Summits, Soil, and Sustainability with Chris Rubens

Today I speak with professional skier and organic farmer, Chris Rubens. In our conversation, he shares his journey from chasing powder around the globe to realizing he needed to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle. Growing up with a passion for skiing, Chris's perspective took a dramatic turn following a climate change focused trip to Greenland. Realizing the environmental impact of his professional pursuits, he began to adopt more eco-friendly habits, including reducing travel and transitioning to a vegetarian diet.

 

These days Chris operates a three-acre organic farm with his partner in Revelstoke and has switched to more sustainable practices in skiing by partnering with environmentally conscious sponsors. He discusses the need of individual actions towards sustainability, the challenges of implementing sustainability in the ski industry, and the power of community in supporting local agriculture. This interview explores Chris's efforts to lead by example, illustrating how personal changes can contribute to a larger environmental impact.

 

 

00:24 Journey from Professional Skier to Sustainability Advocate

02:17 Making Personal Changes for Sustainability

04:17 Influence and Changes in the Ski Industry

09:26 Designing Sustainable Ski Gear

19:10 The Future of Sustainability in Skiing

23:07 Transitioning to Farming and Local Food Production

29:05 The Joy of Farming and Community Engagement

29:37 Discovering Work-Life Balance in Farming

30:16 The Unique Revelstoke Farming Community

33:08 Supporting Local Food and Community Initiatives

40:50 The Challenges and Rewards of Starting a Farm

44:22 Sustainability and Individual Impact

50:46 Hopeful Perspectives and Community Trust

55:17 Closing Thoughts and Resources