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| Meet Jeremy Derksen |
Jeremy Derksen is a media fixer, freelancer and father of three who occasionally likes to bite off more than he can chew. He once soloed the Canadian Death Race.
In his 10-plus years on the front lines, he has caught hypothermia in the backcountry, endo'd on skis, bikes and boards and lost more gear than he currently owns in more places than he can remember. His wife wants to knit him those mittens attached by string, and blames him for all the misplaced car keys. She always says to "be safe" when he goes away for work, to which he routinely and good-naturedly objects.
He has written for The Ski Journal, Canadian Geographic, The Globe and Mail and various dailies, and is the former SnowZone editor for Vue Weekly. He enjoys coffee, Korean cuisine, craft beer, bad puns, good mischief and being on skis whenever he can.
Articles by Jeremy Derksen on SnowSeekers
- Jeremy tames the family circus at Canyon Ski Resort
- During spring break, Jeremy discovers that Marmot Basin is way better than a tropical vacation.
- Jeremy takes a trip down memory lane and explains why feeder hills are so important to the skiing industry.
Where's your favourite place to ski?
Marmot Basin in Jasper, AB. I've volunteered for the Canadian Ski Patrol up at Marmot for the last 10 years and I know the hill better than any other I've visited. I always know where to find the best stashes and whenever there's a powder day, it's like a high school reunion--with all your good friends and none of the BS.
What's your secret superpower?
I rock at karaoke. And I dance pretty well too.
How do you kick back?
Good whiskey and the latest Neil Gaiman novel, or playing guitar by the fire.
What's your fitness and health regime on the road?
Fighting over charcuterie, carrying the sticks for the heavy cam and running like Dr. Who whenever time gets tight. It keeps the blood pumping. Also, some yoga and pilates in the hotel room.
Best powder day experience?
On a week's trip to Whistler, the Whistler Peak chair was closed for avalanche control for two days because of a giant dump. I was among the first 100 or so people in line when it opened. We watched skiers take massive drops off the cliffs, flipping and barrell-rolling, and then a post-run marriage proposal before loading the chair to one of the best runs I've ever had.
Other media outlets you contribute to?
These days I am so busy as a location manager I don't write as much as I used to. I occasionally write for Vue Weekly, Vacay.ca, Edmonton Tourism and Blitz Conditioning.
Your favourite experience as a journalist?
Always the last one, and the next one - I approach each experience with a blank slate (which is not to say I am one). But my favourite experience in media was living and working in a mountain town, as publisher of the Fitzhugh, Jasper's community newspaper. I worked with an amazingly talented team to cover weekly news in an intensely engaged mountain community. If you didn't do it right, you heard it immediately. And the community there is incredible--real, passionate, eccentric and diverse. Never a dull moment.
What's fun about contributing to Seekers
Discovering some of the coolest niches in skiing, hearing great stories from inspiring people in the ski and travel industries, and getting to share them.