Rob Heule is one of the nicest guys in skiing.
It’s incredibly rare to find anyone with a bad word to say about him.
Perhaps he’s just too busy to shout about things he does.
He certainly lives his life to the fullest.
And, after a little nagging, he also answered some awesome interview questions.
Rob Heule, ladies and gentlemen!
Youve been getting after it since then hey?
Whistler and Squamish have some top notch climbs, its endless.
Its fun for me to get just as excited about another sport as much as skiing.
Did you pay attention much to the Canadian election much last October?
Yeah, what a crazy situation.
One more reason to be a grateful Canadian…
Didja vote?
I paid attention, and cast my vote.
Im not a total hippy, I swear.
You played in one of the best Slvsh games on record, with Max Hill, two summers ago.
Any plans for future games?
Yeah Id love to play another!
Walker and Joss and I were trying to line one up last Summer, but it didnt work out.
Sami (Ortlieb) and I need to play a game though.
Tall T Dan said they were being the change, to use that popular phrase.
Respect to Walker and Joss.
Its awesome to see peoples spin offs of traditional competition.
Its a huge part of the sport, that deserves to be paid tribute.
The traditional contest scene is pretty stale.
Its super impressive, dont get me wrong, but getting boring and too serious none the less.
My favourite anti-contest, contest always will be the Orage Masters.
Youve also been getting out in the back country a fair bit.
Hows that going for you?
#BackcountryBert was out in full force last winter!
Its been a nice change of pace coming from a few years of only handrails, and street skiing.
Again, like climbing, its a total learning experience.
I dont think Im done skiing rails forever, but just needed a little change from the regular routine.
Theres a pretty classic group of Whistler skiers in the background of that Slvsh game.
Carlo, Seanny Mac, Dom, Jarred.
What do you think of Whistler as its own little universe?
I really enjoy the time I spend in Whistler.
Does that city still feel like home?
Oh yah, Im a proud Albertan, and Calgarian.
fifteen minutes from my house, which is my favourite place to ski in the world.
Theres a couple river waves to surf.
Tons of routes to climb in the Rockies.
Some great roads and trails to motorcycle on.
A sweet music scene and arts community, and my backpack workshop.
Im down with this place.
You shoot a lot of 35mm film and I find your photos evoke transience.
Bikes, cars, landscapes, new locations etc.
Is that just my perception; do you feel rooted to any one place?
Whatre you hoping to capture with your photography?
I do like shooting film a lot.
But Ive made a resolution to be selective and shoot more film again.
Its tricky when you start traveling with two cameras though.
But thats the beauty of it.
You never know exactly what youre going to get.
I mostly just take pictures of things or places that catch my eye.
So I guess im trying to capture past memories.
I also have a thing for vans.
Im working on a 4 year project right now.
Its a collage of all the awesome vans Ive seen around the world.
Its going to be titled Free Candy.
Stay tuned for that.
I watched Meanwhile in Canada and Ski the North again.
You and Mack are objectively different.
What makes you guys such tight pals?
Mack is one of the best dudes I know.
But his place is my first stop when I go to Vancouver.
You do the animation, right?
Whered you pick that up?
I dabble a little.
Id like to do more in the future, but havent had much time for it lately.
I just sorta taught myself by drawing frames, scanning them, and putting them together in photoshop.
Sami is super into animation, and has taught me a lot as well.
Are you still makingRAD Packs?
Im changing gears a little bit with RAD.
I just want to create things that are functional, and stand the test of time.
I heard youre selling your motorbike.
Dont worry, just upgrading!
Definitely sad to see her go, but Ill have some good times on the new cycle.
Where did you find yourself last winter?
Where can we expect to see the results?
I wasnt too sure what my plan was when it started to snow last Fall.
I offered to drive him to where he needed to go.
Wildest moment of the year?
I went on a really awesome trip out to Vancouver Island to ski with some friends.
Ive skied out there at Mount Washington when I was a little kid, but never further North.
We skied at a tiny hill called Mount Cain.
They have have two T-bars and no cell service.
The upstairs of the daylodge doubles as a hostel, and you sleep in these little closets.
Can you sum up your plans for the year ahead in one sentence?
Create new things and experiences, while learning more, and having fun.
What was it like seeinga hate threadpop up on Newschoolers about you?
Im still not sure if that was a joke or not?
Any advice for the kids out there who are setting out on their own personal journeys in skiing?
Dont take skiing or yourself too seriously.
Create your own style and way of doing things.
There is no right way.
Were all just sliding down some frozen precipitation with pieces of wood strapped to our feet.
Its pretty ridiculous when you think about it… stay fit, and have fun!
