FreshPals 20 Questions!

Welcome to the FreshPals 20 Questions Section.

This is your time to shine! Sing the praises of your sport and let the world hear your song!

Every week we will post a new FreshPal. Each profile is loaded with fun and information, stories and history; ensuring a real sense of comraderie in our FreshPow! community!

We invite you to submit your name to be profiled and we look forward to having you back every week for more fun and introductions! Don’t forget to grab our RSS feed or sign up to the blog to make sure you’re notified when there’s a new post!

In the meantime, meet our FreshPals…

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Jake Mazzone, Skateboarder - 18, Boca Raton, FL

1. What is your winter sport? Snowboarding.
2. Favorite thing to watch on screen (TV or Movie): Anything funny
3. 5 songs on your playlist: “Enemy”-Big L “Full Clip”- Gangstarr “Industrial Revolution” - Immortal Technique “C.R.E.A.M” -Wu Tang Clan “Flava In yourEar” -Biggie Smalls “Hip Hop” -Dead Prez
4. When did you start Skating? What inspired you to start?About three years ago. My friends inspired me.
5. Most frequented riding spot? Downtown Miami
6. Favorite move/trick: nollie 360 shuv.
7. Your skating style: relaxed? I don’t know if my styles under any class.
8. What did you have for breakfast? Cup o’ Noodles and orange juice.
9. If you could skate anywhere in the world, where would it be? Barcelona, Spain.
10. Are you sponsored? Nope
11. What does your Monday to Friday, 9 - 5 look like? School till 2:47 everyday, a nap/eat some food till about 4, then either skating at the local park, or chillen with friends.
12. Describe your ideal day of skating: Skating a spot with a bunch of good friends, getting tricks on lock, and making jokes about almost everything.
13. Do you have a favoured Pro or Amateur? Jamal Smith, because he isnt worried about being the best, he skates to have fun and still kills it.
14. What is your all-time favourite dessert? Ben and Jerry’s Double Fudge Brownie Ice Cream.
15. In your opinion, what is the worst trend/fad for your sport? Skating in baggyjeans.
16. How do you prepare for a day of skating? Hmm.. I don’t think i “prepare to skate”. I get dressed, put my Ipod on and grab my skateboard. If that counts as preparing..
17. What is your “must-have” for curb-side eats?
18. What item in your gear bag can you NOT live without? My Ipod.
19. What do you do “après-skate”? Chill with friends, and eat, drink and sleep a lot.
20. What was your most embarrassing / memorable moment while skating? It would definitely have to be the most memorable and embarrassing moment in one incident. Around the end of June this year, I was skating around my neighborhood with my neighbor. And I was having a pretty good day, until I went to ollie a curb. A normal curb, like 5 inches off the ground, and I rolled and broke my ankle. So dumb, but something I’ll definitely never forget.

Thanks a bunch Jake for sharing your skating days with us! Sounds like you all have some good times!
Don’t forget, if you want to tell us your story, we’d love to hear it!! Contact us and we’ll introduce you to the FreshPow! Community too!

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Jon Wilke, Downhill Skier - 32, Albuquerque, NM

1. What is your summer sport? 2 or 4 man beach volleyball.
2. Favorite thing to watch on screen (TV or Movie): movie, Jeremiah Johnson, Braveheart, any Pixar film.
3. 5 songs on your playlist: “What the world needs” by Casting Crowns, “Obsession” by delirious, “Set it Off” by POD, “Jesus Freak” by DC Talk, “Grace like Rain” by Todd Agnew.
4. When did you start Skiing? In 2002 in Flumserberg Switzerland; What inspired you to start? Need to conquer the mountains.
5. Most frequented riding spot? Durango, CO.
6. Favorite move/trick: cutting 1/2 edges while cruising at 45 mph.
7. Your skiing style: the fastest guy on the hill.
8. What did you have for breakfast? 32 oz water, banana and Egg/Bacon/Potatoe/Green Chili burrito.
9. If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would it be? Chile.
10. Are you sponsored? No
11. What does your Monday to Friday, 9 - 5 look like? Up at 5:45 am off, at work at 7, off at 3, workout 3 days a week.
12. Describe your ideal day of riding: No snowboarders, open run, black diamond, no moguls, 2 inches fresh powder, slightly overcast 20 degrees.
13. Do you have a favoured Pro or Amateur? Like all US team, although Bodie is a bit of a weirdo.
14. What is your all-time favourite dessert? M&M Blizzard.
15. In your opinion, what is the worst trend/fad for your sport? telemarking, it’s like doing miles of one-leg squats while going downhill slowly.
16. How do you prepare for a day of riding? cup of coffee and a big cigar while standing outside half dressed.
17. What is your “must-have” for hill-side eats? Must have fresh water and Nature Valley granola bars.
18. What item in your gear bag can you NOT live without? my neck gator, an old military-type stretchable tube that I can configure for whatever temp it is outside.
19. What do you do “après-board”? hot tub, hot chocolate, big cigar.
20. What was your most embarrassing / memorable moment on the hill? On my first trip, I was chased all the way to the lifts by a gang of 20 Swiss teenage girls who stopped and laughed everytime I fell. Then at the bottom they asked if I wanted to hang out with them. I was 25, battered and bruised and pretty torqued by the whole experience. I emphatically said no.

Thanks a bunch Jon for sharing your breakfast with us! Sounds yummy!

Don’t forget, if you want to tell us your story, we’d love to hear it!! Contact us and we’ll introduce you to the FreshPow! Community too!

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Lucy Lea Tucker, Skier - 35, Aspen, CO

1. What is your summer sport? Hiking or fly fishing.
2. Favorite thing to watch on screen (TV or Movie): The Ice Storm.
3. 5 songs on your playlist: Yoshimi by The Flaming Lips, Beastie Boys, Everything Absent or Distorted, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Rage Against the Machine
4. When did you start Skiing? 3rd grade. They offered it on half Wednesdays and Saturdays at the public elementary school I Attended in Massachusetts - Pine Hill elementary.
5. Most frequented riding spot? Aspen Mountain!
6. Favorite move/trick: getting down the steeps.
7. Your skiing style: fats n loose.
8. What did you have for breakfast? 1/2 a hamburger.
9. If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would it be? Aspen.
10. Are you sponsored? BY the Aspen Skiing Company
11. What does your Monday to Friday, 9 - 5 look like?
12. Describe your ideal day of riding: Bluebird sky, sunny, warm, fresh snow, lunch stop at Cloud 9 Alpine Bistro.
13. Do you have a favoured Pro or Amateur? No.
14. What is your all-time favourite dessert? Pauline’s Chocolate Dessert.
15. In your opinion, what is the worst trend/fad for your sport? Snowboard pants worn down to the knees.
16. How do you prepare for a day of riding? Check list of equipment and warm gear, credit card/cash/drivers license in pocket/sunglasses & goggles.
17. What is your “must-have” for hill-side eats? Chili.
18. What item in your gear bag can you NOT live without? Sunglasses.
19. What do you do “après-board”? Drink-eat-be merry! Preferably outside on a sunny deck.
20. What was your most embarrassing / memorable moment on the hill? Someone jammed up the chair lift ahead of me causing em to wreck while getting off the lift.

Thanks a bunch Lea for giving us a great before ski checklist, I always forget something!

Don’t forget, if you want to tell us your story, we’d love to hear it!! Contact us and we’ll introduce you to the FreshPow! Community too!
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I am so excited to announce our newest FreshPal - She is an award winning Skier; Some accomplishments include: 1st place - 2007 Winter X Games Half Pipe, 1st place - 2007 Nippon Open Slopestyle, 1st place - 2007 WSI pipe, 2nd place - 2007 Nippon Open Half Pipe, and Sarah won the ESPY for Best female action sports athlete.

WOW! Talk about talent!! Keep reading to see some of the things that make Sarah tick…

Sarah Burke, Professional Skier - 26, Whistler/BC

1. What is your summer sport? Surfing.
2. Favorite thing to watch on screen (TV or Movie): I love all movies and Gossip Girl.
3. 5 songs on your playlist:?
4. When did you start Skiing? I started at about 5 with the fam.
5. Most frequented riding spot? Whistler/Blackcomb.
6. Favorite move/trick: Anything switch.
7. Your skiing style: Hmmm.
8. What did you have for breakfast? Rice toast with PB and J, a yogurt and half a grapefruit.
9. If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would it be? Tahiti.
10. Are you sponsored? Roxy, Monster Energy, Smith Optics, www.ahlivv.com, Whistler Blackcomb, Swix wax.

11. What does your Monday to Friday, 9 - 5 look like? Airplanes and mountains.
12. Describe your ideal day of riding: Sunny, friends, new tricks and laughing.
13. Do you have a favoured Pro or Amateur? I like most of em….they all bring something to the table.
14. What is your all-time favourite dessert? I love dessert. Its too hard to pick one….ewwy goey brownies with ice cream maybe.
15. In your opinion, what is the worst trend/fad for your sport? The super gangsta look maybe getting a little old.
16. How do you prepare for a day of riding? Good breaky and a stretch.
17. What is your “must-have” for hill-side eats? Soup and chocolate milk.
18. What item in your gear bag can you NOT live without? Long johns…I get cold.
19. What do you do “après-board”? Have a nap in all my gear.
20. What was your most embarrassing / memorable moment on the hill?

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Thanks a bunch Sarah for letting us peek into your world a little bit! Can’t wait to see your next competition!!

Don’t forget, if you want to tell us your story, we’d love to hear it!! Contact us and we’ll introduce you to the FreshPow! Community too!
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Tom T. Moore, Skier - 65, TX/USA

1. What is your summer sport? Walking, Swimming, Mountain Hiking and biking when I can.
2. Favorite thing to watch on screen (TV or Movie): British Mysteries
3. 5 songs on your playlist: Fooled Around & Fell in Love by Elvin Bishop, Ravi Shankar at the Monterrey Pop Festival, Moola Mantra by Deva Premal, Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac, Gimme, Gimme, Gimme by ABBA
4. When did you start Skiing? I was at TCU and my roommate was head of the All-University Trip Committee. We went to Red River, NM by bus over the semester break in 1964 and I was hooked. I took over head of the committee the next year when he graduated and went again. After I finished my 2 years as an Army Lieutenant, I started a ski club for singles as a business in Dallas called Single Skiers of Dallas. Later I had to change the name because so many people were getting married after meeting as my parties and on trips.
5. Most frequented riding spot?Park City, Utah
6. Favorite move/trick: Steep and deep. I still love powder. Just takes more time these days.
7. Your skiing style: Parallel
8. What did you have for breakfast? When skiing I like to start the day at a local restaurant on the highway leading into Park City for eggs, sausage, toast, and orange juice. Friendly crowd there.
9. If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would it be? I would return to Auberge du Midi and ski the three glaciers again–the highest point in the Alps. A dangerous decent down an icy path from the tram holding onto a rope to keep from falling a few thousand feet, but then the magnificent views and skiing!!
10. Are you sponsored? No
11. What does your Monday to Friday, 9 - 5 look like? I distribute motion pictures and TV programs internationally (for the past 27 years or so), plus work on promoting my book–The Gentle Way: A Self-Help Guide For Those Who Believe in Angels.
12. Describe your ideal day of riding: Lots of powder and skiing with my son or a French buddy of mine in Park City, Ut (all three mountains).
13. Do you have a favoured Pro or Amateur? No
14. What is your all-time favourite dessert? Pecan Pie
15. In your opinion, what is the worst trend/fad for your sport? Cost which does not allow younger people to take up the sport, as I promoted with the ski club I owned in Dallas in the 70’s later called Sno-Mad Skiers of Dallas (1,400 members).
16. How do you prepare for a day of riding? Get up and dress.
17. What is your “must-have” for hill-side eats? Varies from day to day depending upon the mountain restaurant I eat in.
18. What item in your gear bag can you NOT live without? Neck gator.
19. What do you do “après-board”? Answer business emails, eat at a nice restaurant and then take in a movie if the Sundance Film Festival is on.
20. What was your most embarrassing / memorable moment on the hill? I was the first injury of the year around 1978 or so in Aspen when the snow was not good; I hit a boulder and went off a small cliff and shattered my shoulder. There was not enough snow for the ski patrol to take me all the way down, so one straddled the two two-person lifts down the mountain. Some girl in the Aspen hospital won the office pool on who would be first in the door, and she didn’t even bother to thank me. I refused to let them give me vicodin until after the end of the Thanksgiving football game with the Dallas Cowboys winning over the Washington Redskins.

Thanks a bunch Tom for sharing your ski-club stories!

Don’t forget, if you want to tell us your story, we’d love to hear it!! Contact us and we’ll introduce you to the FreshPow! Community too!
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Jonathan Graf, Snowboarder - 31, TX/USA

1. What is your summer sport? Wakeboarding
2. Favorite thing to watch on screen (TV or Movie): It’s a tie between a really funny movie and a good TV series (likeHeroes).
3. 5 songs on your playlist: Mercury Tears – Chromeo, Free – Donovan Frankenreiter, The Becoming – Little Brother, That was a Crazy Game of Poker – O.A.R., and Where Did the Good Go – Tegan and Sara
4. When did you start snowboarding? Around age 12. I had friends that were into skiing and they were in ski club at school. The first time out I was hooked, I started planning my weeks so that I could pay for lift tickets on the weekends.
5. Most frequented riding spot? Right now the 3 places that hit the most are Keystone, CO, Whistler-Blackcomb, BC, and Taos, NM.
6. Favorite move/trick: Huge stylish BS 180 with a poked out tail grab.
7. Your boarding style: I use the whole mountain utilizing the natural and man made features
8. What did you have for breakfast? I am sure Wheaties would be the correct answer, but I had 2 breakfast tacos.
9. If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would it be? I have never been to New Zealand, that is a “must do” trip before I kick the bucket.
10. Are you sponsored? Nope
11. What does your Monday to Friday, 9 - 5 look like? In the office, working, on a computer. Pretty boring other than the fact that I get to work with snowboards on a daily basis. I am one of the people fortunate enough to work in the industry.
12. Describe your ideal day of riding: 3’ of fresh and it’s not stopping anytime soon…and neither am I…
13. Do you have a favoured Pro or Amateur? Pat Moore. He seems like he is out there for the fun and thrill of the sport, not to mention he kills it!
14. What is your all-time favourite dessert? It’s family treat that is called Moc-Napoleon. It looks like an ice cream sandwich, but it has a graham cracker top and bottom, and a pudding-like middle, then it has some icing and chocolate on top…you’re making me hungry.
15. In your opinion, what is the worst trend/fad for your sport? Tight pants? I don’t know…everything seems to be pretty good right now, you just won’t see me in those tight pants.
16. How do you prepare for a day of riding? Wake up early, have a quick breakfast with some Emergen-C, and then I layer up for the day.
17. What is your “must-have” for hill-side eats? Nachos, Chicken Fingers, Beer.
18. What item in your gear bag can you NOT live without? Goggles
19. What do you do “après-board”? After a long day, you have to fuel the body for the next day; get some food and then relax by the fire or in the hot tub.
20. What was your most embarrassing / memorable moment on the hill? In high school I was skiing with some friends at the local hill, there was a kicker near the bottom that was right under the lift, we were all showcasing our skills for the lift, I went for a 3 and my binding pre-released as I was taking off. I flailed through the air like a fool and then tried to land on one ski…it didn’t work. I dug my boot into the snow, ejected from the ski and flipped onto my back looking straight up at the lift full of people laughing…

Thanks a bunch Jonathan for sharing your experiences! Can I get that Moc-Napoleon Recipe?! Yum!!
Don’t forget, if you want to tell us your story, we’d love to hear it!! Contact us and we’ll introduce you to the FreshPow! Community too!
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As it is Monday, I’d like to introduce to you our newest member of the FreshPow! Community;

Jessica Miller, Skier - 28, OH/USA

1. What is your summer sport? Rowing
2. Favorite thing to watch on screen (TV or Movie): Psych (tv), Out Cold (movie)
3. 5 songs on your playlist: Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey; Wasting Time and If I Had Eyes by Jack Johnson, Anytime by Eve 6, Home for a Rest by Great Big Sea
4. When did you start skiing? What inspired you to start? I started skiing in 1995 on a trip with my youth group. My mom went with me (she’s been skiing most of her life) and I went down the hill, hell bent for leather and never looked back. My technique has improved since then, and I now have a healthy sense of fear, but there’s no feeling in the world like making first tracks while the sun is still making it’s way up the mountain.
5. Most frequented riding spot? A group of friends and I try to ski a new location every season, but for local skiing we head up to CaberFae Peaks in Cadillac, Michigan. They throw a monster St. Patty’s Day shindig. And the hill’s not much to sneeze at, but the third floor bar just off the terrain park at Alpine Peaks in Michigan is fun too.
6. Favorite move/trick: Not falling
7. Your skiing style: Not falling
8. What did you have for breakfast? Trip breakfast is usually bacon, eggs and toast.
9. If you could ski or ride anywhere in the world, where would it be? I’d love to go to Chile or Reykjavik.
10. Are you sponsored? Not likely
11. What does your Monday to Friday, 9 - 5 look like? I work in marketing. If it’s a blue bird day, I might be out sick.
12. Describe your ideal day of riding: Hit the hill early before people have had a chance to push all the good stuff to the bottom of the hill, check out all the trails and pick my faves. Catch up with the crew for a warm-up and lunch and back at it until they kick us out. Love night skiing after dinner provided anyone can stay motivated!
13. Do you have a favoured Pro or Amateur? Picabo Street. She’s a tremendous athelete and a great, gracious competitor. And my mom used to call me Picabo when I was younger.
14. What is your all-time favourite dessert? Cheesecake.
15. In your opinion, what is the worst trend/fad for your sport? Skiing with an MP3 player. I love to hear the sound my skiis make as the slide over the snow.
16. How do you prepare for a day of riding? Stretching and a bloody mary.
17. What is your “must-have” for hill-side eats? chili and crackers.
18. What item in your gear bag can you NOT live without? Chapstick
19. What do you do “après-board”? cards and drinks with friends, or a night on the town
20. What was your most embarrassing / memorable moment on the hill? My friend and I we racing down the hill and I was trying to catch up to her. She hit a jump she wasn’t expecting and yardsaled. I hit the jump right on her heels and had to lay horizontal in the air to avoid hitting her when she fell. I landed hard on my hip and limped to the lodge for a time-out.

Thanks Jessica for divulging your preparation secrets; LOVE the Bloody Mary idea…
Don’t forget, if you want to tell us your story, we’d love to hear it!! Contact us and we’ll introduce you to the FreshPow! Community too!
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Dave Clarke, Skier, Snowshoer - 25, PA/USA

1. What is your summer sport? Soccer, Hiking, Basketball, Climbing
2. Favorite thing to watch on screen (TV or Movie): The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament
3. 5 songs on your playlist: F**kin in the Bushes (Oasis), Radio (Rancid), Superman (Goldfinger), Daddy’s Cup (Drive-By Truckers), Constructive Summer (The Hold Steady)
4. When did you start skiing? What inspired you to start? 1986 – Required by my dad. I use the word “required” in the kindest way possible.
5. Most frequented riding spot? Snowmass / Aspen / Aspen Highlands
6. Favorite move/trick: Spread Eagle (circa 1978)
7. Your riding style: Free
8. What did you have for breakfast? Oatmeal
9. If you could ski or ride anywhere in the world, where would it be? Jackson Hole
10. Are you sponsored? Nope
11. What does your Monday to Friday, 9 - 5 look like? In an office – I know, I know…
12. Describe your ideal day of riding: Waist deep through glades
13. Do you have a favoured Pro or Amateur? My uncle, Jim Clarke (I guess that counts as an amateur)… he’s famous for his “Stalin-esque” wake-up calls at 4:00 AM to make first tracks: “Get the f**k outta bed! NOW.” Definitely learned it from his dad/my grandfather.
14. What is your all-time favourite dessert? Washington Cherry Crunch (think cherry pie but in casserole form)
15. In your opinion, what is the worst trend/fad for your sport? The sheer overhyped nature of the fashion – no one will admit it, but everyone sizes up jackets, skis, pants, helmets, packs, etc. Glen Plake had the right idea: ski naked.
16. How do you prepare for a day of riding? Not a whole lot… I could never understand how people can go out boozing til 3:00 am and even attempt to ski the next day
17. What is your “must-have” for hill-side eats? Oddly enough, PopTarts – I like the texture when they freeze.
18. What item in your gear bag can you NOT live without? iPod Shuffle – the flash memory takes minimal battery power and therefore doesn’t fade as fast as a regular iPod (whose battery is really susceptible to cold).
19. What do you do “après-board”? Lagers.
20. What was your most embarrassing / memorable moment on the hill? First run of the day with my girlfriend on her first trip to Snowmass… lowlight in the morning… I couldn’t see an oncoming depression in the knee deep powder… hit it… wasn’t ready for it… total backflip (unintentional)… land on shoulder/ribs/neck… full yard sale.

Thanks Dave for sharing your fun times!! Welcome to the FreshPow! Community!

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A huge hello goes out to our newest FreshPal…

Lauren Traub Teton, Snowboarder - 52, NY/USA

1. What is your summer sport? Wakeboarding and riding my Razor Powerwing Scooter
2. Favorite thing to watch on screen (TV or Movie): Simpsons, Futurama, and UltraHD Fashion Channel
3. 5 songs on your playlist: when I’m not dancing, I’m listening to the Universe
4. When did you start snowboarding? What inspired you to start? I started snowboarding in 2000. Being a lousy skier but discovering how beautiful the mountains are inspired me to try snowboarding.
5. Most frequented riding spot? Hunter Mountain and Windham, both in NY
6. Favorite move/trick: LNP jumping off board, sliding picnic bench then jumping back onto his board as it slides below him in “By Any Means.” Also Lucas Magoon jumping from one stair rail to another in “The Boned Age.”
7. Your riding style: Fast but safe. No big air!
8. What did you have for breakfast? Spaghetti squash with red sauce, and raw kale salad
9. If you could ski or ride anywhere in the world, where would it be? I love riding in the Eastern US, love the trees and low altitude, and the SCENE in the East, but would like to try Europe in winter. Have tried Alps glaciers in summer. Love Les Deux Alpes, France in summer.
10. Are you sponsored? Yes, Flexmeter Snowboard Wrist Guards - Flexmeters.com
11. What does your Monday to Friday, 9 - 5 look like? Sitting in my home office, packing Flexmeter Wrist Guard orders, writing for my site www.SnowboardSecrets.com, and playing hooky to
ride now and then! Also editing my site www.SnowboardEventsCalendar.com and planning the Annual All America Snowboard Trip to Winter Park.
12. Describe your ideal day of riding: It’s a weekday. Leisurely morning, stretch in my room, eat, get on slopes around 10. Come in to relax after all the skiers finish lunch
and clear out, and ride ’til last chair.
13. Do you have a favoured Pro or Amateur? If yes, why them? Jeremy Jones of Big Mountain fame is intense yet down- to earth. Danny Kass is wry and full of fun but gets the job done. I
know these guys personally. And they’re both from the Northeast, my land.
14. What is your all-time favourite dessert? Creme Brulee. MMm. Pumpkin cheesecake too.
15. In your opinion, what is the worst trend/fad for your sport? Brown snowboard jackets. Show us the colors and patterns, man! Check out some real style at www.StyleSampler.com.
16. How do you prepare for a day of riding? Stretch slowly on floor, and put on my tailbone protector and wrist guards!
17. What is your “must-have” for hill-side eats? Hot soup from a thermos, preferably that I made.
18. What item in your gear bag can you NOT live without? I wear a Camelbak, and love to sip water after a run. Also, my gear bag itself. It’s a Transpack Boot and Helmet pack. I used to
look like a bag lady with stuff hanging off me in all directions til Transpack helped me get my act together!
19. What do you do “après-board”? I don’t drink beer! If it’s a snowboard event, I take a nap so I can dance out late!
20. What was your most embarrassing / memorable moment on the hill? I’ve ridden some rails successfully, but pretty much sworn off them cause I don’t want to take the risk of landing on metal on my butt!

Thanks Lauren for sharing some riding history and great gear ideas!! Welcome to the FreshPow! Community!

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A great big Hey Hey! goes to Ben Rosenfeld from CT, USA!! Ben is our very first FreshPal 20 Questions Profile - what an honor!!!

Ben Rosenfeld, Snowboarder - 24, CT/USA

1. What is your summer sport? Football and Ultimate Frisbee
2. Favorite thing to watch on screen (TV or Movie): The Office and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
3. 5 songs on your playlist: Take the Money and Run, Benny and the Jets, Ms. Fat Booty (Mos Def), Hypnotize, Welcome to the Machine (Pink Floyd)
4. When did you start snowboarding? What inspired you to start? I started when I was 12 years old in 7th grade. My dad decided that it was a life skill I should have and made it an annual family vacation.
5. Most frequented riding spot? Killington, VT and Mount Snow, VT
6. Favorite move/trick: Big Air
7. Your riding style: Goofy
8. What did you have for breakfast? Today I had Garlic Naan (I ran out of real breakfast food!), if I were skiing it’d be blueberry pancakes
9. If you could ski or ride anywhere in the world, where would it be? Anywhere that’s only accessible by a helicopter drop, most likely in the Western US
10. Are you sponsored? No
11. What does your Monday to Friday, 9 - 5 look like? I do Management Consulting for Accenture so it’s more of a 8 - 7 schedule. After my day job, I perform stand up comedy. You can see me doing stand up at www.BigBenComedy.com .
12. Describe your ideal day of riding: Hitting fresh powder trail in the morning, especially trails in the woods. Hitting the terrain park and half pipe in the afternoon. Sun is out and it’s 35-40 degrees, no wind.
13. Do you have a favoured Pro or Amateur? No
14. What is your all-time favourite dessert? My grandmother’s home made graham cracker crusted cheesecake
15. In your opinion, what is the worst trend/fad for your sport? Super-luxury resorts
16. How do you prepare for a day of riding? By partying the night before, and going to the jacuzzi/sauna before that
17. What is your “must-have” for hill-side eats? Hot cider and hot chocolate
18. What item in your gear bag can you NOT live without? Hat and Gloves
19. What do you do “après-board”? Jacuzzi, Sauna and Beer
20. What was your most embarrassing / memorable moment on the hill? The first time I tried doing moguls on a snowboard the moguls happened to be a double black diamond run. After about 80 feet, I got on my stomach and “swam” down the rest of the run. Of course, there was a chair lift right over the run.