The man, the myth, the legend, Mike Riddle checked in with Freeskier to let them know about this season, the next season, and Las Vegas.
Freeskier: Hello Mr. Riddle. Where in the world are you these days?
Mike Riddle: Hi Mr. Williams! I am in the sin city Las Vegas for a couple days enjoying the sunshine and all the fabulous amenities offered in this fine city.
FS: The Palms or the Wynn? … or an outside guess, the Hard Rock?
MR: Treasure Island, baby! right on the strip but cheaper than the Wynn… plus there are pirates!
FS: Good call. Did you double your contest earnings this year at the craps table?
MR: Sure did… I am now “Simon Dumont rich.” [laughs] not really though… I don’t know how to play craps… just stick to blackjack and slots.
FS: Nice, keep it simple. Where are you jetting off to after Sin City?
MR: Not sure yet… leaving today but not sure where to… either to Mammoth to try to get some spring skiing in or headed back to Whistler to hit some sweet-az jumps. Either way… win-win.
FS: Better odds than Treasure Island. Would you say you had a decent season this year?
MR: I had a really good season! not Bobby-esque but u know… got my first victory in the Dew Tour which was awesome and then a couple 4th place finishes in X-Games and 4th overall in the Dew Tour so I’m pretty stoked!!
FS: Yes, you finally broke the X Games curse… how does that feel?
MR: Well I was having a rough time not making finals at X-Games (except for once like 4 years ago) so it felt good to finally put down some decent efforts. Can’t wait for those podiums though… next year!
FS: I bet it does. Are you going to be airbag/foampit/water ramp training to get new doubles, or are you just going to man up and do them on snow? I guess Slopestyle vs. Pipe skier doubles training?
MR: I am most definately going to learn new stuff for next year. I will be on the water ramps and trampolines bunches and hopefully get a chance to use a foam pit or an airbag on snow, but if not I guess I’ll just man up. I really want to get back into slope next year, too! I took a season off of that but I want to stay well rounded
FS: Speaking of well rounded skiers, how’s your golf game?
MR: It’s coming along… I’m about 14 handicap but I feel if I played more I could be a lot better! All the courses in Squamish are looking good so I need to get out… still waiting on my first round of the year.
FS: Will golf be a fall back skill when skiing gets too gnarly and Bobby is doing quad flips in his run?
MR: [laughs] That’d be nice… golf is pretty low impact as far as sports go. but Tiger blew his knee golfing so i think ill stick to skiing and keep progressing and having fun!
FS: What are looking forward to the most this year at summer camps?
MR: The vibe! Its always my favorite time of year because it is so laid-back, but I want to be on a mission this summer to learn new tricks. So I’m pretty excited for that. That and golfing.
FS: Do you ever feel all powerful that you are shaping kids minds? You can mold them like clay up on the glacier?
MR: [laughs] YES! Definitely, I am a sculptor. In all seriosness though, it’s pretty cool to teach a kid something new and see the level of stoke in their eyes.
FS: What was the best moment of your year this season?
MR: Definitely my win at the Dew Tour in Breck! career highlight so far.
FS: Good work there. Do you think being from Edmonton you have an advantage in freezing locales like Breck in Dec?
MR: Maybe… it’s in my Canadian blood. It really wasn’t that bad this year though. I didn’t even have to wear a jacket for the event.
FS: Speaking of Canada, who is your prediction for the Stanley Cup?
MR: Well my team won the biggest loser this year so my adopted team the ‘Nucks just got knocked out but I gotta stay Canadian and jump on the Habs bandwagon.
FS: Of course you do. Last question: Are you going to put it on black or red before you leave Vegas?
MR: Black… don’t know why… I can just sense it… I’ll let yah know how it goes…
