PEP'S PINOT: Catching up with Pepperell Fujas
K2’s money man sits down to discuss an injury, sponsorship, ski design, and the finer things in life.
You were recently injured. How’d it happen?
Pep Fujas: I was jumping in the Utah backcountry after coming back from Europe. It snowed a bunch. We went to Montana for a little bit, then cruised down to Utah to try to catch the last snow of the year. We built a jump—the landing was a little flat. The snow had filled in like crazy with just tons of snow. But by the middle of the day, it got real warm and baked. We had hit it earlier in the year so I was like, “I’ll get that switch nine I didn’t get earlier” and just went for it. I thought I had plenty of air. I came up at about 800 degrees and was still rotating because I thought I still a little time. So, I just twisted super-quick and hard and I landed in another hole. And…
POP??
Pep Fujas: Yep. I didn’t feel a pop. I actually thought my ankle was kind of broken or something. My knee was shooting pains down through my ankle. I just sat there for a little bit and composed myself and thought, “What’s really the problem?” I tried to move my leg and it wasn’t moving so well. I skied down on one ski and sat down and my knee started swelling up, so I just sat there and iced it. Right away I figured my ACL was blown and my ankle, well, I didn’t know what the hell was wrong with my ankle. That night it swelled up like a balloon.
Was it one of the gaps?
Pep Fujas: No it was just looker’s right of the Leviathon Gap—the Keystone Kicker.
This is your second injury, right?
Pep Fujas: Yeah, with the first one I was really amped to get out, to get all my rehab done and get back out there as soon as possible. I was a lot more timid. After you get over the mental block that you’re okay, everything’s fine. This time I was mentally prepared going into surgery. I guess it just takes getting hurt multiple times to figure it out.
With age comes longer recovery times. People tend to leave the sport by the time they reach 30. Do you agree?
Pep Fujas: I’ll probably be done by then. People get phased out because there’s always young blood, you know?
But you’re at the top of the game right now, no doubt about it. I’d venture to say you’re on every industry top five list.
Pep Fujas: There are a lot of skiers, old school skiers, who are in their 50’s and still having a great time. There are some legends with K2 and they’re still getting paid—that’s great. I definitely respect what they’ve done and how they’re still contributing.
So, what are your plans for the summer?
Pep Fujas: Rehab, rehab and working on a couple projects. I’m trying to finish up my segment for War, just some lifestyle stuff. That’s about it. I hadn’t planned a whole lot. I was thinking maybe New Zealand or something for a little vacation.
So what are your expectations for next year?
Pep Fujas: I think I’ll be a lot more focused. I’m just going to concentrate my energy on producing one film segment. I haven’t decided if I’ll do contests or not.
Who’s killing it right now?
Pep Fujas: With so many young shredders it’s hard to pinpoint someone who’s really on top of their game all the time. Guys like Schiller are getting ridiculous. And Rainville. A couple guys from Europe, Andreas Hatviet and Jacob Wester. Those guys are slaughtering it.
Athletes change companies faster than you can say Candide Thovex. You started with K2 and you’re still with K2. Why?
Pep Fujas: It’s kind of like a family. Everyone’s pretty tight and we have a say in what we do and the direction everything goes, which I love.
What made you decide to change your ski?
Pep Fujas: A lot of people had complaints about it washing out in the pipe, and I did as well. I wanted it to be a great all-around park ski. We stiffened it up a little, but it still has the same amount of pop it’s always had.
So what else is up with Pep these days?
Pep Fujas: Not much. Just hangin’ out down in Oregon enjoying the summer, drinking some wine.
Wow Pep, you’re so refined.
Pep Fujas: Hey man, I have my own wine these days.
What?
Pep: Yeah, Pep’s Pinot.
How did that happen?
Pep Fujas: My dad started growing grapes four years ago and he’s produced two crops so far. They turned out really well. My parents have a gourmet food manufacturing business. They decided it would be nice to have a wine to compliment the food.
How can I score a bottle?
Pep Fujas: You can go to www.risingsunfarms.com. I think you can order some there. The majority of the sales are from the little store at our farm.
Did you get the same amount of input in your wine as you got with your ski?
Pep Fujas:No, not really. I did get to taste test.