Glen Plake

Glen Plake - Skier/Mountaineer/Sportsman

The first time on skis at age two had a lasting impression on Glen Plake, heʼs dedicated his life to the sport ever since. Growing up in Californiaʼs Sierra Nevada mountains it is easy to understand Glenʼs unconventional thinking and unique place in the sport of skiing. “California is not your typical place for a skier to be from” as a featured skier in Greg Stumps early films (Blizzard of Aahhhʼs and License to Thrill) Glen was exposed to Chamonix and he to the skiing world “I wasnʼt trying to prove anything, I just loved skiing and I guess it really showed through on film”.

Ski racing and stints on the US National Mogul Team honed his technical skills mix that with Californiaʼs lifestyle and you have Glen. With the success of the films, the possibility of being a professional freeskier became reality, until then the title “pro skier” came only with FIS results. “It never made sense to me that the best “skiers” on the hill couldnʼt even get free skis even though everybody wanted to ski like them.” Working with some believers/sponsors Glen began to change peoples perception of pro sports and is often referred as the pioneer of action sports opening the door for many of todays heros. “It has been a great journey and responsibility that I take very seriously and devote every day too, I have been blessed with the ability to inspire people but I have to keep inspiring myself”. Chamonix exposed Glen to the world of mountaineering and following in the traditions of extreme skiing, he has had the success of first descents in Europe, Japan, North/South America, and Asia and is preparing for another expedition in Peru this Spring 09. “Skiing 50 degree slopes at 20,000 ft is a game where the rules have not changed.”