Skippress - Index

Skippress - SkiPress US Vol.7 No.3 - Index

be part of the Nobis posse. He was edgy. He was fun. He was Nobis. So
when it all came crashing down, Jeremy had to face the fact that things
simply couldn’t keep going the way they’d been going. “Look,” he says.
“Nobody likes to be forced to change. But it happened. And now I have
to fi nd the balance between having to change and wanting to change.”
Another long pause. “And for me, that’s probably the hardest challenge
right there. Will I be able to maintain this path? I don’t know. I’m still
learning how I got to this point. I’m learning all about moderation — and
not just partying and drinking, but everything in
my life.” He smiles but with more than a hint of
sadness. “It’s a day-to-day process. And the
transformation that I’m going through — I want
these new habits to stick. So I’m teaching myself
how to internalize them.”
Adds Tommy: “He’s really changed, you know.
Everybody I talk to says: ‘Wow! Look at Jeremy.
Fit, healthy, strong. He looks years younger.’ And
that makes me wonder about myself a little bit.
We’re all risk-takers. We all love a good time. But
at what cost? Honestly, what Jeremy just had to
go through is a wake-up call for all of us.”
It’s the longest day of the year — June 21 st —
and the three of us are sitting outside Tordrillo
Lodge, deep in Alaska’s backcountry. We
spent the morning fishing for monster
King salmon. This evening we’ll be taking
the helicopter up for some midnight-sun
skiing. But now we’re just happy to bask
in the sun and chat. Both 37 years old,
and part owners in this remote lakeside
cabin, the two are featured guides in
Chugach Powder Skiing’s Kings and Corn
program. And the guests love them
to bits.
“I don’t know if it could ever get better
than this,” states Dallas developer Dave
Hicks, on his fi rst trip here. “Our guides
are rock stars. Yet these two guys never
let their egos get in the way of showing us
a great time. They work hard. They’re conscientious.
Yet they’re totally relaxed
about it all. I’m totally impressed.”
Moe is a natural at it. A world-class kayaker
and avid hunter-fi sherman, he
From long tips...
says that even before winning his
gold medal, his dream had always
been to run an outfi tting business
in Alaska. It’s simple, he tells me:
putting smiles on people’s faces is
fun. “I get a lot of satisfaction out of showing people what they can do if
they step it up a little bit. But more importantly, I just love being outside,
working with folks and introducing them to the things that I love.”
But he admits it’s not as effortless as it looks. “Staying motivated is always
a challenge. Being upbeat and enthusiastic day in and day out takes a
lot of energy. Working as a guide, it’s all about taking care of others. But
I have to think of me from time to time if I want to do a good job. I mean,
after this Kings & Corn stint, I’ll go home and sleep for a week.”
Both men agree, however, that the arrangement with CPS is ideal. The
Girdwood-based outfi t leases the lodge and manages the logistics while
giving them both an opportunity to hone their guiding skills. “It’s win-win,”
says Nobis. “They have the expertise, and we have the location,” He smiles.
“Besides, some of the CPS principals are also partners in the lodge.”
The more intellectual of the two, Nobis has to work harder at the guiding
thing than his buddy does. But his passion for the job and his
concern for his guests are palpable at every turn. “I learn so much from
working here,” he says. “And every day I
make mistakes. But I can see I’m getting
better all the time.”
He believes that no matter what the title —
guide, coach, teacher or instructor — one can
learn a lot by having to explain things. “As
competitors or high-end performers, we experience
things so intensely, so directly. But it’s
rare for us to have to explain them to others.
As a guide or coach, you have to systemize
things, to think about what you’re doing and
put it into words so others can understand. And
that’s a real challenge.”
Moe: “It truly is about sharing what you do
with others. I mean there’s a real satisfaction
from showing people what you’ve experienced
and then showing them how to
experience that for themselves. But it’s
still hard work. You can never let your
guard down.” He stops speaking. Lets
out a big laugh. ”I mean, a few years ago
I almost lost a client to a bear. I’ll tell ya
— that got my attention!
Nobis: “It’s a huge transition from being
in the mountains and skiing for yourself
to being out there and taking care of
others. But over the last 10 years I’ve
spent a lot of time in big mountains with
top-notch guides. And I think some of
their expertise has rubbed off on me.
And I really believe there’s something of
value there.”
The afternoon is passing, and the two
...to long tails, where the big mountain dreams began
It was the slap in the face
that Jeremy now says was
exactly what he needed.
Photos: Courtesy of Jeremy Nobis
friends have to get their gear ready for the
evening’s ski session. Still, Jeremy wants
to make sure I understand clearly
what’s at stake for people like him
and Tommy. “Expectations for us
are always really high,” he explains.
“And they’ll always be high.
Whether you like it or not, you’re a
role model — an example. And as much as you might want to have fun in
your life, you have to learn how to be an effective leader. And that’s a huge
responsibility. That’s why fi nding a good balance is key. Knowing your limits
— knowing how to maintain yourself in stressful situations — that’s what
it’s all about.”
He smiles. “I’ve got to say I’ve had a surprising amount of support over
the last year. It was a tough time. I hurt a lot. But it really made me realize
who my friends are.”
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