TOM BURT

In 1989, Tom Burt received Rider of the Year honors from International Snowboard Magazine, a publication that touted itself as “The First Mag, the Last Word.” The founder and publisher of our sport’s first print medium, Tom Hsieh, immortalized Burt with these words: “ISM would like to honor a snowboarder who, in our opinion, embodies the true spirit of snowboarding. One who will, through his actions, leave a positive and lasting impression.” Eighteen years later, Tom has yet to leave anything but a lasting impression while riding a shred sled.

LEGENDARY INFORMATION:

Home Mountain: Slide Mountain, Donner Ski Ranch, Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows
Sponsors: DaKine, Gordini, APO Boards, Helly Hansen, Salomon boots, GNU bindings
Board: 174 Apocalypse by APO
Regular or Goofy: Regular
Boot: Salomon F22 series
Binding: GNU
Career Video Credits: Too many to list
Career Contest Results: Two gold duct tapes from the Baker Banked Slalom.

Who do you feel is the most influential rider of the last 20 years? Why?
Depends on the era. My era, it was Terry Kidwell, then Damian Sanders. Next era it was Craig Kelly, then Terje Haakonsen, and now (Shaun) White and (Danny) Kass. They all influenced the major population of snowboarding with their riding and style.

When did you start riding?
1982.

What was the highlight of your career?
I have gotten to ride more mountains and make more powder turns than most will ever dream. Oh yeah kind of funny, I took third in the Worlds in halfpipe.

Most memorable session?
Can’t say for sure, way too many powder days to remember which was the best.

When did you realize that snowboarding wasn’t just a fad?
Day one. It was way too fun to just be a fad.

What is your take on snowboarding and how far it has come? Did you ever think it would progress to the level it has?
It is fun to see the progression on all types of riding, but I thought it might have happened a bit faster because riders have been progressing from day one.

Where are your favorite places to snowboard?
Powder and the Steeps.

Which photographers captured your riding best?
Maybe (Aaron) Sedway

Favorite filmmaker to work with?
Shooter Tom Day and filmmaker Mike Hatchett with Standard Films.

Which product innovation had the largest impact on our sport?
Sidecut

Are the values that our sport was founded on still apparent in the riders today?
Not to all (riders), but there is still some soul at every mountain. You just have to find the people who have it.

What do you feel is your legacy in the snowboard world?
Showing people what was possible in the steeps and tight terrain.

If you could change one thing about snowboarding today what would it be? Bindings/Boots.

Who is the unsung hero of snowboarding that people should celebrate?
Jim Zellers. He still charges.

What has snowboarding taught you?
Never underestimate the power of fun. Just look what has become of a sport with no reason to exist except for it is a fun way to slide on snow.