Meet Bryan finocchiaro | Professional Skier, Crypto Enthusiast, Bellmen

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bryan finocchiaro and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bryan, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Up until 18 months ago this question would of had a different answer. I now have a seven month old son. Up until the time me and my wife knew that she was pregnant the answer would probably seem selfish and nonchalant on the outside… but it is more complicated than that… Growing up I was definitely an accident prone kid. I broke my femur at age 8, this was just the start of my skiing/injury relationship. That being said I have had over twenty years of recovery/physical therapy due to all my injuries. Add that to learning about good insurance and giving my mother grey hair, I guess you could say I “knew” what an injury entailed(full scope). My parents were blue collar, mom was NYPD and dad was an Arborist. I learned how their hard work lead to being able to have insurance and how when I got injured how insurance really help keep finances together. Some instances could of been absolutely tragic if we were not insured. Fast forward when I moved to Colorado in May 14′. Within a few hours of being here my friends took my on a ski tour, which was comical to say the least and at the top was seeing stars. I was hooked on backcountry skiing after that. I had the privilege of having a few good mentors in the backcountry and absorbing information like a sponge. Unfortunately, there has been some negative situations within my skiing experience that have always sticked with me. Those instances have helped me grow and learn, always a student and taking notes. From those instances, growing up with injuries, competing in sports, getting married, now being a father. I can confidently say that from the time I wake up, until I go to sleep I am constantly, within my own concocted formula calculate risk. Whether I am skiing solo, with a group, inbound, out of bounds. Hiking, biking, driving, I am constantly in an offensive mindset to tip the odds in my favor. So the role it plays in my life I would say now is less then just two years ago but it is something that I am always updating and formulating on the daily.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been working this skiing “career” all while working full time as a “professional” Bellmen as I like to call it. The job has allowed me the freedom to travel when needed thanks to having a great team for support when the call comes in. The journey here was not exactly easy, having to learn fiscal responsibility was huge. Juggling student loans, while working full time, trying to budget trips, get money from sponsors was all new and took awhile to learn the process. Summer season I would sometimes work three jobs just to allow time for winter travel. Dealing with tragedy, within the last five years for me has been a mental battle with how I look at going into the outdoors now. Some of these mental battles are definitely an everyday task that is dealt with. I am happy that I have been making progress and slowly getting better at dealing with these internal struggles… The birth of my son has for sure helped me out with working out some demons. My brand and story is not one of the cookie cutter in the ski industry… I am a hard working, say what I want, all in individual… now dad as my focus has slowly been shifting from solely skiing to my family. Learning to adapt to changes is something that I have recently learned that we all have to do for better or for worse and that part of growing in life is how we handle these changes.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well if you fly into Denver(in the afternoon) stop by Reckless Noodles. Once in Vail, the restaurants to go to are Elway’s, Mountain Standard, El Segundo, Fall Line. If you want a local watering hole, Bad Kitty Lounge. Looking for something healthy? Go check out Inner Light Juice, hands down the best smoothie you will ever have in your life. My friend Gus, has an art studio in east vail which is a place to see and he is a character in his own right. Being around the town of vail in the winter or summer has their own pros and cons but as much as I love the skiing I would say come visit in the summer or fall. Less people, great weather, more to explore in the mountains. Live music and concerts in the summer creates an awesome atmosphere in town.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My wife, who has allowed me to travel and do all the things in my life really to the tune of whatever comes my way. Whether that is picking up new sports and going all in. Last minute phone calls to go on a ski trip. Allowing me to fully pursue my passions is something that I am forever grateful for. My parents, for taking care of me while growing up and growing my love of skiing. My friend Jeff Cricco, who mentored me backcountry skiing, taking me under his wing and going on trips all around the world. Teaching me about the ski industry. Anyone that I have worked with that has allowed me to travel last minute at the drop of a dime. All my Sponsors.

Instagram: bryanfino13

Twitter: bryanfino13

Image Credits
Rory Gallagher, Jeff Cricco, Scott Bellow, Ross Bernard