“The Real Deal”  - The Blade Dive Podcast, Episode 13 we are joined by Joshua “Yosh” Heydorn,  a local to Flagstaff, Arizona. Heydorn immersed himself in the culture of his community early on in life and has grown to graciously appreciate the town and its surrounding landscape.  Heydorn has helped build Arizona Snow Bowl’s Terrain Park Program and has also been a part of large scale projects at Mammoth Mountain, California.

• Raised by a single parent who wanted the best in life for her son, Heydorn’s mom borrowed their neighbor’s car in order to make the trek to the mountains, and introduce the family to snow. No stranger to hard work, Heydorn would later receive a scholarship to University, but would never relinquish a passion for the snow and the potential for a career in the snow industry. 

• Once employed by Arizona Snow Bowl as a Snowboard Instructor... a Bombardier Plus ME Snowcat rolls by, before morning lessons begin, and catches the attention of Heydorn. That day,  Heydorn approached Dale Haglin, Director of Mountain Operations and eventually earned an opportunity to jump onboard with the summer trail grooming crew, in an effort to prove he was more than just “all talk”.  All in at this point, Heydorn met Matt Rowan before the Winter began, was given an opportunity to groom by Dale Haglin, and in his spare time, road along with Rowan.  

• Joshua Heydorn has since contributed to capital projects, such as the installation of the  Telemix  Gondola at Arizona Snowbowl and Snowmaking installation projects throughout the United States and Canada, thanks to his knowledge gained at Arizona Snow Bowl. Heydorn was also one of the original contributors to the Sunset Terrain Parks program and has since seen that program grow through the help of amazing people. Heydorn’s experience at Mammoth Mountain, as a contributor to large scale push projects for events like Snowboarder Magazines Superpark, is proof that knowledge and skill scope can be attained, no matter what push road you’re in. 

Operators are people just like you and I, with 'extra curricular' interests outside of the cab and beyond the ropes and boundaries and Joshua Heydorn’s love for Photography and his home town is humbling to learn and listen to. We discuss what the relationship can be between day crew and night crew, stepping away from his Management position, the future, and whether or not 'just operating equipment' is enough of a motivator in life.

Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!

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