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Charles Gagnier Q&A

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Dfdman
Posts: 39 - Karma: 709
Hey everyone,

This is Charles Gagnier, I started to put online some of my never before released footage starting as far back as in the year 2000 when I started to ski on twin tips. I am here to answer any questions you would like to ask me about skiing, life... I will be back on friday 5:00 pm (eastern time) to answer them.



Here is the link to the latest video, enjoy!!:

https://vimeo.com/123539106



ciao
Mar 30 2015 12:22PM
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Turner.
Posts: 1987 - Karma: 11,892
This is great. This is really great holy shit.

1. You've seen this sport grow and mutate and go through all kinds of developments in your time - some fucked up, some revolutionary. What has sustained you through 15+ years of skiing? What keeps you coming back?

2. I would argue that the Quebec ski scene has always had a bit of a different flavour from the rest of North America, and even the world. What is it about the Quebec scene that makes it so distinct?

3. I once heard that Frank Raymond did't believe in building lips onto urban rails. Are there any trends in skiing today that you think are stupid? Is there anything you wish skiers would go back to doing?
Mar 30 2015 12:40PM
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S.J.W
Posts: 7609 - Karma: 31,185
What's your opinion on the current fuck comps mentality from film skiers?
Mar 30 2015 12:55PM
7 1
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bakerpunk
Posts: 884 - Karma: 1,126
do you have an xbox or playstation?
Mar 30 2015 12:57PM
3 3
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22708 - Karma: 76,632
Is there one skier that you would consider to have been your biggest influence in your Career?
Mar 30 2015 1:39PM
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Holte
Posts: 10740 - Karma: 7,814
This is awesome!

Charles - you have a list of invented tricks and firsts that is almost unprecedented. Where do you draw inspiration from to have imagined so many tricks that had never been done before?

Also, can you tell us the story about hitting Chad's Gap?
Mar 30 2015 2:12PM
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BrownEyeIn
Posts: 878 - Karma: 457
Seems like your career was on the up and up - Xgames gold, some insane video parts

Do you think after parting ways with Salomon (Dropped?) Opportunities were slimmer to film with certain companies due to no financial backing and Plehouse no longer existing?

Do you feel to a certain extent after being Salomons poster boy for a long period and still delivering that there decision making was ill hearted? I can't honestly say I saw a huge dip in your performances, competition or segments that really warranted that kind of treatment.

Would you have had more years of being in the spotlight or more fuel in the tank to keep producing for a longer period of time? I know you have had some success somewhat recently, like the red bull streets, and had some pretty killer segments with local quebec film crews.

Just curious.

Also, the year you won Xgames against Tanner with your "lame one foot" essentially over a more skateboard style nollie lip, was there drama between crews at all or bad vibes?
Mar 30 2015 2:50PM
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jpastor
Posts: 431 - Karma: 848
What is it like being known as one of the most influential rail skiers?

Do you consider yourself a pioneer of the sport?

What was the reasoning for leaving Salomon and switching to Ramp skis and why did you choose them?

What is your feeling on the industry to date? Covering the entire spectrum from The Hood Crew edits to the comp scene. What do you find more interesting? What types of content would you like to see more of?
Mar 30 2015 3:01PM
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fresh_prince
Posts: 993 - Karma: 11,910
do you still shred?
Mar 30 2015 7:19PM
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,183
Will you play a game of skate against vinny?
Mar 30 2015 10:53PM
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mixinup
Posts: 45 - Karma: 10
when do you feel like slopestyle competitions turned to shit? and why?
I personally feel like the double flip era of skiing came a couple years too early and made freeskiing go away from its roots which are beauty, style, and creativity...do you agree?
Mar 30 2015 11:00PM
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JAHpow
Posts: 7282 - Karma: 17,175
What are some of your favorite things to do in the off-season?
Mar 31 2015 12:16PM
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Caucasian_Asian
Posts: 2447 - Karma: 1,665
If you could re-design one piece of your ski gear, what would it be and how would you change it?

Also, what is your piece of ski gear from the past 15 years will hold a special place in your heart?
Mar 31 2015 1:42PM
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FUUUCK
Posts: 18426 - Karma: 4,888
What are you up to these days? Working? Skiing? Vacationing?
Mar 31 2015 2:39PM
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TotallyTrevor
Posts: 4379 - Karma: 26,364
Did you and Vinni ski together a lot growing up? Is that why you guys are both so creative and fun to watch ski?
Mar 31 2015 2:55PM
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swoger
Posts: 607 - Karma: 655
How does it feel knowing the Gagnier family is the most stylish family to ever ski?
Mar 31 2015 2:56PM
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Nikolaus
Posts: 863 - Karma: 995
Are big tricks skill are balls? Can anybody go pro if they are determined?
Mar 31 2015 5:17PM
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SIX
Posts: 4595 - Karma: 506
Not a question, but a request:

Can JF Houle and yourself (and any other freeskier interested) please bring back to life Pléhouse Films?

I miss those movies so much...
Mar 31 2015 5:26PM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22708 - Karma: 76,632
What kind of effect did Antoine have on your skiing?

In my mind, he was one of the most under-appreciated skiers of all time. That guy was so far ahead of his time, that it wasn't even possible for people to appreciate him.
Mar 31 2015 7:48PM
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Poikenz
Posts: 1478 - Karma: 3,761
What is your stretching routine? I mean I stretch everyday and can't even come close to twisting myself into the fucked up grabs and tricks you can pull off.
Mar 31 2015 8:37PM
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*DELETED*
Posts: 1043 - Karma: 938
Whatre you up to these days?
Mar 31 2015 8:55PM
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Devin-P
Posts: 41 - Karma: 179
Hey man, where are your favourite places to ski in Quebec/East coast?
Mar 31 2015 10:46PM
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Agamemnon
Posts: 310 - Karma: 3,402
Can we have a Gagnier brothers vs Real Ski Fi game of SLVSH please?
Apr 1 2015 6:15AM
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BBurt
Posts: 1588 - Karma: 3,779
What do you put in your burritos?
Apr 1 2015 12:48PM
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GrandThings
Posts: 3119 - Karma: 31,479
Who are your favorite skiiers from this younger generation? Who's edits/videos/parts get you hyped?
Apr 1 2015 1:00PM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22708 - Karma: 76,632
AgamemnonCan we have a Gagnier brothers vs Real Ski Fi game of SLVSH please?




**This post was edited on Apr 1st 2015 at 9:46:30pm
Apr 1 2015 9:45PM
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dan1080
Posts: 1293 - Karma: 913
Mr.BishopWhat kind of effect did Antoine have on your skiing?

In my mind, he was one of the most under-appreciated skiers of all time. That guy was so far ahead of his time, that it wasn't even possible for people to appreciate him.


https://www.newschoolers.com/forum/thread/84326/Give-Props-to-Gagnier


....throw back to that time you were sitting next to Gagnier, Bishop
Apr 2 2015 12:39AM
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BrokenBones
Posts: 1275 - Karma: 703
Last time i saw you compete it was for an early Olympic qualifier last season and you were still killing it! Do you have plans to try and compete anymore or are you retired?

P.S. You are a legend in every sense of the word.
Apr 2 2015 12:43AM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22708 - Karma: 76,632
BrokenBonesLast time i saw you compete it was for an early Olympic qualifier last season and you were still killing it! Do you have plans to try and compete anymore or are you retired?

P.S. You are a legend in every sense of the word.


Holy shit dude! Amazing. I totally remember that. It was my first year at NS, first X-games... first of a lot of things.

Charles rolled back into the Salomon house (where we were also staying) with this huge gold medal around his neck, extraordinarily humble, and just sat down and chilled. I was so blown away at how humble he was about the whole thing - I had never seen anything like that in my entire life. I've never seen it since hell. Dude was cool as a cucumber and I have never even imagined someone so awesome as he was in that moment.
Apr 2 2015 1:16AM
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Blurst
Posts: 13577 - Karma: 10,169
How did you land this?

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/764735/Charles-Gagnier-X-Games-12-Skier-Slopestyle-5th-Place-Run
Apr 2 2015 10:35AM
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Dfdman
Posts: 39 - Karma: 709
What's up newschoolers? I'm here to answer your questions.



Here is the link to my latest throwback edit. Some big spins from 2002. Enjoy!!


https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/764964/3-avril-2015

**This post was edited on Apr 3rd 2015 at 9:53:57pm
Apr 3 2015 5:05PM
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Dfdman
Posts: 39 - Karma: 709
Turner.This is great. This is really great holy shit.

1. You've seen this sport grow and mutate and go through all kinds of developments in your time - some fucked up, some revolutionary. What has sustained you through 15+ years of skiing? What keeps you coming back?




I just love skiing so much and the feelings I get from it is the best, I could not live without it, but also, what makes me want to come back is that I feel like I can try something new every time I’m skiing. I like to test what can be done on skis or it’s even just to go out and try some terrain I’ve never skied before or to try out an urban spot I believe is doable…
Apr 3 2015 5:08PM
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Dfdman
Posts: 39 - Karma: 709
2. I would argue that the Quebec ski scene has always had a bit of a different flavour from the rest of North America, and even the world. What is it about the Quebec scene that makes it so distinct?



It could be because we don’t have big mountains, and no real big jumps so we need to be creative to progress and have fun.
It also might be because of the influence of quebec freeski pioneers like JP Auclair, JF Cusson, Vincent Dorion, 3 phils…
It probably reflect our personality too, Quebec province is surrounded by the english part of Canada & the united states and we might be different in some ways. Our culture is not the same and it might shows off as well in the way we are skiing.
Apr 3 2015 5:10PM
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Dfdman
Posts: 39 - Karma: 709
3. I once heard that Frank Raymond did't believe in building lips onto urban rails. Are there any trends in skiing today that you think are stupid? Is there anything you wish skiers would go back to doing?[/QUOTE]



Frank Raymond is the man! He’s the realest urban skier of all time and did influence the quebéquois in the best way as for hitting urbans the way professionnals should do it.

There are some trends that I don’t necessary like but I feel that every trick or trend deserves a try.
I would like to see the skiers not following the trends and instead just pushing the aspects of skiing they like. It would diversify the styles and would make skiing a whole lot more interesting.

I think that people should look back at was has been done in the past and get inspired from that instead of following what everybody is doing right now.

Do less safeties and do more leading grabs!!
Apr 3 2015 5:13PM
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parkskier5
Posts: 29 - Karma: 105
What is your favorite trick?
Apr 3 2015 5:14PM
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Dfdman
Posts: 39 - Karma: 709
UglyboyWhat's your opinion on the current fuck comps mentality from film skiers?


I can understand why some of the film skiers would say that since the way comps are judged needs to change drastically. I am pissed that the best skiers can’t win contests because of the way it is judged. For exemple, I believe that the winner of a slopestyle should be be best skier of the pack, I mean, the guy that shows off the most skills, not the one that can spin the most while flipping twice all four ways! The winner should be the person that has the best variety in terms of grabs, axis, originality, rail tricks(because rails should matter!!)… and I’ m not even considering style because that is too suggestive…

But I don’t think that dissing comps is part of the solution to put it back on the right track.
Apr 3 2015 5:18PM
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Dfdman
Posts: 39 - Karma: 709
bakerpunkdo you have an xbox or playstation?




No, never had. I do have a nes and a game gear
Apr 3 2015 5:21PM
3 0
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Dfdman
Posts: 39 - Karma: 709
Mr.BishopIs there one skier that you would consider to have been your biggest influence in your Career?




Definitely my brother Antoine, he showed me the way. He made me realize what was the future in skiing when I started to ski on twin tips at age 15. He told me: if you want to leave your mark in skiing, you have to push either on rails or in the half pipe because back in 2000, the pro skiers were dope at jumping but they kind of suck on rails and in the halfpipe. Since I did not like halfpipe that much, I started to think about what could be done on rails with skis on and I sitll haven’t done everything I could think of.
Apr 3 2015 5:26PM
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Dfdman
Posts: 39 - Karma: 709
HolteThis is awesome!

Charles - you have a list of invented tricks and firsts that is almost unprecedented. Where do you draw inspiration from to have imagined so many tricks that had never been done before?



From age 15 to 18, I was pretty much obsessed with skiing and that was pretty much all I could think of, so back then, I did have thought about a lot of the possibilities of what could be done on skis.

I used to watch quite a lot of snowboarding, skateboarding and breakdancing and I got most of my inspirations from those sports.
Apr 3 2015 5:33PM
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Dfdman
Posts: 39 - Karma: 709
Also, can you tell us the story about hitting Chad's Gap?[/QUOTE]


I was on my first trip with plehouse films. I was in utah and about to go build a backcountry jump with Thomas Rinfret and Phil Dion at glizzly gulch and on my way up, I saw the famous chad’s gap, I couldn’t believe that I was seeing it with my own eyes!! And the crasiest thing is that there was a crew standing there, ready to go hit the legendary jump. It was the TGR crew along with Chris Booth and Jamie Pierre and we started talking. I was just 18 years old and one of my biggest goal in skiing was to try out that jump. So, I told them that it was one of my dream to jump over chad’s gap and they allowed me to session it with them!!!! It was my 1st ever backcountry jump and all I had were my 1080 park skis. 1st hit: I couldn’t clear the jump with a straight air. Second hit: I hiked about 500 feet above the other guys to get the right speed. I tried a 720 tail grab but I couldn’t land it. On my 3rd hit, I hiked up as high as I could and tried to get as much speed as possible and I finally landed a 360.. that was my 1st backcountry jump and it’s still the biggest one I have ever done and it was such an honor to hit it with Jamie Pierre!!!!
Apr 3 2015 5:39PM
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Dfdman
Posts: 39 - Karma: 709
BrownEyeInSeems like your career was on the up and up - Xgames gold, some insane video parts

Do you think after parting ways with Salomon (Dropped?) Opportunities were slimmer to film with certain companies due to no financial backing and Plehouse no longer existing?

Do you feel to a certain extent after being Salomons poster boy for a long period and still delivering that there decision making was ill hearted? I can't honestly say I saw a huge dip in your performances, competition or segments that really warranted that kind of treatment.

Would you have had more years of being in the spotlight or more fuel in the tank to keep producing for a longer period of time? I know you have had some success somewhat recently, like the red bull streets, and had some pretty killer segments with local quebec film crews.



It was definitely a hard one when I got dropped by Salomon. The deal I had with them was to give them 3-4 years of competitions and after that I could focus on filming and really show what I could do but unfortunately, the company changed over those years and I couldn’t do what was planned… But I had to say that Lionel Favret and Popol were the best, they help me so much and I had the best time of my life because of them and salomon, so I have to thank them more than I could ever be grateful.
I’m kind of disappointed that I had never shot a ski segment that I could be really happy about since they were always shot on the side on a very short periods. I would have love to focus on making a sick video part at least one time...
Apr 3 2015 5:46PM
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Dfdman
Posts: 39 - Karma: 709
Also, the year you won Xgames against Tanner with your "lame one foot" essentially over a more skateboard style nollie lip, was there drama between crews at all or bad vibes?[/QUOTE]



Haha, a more skateboard style nollie lip??…?? ask skateboarders about that: they will tell you that a nollie can’t be done on a snowboard and that it’s even more absurd to call a nollie on skis.

Yes, I felt that people were hating on the one foot I did at X games, and even some of my ski idols… :(
But no drama or bad vibes since I didn’t care because I thought backslides had to be one of the most obvious rail ski trick.
Apr 3 2015 5:52PM
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Dfdman
Posts: 39 - Karma: 709
jpastorWhat is it like being known as one of the most influential rail skiers?



everything is relative so I don’t know about that
Apr 3 2015 5:53PM
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Dfdman
Posts: 39 - Karma: 709
jpastorDo you consider yourself a pioneer of the sport?



No, I think I’m more out of the second generation. The real pioneers are JP Auclair, JF Cusson, Candide Thovex, Antoine Gagnier, the 3 phils, Phil poirier…
Apr 3 2015 5:56PM
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Dfdman
Posts: 39 - Karma: 709
jpastorWhat was the reasoning for leaving Salomon and switching to Ramp skis and why did you choose them?



I got dropped by salomon and spend a whole year without a ski sponsor. Ramp was the 1st company that had some interest in me, and it was mutual!! I did like the company with their green approach and then I tried out their products and they were just so light and fun to ride. It’s also cool that they make their skis in Utah and their staff is great!
Apr 3 2015 5:58PM
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Dfdman
Posts: 39 - Karma: 709
jpastor

What is your feeling on the industry to date? Covering the entire spectrum from The Hood Crew edits to the comp scene. What do you find more interesting? What types of content would you like to see more of?[/QUOTEI do enjoy watching ski edits and also to watch ski competitions and I think they are both great. I love to see what can be done on skis so it’s always entertaining to see what the guys like real skifi have to offer.
I believe that more originals contest like the b&e, the playstreets, vars tournament… should be organized because the traditional slopestyles and halfpipe contests are looking too much the same.
Apr 3 2015 6:01PM
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Dfdman
Posts: 39 - Karma: 709
fresh_princedo you still shred?




yes, but I’m more of a weekend shredder.



Here is a shot from today, thanks B Will

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/764964/3-avril-2015

**This post was edited on Apr 3rd 2015 at 9:59:46pm
Apr 3 2015 6:04PM
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Dfdman
Posts: 39 - Karma: 709
.lenconWill you play a game of skate against vinny?



Yes, it could be fun since he can do most of the tricks I’m doing.
Apr 3 2015 6:06PM
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Dfdman
Posts: 39 - Karma: 709
mixinupwhen do you feel like slopestyle competitions turned to shit? and why?
I personally feel like the double flip era of skiing came a couple years too early and made freeskiing go away from its roots which are beauty, style, and creativity...do you agree?




I wouldn’t say that slopestyle has turned to shit.. because it’s still a real good show. But I kind of agree that the double flip era might have came a little too early and made freeskiing go away from its roots which are beauty, style, and creativity. I think that the contest guys should have mastered more flips, axis and grabs before going to that next step with the dub flips.
Apr 3 2015 6:07PM
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Dfdman
Posts: 39 - Karma: 709
JAHpowWhat are some of your favorite things to do in the off-season?




I like to spend time with the family, do some reading, cycling, trampolining, windsurfing, boating, cribbling…..
Apr 3 2015 6:07PM
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Dfdman
Posts: 39 - Karma: 709
Caucasian_AsianIf you could re-design one piece of your ski gear, what would it be and how would you change it?

Also, what is your piece of ski gear from the past 15 years will hold a special place in your heart?





It would be a rail ski that would help to do more tricks



I like my 99 (gretzky) canada Spy goggles.
Apr 3 2015 6:08PM
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