2015 Presentation: Jeremy Jones

Jeremy Jones is a busy man who wears many hats, most of them warm. He’s a legendary big mountain snowboarder and has starred in more than 20 films, including several produced by his brothers — Teton Gravity Research creators Steve and Todd Jones. He is a founder and owner of Jones Snowboards, which makes boards from sustainable materials through a carefully sourced supply chain. Jones also the founder of Protect Our Winters, a coalition of outdoor athletes working to combat climate change.

Jones’ home mountain of Squaw Valley in Northern California has been especially impacted by global warming. As he points out, “People who are in the mountains on a daily basis see undeniable changes to our winters.” Jones does his part to make a difference by riding as many self-powered lines as he can, eschewing the helicopter rides that are so pervasive in ski films. But his efforts go beyond earning his turns and stretch into the realm of outreach and education. “If we get to the point where the ski resorts all close because there’s no longer any snow, the least of our worries will be that skiers and snowboarders don’t get to go play in the mountains,” he says.

A National Geographic Adventurer of the Year in 2013 — who was also named an “Agent of Change” by President Barack Obama — Jones will discuss his environmental efforts and how he manages to ride the epic lines shown in his various films.