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Finally a Stump Flick

by jim moran

Did you ever have a dream as a child? I had one and it came true! I always thought it would be great to be an Olympian representing the USA. But that was not my dream! I wanted to be in a Greg Stump ski film.

I told you about my experience when I was 15 years old, but I will tell it in a different way. I grew up watching ski films and living in Stowe, Vermont. To me, skiing in a Stump film meant that you were the best. I am still a strong believer.

I idolized Stump, Schmit, Plake, and Hattrup before I met them all in Blackcolmb, B.C. back in 1988. I was surprised by how much energy Schmit, and Hatrip spent on me. I knew that Plake was fresh back to North America and and very popular. To meet any of them was an honor and it really sparked my desire to be in a Stump flick.

My career was going great. I won the Rocky Mt. Division and got second place at Nationals. I had won World Cups and skied for films like Warren Miller, (R.A.P.) productions, Scott Gaffney and Disney. I always had the dream to ski for Stump though! This dream was deceiving me until he flew in like a genie.

Glen Plake is an old-school bumper that has diversified his skiing in a great way. He saw Jonny Moseley and I skiing in the bumps, and set his own goals for us. At the time, Jonny was ranked second in the World, with his teammate and friend (me) in 5th, nipping at his heals. Glen saw the talent and drive. Glen started calling Greg Stump, telling him that the time for a bump flick was now.

Greg is one smooth bastard and everyone knows it. He rolled into Steamboat, Colorado with his cameras, and the town was his. Stump and Plake had known that we would be there training for our US National Team camp. Casually, Glen told Jonny and I that Greg was going to meet us there to shoot the beginning of the film.

First Stump made friends with our coach, saying that he wanted to shoot the whole team. He started by getting most of his footage of Jonny, Donna, and me. Then after shooting us on our training coarse, he asked if we would join him freeskiing in the bumps the next day.

Greg lucked out and it snowed about 14 inches that night. The bumps in Steamboat are kind and everywhere, so the day was sick. I told you that I had waited for this moment my whole life. I went off, throwing 720 Ironcrosses and wacky tricks that have never been done before—even by me. Jonny skied beautifully, bringing out the best in me. We skied in the trees, which were bumped out, and in the very small, steep section called The Chutes. The day was great. We had all skied the way that we wanted, so we went to the bar to tip one back and chat.

We all headed to Blackcolm for a World Cup the next week. It turned out that Jonny won and I got second. Stump was filming it. We finished our seasons, and took a bit of a break before a summer filming.

Once again in Blackcolm, B.C. The bumps are slushy soft, and Greg lives there, so he arranged for us to ski during the sunset around 9 p.m. We had filmed a bit that day, but the twilight shots would be unforgettable under the lights.

The film was not quite finished yet. We made another trip to Heavenly Valley, California. We all dressed up to show the fun side of the sport. Then we went to the desert to ride horses, giving the film one of its final touches. Jonny and I both went to the Olympics the next year. I did not succeed in my goal, but Jonny put the final touch on the film and the country. He won the Gold! Congratulations Jonny. It would seem like dreams do come true.