Becca Gerber
With Orage since: Winter 2015
Home: Jackson Hole, WY
Instagram: @becster88
Sponsors: Tecnica / Blizzard, Orage
What is your favourite place to ski and why?
Jackson Hole. It has it all. Steeps, chutes, peaks, powder, groomers, arches...you name it. Whether you stick to the resort or venture into the backcountry, there is always new terrain to explore. Jackson is the reason I am the skier I am. Not to mention, when you ski here you get to stare at the Tetons all day. Never gets old.
What is your dream place to ski and why?
JaPOW!
What kind of skier are you?
Big Mountain. I like to scare myself, ski fast, and jump off things...but mostly I just like to have fun.
What has been your greatest accomplishment as a skier?
Competing in the Freeride World Qualifiers last winter and training with Mountain Athlete. It was the biggest mental and physical challenge I have ever taken on in my life. It was an incredibly humbling experience that enabled me to take my skiing to the next level. I met so many incredible athletes and wonderful people whom I still am friends with today. I am continuously inspired by all of the athletes who compete, and I have a whole new appreciation for big mountain skiing.
Who has inspired you the most while growing up?
Picabo Street, Sarah Burke, and my Mum. All strong, independent women who went for their dreams and never needed validation from anyone else to know their worth.
What does your typical day consist of?
I don't exactly have a typical day, so I will describe my favorite day that I make happen as often as I can... Wake up. Drink coffee. Roll down the stairs and into my Subaru. Listen to Beyonce. Make my way up Teton Pass via my Langes or Dynafits. Summit and check out the sunrise. Ski. Eat bacon. Work by 8AM. The rest just falls into place.
How do you stay busy during summer?
Backpacking and crushing s'mores.
When are you most satisfied when skiing?
That moment - after skiing a new line that made me so nervous I didn't sleep the night before- when I am standing at the bottom and looking back up laughing hysterically and thinking, "holy shit I just skied that?!"
Is there a rule that you live by?
Yeah, "Comparison is the thief of joy." -Theodore Roosevelt. Too many people set goals around other people's success instead of their own. The only person you should ever be comparing or competing with is yourself.
What is the biggest obstacle you face in life?
Currently? Deciding whether to cook bacon in the oven or on the stove.
What do you see in Orage that reflects who you are as a person?
Orage takes on the entire spectrum of skiers, not just one style. It is fun, relaxed, but also technical. Orage proves that you can look fly and be a serious athlete.
What is your favourite piece of Orage gear?
My Suite Shell. I am in love!
What are you up to this season?
This season I took on a full-time job working at the Teton Science School in Jackson. A big change for me, but it enables me to stay in the place I love and continue to do what I love. I have come to fully appreciate dawn patrol, and I have also become quite skilled at skiing with a headlamp. I ski every second I can on the weekends. I am continuing to challenge my skiing by exploring new areas and pushing my comfort zone. This season I hope to ski more in Grand Teton National Park and gain some mountaineering experience. I have definitely learned to appreciate every second I have on the snow. Never again will I take any condition on any day for granted.
