Articles

Photo By Andy Laird

Basic info, where were you born, where you living,  age, and sponsors?

I was born in Leduc Alberta February 5th 1984.... that would make me 23. I ride for Billabong, Sapient, Smith and Level Gloves.

How has your season treated you this year?

My season was awesome. I rode a lot of pow. A couple minor injuries but that's ok. It’s a part of the game.

You have a sled yet?

Ya, I got a 99 Summit 670. I LOVE SLEDDING.

Do you plan on getting more into the backcountry next year?

Ya ... All I want to do is sled. Its so much better then snowboarding anywhere I've been.

Give me a percentage breakdown on your snowboarding: contest, traveling, urban missions, filming, backcountry, mellow shredding (park), whatever floats your boat, etc.....

35% Backcountry

25% Whatever Floats

15% Urban Missions

10% Contests

10% Park

5% Traveling 

Plans for the summer?

Work, try to make money to buy a truck. Of course hit up camp a bit, hit a few street rails in Van, and skate and wakeskate whenever possible.

Rail missions in winter or summer? Why?

I like rail missions in the summer mostly because Vancouver never gets snow and if they have snow that usually means that the mountain is going to be so much sicker than some street rail.

What do you do to get the bills paid?

I drive taxi for Resort Cabs here in Whistler... if you ever need a cab Request Warren.

Who do you ride with?

Anyone that calls me in the morning.

What pisses you off?

Waiting for people, sleds that don't work, negative people, people that back out of missions, cops and Rent-a-cop’s.

What gets you pumped?

Good Friends, Good attitude, Good Conditions, Good music. Anything good.

Shout outs?

Shout out to Risto at Billabong, Chris at Smith and Level, Spencer at Sapeint, Todd and Brad at the Summit, Slizzy at Gnarcore, Tyler, Ryan Conway, Chase Conway, Mr Jack Crompton, all my friends, my Mom and Dad, Jess and Court and anyone else that has helped me out over the years. Thanks!

Basic info:Name, sponsors birthdate, born, resides?

I'm 25 yrs old, living in Whistler, and I ride for Atomic Snowboards and Gnarcore.

 

How has your year been this year?

The 06-07 season was a tough one for me.  It had a little of everything; injuries, powder, injuries, filming, injuries, park days, injuries.......yup.  That’s a brief summary, see any patterns?  (slightly frustrating). On a more positive note, I did have a healthy amount of "Epic" pow days with my friends.

 

What is it like living in Whistler ?

Living in Whistler is great.  Moving out here was the easiest, but best decision I've ever made.  I've been living in Whistler for 5 years and counting and I still love it.  Next to snowboarding, the best thing about Whistler is the summers.  There's nothing better than a day of skating, swimming, and bbq'ing with my homies.

 

What do you do for kicks?

What do I do for "kicks" you ask?  Well......I like to skateboard, play golf, play tennis, swim in lakes......and occasionally, I like to indulge in an alcoholic beverage.

 

Do you plan on staying here for awhile?

The progression in snowboarding is what gets me pumped more than anything else.  When I think about progression nowadays, it’s less about learning a new trick, and more about pushing myself to be creative, and innovative all over the mountain.  Don't get me wrong, I'm still a "park rat" at heart, but I'm feeling a growing obsession with shredding natural features and big mountain lines.

Can I see myself as a pro snowboarder?

Another tough one!  I guess the answer is no, I can't.  I mean, its not that I don't think I'm capable of achieving that status, I just tend to snowboard for myself, for fun, and not stress about that stuff.

Where do you want to take snowboarding?

Where do I want to take snowboarding?  Hmmm......tough one.  To the "Next Level" dude. lol, just kidding.  I don't know if I'm answering the question but I just want to keep shredding as long as I can, having as much fun as I can, and hopefully still be physically able when this chapter of my life is over! I'd have to say that my goal for next year is to stay healthy and film a well rounded video part.

 

Shout Outs.

Johnson, Menard, Troestler, Steve-O, Rubenovitch, Manboy, Dirshy, Hockenstein, and the whole Gnarcore crew.

What have you been up to recently?
I have just been getting ready for the season, skatin a bunch, training at the gym and just getting ready for the snow. Oh I’ve been chillen with my girl lots too. She’s awesome.

Who are you filming for this year?
I'm filming with Defective films again on their 2 year project called Hopeless Perfection. It hits stores next fall.

Favorite Mountain: Bear Mountain, Whistler/Blackcomb, DC Mtn Lab.
Favorite Tricks: Backside lipslides, front sevens.
Favorite place to travel: DC Mtn Lab.
Favorite Shred Vids: Decade, True Life, Promo Copy.
Favorite Movie:  Dodge Ball.
Favorite Pro Model: Jamie Thomas, Zero Cross Deck.
Favorite Pros: Mark Appleyard and Tom Penny.
Favorite Spots on Whistler: Blackcomb park and Crystal Chair.
Favorite Park Obstacle: 40 box.
Favorite Magazine Cover: Lauri Heskari, Transworld, big 50-50, Helsinki.
Favorite Watch: Any Vestal, they’re all dope.

Top 5 Foods:
1. Sushi
2. Mongolie Grill (Whistler)
3. Subway
4. Swordfish Sandwiches
5. Ahi Tuna

Top 5 Video Parts:
1. JP Walker, True Life
2. Jeremy Jones, Shakedown
3. Lauri Heskari, Video Gangs
4. Iika Backstrom, Promo Copy
5. Chris Dufficy, True Life

The WORLD SNOWBOARDING INVITATIONAL will take place April 8 – 10, 2005 at Whistler, BC. $50,000 in cash will be awarded to the riders who throw down the best runs & the biggest tricks. Featuring SUPERPIPE & SLOPESTYLE competitions, the World Snowboarding Invitational promises to be an unforgettable end to the winter season!

2005 is a year of snow sports unity. In celebration of the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival’s 10th Anniversary, the World Snowboarding Invitational will take place on April 8-10th and the World Skiing Invitational will take place April 12 – 16. Skiers and snowboarders will take on the Slopestyle and Superpipe competitions throughout the week.

Event Details:

SLOPESTYLE

You asked for it…Slopestyle will be the feature competition at this year’s World Snowboard Invitational. The course gurus from Whistler Blackcomb’s grooming department are already scheming to build a Slopestyle course rivalling all others. Expect one of the best Slopestyle courses that Whistler has ever seen!

A total of 20 men will compete in the finals, 13 will be pre-invited to the finals, with the top 7 from the Qualifier advancing to round out the field. 10 women will also tackle the course in the finals, 7 will be pre-invited and the remaining 3 spots will be filled by the Qualifier winners.

The Qualifier will kick-off the event on Friday, April 8, with the Slopestyle Finals taking place the following day, Saturday, April 9.

SLOPESTYLE QUALIFIER

Best of all, the addition of Slopestyle allows for more riders to be a part of the event with the Slopestyle Qualifier. OPEN TO THE FIRST 30 MEN AND 15 WOMEN TO ENTER, the Slopestyle Qualifier provides an awesome opportunity for young and up & coming riders to break into the industry and compete against snowboarding's finest. The top 7 scoring men and top 3 scoring women in the Slopestyle Qualifier will advance to the Slopestyle Finals and have a chance to compete for a spot on the podium.

You will be placed in the Qualifier on a first come, first serve basis. To enter, visit: www.whistler2005.com and complete an Entry Request form (follow the links to the World Snowboarding Invitational). Qualifier entry fee is $60 (plus tax) and includes your competition fees, an event gift and lunch on the Slopestyle Qualifier day. Discounted lift tickets will be available from the Athlete Centre.

Note: Slopestyle Qualifier entries must be accompanied by payment through the Festival E-Store. Follow the directions when you register to ensure that your spot is being held for you.

Invitational SUPERPIPE FINALS

Always a festival highlight - it truly wouldn’t be the World Snowboarding Invitational without the legendary Superpipe and SuperHit contests. Held on Blackcomb's infamous Superpipe, 30 of the world's best men and 20 of the world's best women will be invited to compete in the Superpipe Finals on Sunday, April 10. Riders will receive invitations to the Superpipe Finals based on their results from the season’s most prestigious contests, past performances and achievements.

In addition to the normal invitation process, this year instead of hosting a Superpipe Qualifier at the event, the Competition Design Team will be selecting Halfpipe competitions across Canada as Qualifier events and inviting the winners from those events to compete directly in finals. (This new format is replacing the Superpipe Qualifier of the past, and approximately 8 men’s spots and 5 women’s spots will be filled through this process). A complete list of the selected Halfpipe competitions will be released shortly.

SUPERHIT - Immediately following the Superpipe Finals will be the rider-judged SuperHit contest where riders give it all up for the SuperHit title and a whole bunch of cash.

HOW TO GET INVITED:

TO SUBMIT AN INVITATION REQUEST FOR THE SUPERPIPE FINALS AND THE SLOPESTYLE FINALS, VISIT THE EVENT WEB SITE: www.whistler2005.com and select the WORLD SNOWBOARDING INVITATIONAL from the events menu. Complete the Entry / Invitation Request form. All invitation requests will be reviewed by the Design Team.

The deadline for submitting entry requests is Thursday, March 10 and the Invitation Lists will be announced March 15 on the event web site: www.whistler2005.com

Invitations are awarded by the Competition Design Team who are involved with designing all aspects of the event and who oversee the rider invitations. The 2005 Design Team is made up of riders and industry professionals; Kevin Sansalone, Maelle Ricker, Justin Lamoureux, Tara Teigen and Derek Heidt. The Design Team will invite riders based on results from the season's most prestigious competitions, past performances and achievements. A few wildcard spots will also be given to next generation riders. Results are reviewed from the following events (but not limited to) the X-Games, the US Open and last year's Snowboard Invitational.

The Design Team will be reviewing the competition formats, prize money breakdowns and the list of Halfpipe "Qualifier" events this week. Their decisions will be posted on the event web site: www.whistler2005.com

Invited riders will be notified by e-mail and/or phone.

Note: There is no deadline for entering the Slopestyle Qualifier. Spaces will be filled on a first come, first serve basis - so register NOW to ensure that you get in!

USEABLE AND PERCEPTION VIDEO PREMIERES AT THE TOWER THEATER IN SALT LAKE CITY

Breakout releases from Fraudulent Cinema and First Tracks Productions to premiere November 9, 7pm

Salt Lake City, UT/Lake Tahoe, CA. – Useable, the new release from Fraudulent Cinema showcases SLC shred talent at it's finest, featuring Erik Gabrielson, Aaron Biittner, Heath Lillie, Mats Hanson, Derek Dennison, Chris Vaugn, Jake Welch, Ryan Debenham, Riley Drage, Matt Carter and many others. Useable features technical street mixed with backcountry booters in progressive fashion and brought together with a tight soundtrack.

Perception, the 3rd release from First Tracks Productions showcases where snowboarding is and where it's going by taking the park to the backcountry and the street. Reverse car tow-in urban step-downs and snowmobile tow-in backcountry step-up hips are just some of the unique features in Perception.
Perception features riders Jared McCrum, Lane Power, Steve Fisher, Mike Abeliuk, Tim Barker, Roger Hjelmstadstuen, Ryan Johannesen, Dave Dougherty, Chris Barker, Per Loken, Dave King, Devon Pagaduan and many other established and up-and-coming riders

The all-ages event takes place at the Tower Theatre (which, built in 1926, is the oldest movie theater still open in the Salt Lake area) located at 876 East 900 South in Salt Lake City.(9th & 9th) The premieres cost just $3 bucks and will feature giveaways including a snowboarding from Revolution and a pair of boots from Head and riders from both Useable and Perception.

Perception will also be premiering on Friday, Nov. 5th at Stone St. in Caesar’s Tahoe in Stateline, NV.

Video teasers for Usable and Perception can be seen at www.FraudulentCinema.com and www.FirstTracksProductions.com respectively. Copies of both flicks can also be purchased directly through the sites and at select shops.