by Bob Legasa
Growing up in Invermere, British Columbia, can sure do a lot for one’s skiing. Just ask ski-film star Ian McIntosh. I-Mac started skiing at 2 and over that period of time has become one with his skis. McIntosh says, “I’ve been doing it pretty much since I was walking, so for me it’s just a natural thing, and that’s where I’m comfortable is on my skis.”
Last January I had the opportunity to spend a few days skiing with McIntosh at Snowwater Heli-Skiing just outside of Nelson, B.C. We were sampling the famous Kootenay powder, or as the locals say, Kootenay “Cold Smoke.” Over the years I’ve heard about his fun demeanor and ability to push a ski to its limit.
In just a few short years, McIntosh has risen to rock-star status in the ski industry. One company that has taken his skiing abilities to heart is Rossignol. Rossi Team manager Paddy Kaye signed McIntosh a few years back to be on Team Rossignol. One of the main reasons Kaye signed him was his uncanny ability to destroy a pair of skis. “How is this guy breaking all these skis and not his body?” Kaye asks. “I was like, ‘Wow, this is the perfect ski tester. If we can make a pair of skis that this guy doesn’t break, then we are doing a good job.’”
Nowadays, McIntosh has the ear of Rossi’s top ski designers. He was instrumental in aiding with the design and features on Rossignol’s new reverse camber Big Mountain ski, the S7. His testing grounds consist of Whistler’s rugged backcountry or the jagged peaks in Alaska. This is where McIntosh is at his best, slashing steep spines and navigating through 50- to 60-degree exposed faces at speeds that would make Jeff Gordon squeamish.
“Ian’s definitely known for big mountain assault. He’s one of the strongest people I know and one of the smoothest skiers and the combination just makes for incredible visuals,” Kaye says.
With those attributes, it’s no wonder he is a star in both Warren Miller and TGR-Teton Gravity Research Films. His ability to put together jaw-dropping segments is a huge bonus for filmmakers and even more for the viewers.
When you’re skiing lines like McIntosh, you can’t have any doubts. You need to believe in your skills 100 percent. Standing alone at the top of a peak waiting for the “go” from the filmmaker, a lot of emotions roll through his mind. “When I’m looking at a huge gnarly line or whatever it is,” he says, “it’s just a feeling of accomplishment like, ‘Hey, I’m here, now is my chance to prove what I can do.’ There’s fear, there’s excitement, there’s all the emotions you can imagine when you’re standing on top of a huge line.”
Getting to this level has been a dream of his from a very young age. “I just pursued it 10 full, and like anything in life, if you apply yourself 100 percent, you can make it happen. I just never doubted myself and made it happen.”
Whether it’s assaulting big mountain lines in Alaska or skiing famous Kootenay Cold Smoke, McIntosh has earned the respect of his peers. Make sure you check him out in this season’s TGR film Under the Influence. This is truly a man who is one with his skis. For a young kid who grew up in Invermere, B.C., dreams do come true.
