Eric is an artist in a league of his own. Pro skier, shaper, filmmaker, designer, entrepreneur, devoted father, and freeskiing rebel. After 21 years of sponsorship and collaboration with Line Skis, he launched his own ski and snowboard company, Season Eqpt, alongside snowboarder Austin Smith. Together, they share a passion for the timeless joys of winter.

A self-made creator, Pollard has reshaped skiing culture for an entire generation. On his path, he found a rhythm, a constant evolution, always pushing skiing deeper while preserving its soul and crafting a better future. Inspired by nature, he’s designed a lifestyle that blends aesthetic vision with authentic function. Through it all, the life-altering injury in Russia, the highs and lows of professional sport and business, one thing remains unchanged. Like the steady swing of a pendulum, Pollard’s love for unconventional riding endures. At Forward Outdoor, we are proud to support his art. Today we take a closer look at his rich active life and explore how the expression of his genius aligns with our brand’s vision.

Hi Eric, where are you spending this hot summer?
We just got back from Hawaii, where I was lucky enough to work remotely and spend time surfing with my family, great moments sharing waves on the reef with my daughter. Now we’re back enjoying home time for the rest of the summer in Mount Hood, Oregon.

How would you describe the younger Eric Pollard? The one who eventually became who you are today?
“I started out as a ski racer, so to answer your question I was far from what I was about to become. I even competed in the Junior Olympics, it was serious for me back then.
But I wasn’t in love with it. Everything shifted during an alpine competition in Mammoth. I hit a jump line in the terrain park, and something just clicked. That moment made me realize I was meant to follow a different path, one that would lead me toward freeskiing and away from alpine racing norms.

At the time, nothing was really established. Freestyle skiing was just emerging, influenced heavily by snowboarding, and terrain parks were popping up across the U.S. I remember thinking, “Even if this has no future, I don’t care, this is what I want to do.” People around me thought I was crazy. But I could see how much space there was for innovation, in the gear we used, the tricks we did, and how we expressed ourselves. We were creating a new culture, and I was lucky to be part of that movement.”

Was it obvious to you to step away from the big ski film productions and start your own company, Nimbus Independent?
“Yeah, it felt totally natural. I had some small parts in big ski movies. Don’t get me wrong, it was an amazing lifestyle, traveling for premieres and all. But after few years my friends and I didn’t feel connected to the edits we were in anymore. I wanted to show the entire process of filming a movie, not just a bunch of “porn tricks” where you didn’t even have to land for the shot to make the final cut.

That’s where “IDEA” and then Nimbus Independent was born. I wanted to work with people who shared the same vision. When I talked to Pep Fujas, Chris Benchetler, and Andy Mahre, they were immediately on board. We were ready to walk away from the comfort of big productions to create something true to ourselves, from the tricks, filming, and music to the overall vibe. It felt fresh. We wanted to make our art together.”

How did you manage to highlight style over pure performance in the freeskiing world?
“I think there’s always been room for both. But for us, it wasn’t about what you did, it was about how you did it. Back then (and even now), competitions rewarded more spins with higher scores. But we as free skiers wanted to focus on style. How you grabbed your skis, how the trick was filmed, showing the approach, the landing, the hike back up, the global scene.

Simple things are often the hardest to do well. Finding the right balance, keeping it clean — that’s where style lives. A slow spinning trick with a massive airtime comes with technique because if your hands move just slightly the wrong way or you over-rotate, you can have a really bad landing, you’ve got to master the slowing pace of it.. Style wasn’t considered the most valuable at the time, but we made it our focal point. That mindset stuck with me, even now, I believe style and simplicity are underrated. That’s what I brought to my ski career, and that’s how I try to live my life. I have massive respect for athletes doing other things, but our vision was different and we made it worth the effort.”

When did you realize your artistic side could fuel your ski career?
“Very early on it started to be helpful and felt necessary in the ski industry I belonged to. That realization gave me the confidence to start Nimbus Independent in 2007. For me, filming was the highest form of expression in skiing. You’re composing shots, choosing angles, frame rates, shutter speed, everything is a creative decision. And then in post-production, you re-interpret it all. It was an outlet for exploration.
I never really saw myself as an artist. I just documented what was in my head. Later, I started experimenting with ski graphics. I was riding for Line Skis, and I kept wondering: why are the graphics the same on every pair? It bothered me. So I began using my drawings and photography to create unique skis. The team noticed and appreciated it. Eventually, I was put in charge of the design process, which felt natural.
But after 20+ years of putting tons of art on skis, I started to feel tired. It didn’t strike me the same way anymore. So when we launched Season Eqpt, I wanted a reset, to focus on material, construction, design, and shape. The subtle things that make skis and snowboards feel and look right. Creativity has always been a part of me, and I’ve applied it in every stage of my career.”

After two decades as a key figure at Line Skis, would you say you launched Season Eqpt at the right time in your life?
“Definitely a time for changes. After all these years learning and being under the radar of brands and ski companies, I knew I had everything in my bag to run my business in the game. I was ready to take full control of a brand, to have my own ski range, to build something from scratch where ski and snowboard were treated as equals from the beginning. That blend of disciplines mattered a lot to me.

It would have been easy to stay at Line, I had a comfortable job there. But I needed something new and refreshing spiritually. I wanted to be behind the scenes, not just under the spotlight, I had too much of it at some point. The idea of leading and building a brand felt perfectly timed.”

Is it possible to stand out as a small brand among the big players in the ski industry?
“Our goal was never to take on the big brands. I have huge respect for what they’ve done. Their role in shaping ski culture is undeniable. But we’re staying small by choice. We don’t want to please everyone. Our gear isn’t for everyone and we are happy and conscious about that. As a small brand, we don’t chase trends, we want to set them for our niche of passionate riders and consumers. Where everyone was expecting me to sell twin tips, I shape more directional skis now, so I like to go in directions where people don’t know I’m going. Selling skis and snowboards in 2025 is so hard, but you’ve got to have smaller brands in the market to offer something different. It’s just a thing that you commit to if you really love it.”

Your injury in Sochi (see the film Drawn From Here) marked a turning point. What’s your relationship with skiing today, is it a balance of love and pain?
“It’s definitely a dance between the two. Some days are joyful, others are tough. The injury changed everything. Sometimes I catch myself thinking I can still ski the way I used to. But my body quickly reminds me otherwise. I’m just thankful I still have my leg. The doctors almost had to amputate after the infection, and it stayed fragile and not easy for a long time after the rehab. These days, I mostly ski with my close friend and Season co-founder Austin Smith. Watching him ride at such a high level can be bittersweet, because I have to keep my skis on the ground now. But I put my energy where it matters. I love filming and highlighting other riders. And honestly, I’ve fallen in love again with turning, keeping my creativity alive and staying safe being a necessity for my leg. So right now I’m a lot into carving, with a freestyle touch. That’s where I find joy today…”

How did the collaboration with Forward Outdoor begin? Any upcoming projects with them this winter?
“Our paths first crossed through Season Eqpt. I met Tony McWilliam, and we worked together briefly before COVID hit. I instantly felt at home with Forward, their creative and artistic direction really resonated with me. I’m super selective about who I work with, and Forward felt like a perfect match.

I remember being in Japan for a shoot, and people kept asking about our gear. It was exciting to see their interest! The brand speaks to mountain lovers who care about design, quality, and aesthetics. Right now, I’m focused on filming projects featuring our community of riders at Season, but I’ve also talked with Forward about doing something rooted in Oregon, a project about the volcanoes that shaped my mountain vision and inspired my graphics. It could be a holistic piece. Maybe something is approaching for this winter.”

Have your kids ever watched your ski movies from back in the days?
“Not at all. They have no idea who I was. Funny enough, my wife was a pro snowboarder too, but at home we don’t have posters, trophies, or ski magazines lying around. The ski culture has evolved. My career was incredible but I’m 42 years old now, it’s behind me and I'm excited everyday about the life I currently have as a passionate entrepreneur and simple skier who shares this pleasure with friends and work to film the careers of others. Our kids don’t grow up watching long ski movies like we did. It’s all short, fast content now. I’m certain there’s still an audience and ways to share long-form documentaries online.That was a conscious decision not to show them. We want them to explore their own paths and become creative with their time. If one day they want to know about our past lives, we’ll tell them…”

Words and interview by Maxence Gallot for Forward Outdoor.