. Sorry… I just have my systems and I do these things automatically.

Perhaps the best way to describe Eric is a combination of Hunter S. Thompson and Jim Morrison. He bounces through life wide-eyed and gets swept away with whatever is going on around him or in his own mind. It’s what makes him so fun to hangout with, but now we need to focus.

What did you think of the Powder magazine profile in you?
I think it was cool.

Do you think it will piss off a few people? Like the comments on filming and jibbers?
All I meant was that film crews grab these guys and- “OK here we are, let’s go!” It’s promoting the wrong… It’s not what backcountry skiing should be. I wasn’t trying to bug on people.

In fact, Eric is one of the humblest people I know. He is amazingly talented and he realizes that, but never flaunts it. He accepts peoples’ attention, but certainly doesn’t revel in the spotlight. He makes enough money now that he doesn’t really need to work, but he still comes and breaks rock with his brother and me when he’s in town. He does it because he doesn’t want to become a lazy pro skier who doesn’t appreciate what he has and also because he is just plain blue collar through and through.

“Should I take my Husqvarna suspenders to New York?
Of course!

You and Stevie (his younger brother) put an offer on a house today. How’s that feel?
That’s weird. I just want the storage and the investment really.

Any plans for the winter yet?
Hopefully we’ll be able to film in the interior for December and January. Sounds like Japan could happen. Maybe a contest in Europe. I want to get back to Terrace and I love Chatter Creek!

Then back to the Rockies to ski biglines right?
Yeah, we need to go check out…

Wait, those will make good stories for next year so let’s not let the cat out of the bag yet. My drink’s done.
Yeh, let’s head down town and see the boys.

Eric’s only back for a few days and needs to make the most of his time. I’m not the only friend anxious to spend time with the Kid. He leaves at midnight tonight, so there’s still time to see a few friends.

If you want to see Eric in MSP’s latest movie PUSH, head to the Drake Pub on Nov. 1. All the proceeds are being generously donated to the Rocky Mountain Freeriders. So come and buy the Kid a shot!