Olympians Scotty James and Russ Henshaw chase endless winters on the Red Bull snow team

THERE are a group of Aussies doing something very un-Australian. While we’re dreaming for the return of summer they're hoping winter never ends. So who are they?

THERE are a group of Aussies doing something very un-Australian. While we’re dreaming for the return of summer, they’re hoping winter never ends.

Instead of getting barrelled in the surf, they’re launching up 22 feet high half pipes in sub zero temperatures. This is the life of Australia’s winter Olympians and riders for the highly competitive Red Bull team and they think they’ve got the best job in the world.

Snowboarder Scotty James is a 20 year old from Victoria who recently competed in his second Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. He was also the youngest male Olympian in 50 years to compete at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Russ Henshaw is a 23 year old freestyle skier from NSW who staked his place as one of the world’s best free skiers at the 2014 Winter Olympics and says some of his best ski days are on Australia’s local mountains.

They tell news.com.au about life on the road and reveal some insider secrets including why freaking out is a good thing.

Scotty James doing what he loves most. Picture: Red Bull.

How did you get into snowboarding/skiing?

Scotty James (SJ): “I started on skis like most kids did back then, but when I saw my dad and sister on a snowboard I knew that’s what I wanted to do. At that time it was hard to get a snowboard and boots that fit me, but with a bit of luck and determination my dad got me riding, and I’ve loved it from day one.”

Russ Henshaw (RH): “My parents took me to Jindabyne on a ski holiday when I was young and the ski instructors tried to convince them to put me in the race club. My parents thought they just wanted more money so we went home.

The following season the exact same thing happened but it came from a different instructor. My parents listened and put me in the race club and it all kind of snowballed from there.”

Russ Henshaw loves the creativity of freestyle skiing. Picture: Red Bull.

What do you love most about it?

SJ: “When you strap into your board ready to ride. Whether you’re riding off piste, the park or on the groomers you get a great sense of exhilaration — and when you add riding with a great crew, it’s awesome.”

RH: “I love the freedom to do what I want on the snow and express myself and how I feel. The best part would probably be being able to travel the world with all my mates.”

Favourite mountain in the world to ski?

SJ: “Breckenridge Colorado has all the facilities I need to train and terrain on the mountain is really fun, especially when it snows a lot. Also, you can always find good people to ride with, so many riders head there every year in November because of the snowfall.”

RH: “In the Southern Hemisphere it is definitely Perisher. Nothing beats riding at your home mountain with all your friends. It’s super fun on pow days (when school is called off because of snow) and the park is world class. I love it there.

In the Northern Hemisphere I have a few favourites as well; Breckenridge, Mammoth and Whistler are all super fun to ride!”

Russ Henshaw launches up into the sky. Picture: Red Bull.

Any favourite secret spots we should know about?

SJ: “Well, only if you can keep a secret?! If the snow is falling and you’re in Breckenridge, head to peak 10 early!”

Most remote place you’ve been?

SJ: “The Czech Republic would have to be the most remote and difficult place I’ve had to get to. Plus, I’m a man of simple pleasures so the food was pretty extreme for me. Does that count?”

RH: “Definitely Sochi, Russia. Even though the Olympics were happening, it still felt so far from anything I had ever experienced in my life.”

The coldest place you’ve been to?

SJ: “I can remember thinking Stratton Mountain in Vermont was the coldest place I’d been to, but that all changed after going to Stoneham in Canada, that gets the tick. It’s so cold that my coach and wax technician dread going there. They spend a lot of time standing still, so I guess that makes it much worse for them. Ha ha!”

RH: “Probably the east coast of the USA at a ski resort called Killington. I was there for the Winter Dew Tour slope style event and it was almost unbearable to go outside and ski.”

Scotty James was the youngest face in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Do you ever miss having a summer?

SJ: “I do miss the Australian summer. For the most part of the past 10 years I have chased the snow or have been at school. This year I got the opportunity to go surfing in Nicaragua for 10 days and it was awesome. I’m definitely going to make sure I schedule in a summer climate once a year from now on.”

RH: “Nope. I love skiing and the fact that I get to do it all year round is AWESOME!”

Do you have any insider tips on how to get the most out of your day at the snow?

SJ: “Best tip is to get out early. So many people talk about last chair, but the best chair is the first chair.”

RH: “The biggest tip I would say is plan lunch either late morning or mid afternoon. If you go for lunch between 11am — 12pm or 1.30pm — 2.30pm then you will beat the rush of people going in to eat. Meaning you get to spend more time on the snow.”

Scotty says freaking out is a good thing. Picture: Red Bull.

What has been your worst injury?

SJ: “I’ve broken my wrist a few times, but this year in Aspen I had the worst break, which unfortunately stopped me from competing.”

RH: “I have had a few. I have had 3 ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) reconstructions and a shattered knee cap.

I think the worst is the knee cap. It was the most painful out of all of my injuries and it still gives me a bit of grief but for the most part is good now.”

How much travel do you do?

SJ: “I’ve seen so many countries in travels and made so many good friends along the way. I can be travelling for nine months of the year and that can get tough, lost bags missed/cancelled flights, time zone changes — but I wouldn’t want to do anything else.”

RH: “This year was a little different for me because I came home for surgery, but most years I travel from November through till May. Then I also do a few trips to New Zealand in August/September. It’s a lot of travel but definitely worth it. You do get sick of living out of a suitcase for sure, but if the downside to seeing the world is living out of a suitcase, I’ll take it.”

Russ doesn’t call this a job. Picture: Red Bull.

Is it a glamorous life? Or do you still couch surf with mates on tour?

SJ: “It sounds glamorous but you never take things for granted so if someone offers you a couch, you grab it.

Once I grabbed a cheap room and it didn’t have a fridge so I put my cold food in a bag and hung it of the roof window. I thought I was so clever. It snowed overnight and in the morning I opened the window to get the bag of food and all of this snow fell in through the window, I was covered in snow and so was the room and to make it worse, when the bag finally fell through the window, it hit me in the face. Now I try to find rooms with a fridge.”

RH: “I haven’t couch surfed in a while. Most of the time I try and get a hotel or a house where we are training. During competitions it can become a little glamorous as sponsors put you into nice chalets and take you out for nice dinners during the events.”

Pipe walls are 22 feet high before you’ve even launched into the air. Picture: Red Bull.

Favourite seat on the plane?

SJ: “The window please!”

RH: “An aisle seat. There is nothing worse than being six or seven hours into a trip, needing to go to the toilet and being caged in. Plus with the injuries I have had in my knees I like to make sure I get up and keep them moving throughout long haul flights.”

How much equipment do you take on trip?

SJ: “I usually travel with four boards; two for half-pipe and two for slopestyle.”

RH: “Most of the time I take two pairs of skis. But I definitely go through about four skis a season. Purely because I am on them so much.”
15. What does a typical day of training look like?

SJ: “First thing every day is to check the weather, then eat a good breakfast and head up to the park, we ride for about six hours if the weather lets us.”

RH: “I wake up early and check the weather report. If it’s sunny, I call my mates and we get to the mountain as fast as possible because we know how much fun it’s going to be. If it’s cloudy I might hit snooze and sleep for a little longer before getting up.”

Russ at the Aspen winter X Games. Picture: Red Bull.

What has been the highlight of your career?

SJ: “Being able to represent Australia would be the highlight of my career. There is definitely something special about standing next to competitors (friends from other nations) and we are all riding for our countries. It’s like you’re not standing alone, Australia is standing there with me.”

RH: “It would have to be either winning the Dew Tour Slopestyle in Breckenridge or getting Silver at the Winter X Games in Aspen. Both of those event are huge in our sport and to have even been able to get on the podium was unreal.”

Russ reaches dizzying heights. Picture: Red Bull.

Scotty, how high are the walls of the half pipe? Do you ever freak out?

SJ: “The walls in an Olympic half pipe are 22 feet but unfortunately some of the time the half pipes are not built that high due to the availability of snow.

When I’m riding a pipe that is a little sketchy or if I’m learning a new trick, for sure I freak out. I think if you’re not freaking out sometimes you’re not challenging yourself.”

Russ, what’s your favourite trick and what’s the scariest?

RH: “My favourite would either have to be a flat 540 or a cork 360. As for the scariest, definitely a triple cork. Learning that was one of the scariest things I have ever had to try on snow.”