Many on NS will know about the car accident, in 2016, that Colby recovered so strongly from.
Yeah, we talked about a lot of stuff.
_
Hi Colby, so how did you spend your quarantine?
I quarantined with my mom and stepdad in Park City.
Also, I got rid of a lot of clothes, something I hadnt had time to do.
So, I tried to use the time to do things I wouldnt normally do.
I was really hoping to put down a sick run there and see if I could get the globe.
Skiing Post/during-Covid
It’s hard to plan anything these days.
Have you been able to make any plans for 2020/21?
Thats kind of where I am in my life right now.
Ill have a bunch of qualifiers for the US, which is a different qualification system.
Im just really focused on getting healthy and to stay healthy throughout the season.
I wont be sending it as much in the backcountry, to minimize the risk.
No, theX Gamesdoesnt count.
Photo: @daveeuler
For you, how does an Olympic Medal compare to an X Games one?
Theres so much more hype around anOlympicGold, just because people who arent in action sports.
Cool, so thats Covid and contests!
Lets go way back now; where did you first get on a pair of skis?
Every other day Id get out at like noon and go skiing.
Park City was definitely a big part of getting me to where I am now.
Were there any skiers you looked up to?
When you were that young, did you watch any ski movies?
I didnt really take interest in slopestyle skiing until I was like seven.
So, if I asked seven-year-old Colby to pick between Tanner and Simon… Everyone was saying to me: youre like a mini-Tanner Hall!
so that made me like him even more.
I thought my life was over.
The experience was definitely character-building, in that I saw how precious the little things are in life.
I think that really helped my skiing.
What injuries did you have?
I completely shattered my skull, the whole right side of my head was caved in.
I also ripped my forehead off, so I had this huge scar between my eyebrows.
They were actually able to stretch the skin, without having to use a graft.
I couldnt believe what Id done to myself.
It was super depressing on that front.
I couldnt do anything extreme, because I was so weak, I lost like 25lbs in a month.
How long from when you got back on your skis, to when you hit your first jump?
It was actually a really huge breakthrough on the first day I was back on skis.
During my recovery, I had a problem with my inner ear and my balance.
Every time I would lay down, I would just start spinning.
I thought I would never be able to go upside down again.
Thats when I was like: holy crap!
I could make a comeback!
I was definitely supposed to be doing that.
I was having lots of problems with my neck, I still do.
Every little bump, and stuff, my neck would jolt.
When I hit a jump, it wouldnt hurt.
The first jump you did post-accident was a dub 10?!
Haha, not the first hit.
I was working up to it all day, but it was on my first day back.
What clicked last winter?
With Wallischs Rail Jam, X Games and Ignite or was this just the natural progression after the accident?
I dont think anything clicked.
Id say luck was finally on my side.
To winX Gamesand then twoWorld Cupswith two 2nd places after that.
The ball was rolling, and I was just happy to be healthy and skiing.
Its weird because I didnt have the best summer, in 2019.
I was up in Whistler and I went to Mount Hood.
I broke my collarbone, mountain biking in Mount Hood and I was out for almost eight weeks.
I was just not feeling healthy at all, I couldnt do anything.
I mean, Id like to for sure haha.
Im going to do everything in my power to get myself strong enough, for when that time comes.
Im gonna throw down and I want to learn some new tricks and show them some new stuff.
Now everyones in the same boat, but you kind of have a bit more experience of it?
I think that helps, for sure, but I dont know how other people are gonna react.
Obviously, youve had success in the park, but Ignite showed your backcountry skiing too.
Do you think its important for skiers to stay varied and not just stay in the park?
For sure its important to do all sorts of skiing, otherwise, youre gonna get burned out.
If youre doing the same thing too much, its just like anything, its not as fun.
You want to keep things spicy!
Ive always had a passion for skiing pow and skiing the mountain.
Finally, last year I had a whole month to try it out and that wasIgnite.
Well, it depends on the snow conditions, first of all, then it depends on location… Then, a perfect spring Park City, slush day, beats like an average pow day.
One of them is a lot more common to me.
Youve talked about the Olympics, is that your main focus for the next couple of years?
My main focus is competing over the next couple of years, theOlympicsjust happen to fall in that timeline.
I wouldnt call theOlympicsmy main focus.
Henrik is the most amazing one because hes still progressing the sport at his age.
I see myself doing that until I cant, until Im 40, hopefully!
Colbys favorite:
Trip:Klappen Snowpark.
Smallest, sickest park.
Thats where Ive had my most magical moments for sure.
Track:The Formatby AZ.
Thats what I did one of my runs to atX Games.