5-time Olympic snowboarder Shaun White’s efficiency snow model, Whitespace, in collaboration with Excessive West Distillery, dropped limited-edition merch with 20% of the proceeds benefiting Excessive West’s Shield the West initiative, with funds benefiting Shield our Winters, a company devoted to preserving out of doors playgrounds from local weather change.
Photographs by Mike Dawson
Each Shaun and Excessive West are dedicated to preserving the fantastic thing about the West. Because the Whiskey of the West and an athlete born and educated within the West, each are devoted to defending and nurturing the land they name dwelling. This co-branded launch goals to amplify consciousness and motion across the trigger. We ask Shaun to inform us extra.
Inform us concerning the tasks you might be engaged on.
I’ve saved busy since retiring and am engaged on some thrilling tasks. One of many largest is The Snow League, the first-ever skilled winter sports activities league for snowboarding and freeskiing, launching its inaugural season this 12 months. Then there’s WHITESPACE, my namesake model, which has been a real ardour mission – we simply got here out with a brand new line. I’ve additionally been working with Excessive West Distillery on their Shield the West initiative. I’ve all the time beloved their whiskeys, nevertheless it was the Shield the West mission that basically drew me in. They’ve been unbelievable in supporting organizations devoted to preserving the West, and I’m proud that we might lengthen the partnership with a WHITESPACE co-branded assortment—20% of the proceeds go on to benefiting Shield the West so ensure to buy at www.highwest.com when you can.
Together with your busy schedule, what do you love to do along with your downtime?
Even after I’m not touring, I normally do one thing bodily every single day, I attempt to be lively. Whether or not it’s a motorcycle journey, a sport of pickleball, or a lightweight exercise, I all the time attempt to hold shifting. However after I’m not being bodily, I like simply kicking again and spending time with family and friends.
Whenever you exit to eat, the place do you wish to dine?
My two favourite eating places in Las Vegas are Weera Thai and Esther’s Kitchen. Once I’m in LA, I like Scratch Kitchen or Uchi.
What forms of dishes do you usually order?
I’m making an attempt to keep away from consuming meat as a lot as I can lately, and I’ve been doing an awesome job with sticking to a plant-based weight-reduction plan. I like a salad or a heat grain bowl and can load it up with all of the veggies they will match on there. I additionally am an enormous sushi fan – and each type of roll. I’m not too choosy!
Any favourite bars?
At any time when I’m in Park Metropolis, my first cease is all the time the Excessive West Saloon downtown. You possibly can ski or board proper to the Saloon from Park Metropolis Mountain on a path known as Quittin’ Time —there’s no higher spot for après.
Put up retirement, I’ve been spending a number of time in Aspen through the winters, and I like The Snow Lodge and the bar at The St Regis there.
In NYC, I like Jean’s and Fouquet’s.
What drinks do you order when out? Favourite drink?
My go-to drink is an Previous Customary with Excessive West Bourbon, particularly through the colder months. It’s received that good spiced taste, making it the best sipper after a day on the slopes. For one thing that’s a bit extra particular, I’ll pour myself a glass of Excessive West A Midwinter Night time’s Dram. Nothing beats sitting by the hearth, sipping on a glass of Dram– it’s the right pour for these cozy winter nights.
Do you put together drinks at dwelling?
I’m always on the go, however after I’m dwelling, I like having buddies over and making drinks for the crew. I’m no skilled, however I wish to suppose I can combine up a reasonably respectable cocktail.
Inform us about your house bar. What’s it stocked with?
Las Vegas is dwelling base for me, so I made positive to arrange a reasonably candy bar there—and it’s been much more stocked since teaming up with Excessive West. The Excessive West Double Rye and Bourbon are my go-to’s for cocktails, however I all the time hold a number of bottles of Rendezvous Rye readily available for particular events to serve neat.
Have you ever ever been a bartender?
Sadly, I by no means had the prospect rising up—I used to be busy again then! However hey, by no means say by no means, proper? That’s type of been my motto since I retired.
