Q & A with Derek Roy

At a glance

Name: Derek Roy

Birthdate: February 14, 1989

Hometown: Redmond, OR

Residence: Government Camp, OR

Home resort: Timberline Lodge

Skiing Background: My parents put me on skis almost as soon as I could walk. We lived in Redmond, OR and skied at Mt. Bachelor. I didn't get into freestyle until after high school, when I moved to Bend for college. During my fourth term, I dropped out so I could just work and ski. In the fall of 2009 I moved to Portland and started riding at Timberline and Skibowl. Each winter since then, Hood keeps bringing me back and it keeps getting better every year! Now I spend the winter living in Government Camp, where I can ski to my door and ride every day.

Motto: “The best snow in the world is the snow underfoot.”

Random Facts:

Won class spelling bee in second grade

Went to band camp four summers in a row

Slept in a closet to save money for an entire winter season

Owns a Subaru named Sauce

Other sponsors: Crack Grease wax, Attik Northwest apparel and Black Strap headwear

 

Q&A

Three reasons why RAMP?

1. American made!

2. A ski company's team says a lot about the company itself. Charles Gagnier has been an inspiration to me for as long as I've been riding freestyle, so it's awesome to be a part of the same company as him!

3. I'm stoked about how much RAMP does to make ski manufacturing more eco-friendly. That's very hard to do, and RAMP is making every effort they can.

Why do you ski for RAMP? What is it about RAMP that is special, unique, or cool to you?

RAMP has risen above the rest of the industry by bringing their company back down to earth compared to other companies. American manufacturing, sustainable resources, and a genuine love for their craft sets RAMP apart from everyone else. Why would you want to ride anything but boards that were made by someone who is just as passionate about the sport as you are?

What is your favorite ski in 2012-2013 RAMP collection, and why?

If I had to pick one to shred every single day, I would go with the Kapow. Although it's a lot wider than you would normally want for an everyday ski, I'd rather have them too wide than too narrow, so that girth is there when you need it on those dreamy bottomless days. A twin tip is also nice to have everyday. And fat skis are just… fun!

What has been the biggest breakthrough in your ski career?

Realizing that no matter what you're doing on skis, whether it's competing, filming, racing, hitting urban, or just making turns, it's meant to be fun. If you're not having fun, you've missed the point.

How would you describe your style?

I like to charge hard, but I'm always striving to be smoother.

What do you do in the summer?

I guide whitewater rafting trips around the NW. The company I work for (zooraft.com) is based in White Salmon, WA, and we run day trips on the White Salmon and Klickitat rivers, plus we do multi-day expeditions on the Snake River in Hell's Canyon. Ride the snow when it's on the mountain, then raft it when it melts!

Competition Accomplistments/ Results

1st Place: Friday Nights Under The Lights Jam, Timberline, March 9th, 2012

1st Place: Meadows After Dark Rail Jam Finals, March 10th, 2012

2nd Place: Timberline-Skullcandy Freestyle Series: Slopestyle, February 19th, 2012

2nd Place: Timberline-Skullcandy Freestyle Series: Hipstyle, March 18th, 2012

1st Place in Ski category: The Bonezone Banked Slalom, Fastest Overall Time, March 24th, 2012

5th Place: Campus Rail Jam Tour – OSU, May 20th, 2011

7th Place: USCSA Nationals Slopestyle, 2009

10th Place: USCSA Nationals Halfpipe, 2009