Life on the Board: Growing Up, Growing Older, but Still Riding

I honestly can’t even remember how old I was when I first went skiing (yes, I was skiing before snowboarding) — but my first big trip, or core memory as a kid, was to Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont. That was probably my first real mountain experience (until I hit the west coast). Eventually, I ended up out at Whistler when I was 8 years old. That’s where I first strapped into a snowboard and what started this journey. I'm incredibly grateful I had the opportunity to head out to Whistler and learn from awesome instructors with a ski family - that privilege is not lost on me.

I stayed on a board all through my youth. My teens were all about being fearless. Bombing hills and hitting jumps. I had incredible opportunities too — a chance to explore the backcountry with friends, and even guide in Austria while living in Germany. My improvement on a board was at it's absolute highest when I was in Germany. Having access to the alps so close meant weekend trips regularly through the winter doing park laps or going to build a kicker in some remote corner of a resort.

In my 20s, snowboarding became more of a social adventure. Big friends trips, all-mountain runs, side country laps, and glades became my focus. I was exploring new terrain, pushing myself, and enjoying parts of the mountain I wouldn't have explored as much in my teens.

Now, in my 30s and approaching 40, life looks a little different. Trips are shorter, fewer, and family comes first — but I’m not ready to give up the terrain parks, backcountry, or the thrill of risk-taking. I’ve learned I have to be more mindful of my body, train smarter, and prepare properly to make sure I can keep riding hard.

Mentally, nothing’s changed. I still want to push the limits, explore new lines, and take chances — just with more intention. And ultimately, I want to make sure I’m still on the mountain long enough to teach my kids should they choose to want to learn in the future.

Snowboarding and skiing is not the only thing to life but, at least for me, it's a central part of how I grew up and definitely shaped parts of what I value and how I want to spend my time and energy. It's been central in forming my decision to start Stomp Nutrition - combining things I'm good at with the things I love. 

Here's to at least another 30 years of snowboarding. Cheers.