THE FLOW STATE
MARK SOLLORS - Professional Snowboarder
The mountains are huge, and the terrain is vast. Professional snowboarder and backcountry veteran Mark Sollors gets dialed in with BOA before dropping into his next line.
@brenttaylorphoto
As one of the most down-to-earth guys in snowboarding, when you're in the presence of Mark Sollors, it's easy to forget he's a professional snowboarder. He has a certain presence about him, like an old soul you've known for years.
His riding is flawless and smooth, and watching him snowboard is as enjoyable as it is to be around him. It’s this easygoing approach and humble demeanor that sets him apart, giving his career longevity in an industry that’s constantly shaken up by a revolving door of who’s next. He’s come at it differently by carving a path of his own – perhaps similar to the flow state he speaks about – and it shows.
@adammoran
@adammoran
"It's that flow state. Once you start rolling and getting into it, you start to feel the wind, and it's a combination of adrenaline and comfort. It's this weird mix of confidence, nerves, and the trust in your ability to know what you're doing."
Mark, known as Sollors to most, grew up in Kelowna, BC, where he started snowboarding on weekends when he was eight years old. In high school, he got noticed by a local sales rep who started flowing him gear, eventually leading to a sponsorship deal with Burton. At 24, he was named Transworld Rookie of the Year – and while he'll be the first to admit it sounds a bit old for a rookie compared to the 18 and 19-year-olds on the come up, Sollors put his time in, and he was ready.
“It was definitely a slow start but I was learning so much along the way. I was picking up a ton of experience in the backcountry, in contests, riding rails, filming, and the business side of it. By the time I got industry recognition as Rookie of the Year, I felt like I was ready for it.”
Now 33, Sollors has been snowboarding most of his life and is dedicated to the process. Most mornings start at 5:30 am to the sound of a snowmobile or heli, while others are spent waiting out weather for days or months on end. The backcountry takes patience, experience, commitment, and a good head on your shoulders – you have to be dialed in and prepared as possible, knowing that these careful calculations and decisions determine life or death. But that's too dark to think about, he says, and the reward is worth it.
@adammoran
@adammoran
"It's so calculated what we do, at least to the best of our ability. When we’re done estimating speed, snow conditions, avalanche awareness – it checks all the boxes the best we can and it feels right. We know what we’re getting into, and then it goes back to the basics of doing what we know how to do. And when everything's right, it feels like the best place ever."
@adammoran
