Inside The Parlor: Smitty
Andy Smith AKA "Smitty" is a long time member of Parlor's production team. Chances are if you have a pair of our skis, you are the lucky owner of Smitty's work. Unlike the rest of the team here at Parlor, making skis is by far Smitty's least badass job. The Quincy firefighter is also an EOD team leader in the U.S. Army Reserves. We sat down with Smitty to help introduce everyone to one of the guys who's making their skis. Enjoy!
How old were you when you learned to ski?
AS: I was six years old. For Christmas one year, my parents bought skis for myself and two younger brothers. We learned to ski at Blue Hills every Tuesday night that winter. A seed was planted that year and it's never stopped growing.
--
What's your favorite mountain in New England?
AS: As a kid it was Sunday River. We used to take family trips there every year. I actually worked there for a few seasons after I got out of the military. Now that I have a few more responsibilities I find myself staying a bit closer to home. Loon has become my home mountain (and the Bunyan Room my local watering hole!).
--
Tell us about the most epic ski day of your life.
AS: Last season a friend and I bought one of those multi-mountain passes and took a cross country road trip. We hit 7 mountains, 10 days on the slopes in 20 days! Unfortunately we were 2 days ahead of every storm and ended up skiing groomers the whole trip. Hey, Ill take 4100 vertical feet of groomers at J-Hole all day! That being said I wish I was there last week...pow for days!
--
What do you like about working at Parlor?
AS: Just seeing the smiles on peoples faces when they come in the shop. Some people are coming to pick up a new pair of skis, some are just stopping by for a quick tour and others pop in for beer or two during our shop nights and never leave. You know who you are!
--
Favorite Apres beverage?
AS: Anything from Long Trail but if I could get an O'Patty Melt from Monte's at Kirkwood...Heaven!
--
So there you have it. Hopefully now you know our resident Firefighter, veteran, and bad ass ski builder a little bit better.
Smitty wants to build a pair of custom skis just for you!