TPM Episode 331: Derek Taylor, Former Powder Magazine Editor in Chief and Journalist

Derek Taylor once held the most important job in ski media at a time when magazines dominated the media landscape. Derek was Editor in Chief of Powder Magazine, but before that, he was a “ski bum” in Crested Butte right about when Seth Morrison and the US Extremes came to town. In the early days, DT made ends meet by freelance writing for outfits like ESPN The Magazine, The Ski Journal, Freeskier, Outside, Bike Magazine, and more. Then he landed the dream job at Powder. On the podcast, we talk about his journey from college soccer player to dirtbag skier, the early days of Crested Butte, and the rise and fall of Powder Magazine. The Buena Vista Surf Club asks Inappropriate Questions.

Derek Taylor Show Notes:

3:00:  Rugby, The Hartford Whalers, soccer, and skiing; growing up 

10:00:  High School, college soccer, leaving and going to Crested Butte and what the town is like

15:00:  Ski v Snowboard rivalry, and all the players of Crested Butte

20:00:  Rollerblade: They invented inline skating and make the best skates on the planet.

Best Day Brewing:  All of the flavor of your favorite IPA or Kolsch, without the alcohol, the calories and sugar.

Elan Skis:  Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better.

23:00:  Covering the US Extremes for the school paper, ski bumming, is Vail the enemy article, and landing an internship at Bike

32:00:  Moving to CA and working for free, making a difference at Bike as an intern, going back to Crested Butte, learning how to freelance through friends, X-Games, and leaving CB

41:00:  High Cascade Snowboard Camp: The legendary snowboard camp

Stanley:  Get 30% off site wide with the code drinkfast

Peter Glenn Ski and Sports:  Over 60 years of getting you out there. 

43:00:  Getting hired by Powder, Powder Magazine readership, where they make their money, what is lifelike writing at the mag

49:00:  Pressure at the magazine, favorites, his writing, passed over and eventually landing the Editor in Chief role, and his vision with Powder

56:00:  Crazy expense reports, writing the letter from the editor, managing Powder in the changing landscape of media, and money

63:00:  Changes when getting bought, fighting for his team, what happened to Powder, and giving up work to become a stay-at-home dad  

75:00:  Inappropriate Questions with The Buena Vista Surf Club