Action Sport Optics welcomes Connor Gaeta as our most recent addition to our team. Connor is a recent graduate of the University of Vermont, Sugarbush VT local, and co -owner of HG skis , a new up and coming east coast based ski company.
ASO: Connor, welcome to the ASO team, we’re pumped to have you.
Connor: Thanks for having me on board, I’m stoked to be with ASO.
ASO: Tell us a little about yourself, where you’ve been and where your going?
Connor: Well I’m originally from Connecticut and moved up to Burlington, VT about 4 years for school and I recently graduated. Skiing has always been a part of my life, and I’ve been coming up here since I was young.
ASO: Winter is just about to hit, what are your plans for this winter? Is there any traveling on the horizon?
Connor: Unfortunately, I don’t see much traveling on my horizon, I’m most likely going to be posted on the east for the season, but I’ll be at Sugarbush Parks just about every day. They’re going to kill it this year, I think everyone can expect bug things from them. Other than that, I just want to try and get after urban at night and stack a lot of film.
More interview after video
ASO: How would you describe yourself as a skier?
Connor: I mostly stay in the park, but if it’s a powder day, I’ll definitely be out there getting after it.
ASO: Is there an area in your game your looking to step up or expand upon?
Connor: Yeah, for the past couple of years I’ve had trouble staying injury free, so coming off of my shoulder surgery last year I’m looking to get back into the jump game. It’s hard to progress in that area when your always coming back from being hurt.
ASO: Sugarbush has been your stomping grounds over the last few years, what is it about Sugarbush and the east coast that you like the most?
Connor: What’s really awesome about Sugarbush is they are always trying to get creative. A lot of parks just take the easy route and put in your standard rails and jumps and call it a day, but Tony and the whole Sugarbush parks crew are always trying to do something different and really focus on the flow on the park.
ASO: HG Skis are looking great, tell us a little bit about this project.
Connor: It started off as more of a hobby, for myself and Harrison, the co-owner. He was just building a pair of skis for me and the hype we got from people the first day we took them out on the hill really motivated us to turn this into a company, and not just a side project. So for the past 3 years we have really been focusing on developing our product to get it where we really want it to be.
ASO: What’s the plan for HG Skis this season?
Connor: This is a big year for us, it’s our first year of actual sales. We’re really excited to see how it goes and hopefully it really sets us up for an even bigger season next year.
ASO: How would you describe HG Skis? What style of skis are in the quiver?
Connor: We are really focused on making skis specific to a region. We live on the east coast, so you need a powder ski that isn’t designed for neck deep powder and huge AK lines, but for tight trees and heavier powder. We started off making skis to better our experience and in turn improve everyone elses. We want to have fun on our skis, so we try and make a softer ski, but loaded with a lot of camber. We currently have a park, all mountain and a powder ski. It’s a light snappy ski that not only performs in the park, but can rip all over the mountain.
ASO: When can we expect all the other models to be available?
Connor: Next season you can definitely expect more models to be added.
ASO: Cool, any closing comments or shout outs?
Connor: Once again, stoked to be part of ASO this season, hope to see everyone out at Sugarbush this year.
Action Sport Optics, where action sport, and lifestyle eye wear is our vision, we strive to carry everything you need, and nothing you don’t.
HG Skis , the east coasts premier up and coming ski company.
Sugarbush Parks , some of the best terrain, and park riding in northern Vermont.
