Simon Dumont enjoys bouncing off walls during the winter.
While some people hibernate indoors until spring arrives, the Bethel native avoids warm climates as he travels around the world as a winter X competitor.
This weekend, Dumont, 18, will compete in the superpipe and slopestyle events of the Winter X Games Nine at Aspen/Snowmass Resort in Colorado. ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC will televise the competition, which begins today and runs through Tuesday.
This weekend, Dumont said he is “looking for a podium,” and that means he must finish in the top three to earn that distinct honor.
Dumont is the reigning Winter X Games superpipe gold medalist from 2004. During that spectacular year, he took third in the U.S. Open in Vail, Colo., and second at the World Skiing Invitational.
He will join a handful of other competitors from Maine – Darion Marion, Windham; Thomas Parsons, Farmington; and Seth Wescott, Kingfield – who will also be taking their best shot in the Winter X Games.
The Telstar Regional High School graduate has been participating in these heart-stopping competitions since he was 14 years old.
No giant slalom or cross country events for him. He says he’s doesn’t want to be bothered with the strict regimen that both sports require. Besides, he gets a real kick out of racing down the 515-foot long superpipe as he maneuvers off the icy walls of the course.
“I get to sleep in when I want,” said Dumont during a telephone interview from Aspen. “I train when I want. I like the way it is more laid back.”
But there is nothing laid back about the superpipe, where Dumont has launched himself in the air as high as 22 feet and lived to tell about it. Last year, he broke a collarbone during a photo shoot, but that didn’t keep him off the slopes.
In the slopestyle competition, Dumont likes to perform what is known as big cork 5s and switch 9s. Dumont is also trying to improve the technical aspect of his run and link more tricks without losing amplitude.
Thanks to the Winter X Games popularity, Dumont can train year-around thanks to his sponsors and the money he earns from competitions.
“It’s getting big,” said Dumont. “I hope to do well in the big ones (events) so I don’t have to do the little ones.”
Each success can mean larger and lucrative roles in ski industry movies for Dumont.
“I’d like to get bigger parts in the movies,” he added.
The sport has also allowed him to travel around the world to competitions in Sweden, Switzerland and Germany.
During summers, Dumont heads north, way up north, to British Columbia where he trains and teaches camp. He also ventures to New Zealand’s ski slopes so he doesn’t get rusty.
“I teach camp and train,” he added.
Dumont has done some smart things with his earnings. Over the last few years, the young man has matured, and he has wisely invested his money in real estate, mutual funds and has even started a retirement fund.
“I have actually grown up a lot,” said Simon, who added his social skills have also improved thanks to a career on the slopes.
While the ski daredevil has thought about going to college and taking business courses, he isn’t about to walk away from the sport, yet.
“As long as I don’t hurt my legs, I am fine,” said Dumont.
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