Name: Nick Goepper
D.O.B./Age: 3/14/94 – 18 years young.
Age Started Skiing: 5 years old
Home Mountain: Perfect North Slopes Indiana
Nickname(s): Gepdawg, Goepper, Guppy
Sponsors: Red Bull, Volkl/Marker, Dalbello, Under Armour, Kicker, Peak Resorts, Smith
Krush: First of all congrats on the 2012 season. Talk to me about what it was like being the youngest competitor on the tour?
Nick Goepper (NG): It was one heck of a ride! It was fun to be the youngster competing with all the big dogs that were older than me. It was a also a little bit intimidating, although overall I think it made me a better skier.
Krush: Do the older guys treat you like a little brother or do they hate you ‘cause of your skills?
NG: I wouldn’t say there is any “hatred” in this sport. Everyone is super good friends with each other and animosity is hard to find amongst all of us. I would say guys like Tom Wallisch and Bobby Brown acted more like a big brother to me.
Krush: Who is your biggest frenemy on tour?
NG: I would say Tom Wallisch is one of my biggest competitors. I look up to him so much and he is one of my biggest influences.
Krush: You grew up in Indiana, how the hell did you become such a good skier?
NG: I grew up 5 minutes away from a little 300 vert hill called Perfect North Slopes. I skied every day after school and on the weekends. It takes about 8 minutes to do a full lap on our terrain park so you can just imagine how many laps we would get in in one night!
Krush: What was your high school experience like? What was Windells like? Is it like traditional schools – chicks, gossip, cliques, high school BS?
NG: I attended normal high school up until halfway through my sophomore year before I moved out to Windells Academy. Windells was a good mixture of normal high school and a wicked awesome skiing high school that allows you to travel the world and experience things you would never in traditional high school! I loved Windells so much because it provided me with so many opportunities that were out of my reach before.
Krush: You just signed a multi-year deal with Red Bull. What was going through your mind when you were signing those papers?
NG: Honestly, I couldn’t wipe the smile off of my face. Being a part of Red Bull is a dream come true and I can’t possibly wait to work with them in the future.
Krush: You made the podium at every ‘11/’12 Dew Tour stop, but finished second overall. What tricks have you been working on this summer to take home the title?
NG: I’ve been working on some 1260 and 1440 variations, but nothing that crazy. This summer I was more focused on getting more and more comfortable on my skis and just having fun.
Krush: What’s your training regimen look like? Gym, cardio or is it all skiing?
NG: I use the gym quite often and try and stay in the best shape as possible. I love to surf and swim also which probably takes care of my cardio.
Krush: You travel A LOT for competitions, shoots, etc. Where’s the coolest place you’ve traveled to? Does the traveling ever get annoying?
NG: I would say the coolest place I have traveled to so far has been New Zealand. I’ve been going there for three years now and it never gets old. The people there are so nice and it’s one of the most beautiful countries in the world! And yes traveling does get hectic and annoying sometimes, especially during the middle of competition season.
Krush: Do you ever get time to relax and take in the countries you travel to? Or is it all business while you’re there?
NG: Most of the time I try and do my best to take in some of the culture of the countries I travel to, but sometimes its hard when you’re practicing and skiing as much as I do.
Krush: Urban, park or big mountain?
NG: All three! If I had to choose one though it would probably be park. Park has the elements of all three in it. You can hit huge jumps, slide rails, and make laps all day with your friends!
Krush: Would you prefer to compete or shoot for video segments?
NG: I love to compete, but I also would love to get more into filming. It really depends on what the occasion is. If it was an epic filming location or the X Games, that would be a hard choice!
Krush: (Signature Question) If you could have a super power what would it be and why?
NG: I would absolutely love to be able to fly. It is my ultimate dream to soar above the rooftops and see what life is like from above.
Krush: (Signature Question) What (to this point) has been your most “Krushable” (epic) moment?
NG: I would have to say the Winter Dew Tour in Snowbasin when I won first in the slopestyle contest. That was one of the coolest moments in my career so far.
Krush: What are you looking forward to most in the ‘12/’13 season? Anything dropping that we need to know about?
NG: I’m looking forward to skiing epic days in the park with my friends! I may be working with a filmer and doing a film project this season but nothing too major. I’m also excited for all the contests. We will just have to wait and see what this winter brings us!
With the start of the ‘12/’13 season just around the corner, be sure to follow Gepdawg through his Facebook and Twitter page.
Got a question you’d like to ask the hella-talented Gepdawg? If so, post it in the comments below and we’ll do our best to get them answered for you.
