POWDER INTERVIEW: Checking in with Mike Hattrup

For you, what is the most exciting thing about skiing in Europe?

MH: I like everything about Europe (except the music and the smoke), the languages, the food, the huts. But the best thing about guiding over here is the terrain. There’s a reason Europe has such a history with guiding—the terrain demands it. Glacier travel, whiteout navigation, and a huge range in snow conditions make it challenging. Skiing for weeks at a time with nothing more than a day pack ain’t bad either.

You've more or less remained to Seattle all these years. Of course you work on Vashon Island (a short ferry ride from downtown Seattle), but what are your ties to the area?

MH: Actually, I’ve lived in Ketchum since 1993. But I still spend a fair amount of time in Seattle. I grew up there, most of my family is there, and of course I end up traveling to Vashon quite a bit.

How has China affected day-to-day business at K2?

MH: Vashon has basically turned into a prototyping facility in addition to all the marketing and administration that has always been there. The thing about Vashon now is that the cross-divisional (ski, skate, snowboard) camaraderie and general moral are better than ever. It’s a more united company—more like the days when I first started there in 1988.

What major changes will we see to K2's telemark line in '07?

MH: You know I can’t tell you that—competitors could be reading this.

But seriously…

MH:

Hmm. Well, is K2 involved in developing an ‘ultimate telemark binding,’ or do you leave that to the little guys?

MH: I think current telemark bindings are pathetic. The Norwegian army put a leather strap around the heel of the boot in ~1750 and it’s progressed little beyond that. We’ve looked at numerous telemark binding designs for years but there’s been nothing that we feel is revolutionary enough to get behind. We’re got a team assigned to this task now though, so you may see something before too long.

How have Martin and Andrew McLean contributed to your alpine touring line over the years? Do they still?

MH: Martin has been the biggest driver of the AT line and has been involved since the beginning. He was the first to propose a high-performance mountaineering ski, which has since become the Shuksan. He also proposed the Mt. Baker and has been instrumental in testing from the outset. McLean came to us right after leaving Black Diamond, and has been the champion of the narrower, lighter skis like the Chogori and Sahale. His longer expeditions demand a lighter ski, so that’s been his focus.

Do you ever get the itch to switch back to alpine skiing?

MH: Switch back? I never quit. On a typical year, half of my days will be on alpine gear and half on telemark. It depends on where I’m skiing, who I’m with, and what parts of my body are or aren’t hurting at the moment. You can’t replace the power and speed of alpine skiing. By the same token, alpine skiing can’t touch the surfy sensation of telemark. I’ll continue with both.

Finally, we rarely see you in the press without a hat on. Care to comment?

MH: And the interview was going so nicely up ‘til now. I guess the press only catches up with me in the mountains where it’s either cold or sunny, and these days I need help with protection from both.