For Craig McMorris, snowmobiling started with a pretty simple goal: getting into the backcountry. Growing up in Regina, Saskatchewan, his experience with sleds was somewhat limited. Moving west changed that. After his first mountain ride, McMorris was hooked. By the start of the 2014 season, he had his own sled, and snowmobiling quickly became an important part of both his career and his life.
Today, the Whistler-based professional snowboarder, Ski-Doo and Sea-Doo ambassador, sports broadcaster and TV host has spent more than a decade chasing the kind of deep-snow days he once dreamed about. From learning the ropes while filming with Torstein Horgmo and Andreas Wiig to relying on his sled as an essential tool for backcountry filming, McMorris has found plenty of common ground between snowboarding and snowmobiling. We caught up with him to talk about his introduction to mountain riding, what makes a good sled, his favourite riding terrain and why understanding avalanche safety should be at the top of every rider’s list.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, and your accomplishments?
My name is Craig McMorris. I am from Regina Saskatchewan, but I've lived in Whistler British Columbia, for the past 12 years. I'm a professional snowboarder, Ski-Doo and Sea-Doo ambassador, sports broadcaster and TV host.
I understand that you grew up on the Prairies but built your career in the mountains. What was your first real introduction to deep snow and mountain riding culture?
Growing up in Regina, Saskatchewan, I didn't have a lot of access to snowmobiles other than ones that we just ripped across the lake. But when I came out west, I always knew I wanted to get in the backcountry, that was the goal for my career. The very first time I ever went sledding in the mountains was with Jake Trottier and the Oakley snowboarding family. It was awesome that they took me out and I learned so much. After the first day, I knew I was hooked and then at the start of the 2014 season I bought my first sled. I never looked back.
Snowboarding introduced many people to you, but when did snowmobiling become part of your life?
I would say snowmobiling became a huge part of my life at the start of the 2014 season. I had the opportunity to film with Torstien Horgmo and Andreas Wiig for the new Shredbots movie. The film was very backcountry focused so the only way to be in the movie was to be capable on a Ski-Doo. I wasn't very good that first season, so major thanks to them for their patience, but that was really the first time I could call myself a sledder. 2014. It was such a big year for me.
What was it about sledding that hooked you?
Literally everything, haha. I mean the access that you can achieve, the places that that thing can take you. the things you get to see. I owe everything to Ski-Doo. One of the greatest inventions ever.
What do you look for in a mountain snowmobile?
This is a great question, for me it is first and foremost a work tool. So what has always been important with my Ski-Doo is the consistency.
Perfect filming days are few and far between, when the snow is stable and the light is good. My machine needs to be ready to go when we get the green light.
Which riding area in Canada is your all-time fave?
Whistler! Nowhere can compare in my opinion, the mountains here are so perfect for sledding and boarding. I feel like I haven't even really scratched the surface of what this area can offer.
What's one skill every new sledder should master early?
First and foremost I think every sledder should understand and be very capable in avalanche situations!
Do snowboarders and sledders have more in common than people realize?
For sure. We're all chasing these perfect days and perfect conditions.
What future goals are you excited about?
I'm really excited for our Ski-Doo access snowboard video coming out this fall. It's called "Bogey."
Keep your eyes open for it.
Check out some epic sledding content from Craig McMorris on Instagram.
