Chris Rubens Summer Profile

“My main goal this summer is to get on skis again” says Chris Rubens on a quick lunch break from the construction site he is working on in Revelstoke, BC. “It’s been too long.”  Adventures in home renovations put a quick halt to skiing for Chris this year, who took possession of a 100 year old home in May that “needed some work”.

[Quite possibly the most stoked skier on planet earth, Chris Rubens just can’t get enough | photo: @pete_gaston @salomonfreeski]

No stranger to swinging a hammer, Chris knew peeling back the layers of history in the weathered home would take his full attention, and in true Rubens style he put his head down and wholeheartedly immersed himself in the process.  Working hard day in and day out, he turned the fixer upper into the perfect nest for him and his girlfriend in just over a month.

[“It’s always an adventure when you’re renovating your own house” says Chris.  His better half Emma Mains having the time of her life while exploring the uncharted territory of lathe and plaster | photo: @chrisrubens]

“It is so awesome to have a house, but ending the ski season April 15th was way too early for me” said Chris.  After a taste of skiing two weeks ago while he was testing new Salomon gear in Tignes, France he is even more excited to click into his skis again.. “It was a great crew  and we got to try some awesome new gear, there is some exciting new stuff coming out soon.”

“I can’t wait to get back on snow”

[Testing new Salomon gear with Andreas Fransson and Ptor Spricenieks on the summit of Grande Motte with Grande Casse in the background. Tignes, France | photo: @chrisrubens]

The last time Chris experienced a Southern Hemisphere winter was four years ago while filming with The Ride Guide in Chile. This year he’s headed to Argentina as a coach for a camp with best buddy Eric Hjorleifson followed by filming with Salomon Freeski in New Zealand and couldn’t be more stoked.

With the drywall dust in his home settling and  a full month of skiing to look forward to in August and September, he is doing carpentry work and is  focussed on taking advantage of the opportunities to enjoy his favourite summer activities in his own backyard. “My favourite thing about Revy is how close all the recreating is. You can work all day and still climb or ride in the evenings”

 

 

[Apres-work Bike Gang, Revelstoke | photo: @chrisrubens]

[Climbing with Joey Vosburgh on Supernatural Reversible Raincoat, Revelstoke | photo: @chrisrubens]

One of the most notable adventures of his summer so far has been a fifteen and a half hour alpine climbing day in Rogers Pass. Leaving Revelstoke at 2 am Chris and Revelstoke local Jeff Mitchell summited Mount MacDonald in the 30 degree Celsius heat. “It was an epic push” said Chris.   “But I really like the mental aspect of climbing, because I find it really similar to the mental aspect of skiing big lines. The actual sports are very different, but the way you approach the things that scare you, and how overcome the challenges with confidence is identical”.  

He also joined the antics of the Sherpas crew and friends on a stag for Dave Mossop where he deemed waterskiing his new favourite sport. “I had no idea how friggen’ fun that sport is!” says Chris.

 

[Watching Mark Abma slay at what could be Rubens retirement plan thanks to Eric Crosland | photo: @chrisrubens]

Chris humbly attributes his hard working and hard-playing ways to his parents.  Growing up in Calgary, Alberta they would travel to British Columbia constantly. “My parents were a huge influence- biking, climbing, camping and skiing at every chance they got. School and work were a priority for sure, but once your parents show you that kind of life, everything else seems kind of dull afterwards. I think that’s why I eventually moved out here. Every time we went on vacation we went west. Finally I realized why do I keep travelling west to do all these fun things when I could just live amongst it all?”

 

[Biking Frisby Ridge in Revelstoke with his Mom and Dad, Revelstoke | photo: @chrisrubens]

[Climbing the Blanket Arete with his Dad, Revelstoke | photo: @chrisrubens]

After nearly a decade in Revelstoke, Chris  couldn’t imagine himself anywhere else. Lunch is over, the heat is on and with a few parting words he’s ready to get back out there. “Summer’s short, so you gotta  take advantage of it!”

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