Team Rider of the Week: Erik Johnson

Erik Johnson, age 15, rides for the Squaw Valley Big Mountain Team. Erik comes from a strong racing background and brings solid fundamentals to Big Mountain skiing. An all around talented athlete, Erik likes to ski fast and hike fast (at Squaw or in the backcountry). Feeling on your game? Challenge him to a race up Granite Peak... Keep an eye out for him at Junior IFSA competitions this spring!

Here's a bit more about Erik:

Name: Erik Johnson
Nickname: EJ
Hometown: Incline Village, NV
Age: 15
Years skiing: 12
Favorite run at Squaw: Any line off of Granite Peak
Ski of choice: Any off-piste ski from Salomon
Line you really want to ski/ Cliff you want to hit that you never have: Every line off of the Squaw Palisades
Craziest thing you have skied at Squaw: Still waitin’ for this one…
Favorite trick: The 360 looks good on any air
Trick you would like to learn: Back flip/Front flip
Preferred breakfast on a powder day: Bagel w/ cream cheese and power bars
Who is your favorite Pro skier(s): Glenn Plake (he’s just sick), Shane McConkey, JT Holmes
Other sports/ activities you participate in: Mountain Bike racing, Ski Racing, Tennis
Craziest thing you’ve ever done (skiing, or non-skiing): Jumped into Lake Tahoe in January
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? New Zealand and Northern Italy (Dolomite Region)
Biggest fear: Clowns
Biggest accomplishment: Getting physically and mentally back into the ‘09-’10 ski season after breaking both legs in an ’08 ski accident
Favorite thing from Wildflower bakery: Bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast bagel
Goals for 2010: Place at least top ten in all mountain bike races and kick butt in ski competitions
Which competitions will you be traveling to this year?
Kirkwood
Grand Targhee
Snowbird

Photos: EJ sending it on Granite Peak and in the Shirley Chutes