Erik Roner [Gravity Assessor]

By: Editor | March 09, 2011 | Ten by Ten

Sensational skier Erik Roner has starred in 10 notable ski movies, been published in 30 magazines and involved in several TV shows, for his incredible ability to.. stay off the slopes. The professional skier is a pioneer of the extreme hybrid sport called ski BASE-jumping, where skiers parachute themselves off a 200-2000 foot ski cliff, while executing outrageous aerial stunts. Recently joining Travis Pastrana and the MTV crew on the show “Nitro Circus”, Roner is traveling the world in search of new and intimidating backdrops to perform his unbelievable feats. Every winter, Roner also films a big mountain ski feature with Teton Gravity Research.

Name one person you most admire, past or present, and why?
Shane McConkey – A well-known skier, BASE jumper, and a lover of life. Shane passed away last year due to complications during a ski BASE jump in Italy. He was an individual, a free thinker and progressed anything important to him. He taught me not to take myself seriously, think outside the box, and not to be afraid to voice my opinion. Shane was one-of-a-kind and I will always look up to him.

How would you define happiness?
Happiness is when you are truly content…not a stress, worry, or care in the world. I travel all the time so when I am home with my family I am truly content.

How would you define the role of art in modern society?
Art is not just a painting on the wall or that sculpture in a museum; it’s about expressing ourselves in our own unique way. Whether it’s on our bodies, on the web, on the radio, or in the architecture you’re walking past, it’s everywhere. I look at all the different styles in our world from the clothes we wear to the food we eat as an influence by someone’s vision for something unique, someone’s means of expressing themselves.

What is the best career advice you’ve ever received, and who gave it to you?
“If you work hard, believe and set your mind right you can be whatever you want.”  -my mom

What artist (musician, poet, painter, etc.) has had the greatest impact on your life and how?
I would have to say the Beastie Boys have always influenced me. From a young age I appreciated their uniqueness, creativity and general brilliance. They’re ability to revolt against the machine but attract the masses is true genius.

What is your greatest extravagance?
Helicopter skiing in Alaska. Every April a crew of 4 skiers, 2 filmers, and 2 photographers charter a helicopter, pilot and guide for the month. We post up in a remote part of Alaska and ride some of the most unbelievable mountains you can imagine. It all ends up in an annual film but those trips can get expensive! 

How would you like to be remembered?
I would like to be remembered as someone who inspired others to chase their dreams.

Favorite all-time …
Song: For obvious reasons…Fight for your right to party – Beastie Boys
Movie: Enter the Dragon – I have always respected Bruce Lee and the martial arts. 
Painting: Any of Alphonse Mucha’s decorative and distinct Art Nouveau paintings of women. My farther is an art collector and I grew with numerous Mucha’s on our walls.  I have always been a fan.
Book: The Endurance. How can you not be amazed by Ernest Shackelton’s unbelievable survival of the failed Trans-Antarctica expedition?  Whenever someone is in a rough spot I will usually say “Shackelton” meaning harder up!
TV Show: Nitro Circus

How would you define love?
My parents have been married for 40 years. They have stood by one another in their triumphs and dark times.  They have taught me love is patient, unconditional and has no envy.

If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be and why?
I would change the rapid rate our climate is changing. The warming of our globe is affecting so many things on so many levels.  I wish we as a human race could get our act together and keep Mother Nature happy.  She is way bigger and much more important than any of us.

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