JT’s been on the MSP program since his debut in 1998’s “Sick Sense.” His skiing career has taken him all over the world, and with a few hundred BASE jumps under his belt now, new possibilities are just starting to open up. JT gave us a few minutes of his time recently to tell us about his winter…

What was your favorite day of skiing last season?

We got a late-season storm in Squaw Valley after the majority of our lower elevation lifts had closed. The snow line was such that you could still ski to the bottom and the terrain was open for hiking. I hiked KT22 four times from the saddle and skied the type of pow runs you’d otherwise have to be in line at 6:30 AM for.

What was the most substantial thing you learned this last season?

I learned you just can't let your guard down in the mountains, and you have to pay attention to the mountains’ warning signs at all times… on a windy day in Norway we went for a ski and triggered a big avalanche. It was a huge wind slab (probably class three) and we weren’t all wearing beacons. These chunks of snow would have snapped our bones if we had been tumbling amongst it. Three of us skied out of it, luckily staying on top of the chunks – both Shane and I recognized all the tell-tale signs (we even discussed them) but the wind made communication tough and our group split up because some hiked faster than others. Before we knew it we were all dropping in… idiots. I think that we are more used to being on our best behavior when the conditions are good, but bad ski conditions can be dangerous as well. No excuses, we were dumb that day.

Who do you enjoy skiing with, and why?

Gaffney – he is good, and he is the scientist, so he knows where to go. Shane – we share the same sense of humor and he is a talented dude. Fred Severson – he is always keen to ski all day and go for an adventure ski. Too many to choose just one, but I will mention Jeff Engerbretson – we used to ski until the last KT chair every single afternoon after I'd get out of school. He taught me a lot of technique stuff.

What is your favorite non-skiing activity? Explain why…

Wingsuit flying in the mountains. Imagine an excellent ski day… now imagine all the best highlights of that ski day. For me, those highlights are the air I caught and the acceleration and speed I have felt. Wingsuit BASE jumping in the big mountains has all of the same elements. You get to the top of your mountain after a long climb and enjoy the moment, the views, the summit perhaps. Then you choose your line and you fly it. On a good one you feel you have flown with the mountain rather than just launching off the edge of the world. The speed and acceleration is more intimately experienced the closer the mountains are around you.