For the Love of Winter

Nate Strauss

This week, Kendra sits down with Nate Strauss, Vice President of Sales at Jack and Sage, the apparel brand known for creating unique, experience-driven merchandise for ski resorts, national parks, and outdoor destinations across North America. Nate shares the story behind the company's rapid growth, the role of retail tourism, and how Jack and Sage help visitors take home meaningful reminders of the places they've explored. The conversation also dives into Nate's love of skiing, raising three young kids in Colorado's Vail Valley, lessons learned as a startup leader, and why balancing work, family, adventure, and time on the mountain remains central to both his life and the Jack and Sage brand. What is it you love about winter? Is it the thrill, the beauty, the stillness? As Canadian’s winter is part of our DNA. The snowy season is something that unites from coast to coast. For The Love of Winter, is a podcast that celebrates Canada’s longest season.

Chad Blain

This week, Kendra sits down with Chad Blain, co-founder of the Jamie Blain Memorial Foundation, also known as Snowboarding Saves, and the filmmaker behind Liam and Friends. Chad shares the deeply personal story of losing his son Jamie to addiction and how that loss inspired a foundation dedicated to supporting mental health and wellness in the snowboard community. He reflects on grief, healing, the role snowboarding has played in his family’s life, and the importance of creating safe spaces for young athletes to talk openly about mental health. The conversation also explores Chad’s new documentary, Liam and Friends, which follows Canadian Olympic snowboarder Liam Gill and the not-for-profit youth empowerment program he created to make snowboarding and mountain sports more accessible to Indigenous youth through mentorship, community, and experiences at Banff Sunshine Village. What is it you love about winter? Is it the thrill, the beauty, the stillness? As Canadian’s winter is part of our DNA. The snowy season is something that unites from coast to coast. For The Love of Winter, is a podcast that celebrates Canada’s longest season.

Mr.Slushcup 2026 - Eric Taylor

This week, Kendra sat down with Mr. Slush Cup 2026, Eric Taylor, to talk about growing up ski racing in Alberta, spending over a decade with the Banff Alpine Racers, and finally getting his first chance to compete in Sunshine Village's iconic Slush Cup. Eric shares stories from his years on the race circuit, what it was like stepping away from competitive skiing after this season, and how the mountains have shaped some of his closest friendships. He also takes listeners through his winning Slush Cup run, from waiting in line before the gondola opened to skimming across the pond and earning the title of Mr. Slush Cup 2026. What is it you love about winter? Is it the thrill, the beauty, the stillness? As Canadian’s winter is part of our DNA. The snowy season is something that unites from coast to coast. For The Love of Winter, is a podcast that celebrates Canada’s longest season.

Liam Moffat

This week, Kendra sits down with Canadian Olympic snowboard cross athlete Liam Moffatt to talk about the journey that took him from the small hills of Nova Scotia to competing on the world stage. Liam reflects on falling in love with snowboarding as a kid at Ski Wentworth, moving west to chase his dream, and the sacrifices, setbacks, and community support that shaped his career along the way. From living with ten roommates in Whistler while balancing training and summer jobs to representing Canada at two Olympic Games, Liam shares stories about chasing a dream that once felt impossible growing up on the East Coast, and why the joy of snowboarding has never left him. What is it you love about winter? Is it the thrill, the beauty, the stillness? As Canadian’s winter is part of our DNA. The snowy season is something that unites from coast to coast. For The Love of Winter, is a podcast that celebrates Canada’s longest season.

Michael Haid

This week, Kendra sits down with designer and former mogul skier Michael Haid, who grew up in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and eventually built a life in the Canadian Rockies. He looks back on learning to ski on a small rope tow, which led him into freestyle moguls and a national-level competitive career as a “grinder,” always chasing snow across Western Canada. From there, he moved into ski and snowboard apparel design, working with early industry brands like West Beach and Spider before going on to help create Olympic uniforms for national teams. What is it you love about winter? Is it the thrill, the beauty, the stillness? As Canadian’s winter is part of our DNA. The snowy season is something that unites from coast to coast. For The Love of Winter, is a podcast that celebrates Canada’s longest season.