The Blade Dive - Episode 26, we are joined by Michigan native, Nicholas Symon, AKA Sic Nik! Symon is another Snow Industry lifer, who has been an anchor operator for the Breckinridge Terrain Park Crew. Specifically, Symon specializes in Halfpipe construction and claims to have learned from one of the best, if not the best….Brad Hoerter.
- Originally from Lansing, Michigan, Nicholas Symon found an escape from the cloudy winters and bitter cold of the mid west via a train ticket that took him to Alta Ski Area, Utah. Suddenly immersed in a new environment, centered around skiing and living life to the fullest, friends and future operator Mark Daigler would help keep that mission for living alive and would land Symon in Breckinridge, Colorado behind the sticks of a Snowcat.
- Nicholas Symon has been a part of the Halfpipe construction at Breckinridge resort for what would have been 2 decades if the pipe were to still be in existance, but alas, it doesn’t. For an operator who has seen and experienced first hand, so much in his career, at an array of resorts…Dew Tour, Cutters Camp, US Open, home is where the heart is and Symon is so passionate about the Halfpipe at Breck. He is also passionate about the sharing of skill and knowledge and the value in teaching operators and we unpack what the future looks like...
Episode 26 is a deep dive into the world of Halfpipe construction and operator culture. We discuss the difficulties of their construction and that one skilled operator at a mountain/resort isn’t enough to sustain a Halfpipe or an individual, long term. How can we develop training? Are wage increases a game changer?
Enjoy... and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!
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