CR Johnson hit the skiing masses’ consciousness ten years ago on the Contender page in Freeze and Plake’s Picks in Freeskier. It amazed me that someone my age was just as good, if not better, than most pros in the park. It’s not surprising to see teenagers push the sport today, but at the time the movement was dominated by a crew of 20-somethings from Canada. CR made a generation of kids realized we could be a part of this thing. I hung a photo of his 1440 on my bedroom wall and the pullout from Frontline of two BC booters hung in my dorm throughout college.
CR’s segments and style have changed my skiing. He made me love the big floaty three, legitimized halfpipe skiing to the masses, and made it cool to excel in all aspects of the sport. His recovery from a near-fatal injury in 2005 and recently placing at the Red Bull Linecatcher this year should be an inspiration to anyone.
The day CR passed away Jon’s brother, Dan, and I waited for the same closed Headwall lift at Squaw, skied the same cliff area, and hooted and howled like everyone else in a foot-plus of powder. We noticed a crowd of skiers and patrollers gathered to the left of the lift, but wouldn’t get the news until we were headed back to the hotel.
CR changed skiing forever and made it more fun for us all. RIP.
