The Blade Dive

The Blade Dive - Episode 50, Maddie McConomy joins me in the virtual booth all the way from Thredbo Australia! Originally from Ontario, Canada, Maddie found Snowboarding through the support of her parents, but ultimately fell in love with the idea of supporting her passion for riding through working directly or indirectly with ski resorts.After taking a year off from university and truly realizing that welding was a trade skill she wanted to pursue, the journey began. Maddie has completed and been a part of fabrication projects for Thredbo Ski Resort, Arena Snow Parks, Kosciuszko National Park, has competed in welding competitions and is never afraid of her next challenge.These are the conversations that get us outside the ropes and into discussions about other careers within this small industry. Maddie and I discuss community and what it means to truly have support and remembering who those people are. We talk about her hand injury and the lessons learned. We discuss being your authentic self in a male dominated industry and that snowcats are just fucking awesome machines. As an operator who has 1 season in a machine but has built a name for her herself in welding, the sky is the limit for Maddie as she climbs back into the operator seat and works with the had crew in Thredbo during a marquee 2024 season. Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!www.thebladedive.comFollow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

The Blade Dive - Episode 49, we are joined by Ken Gaitor who was Brighton Resort's Terrain Park Manager in 1997, and just like every other park builder in that era, was responsible for carving out a reputation for his program through failures and successes as the golden era of park riding took off.In the early 2000s, he headed east to join the team at Mt. Snow and was theTerrain Park Manager as well as the Project Manager that spearheaded the planning and launch of Mt. Snow's all mountain park portion of the resort, Carinthia. In 2010, he returned to his home state of West Virginia to over see the the Terrain Park, Grooming and Snowmaking department and would eventually assume the role of VP of Operations at Snowshoe. Not only has Gaitor been impactful in operations and terrain parks, but he has worked on sustainability initiatives and has been an instructor at Cutter's Camp since it began.Episode 49 is a really fun dive into the life and career of Gaitor through a long list of special guest questions from Elia Hamilton who knows Gaitor incredibly well. We discuss what it's like to involve conflict within your management style, the power that your co-workers have to influence you as a  leader and that you should allow them to remind you of why you started on this journey. We discuss the biggest career mistakes as well as best career decisions, the value in being able to talk professionally about money when it comes time to budget for your department, and yes, there are some great stories and big laughs in this one!Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

The Blade Dive Episode 48- We are joined by Day Franzen, Charles Beckinsale, Marsha Hovey & Landon Taylor at SAM Magazine's Cutters Camp, Timberline Lodge, Mt. Hood Oregon! The Fireside Chat is sponsored by Prinoth Enjoy! And if you're in the machine… Turn up the volume!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

The Blade Dive Episode 47 - We are joined by Chloe Butel, Matt Dunn, Braden Keitzman, Charles Beckinsale, Ben Finn, Adam Mahler, Steve Petrie, Brandon Dodds, Nick Boggs & Lucas Ouellette at SAM Magazine's Cutters Camp, Timberline Lodge, Mt. Hood Oregon!  Enjoy! And if you're in the machine… Turn up the volume!Big Sky Resort Jobs: https://bigskyresort.com/employmentFollow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

The Blade Dive Episode 46 - We are joined by Mary Walsh & Chloe Butel at SAM Magazine's Cutters Camp, Timberline Lodge, Mt. Hood Oregon!  Enjoy! And if you're in the machine… Turn up the volume!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

The Blade Dive Episode 44 - Take The Rake! We are joined by Mary Walsh,  Laura Rogoski, Chloe Butel, Abby Lewis & Adam Mahler at SAM Magazine's Cutters Camp, Timberline Lodge, Mt. Hood Oregon! Enjoy! And if you're in the machine… Turn up the volume!Take The Rake at Trollhaugen:https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IX_lMBiLI_QMeet the builders of Take The Rake:https://snowboardmag.com/stories/take-the-rake-at-trollhaugen-meet-the-buildersSun Valley jobshttps://www.sunvalley.com/jobsFollow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

The Blade Dive Episode 44 - We are joined by Lane Knaack & Brandon Dodds at SAM Magazine's Cutters Camp, Timberline Lodge, Mt. Hood Oregon!  Enjoy! And if you're in the machine… Turn up the volume!Diamond Peak Slope Maintenance Manager Application:https://www.diamondpeak.com/events/details/now-hiring-slope-maintenance-managerFollow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

The Blade Dive Episode43 - We are joined by Laura Rogoski & Drew Petersen in the Blue Ox Bar at Timberline Lodge during SAM Magazine's Cutters Camp. The conversation is all about mental health within the ski and snowboard industry.Laura is the creator of wereallfuckingmental.com and its a resource for all. Be sure to check the website and find the zoom link to the mental meet ups that happen every Monday at 3pm CST. Drew Petersen is a professional skier but that's not what defines him. Drew has created a film called "UP's & Downs's" which is presented by Salomon TV in association with Hestra, The Mountain Gazette & Sweet Water Productions. The film focuses entirely on Drew's battle with mental health.Drew most recently interviewed with SAM Magazine covering the topic of mental health in an article titled "Breaking Point".  Within the article are many resources for people in need. www.wereallfuckingmental.comwww.drew-petersen.com

The Blade Dive Episode 42 - We are joined by Harmonee Johnson, Charles Beckinsale, Lucas Ouellette & Adam Mahler for the first in person Blade Dive conversation......SAM Magazine's Cutters Camp Fireside Chat at Timberline Lodge, Mt. Hood Oregon!Enjoy! And if you're in the machine… Turn up the volume!The Fireside Chat is sponsored by:  PrinothFollow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

The Blade Dive Episode 40 - We are joined by Matt Rowan. The Oklahoma native who called Mammoth Mountain home for years has contributed to mountain operations teams all over North America and has even spent time in Australia perfecting his craft.  Matt is not only passionate about the ski industry, but has loved heavy equipment and running it since he was a kid. Through the highs and lows of his career, Matt Rowan has been  surrounded by some of the best snowboarders and operators in the world.Growing up in Northern Arizona, Matt Rowan learned to snowboard in the 5th grade and never looked back. Moving to Mammoth the year he graduated high school, Matt worked multiple jobs to keep the dream of living in a ski town alive. Treasuring his time at June Mountain, but having  built a reputation as being a talented operator, Rowan understands the power of being held accountable for the product your offering to the public. Episode 41 is a genuine conversation about change. We discuss addiction, substance abuse and the hard work it takes to recover. Matt weighs in on whether or not dirt world operators would ever consider pushing snow. We discuss the differences of working for smaller ski resorts compared to larger resorts. Which machine is better? Matt has his thoughts. We talk about inspiration and what it's like to live your life to the fullest. Enjoy! And if you're in the machine… Turn up the volume!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

The Blade Dive Episode 40 - We are joined by Jeff “Doorhole” Doran. The Pennsylvania native who's obsessed with Ford 7.3 OBS trucks and Sushi Yoshi, stops by along with Episode 40 Co-Host Corey Tredtin. There's a lot  to talk about. Jeff Doran is the Owner/Operator of JDB Slopeworx in Heber City, Utah and  in his first year of business has landed some massive ski resort clients….Woodward Park City, Eagle Point, Park City, Utah & Sleeping Giant, Wyoming! Growing up near Pennsylvania coal country, Jeff Doran describes his childhood as a “wanna be” farm kid and outlines the best method for changing a tire on a truck is with a forklift. After high school Jeff Doran funded all of his job fair trips to ski resorts with the money he earned working at his uncles farm & some hotshot towing gigs. After landing a job at Killington Resort, Jeff Doran credits Killington and his time there around operators such as Corey Tredtin,  as his training ground for mountain operations. Episode 40 is such a mellow conversation filled with tangents, insight and operating techniques & tips. We discuss Jeff's latest adventure with Slopeworx and Jeff expands on what it's really like to own a business, build a brand and have ski resort clients. We discuss how social media helps your business, but also it's adverse effects on your health. We talk about What it's like to work at Park City & Killington, why networking within the ski industry is vital and of course….why the bell peppers. Enjoy! And if you're in the machine… Turn up the volume!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

The Blade Dive Episode 39 - We are joined by Kurt Eppler, the Director of Mountain Operations at Angel Fire Resort, New Mexico. Born in Del Rio, Texas…Eppler would eventually move to New Mexico, where his father would contribute to the final stages of interstate twenty five construction. Kurt Eppler claims he developed a desire to see what was over the next hill from his fathers sense adventure.  Eppler skied for the first time when he was 9 years old at Angel Fire Resort in New Mexico with the help of the school ski club. Fast forward and at 22 years old, Kurt Eppler is operating an LMC 3700 at Angel Fire.  Eppler has travelled the world operating equipment, but knows that there is no other place like your home mountain. Xgames, working for SPT,  working for Prinoth, The Olympics, USASA Nationals….. Kurt Eppler has a long list of projects he's been a part of,  but realizes that lost time away from family is difficult to get back.  Having just met Kurt Eppler for the first time while preparing to record this episode, I know we just scratched the surface of wisdom Eppler contributes to the Snow Industry. However Kurt Eppler realizes he can use his voice to make a difference for young operators so they don't have to deal with the same struggle that he overcame.  Episode 39 is a conversation that I wish could've happened face to face, selfishly because I'd love to visit Angel Fire, but also because I did a lot of listening. We discuss some very cool industry history, the origin of how USASA nationals came to Angel Fire, how to motivate the youth and what department culture should really look like. We discuss making difficult family decisions while having a career in the Snow Industry, how resorts can retain great operators, operator/driver wages, Eppler's time with SPT and more. Enjoy! And if you're in the machine… Turn up the volume!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

The Blade Dive Episode 38 - We are joined by the man who has zero stage fright and thrives on the mic when the music is loud and the vibes are elevated. All jokes aside, Pat Morgan is in the Virtual Booth and we're talking about all things him. Morgan is currently the Marketing & Brand Manager for Mountain Creek, New Jersey and is responsible for curating ideas that support his brand and benefit the snow industry as a whole. Now before you say “WTF”, as an industry that sells an experience, name the department that seldom interacts with Mountain Operations… and which department always has ideas they'd like to make happen…. You get my point…! Morgan is one of the few dudes that  gets it and can help Marketing worlds speak the operations language. Yes, we open that can of worms! Pat Morgan is originally from Ellicottville, New York, grew up riding Holiday Valley, New York and landed a job washing dishes at 15 years of age.  Morgan also worked as a Snowboard Instructor at HoliMont, New York. Morgan's personal investment in the snow industry culture is best described as “time well spent”.  He has landed jobs at Red Bull, Forum Snowboards, Big Boulder, Pennsylvania and as afore mentioned,  currently is at Mountain Creek, New Jersey….all I might add, while being authentic and being himself. Episode 38 is a fun chat! It is really an effort to cross pollinate and expand on previous conversations. I'd never met Pat Morgan until we connected to create this episode.  We discuss the Marketing language and whether Mountain Operations teams will ever be able to speak a language that seems to have an endless amount of dialects. We unpack what the core ideals of the snow industry culture needs to thrive. We talk about what it's like to have something you've built be stripped from you. We dive into having boots on the ground and that this is the best way to effectively communicate as well as empathize with co workers, especially in this digital world we live in now, with emailing, text messaging, Zoom and the likes!Enjoy! And if you're in the machine… Turn up the volume!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

The Blade Dive - Episode 37, we are joined by the “Silver Nail” Andreas Silbernagl. Growing up in the southwest end of the Italian Dolomite Alps, Andreas Silbernagl spent much of his time skiing and figured out quickly that after 8 years of school, that he wasn't interested in the classroom. Eventually, Silbernagl would earn several technician certifications and excavator/truck licenses, however, working outside and learning outside is still a priority to him. After enduring a period of life in the army as a member of the special forces airborne unit, Silbernagl spent time becoming familiar with ski resort operations and would land at Prinoth as the manager of all snow grooming equipment demo operations.  Silbernagl has built world class ski racing venues, terrain parks and demoed equipment all over the world! Even though the most difficult thing for Andreas Silbernagl is being in the office, the customer contacts as well as the feedback is how Silbernagl justifies tackling any desk work. It's fair to say that the machine is the office space Silbernagl prefers, seeing as he is traveling  200 days a year. That being said, Silbernagl's choice of resort to visit or operate a machine is Whistler, Canada.  Most recently Silbernagl has been building the World Cup race course at Cortina ISTA Ski Area, Italy. Episode 37 was such a fun conversation! We discuss the industry interpretation of the terms “operator” & “driver”, hand throttle usage compared to foot throttle usage while grooming. That nothing can replace seat time. The Leica Geosystems and just how helpful new technology can be, but that familiarizing yourself with any type of equipment is the first step. Again, I felt as if I was just catching up with a friend. Andreas Silbernagl believes in building trust amongst the crews of people he works with and values the transparency within conversation, as Silbernagl says, “there's no safe space, especially if you claim to be good, you'll be held accountable”. Enjoy! And if you're in the machine, Turn up the volume!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

The Blade Dive, Episode 36 - We are joined by Douglas Graham! A local to Jindabyne, Australia…”Dougie” labels himself as a machine nerd.  Skilled at operating equipment, Graham has contributed to Mountain Operations at Perisher Resort in Oz, and has adventured over to North America to run equipment in Whistler, Canada and Park City (formerly known as The Canyons), Utah.  Graham is also Owner/Operator of DIG CIVIL Earth Moving and has been excited to learn the real aspects of  running a business. Chucked on a snowboard at an early age, Douglas Graham's obsession with the sport took off and he eventually picked up a few sponsors. Fast forward and enter Matt Klemm, Grooming Manager at Perisher Resort who would chuck “Dougie” the keys to an LMC 260 and the rest is history. Irrespective, Graham is still a shredder and has a famous backside air photo in the Halfpipe at Perisher that is still used in Marketing material today. Episode 36 is a real conversation with someone who understands the value in being able to see the positive in everything that revolves around the Mountain Operations world and sometimes that means not taking things too serious. We discuss what it's like to make positive, lasting impressions on people... and that doesn't mean you've made them laugh, it's that you've taken the time respect their goals in life. Graham may claim being the larrikin, but knows the value in lifting up others. Enjoy! And if you're in the machine, Turn up the volume! Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

The Blade Dive,  Episode 35 - We are joined by Canadian native, Oren Tanzer. Aside from holding high level positions at multiple big brands such as Red Bull, Quicksilver and Volcom, Tanzer is a human whose passion for both Snowboarding  and his family runs very deep. Tanzer left his mark on the Snow Industry with the Mammoth Mountain crown logo, but he knows that his successes came from a collective effort.A transplant to Venice Beach, CA, Oren Tanzer would eventually trade his dirt bike for a truck and make his way up to Big Bear and land a job as a Lift Operator. Tanzer was very much fixated on the Terrain Park and would be given an opportunity by Keith Pfahler to assist the Park Crew with the USASA Nationals build. His foot in the door, the rest is history… moving on to Mountain High and Mammoth Unbound.Oren Tanzer would later use what he learned within Mountain Operations to tap into Marketing opportunities. While he  could speak both resort  languages, the selling of ideas that never saw production became old quickly. Currently, Tanzer is the President of Frankiebird Inc. and gets to skip the selling aspect and instead help companies make a plan, work a plan and then adjust to reality and bring to life! Episode 35 is a passionate conversation with loads of side stories and tangents that revolve around the topic of ideation. We discuss what it's like to step outside of resort operations and land a Marketing job. We talk Mammoth, WCI,  Red Bull. We discuss the storytelling aspect of events and who the future customer is as well as how they tell you what they'd like to consume or participate in. Enjoy! And if you're in the machine, Turn up the volume! Head over to  http://sunvalley.com/jobs and check out the operator positions Corey is seeking to fill.Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladediveJobs at Dollar Mountain/Sun Valley:http://sunvalley.com/jobs

The Blade Dive  -  We'll be back with more conversations in December! Stayed tuned after the trailer for an Interview with Dollar Mountain's Corey Allen. Corey is the Mountain Manager at Dollar/Sun Valley and speaks to operator positions he's hiring for as well as what it's like to work for the operations team and live in the Ketchum, Idaho area. It takes courage to describe who you are as a manager and that you want to empower people, especially in the ski industry and Corey stands out by doing just that, while crediting his team for all successes at Dollar Mountain. Head over to  http://sunvalley.com/jobs and check out the operator positions Corey is seeking to fill. Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladediveJobs at Dollar Mountain/Sun Valley: http://sunvalley.com/jobs

The Blade Dive, Episode 34 - We are joined by New Jersey native, Jay Rydd and Virginia Southerner, Day Franzen.  These two are big players in the Snow Industry and have worked for resorts and companies  such as Mammoth Mountain, Diamond Peak, Mountain High, Heavenly, Pistenbully and more. As the co-founders and masterminds of the Kingvale Terrain Park Project, Jay Rydd and Day Franzen are no strangers to park programs and they both have an acute awareness of the value of relationships and combining their skills to produce the best possible outcome. After spending time on snow in  New Jersey and Virginia, both Franzen and Rydd left for the West Coast and landed in Lake Tahoe and Southern California. Eventually meeting at a Mammoth Mountain Job Fair, Franzen asked Rydd what he was doing leaving his Slope Manager job at Diamond Peak, to groom at Mammoth Mountain... The two would eventually leave Mammoth and create Kingvale, a then groundbreaking now iconic program in the Terrain Park world, that is best left described by the visionaries and creators themselves.  Episode 34 is an in depth conversation that truly was too broad to be one single episode...  we cover so much material that we would be remiss, did we not share. In Part 2 we discuss the East Coast resorts and the positive impact on skiers and riders , how to speak and present to your General Manager, the chronological career journey to Kingvale, losing Kingvale and it's reincarnation, the  Park Pro joystick, The Formatic and more!  Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladediveJobs at Mt. Bachelor:http://www.mtbachelor.com

The Blade Dive, Episode 34 - We are joined by New Jersey native, Jay Rydd and Virginia Southerner, Day Franzen.  These two are big players in the Snow Industry game and have worked for resorts and companies  such as Mammoth Mountain, Diamond Peak, Mountain High, Heavenly, Pistenbully and more. As the co-founders and masterminds of the Kingvale Terrain Park Project, Jay Rydd and Day Franzen are no strangers to park programs and they both have an acute awareness of the value in relationships and combining their skills to produce the best possible outcome. After spending time on snow in  New Jersey and Virginia, both Franzen and Rydd left for the West Coast and would land in Lake Tahoe and Southern California. Eventually meeting at a Mammoth Mountain job fair, Franzen asked Rydd what he was doing leaving his Slope Manager job at Diamond Peak, to groom at Mammoth Mountain. The two would eventually leave Mammoth and create Kingvale, a then groundbreaking now iconic program in the Terrain Park world, that is best left described by the visionaries and creators themselves.  Episode 34 is a in depth conversation that truly was too broad to be one single episode...  we cover so much material that we would be remiss, did we not share. In Part 1, we discuss training, operating techniques,  the history of what it was like to work in the industry 15 years ago compared to now, dream jobs outside of the industry, the tough guy show, asking for help, stories from Kingvale, Cutters Camp, 'The C Box' and much more. Be sure to tune into Part 2, dropping next week. In the meantime... Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladediveJobs at Mt. Bachelor:http://www.mtbachelor.com

The Blade Dive Episode 33 - We are joined by the humble, genuine  and all round' badass Snowcat operator…Ty Weed! Hailing from Canada, Weed was eventually placed around creditable and highly influential operators such as Charles Beckinsale, Lucas Ouellette and Steve Petrie. Ty Weed has contributed to Whistler Blackcomb, Canada's Terrain Park for almost two decades and in doing ,so landed an awesome opportunity with Arena Snowparks. Ty Weed has built features for brands and companies such as Monster Energy, Redbull, Matchstick Productions and FIS. Growing up in Pitt Meadows, Canada, Ty Weed took an interest in board sports early on.  So much though, that being outside was where Weed was  happiest. With a nudge from school leadership, Weed was able to pursue volunteer work at the near by mountain, Mount Seymour, Canada.Ty Weed, would later adventure towards Whistler. To pay the bills initially, Weed was a door man, checking ID's at the local watering hole. Eventually Weed would land an interview for Park Crew, and the rest is history. Enter Lucas Ouellette,  and a friendship that is treasured and a job with Arena Snowparks. Weed still operates Snowcats, but in recent years has created his own Home Inspection business. Ty Weed is well respected by many and to this day, continues to be sought after for industry insight and advice on building techniques. Episode 31 is a really interesting listen into the life and career of someone who is so passionate about the Snowboard community but absolutely treasures his family time at home. We discuss “The Stoke” and what it means to each of us, being a parent and operating on swing shift and the sincere value of surrounding yourself with good people. The conversation was so much fun.  Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive Jobs at Crystal Mountain:http://crystalmountainresort.com

The Blade Dive, Episode 32 - We are joined by Pennsylvania native , Kristin Lenart.  Lenart grew up stoked on exploring  everything and anything that was an outdoor activity in the surrounding area and skiing quickly became an obsession. Lenart has built Terrain Parks for Bear Creek, Blue Mountain and June Mountain. Lenart is also a professional Mountain Bike Racer and the excavator is her machine of choice. Kristin Lenart would take an interest in machines later in life, but prior to that, gravitated towards welding fabrication and would earn her certification. Lenart also pursued structural  auto body school and upon graduating worked on cars prior to diving into the Terrain Park world. Since being a Terrain Park Manager, Kristin has been West and worked in California at June Mountain. From that experience came the realization that you can't run from your problems. Moving back east and landing at Blue Mountain allowed Lenart to achieve a future she was interested in creating. Episode 31 is a deep dive conversation. The operator in the Virtual Booth is a professional, authentic and is supported as well as respected by the mountain she works for.  We discuss the ratio of male to female park managers, Bike Park trail construction as well as the progression of Bike Park resort guests.  We talk about the practice of being pragmatic as well as the fun of June Mountain.  Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

The Blade Dive, Episode 31 - We are Joined by the Colorado native  that comes from California roots, Kyle Markman.  Growing up Surfing, Skateboarding and snowboarding on the West Coast, on Seal Beach, California… the Markman family would eventually move to Durango, Colorado. Having read Snowboarder Magazine, Kyle Markman took an interest in Snowboarding via the power of print. Markman would later land jobs in a Snowcat at Purgatory Ski Area, CO… Keystone, CO… Eldora Mountain, CO. Kyle Markman is no stranger to pushing the limits of his own Snowboarding, but he's also constantly focusing on pushing the limits of what he can do in a Snowcat. Markman gravitated to transition builds and Zaugg operations, in an attempt to separate himself from other operators, Markman claims to have been building Zaugg features when Zaugg operations wasn't cool. Pushing the limits doesn't come without risk. Markman has 26 broken bones and has not only learned how to pick himself up off the ground but knows first hand how much of a commitment it is to be a master builder and put the trade skill above all else.  Markman has been a part of Superpark, Women's Superpark and The Launch, all of which were created by Snowboarder Magazine. Kyle was a part of the legendary A51 park at Keystone and is the previous Manager of the Terrain Park at Eldora.Episode 31 is an interesting listen. The conversation with Markman is assumed to be filled with ego, based on the Resume bullet points listed above. But the reality is that it's really not. We talk about real life shit, from mental health to depression and anxiety. We cover what it's like to be a dad and be a Snowcat operator, that physical health is so important, whether progression is linked to a wide marketing net, is the local valued, how the playlist evolves during the build and as always…the prediction of the future. Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladediveJobs at Loon http://www.loonmtn.com

The Blade Dive- Episode 30,  we are joined by Chloe Butel. Born in Europe,  originally from France, Butel relocated to United States with her family at a young age and would call the Bay Area of California home.  Butel found adventure in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, surrounding Lake Tahoe. Butel learned to ski in the Alps, so naturally, skiing or riding the Sierra's came easy.  Furthering her interests in science, agriculture, vehicle maintenance and mother nature... Butel fell in love with the Snow Industry and has found herself placed amongst industry greats, to the likes of Tyson Terpening, Garrett Froelich, Brandon Dodds, Frank Wells and Charles Beckinsale. Chloe Butel calls Sierra at Tahoe her 'home mountain' and enjoys every minute that she is amongst the trees. Butel is a 3rd year Terrain Park operator, whose drive to contribute in any capacity within an operations team is next level. Butel is also an advocate for the future of the industry, all while being present in the moment at hand. Butel's biggest contribution that outshines any jump ever built, is her ability to speak up for Women in the industry and lead the charge for new events like “Take the Rake” at Trollhaugen, Wisconsin. Episode 30 is a deep dive into the reality of the industry's current state. The episode is stacked with special guest questions. Chloe discusses her experiences operating Snowcats, the value of believing in people, finding the joy in the job, mental health, paying operators an appropriate skill based/livable wage and much more.Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

The Blade Dive Episode 29 - We are joined by Vermont native and Killington's superhero operator, Corey Tredtin.  Corey not only contributes to the Terrain Park, but goes outside the ropes to assist with all types of projects involving many different pieces of equipment. Like most, Tredtin had humble beginnings and still remembers the day he met Jay Rosenbaum, the KSA General. Growing up in Vermont, Corey Tredtin played ice hockey and skied as well. Choosing to invest more time in skiing, the back yard Terrain Park at home came to life. Fast forward to meeting Jay Rosenbaum at the local skatepark and the rest is history. Corey Tredtin would quickly develop a passion for building Killington's Terrain Park and would ride along in the snow cat for hundreds of hours in the passenger seat, before getting behind the sticks. With guidance from Jay and others, Tredtin honed his skills and would contribute to large scale event builds at Killington such as the Modified Halfpipe and would travel to contribute to events like Superpark 16 at Mt. Bachelor. Episode 29 is a really fun dive into the life and career of Corey Tredtin through a long list of special guests who know Tredtin well. We discuss what it's like to lift others up instead of elevating yourself, the mentality that rookie operators should have in order to be successful, how many ride along hours one should have and what current operators inspire Corey today. Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

The Blade Dive - Episode 28 we are joined by badass Photographer and Snowboarder turned Snowcat operator, Tyler Benton.  The third year operator is a  Connecticut native who was hooked on Snowboarding at a young age... and High Cascade Snowboard Camp would become the catalyst that would ignite an interest in pursuing Terrain Park operations as a career. Growing up on the East Coast and working four different jobs to support college tuition at the university of Connecticut, Tyler Benton earned a degree in Mathematics and Economics.  The dude is smart, and wise... and is very strategic with his pursuit and path, how he wants to invest his time and grow his career, doing what he loves, enter High Cascade Snowboard Camp Photographer job. Benton would stay out west and relocate to the PNW; Bend, Oregon.Landing a job on the Terrain Park Day crew, Benton would eventually be given an opportunity to operate a Snowcat the following season and would find out that it's not as easy as it looks. Benton, being a perfectionist, was grateful to have experienced operators around him but still stumbled through the unknown of how to build and groom on the graveyard shift. Episode 28 is as fresh perspective on how we can nurture the next generation of operators, instead of singing the “well, back in my day” song. Benton discusses the importance of investing in employees in every sense of the phrase... encouraging and believing in them. We cover the difficulties of training on graveyard and that new technologies shouldn't be hated on. Lots of deep 'Blade Dives' in this one. Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

The Blade Dive, Episode 27 - We are joined by Canadian snowboard badass and Snowcat operator extraordinaire AKA “The Little Dipper”…Lucas Ouellette.  Lucas has spent time around the best operators in the industry as well as the best riders and skiers. Traveling the world to build Terrain Parks is a massive personal commitment and is consuming, but Ouellette is a family man who cherishes and prioritizes time with his family. The Ontario native is 100% all about sharing the STOKE! Landing a Terrain Park Manager job at the age of 16 with Lakeridge Ski Resort, Ontario Canada was a pretty good sign and step in the right direction, to where Ouellette wanted to take his career. Eventually moving to Vancouver, Canada, Whistler Blackcomb would become the canvas. Ouellette would later gain the trust of Steve Petrie and join Arena Snowparks. Ouellette has contributed to the company by fabricating features, from rails to boxes and everything in between, building contest venues, photoshoot features etc. Ouellette wants to keep parks evolving and growing as well as the ridership….period. Episode 27 is a real deep dive into Lucas Ouellette's vision of Terrain Parks. We discuss the value in creating parks that are accessible for everyone, what life would look like without Snowboarding, wearing multiple hats of responsibility within a company, how important it is to learn from your mistakes. Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

The Blade Dive - Episode 26, we are joined by Michigan native, Nicholas Symon,  AKA Sic Nik! Symon is another Snow Industry lifer, who has been an anchor operator for the Breckinridge Terrain Park Crew. Specifically, Symon specializes in Halfpipe construction and claims to have learned from one of the best, if not the best….Brad Hoerter. Originally from Lansing, Michigan, Nicholas Symon found an escape from the cloudy winters and bitter cold of the mid west via a train ticket that took him to Alta Ski Area, Utah. Suddenly immersed in a new environment, centered around skiing and living life to the fullest, friends and future operator Mark Daigler would help keep that mission for living alive and would land Symon in Breckinridge, Colorado  behind the sticks of a Snowcat. Nicholas Symon has been a part of the Halfpipe construction at Breckinridge resort for what would have been 2 decades if the pipe were to still be in existance, but alas, it doesn't.  For an operator who has seen and experienced first hand, so much in his career, at an array of resorts…Dew Tour, Cutters Camp, US Open, home is where the heart is and Symon is so passionate about the Halfpipe at Breck. He is also passionate about the sharing of skill and knowledge and the value in teaching operators and we unpack what the future looks like... Episode 26 is a deep dive into the world of Halfpipe construction and operator culture. We discuss the difficulties of their construction and that one skilled operator at a mountain/resort  isn't enough to sustain a Halfpipe or an individual, long term. How can we develop training? Are wage increases a game changer? Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

The Blade Dive, Episode 25 -We are joined by industry lifer Tyrone Coyne. Many have claimed Coyne to be the originator of modern Terrain Park feature fabrication and Coyne has also held Terrain Park Manger positions at Mt. High and Bear Mountain resorts in California. Coyne's largest contribution to the snow industry could be claimed as either his time with Snow Park Technologies or the creation of his own feature factory….Superparx. Originally from the East coast of the US, Tyrone Coyne was the youngest kid in the family, with 5 older sisters. Eventually moving West, that's a story Tyrone tells best, Snowboarding eventually became an interest and very quickly became an obsession. Coyne at one point had “thrown in the towel” and began cleaning pools for income instead of pursuing a career as a pro Snowboarder. Mike Binnell would eventually help Tyrone get back on snow. Tyrone Coyne would go on to manage park programs and join Snow Park Technologies as well as develop new methods of feature fabrication. His primary tool of choice, Sketch up. Coyne attends burning man every year and is stoked to be a part of that community. Episode 25 is an honest conversation about being yourself and the fact that while doing so, you'll more than likely find what your passionate about, as well as who your biggest supporters are. Within this “industry of cool”, Tyrone Coyne has carved out his own path and we discuss the highs, lows and everything in between. Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

Episode 24 - We are joined by Canadian operator and sought after mechanic, Cody Niebrugge. Niebrugge has worked at several world renowned resorts such as Revelstoke,  British Columbia - Canada,  Lake Louise, Alberta - Canada, Mount Hotham, NSW - Australia. Growing up just outside of Saskatchewan in central Canada, Niebrugge is the youngest of 2 kids and on the family farm there was nothing more to do but get into trouble, that however meant lots of outside adventures, which Niebrugge loved. Once again, on The Blade Dive, we quickly discover that work ethic was established from hard work early on.Cody Niebrugge's brother would later pursue a  fishing/guiding career,  which would become the catalyst for Niebrugge's career.  Niebrugge's mom should be given all the credit for showing him Skiing for the first time and following the viewing of a TV show focused on Snow Cats, Niebrugge never looked back and was obsessed. Having now travelled the world and having had opportunities to work for both Snow Cat manufacturers, Cody Niebrugge owns CNIE Industries and works as a contractor selling his skill, time and energy to those who need Snow Cat maintenance/repairs completed. We discuss how to approach and properly communicate with mechanics, what machine write ups should include, whether or not being the hero is a safety issue,  what it's like working as a mechanic, good operators and bad habits, mechanic pay dilemma etc.Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

The Blade Dive Episode 23 - We are joined by Jeremy Carpenter. The Iowa local,  who grew up on a farm, took an interest in equipment early on and credits his time there as the catalyst for developing his strong work ethic.  Carpenter has been all over the world building Halfpipes for world class resorts and pro events such as Laax, Switzerland, Perisher, Australia, X Games, Cube Pipe and the The Stomping Grounds. Halfpipes were originally not the focus for Jeremy Carpenter, who began his career hand shaping parks at Copper Mountain, Colorado. Carpenter Eventually landed a job at Mt. Hood, Oregon during the summer which presented opportunities to spend time around legendary halfpipe  builder Frank Wells. In time, Carpenter would trade in his rake for a chance to get into a snow cat, Carpenter left Copper for Breckenridge, Colorado. Jeremy Carpenter would later join Snow Park Technologies and travel the world building halfpipes for the Xgames. Jeremy Carpenter is a big believer in innovation and we discuss equipment changes that could be a big step forward as well as concepts that have already been created.  We discuss the life of a snow cat operator as a contractor and what living that lifestyle looks like and the fact that it its not glamorous.  Carpenter has even visited the Amazon to experience Ayahuasca and lets us in on his spirituality journey.  Jeremy Carpenter is currently a seasonal employee at Laax, Switzerland and it contracted currently with The Stomping Grounds Project.Episode 23 is a deep dive into the mind of one of the best snow cat operators in the world. Many claim that Jeremy Carpenter's Laax Halfpipe is the best in the world, and we talk about what that title really means. We speak to some of carpenters bad breaks as well as risks taken during his career.  Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

The Blade Dive Episode 22 - We are joined by Joe Genovese. Originally from Northern Virginia, Genovese eventually relocated to Massanutten, Virginia and lived 3 miles from the base of the resort chairlifts. Enter Aaron Hawkins, the creator of the Terrain Park at Massanutten Resort.  From their Genovese's interest in snowboarding began to explode and would eventually take him to the west coast, Superpark and eventually would return to the East Coast to Manage Seven Springs, Pennsylvania's Terrain Park. • Black listed from Massanutten as a kid,  Joe Genovese got an opportunity to join the snowmaking team via the Mountain Manager, Mike Mueller. Operating snowcats is a part of the job, so Genovese was literally thrown into a machine and has memories of his first blade dives. •Joe Genovese has contributed to programs at Mountain High, June Mountain, Mt. Hood, Park City, Wintergreen & Seven Springs. Genovese will attest to the fact that creating an opportunity comes from developing a solid foundation for the skill sets that you're passionate about. Episode 22 is packed full of guest questions from previous guests, past & current snow industry contributors & 7th grade math teachers. Joe loves to laugh and that's evident from our conversation. This carries over into his work philosophy of not taking things too seriously. We discuss what accessible snowboarding for future guests looks like, we talk about employee turnover and employee motivation beyond paychecks. We cover many memorable moments within Joe's career including advice from Jeff Flood. Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

“Queen of Parks” The Blade Dive - Episode 21 we are joined by Isabelle Falardeau. Originally from Quebec City, Canada… Falardeau has been around some of the best operators, opportunities and resorts in the world. Contributing to companies like Aspen Ski Company, Snow Park, New Zealand, The Sochi Olympics and X Games. Currently Falardeau is not in the Snow Industry, but uses what she learned whilst pursuing a PhD in Tourism focused on  how to professionally combat  the mental health issues in the Snow Industry, specifically in mountain towns. Participating in snowboarding within Quebec City, Canada, Isabelle Falardeau was shown more of the outdoors via her father, who she dubs as a pioneer or pursuer of adventures. Falardeau credits her father with instilling that life-long sense of adventure in her as well.With plans to finish University, Falardeau took time off to pursue Snowboarding in Whistler, Canada. Upon returning to Quebec City for the first class, she arrived to a very serendipitous note stating that class was cancelled,  Falardeau took that sign and returned to Whistler, thus cutting her teeth in one of the most well regarded programs,  by way of Yannick Rioux, Greg Boyd and the Whistler Park Crew. Transitioning to a new country and a new opportunity…Aspen, Colorado became Falardeau's new canvas. The chances to expand her knowledge of the Snow Industry and Terrain Park operations would come by way of opportunities like Cutters Camp and working at Snow Park, New Zealand. Episode 21 is a deep dive into the life and career of someone who is dearly missed within the Snow Industry, but is making her mark within her pursuit of earning a PhD in Tourism. So many harsh realities are also shared, some of which are those heavier topics that people shy away from or are reluctant or don't wish to discuss, such as the mountain town housing crisis, mental health of Snow Industry employees and suicidal rates within mountain towns. Please note that in this episode of The Blade Dive, we do discuss some heavy topics and at no point do we intend to trigger any one individual. Please, check on your snow family and friends, be kind to one another, make sure we are all ok...Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

“Minnow” The Blade Dive - Episode 20 we are joined by Trollhaugen Mountain Manager,  Adam Mahler. Growing up in Osceola, Wisconsin….Mahler very quickly took an Interest in the construction of even the most basic project and describes Snowboarding in the Midwest as an awesome experience. Mahler soon found himself at Trollhaugen working in multiple departments in exchange for a Season Pass. You could say that he was boomeranged back to Troll after pursuing a successful welding career. Ironically after being around tractors during his childhood, Adam Mahler would later take a job welding on farming combines after obtaining his certification.  Mahler approaches each operations situation with humility, but to do that he realizes that part of problem solving is accepting that you were wrong or don't know the answer. A contributor to the expansion of the Terrain Park program, Adam Mahler wears multiple hats and claims that working at a Midwest resort requires you to do so. Being a product of a Trade School, Mahler has come full circle from his days of working in the kitchen at Troll and now oversees all outside operations. Adam Mahler and Trollhaugen have been part of some core industry events such as Trollybowly & Lord of the Ropes…..is Superpark next? There's a lot to be said about Mahler being well respected. by so many at Trollhaugen. A testament to why that is, has to be how he treats his co-workers, with kindness. “Be kind, it goes a long way”.  Episode 20 is a really cool conversation with an ambassador for the Midwest Snow Industry, Adam Mahler. We discuss pursuing a Trade Certification vs. a Bachelors Degree. How to be a pro when applying for a high level job at a resort you currently work for.  Mahler's perspective on how to advocate for new park features.  Identifying  the difference between operational needs and wants as well as how we continue to share the stoke of this awesome industry and grow it, to get more people on snow. Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

“Mad Man” The Blade Dive - Episode 19 We are joined by Chris Meyer.  The builder of shapes, began his career in Terrain Parks at Bear Mountain in California.  However, Meyer found Snowboarding through a series of unfortunate events and life choices. You could say that Snowboarding saved a life.  Meyer would eventually spend time around operators like Mike Stephenson, Tex, Desi Hauer, and Clayton Shoemaker and move on to work around the world within Terrain Park construction. Growing up in Southern California, Chris Meyer found himself navigating a somewhat troubled childhood by visiting Six Flags, Magic Mountain more than being attended to by a babysitter. Attempting to fit in however he could, Meyer eventually realized that the best thing he could do was leave, so Meyer moved to Big Bear Lake, California.  Unfortunately falling back into old habits Meyer eventually landed in an all boys home. Getting a second chance, Chris Meyer immediately found work at Bear Mountain and also found Snowboarding. Meyer landed a job on the Terrain Park Crew and made the shovel an extension of his arms while developing a passion for shaping features. That same season Meyer spent time behind the sticks, earned time solo in the seat and would move on to Telluride, Colorado that same season.Chris Meyer would eventually get the opportunity to be the Park Manager at Telluride and would work towards expanding the mountain's rail fleet and park offering. Mammoth would eventually call and offer and job which Meyer accepted. His new adventure would place him around some of the world's best builders and what seemed to be an endless amount of projects.  Chris Meyer has built Terrain Parks at Falls Creek, Australia and in Argentina. Meyer has a cult following, and is a hero to many but also judged by those who don't understand him  or don't want to understand him. Episode 19 is a deep dive into Meyer's obsession with building shapes from snow and how that can effect your life. We discuss having and expressing feelings in the Snow Industry. We discuss leaders who keep their word and leaders who are only good at talking. We talk about being misunderstood and incorrectly managed. Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

"The  Mechanic" The Blade Dive Episode 18 - We are joined by John Swartz.  A Cape Cod, Massachusetts native that moved to South Lake Tahoe with his family at a young age.  Skiing was a passion, but his interest in cars, motorbikes and heavy equipment quickly took over. Swartz has spent decades in the Snow Industry.  Successfully establishing Bombardier's shop in Reno, Nevada, Swartz would eventually be influential in developing equipment for Prinoth and the evolution of the Terrain Park Snowcat, while working with brands like Snow Park Technologies. Skiing for $1 was a time to be alive, but John Swartz earned that cheap priced ticket by contributing to work needed around home, specifically shoveling snow.  In time, Swartz would take a job at a Chevy dealership, working whenever, for whatever they would pay, in order to advance his mechanical knowledge.  Still interested in Snow Sports, Swartz began to realize that flat rate work didn't pay and fortunately was offered a job at  Heavenly's shop, working on their machines, specifically Snowcats.....the rest is history.Swartz would go on to write 'the book' on how to 'demo' a Snowcat, and work with people  such as Mike Binnell, Eric Rosenwald,  Chris Gunnarson, Jeremy Cooper, instrumental in developing and pushing Terrain Park Snowcat design to where it is today.  Swartz would spend time with other operators in an effort to realize best practices, shop management, pre and post check out and assess the process, if any, as to how material was moved.  Thus, leading to his definition of the heavy handed and the light handed operator. Swartz's mechanical background has him really advocating for communication between the operator and the machine as well as the operator and the mechanic.  Swartz is a big believer in reading the operators manual in an effort to familiarize yourself with terminology to ensure that next layer of operational expertise and finesse.  Episode 18 is an in depth mechanical conversation that hasn't happened on The Blade Dive until now, with John Swartz.  The 'Special Guest' and 'Push Road 'questions, are true measures of just how interested people are in John Swartz's mechanical perspective. Swartz is one of the nicest people you'll meet in the Snow Industry and he knows his shit. We discuss what it's like to have successes and failures while providing a service as a vendor. We highlight that the ability to walk away from attempting to diagnose a problem is key and realizing that a fresh perspective may lead to no call backs.Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

“Harmony” The Blade Dive Episode 17- We are joined by Mammoth Unbound operator, Harmonee Johnson.  Passionate about Snow sports at a young age, Whitefish in Montana was the catalyst for further interest. Eventually, switching to Snowboarding, Harmonee was destined for great things and would land jobs within park programs at Bear Mountain and Mammoth Mountain. Growing up in Montana, Harmonee Johnson took an interest in sports outside of school and immediately latched onto her grandmothers passion for skiing.  Taking advantage of life lessons and how to control a ski edge, Johnson saw value in investing her time on snow with family. Eventually adding Snowboarding to her skill set, Johnson was influenced by incredible Snowboarding content coming from Bear Mountain.  Johnson's mother, who learned to ski at Bear Mountain, knew it was meant to be. Road trip! Johnson moved to Big Bear to pursue a job opportunity on the Terrain Park's day crew.As a dedicated employee, Johnson quickly found herself in front of multiple opportunities, one of which was a Snowcat. Surrounding herself with people like Tex McCullar, Dan Neilsen, TJ Dawoud…Johnson realized that a sustainable career may be possible behind the sticks. Episode 17 is a heavy realization that there are very few woman operating Snowcats. We discuss Johnson's move from Montana to Big Bear and her eventual transition to Mammoth. We deep dive into treating people with respect and how operators can be setup for success. Johnson is no stranger to a challenge and stands tall in an effort to advocate for woman in the male dominated industry, that is equipment operations. Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

"Tex" The Blade Dive Episode 16, we are joined by Brian "Tex" McCullar.  Originally from Borger, Texas, McCullar is a transplant to California.  The long time Bear Mountain & Snow Summit resort operations hero, McCullar has contributed to Superpark, Hot Dogs & Hand Rails and Xgames.  McCullar has also established himself as a certified welder, installing Snowmaking at several different resorts. Currently holding the Grooming Manager title at Bear Mountain,  Brian "Tex" McCullar's skill set speaks for itself through the final product thats on snow to shred Moving to California with his dad, McCullar took an interest in Snowsports and during the 1989 Winter season Brian took a job with Snow Summit teaching ski school lessons. Witnessing legends like Tom Sims shred down the hill past lessons he was teaching.  Brian knew immediately that snowboarding was what he wanted to pursue.  McCullar at one point pursued a pro Snowboarding career and was riding and representing brands like Joyride, SMP and claims that the biggest highlight was receiving  his first paycheck for Snowboarding professionally. McCullar's trip to Tokyo, Japan was an experience he'll never forget, but regrets not enjoying the local cuisine. Brian has definitely been around his fair share of equipment, but his welding skill is second to none. McCullar has installed miles of Snowmaking pipe and has built and maintained some incredible terrain park features. Episode 16 is truly a deep dive into the career of a legend in not only the Terrain Park world but overall resort operations. We discuss what its like navigating a career in the Snow Industry and the choices that can make or break you. We talk about being a listener and that broadening your skillset is vital to growth. There are lots of laughs while Tex revisits memories from Superpark as well as fields questions from other operators. Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

"The Big Dipper" The Blade Dive Podcast, Episode 15 - we are joined by Steve Petrie.  A Terrain Park legend from Ottawa, Canada. Steve Petrie developed a passion for Snowboarding at a young age, later landing an opportunity at Whistler Blackcomb and eventually going on to establish Arena Snow Parks.Petrie's interest in catching air "took off", while building wooden ramps as a kid. Petrie's dad encouraged that interest in Skiing and Snowboarding, by driving south from Ottawa, Canada  and stopping at as many resorts as possible along the journey west, across the country. Petrie's family supported the Terrain Park pioneer's primary interest in Action Sports; BMX, Skateboarding and Snowboarding. Petrie ultimately drove  his Toyota Tercel towards Vancouver, British Columbia in 1994.  landing a job working for Whistler Blackcomb in the Vehicle Maintenance shop, Petrie furthered his skillset and the then Grooming Manager, Stan Kelly, Offered Petrie a job within the Grooming Department.Petrie went on to build Superpark features and in 2005, founded Arena Snow Parks. The highly successful rider owned and operated Terrain Park consulting and contracting business has gone on to design and construct not only Snowpark accessories and tools but leading industry projects such as Holy Bowly, and has traveled the globe contributing to Olympic venues such as Halfpipes and Slopestyle courses in Canada, Russia and China. Episode 15 is a deep dive into the life of an innovator for the Snow Industry – the OG of Canada. We discuss what its like to balance a Terrain Park Consulting business and a family. We revisit some historic moments in park building, such as Cutters Cup. We also evaluate the future and how cultivating new interest may be possible through smaller Halfpipes.Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

“Destoy it!” The Blade Dive - Episode 14 we are joined by Caleb Hamilton, a journeyman in the Snow Industry. Originally from Maine,  specifically Sunday River Resort, Hamilton was around the industry, from a very young age. Hamilton eventually went on to make a full-time career for himself as well as building his own brand which he leveraged and elevated, designing and constructing Terrain Parks for resorts across North America. Not only did Hamilton leave an impact on resort programs,  he would ultimately end up designing a GPS unit and travel the globe.An operators kiddo, it was only a matter of time before Caleb Hamilton got behind the sticks. Scott Hamilton, Caleb's father, would take his kids for ride alongs on nights that it was possible to do so. Hamilton recalls using jackets to curl up on the floor of the passenger seat to get comfortable, as he'd stare up through the cab at the night sky, in awe! Developing a passion for resort operations, Hamilton would eventually create "Destoy",  a Terrain Park Consulting company, that would place Hamilton at resorts like Blue Mountain, PA and Sugarbush Resort, VT that welcomed his consulting efforts and expertise.Hamilton is no stranger to challenges and pursued opportunities in the Pacific Northwest, where learning how to manage the science behind the snow, surfaces and people within the Freestyle Grooming department at Mt. Hood, taught Hamilton the art of patience. Hamilton would eventually manage the ‘digger crew' at Windells Snowboard Camp, OR and attempted to instill within that team a vision of building a superior product in the most professional way possible. Caleb Hamilton shares his work experience in Alaska, recounts the animals encountered as well as the methodology that came with the job and operating in a pretty remote and operationally challenging environment. We discuss what it was like developing the Raven Cruiser,  a GPS system that was, but is no longer, mounted in the cab of machines. Caleb Hamilton is an all round rad human,  all about the smiles per minute and during his time within the Snow Industry, attempted to help others understand that the process of how you go about your business, is pivotal to success. Being a perfectionist, taking great pride in how he presents himself and produces his work, Hamilton saw his fair share of mistakes but as a result, grew and learned from them. This episode is a deep blade dive into Hamilton's life and career. We discuss what its like to transition out of a Snow Industry, toxic positivity, the highs and lows of Terrain Park management and that knowing your customer/consumer/audience, will not only help you personally and professionally thrive,  but will elevate the overall product offering, within programs and operations. Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

“The Real Deal”  - The Blade Dive Podcast, Episode 13 we are joined by Joshua “Yosh” Heydorn,  a local to Flagstaff, Arizona. Heydorn immersed himself in the culture of his community early on in life and has grown to graciously appreciate the town and its surrounding landscape.  Heydorn has helped build Arizona Snow Bowl's Terrain Park Program and has also been a part of large scale projects at Mammoth Mountain, California.Raised by a single parent who wanted the best in life for her son, Heydorn's mom borrowed their neighbor's car in order to make the trek to the mountains, and introduce the family to snow. No stranger to hard work, Heydorn would later receive a scholarship to University, but would never relinquish a passion for the snow and the potential for a career in the snow industry. Once employed by Arizona Snow Bowl as a Snowboard Instructor... a Bombardier Plus ME Snowcat rolls by, before morning lessons begin, and catches the attention of Heydorn. That day,  Heydorn approached Dale Haglin, Director of Mountain Operations and eventually earned an opportunity to jump onboard with the summer trail grooming crew, in an effort to prove he was more than just “all talk”.  All in at this point, Heydorn met Matt Rowan before the Winter began, was given an opportunity to groom by Dale Haglin, and in his spare time, road along with Rowan.  Joshua Heydorn has since contributed to capital projects, such as the installation of the  Telemix  Gondola at Arizona Snowbowl and Snowmaking installation projects throughout the United States and Canada, thanks to his knowledge gained at Arizona Snow Bowl. Heydorn was also one of the original contributors to the Sunset Terrain Parks program and has since seen that program grow through the help of amazing people. Heydorn's experience at Mammoth Mountain, as a contributor to large scale push projects for events like Snowboarder Magazines Superpark, is proof that knowledge and skill scope can be attained, no matter what push road you're in. Operators are people just like you and I, with 'extra curricular' interests outside of the cab and beyond the ropes and boundaries and Joshua Heydorn's love for Photography and his home town is humbling to learn and listen to. We discuss what the relationship can be between day crew and night crew, stepping away from his Management position, the future, and whether or not 'just operating equipment' is enough of a motivator in life. Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

“The People's Champ”  - The Blade Dive Podcast, Episode 12 we are joined by Kevin Soller.  A local to Breckinridge who's passion for the outdoors is derived from being a product of his environment... Summit County, Colorado. A Professional cyclist and mountain biker at one point, Kevin's need for speed transcends to snow with Alpine & Nordic racing. Sollers  obsession with machines and operating equipment on dirt and snow had manifested a curiosity that took over and landed Kevin in the operator seat at events like Dew Tour Breckinridge, CO,  US Open Vail CO,  X Games Aspen, CO.Born in Frisco, CO and having access to Colorado as his back yard, Soller explored skiing at an early age, but developed a love for biking that grew into a pro cyclist career and took him all over the world. His professional cycling career spanned 10 years, but unfortunately pivoted when Soller was badly injured in Europe and was hospitalized. After nearly 100 stitches, a head injury and thoughts of no longer racing, Soller returned to the states to recoup. Seeing a sustainable career in equipment, Kevin Soller began to ask himself all the right questions and sought the help of operators such as Nicholas Symon & Mark Daigler in order to gain the proper perspective of what a good operator skill set should look like. Soller didn't want to sit in a machine to accomplish solely the completion of the task at hand, Soller wanted to retain knowledge and figure out which machine he enjoyed operating the most. Currently his machine of choice is the spider excavator and preferred locations are steep embankments at 30 degrees or steeper. Getting an opportunity to work on swing shift with the Alpine crew at Breckinridge, CO specifically in a winch cat....Soller developed an understanding for what maintaining skier access should look like. Becoming efficient at moving bulk amounts of snow, Kevin saw that every role within a team of operators is key. Kevin Soller will tell you that that he did not get where he is today without help and that learning from your mistakes is more important than making them. Operators are sometimes painted as uneducated, almost as if the machine was a last resort career choice. Kevin Soller has proved that theory incorrect.... he believes not  everyone can operate a machine but asking yourself the right questions and seeking help that increases your knowledge is the best foot you can put forward. Episode 12 is a deep dive into the life and career of Soller, and we discuss planning ahead, being yourself, coming to the job prepared and remembering that if you're perspective is open and if you surround yourself with positive people... good things happen. Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

“For The Love Of The Game”  - The Blade Dive Podcast, Episode 11 we are joined by Jeremy Cooper.  A giant in the snow industry, Cooper has always been passionate about progression. Whether it's people, Terrain Parks or his own life... the current local to Utah from Lovettesville, Virginia is not afraid to step outside of the box in order to advance programs and brands that he has led such as June Mountain Terrain Parks, I Ride Park City, Snowbasin Terrain Parks and Boyne Resorts. Growing up, taking childhood family ski trips to places like Seven Springs, Pennsylvania or Snowshoe, West Virginia, Jeremy Cooper was seeing first hand just how captivating the mountains can be. Off the snow, Coopers passion for Baseball developed, right along side an interest in skiing.  Coopers weekend warrior vibe for skiing continued at White Tail Resort, Pennsylvania, during High School, and from there the passion for skiing only grew . As a last minute adventure across country, in 1998, Cooper applied  for a job as an Alpine Groomer with Vail, Colorado and was hired as a rookie operator. Not totally in love with the job, but absolutely hooked on operating heavy equipment, Cooper moved back to Virginia that Spring, to run dump trucks and rock crusher units. Fast forward to 2002  and a Marketing / Print Ad for Mammoth Mountain, California.... this sparks for Jeremy Cooper, his next idea for a trip across country with his brother, mapping out not only the road, but housing and a job. Cooper's season at Vail helped him land an opportunity  grooming at Mammoth Mountain, under Clifford Mann and Oren Tanzer as a co-managed, Snow Surfaces Department. During Cooper's time at Mammoth,  he contributed to projects like Superpark and the Orage Masters, amongst big name operators such as Peter Colombo, Joe Genovese & Mike Gerstner. Cooper went on to spend time operating at Falls Creek, Australia, and while down under, would help build the then signature event in the country, Style Wars. June Mountain, California and then Park City Mountain Resort, Utah would eventually become Terrain Park canvases for Jeremy Cooper, not only for building features, but for the recruitment and development of employees who would go on to pursue passions of their own, within the snow industry. With events such as Women's Superpark, Grenade Games, Holy Bowly and The Launch, as well as managing the Park City All Star team, the caliber of athlete and quality of people around Cooper would eventually help him rebound after his position was made redundant during the Vail acquisition of Park City Mountain Resort. Jeremy Cooper is currently the Vice President of Mountain Sports Development for Boyne Resorts but that heavy hitter title doesn't mean he won't pick up a rake or install snowmaking pipe, in fact it's quite the opposite. Episode 11 is a deep dive into the journey of Coopers awe inspiring career. An incredible storyteller, Cooper discusses his time in Mammoth, living in mountain towns, detailed memories of Australia, his passion for Baseball as well as what it's like to surround yourself with like minded positive people. A believer and straight up advocate for team work, Cooper is currently most excited about mentoring the next generation of operators. Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

“The White Tiger” - The Blade Dive Podcast, Episode 10  we are joined by Elia Hamilton.  A native of western Massachusetts, Hamilton is a highly respected contributor to the Snow Industry and has made significant impacts to both the overarching business that is Terrain Park programs and its operators... through multiple channels and platforms, such as Peak Resorts, Cutters Camp, Carinthia Parks out of Mt. Snow, Somerset, VT, USA.Growing up in New England, Elia Hamilton found adventure by exploring his local landscape with his dog and building jumps for his tonka trucks in the dirt. Being given the freedom to figure out what his interests were, Hamilton quickly found Snowboarding, by way of Skateboarding. Elia gets his savvy business practices from growing up, working in the family owned Restaurant. Visiting and spending time at Mt. Hood, Oregon, USA, as much as possible, Elia Hamilton's passion for Snowboarding continued  to grow. With a shift of Mountain structure and the local Terrain Park program moving from Patrol to Mountain Operations management, with just one phone call, the potential for a sustainable career within the Snow industry was realized and Hamilton seized this opportunity to venture into the world of Terrain Parks.Constantly on the pursuit to perfect his craft, Elia Hamilton once again saw a chance to broaden, level up and hone his skill set by venturing into the Construction industry. Hamilton's ability to advocate for the industry by making contributions to an ASTM committee, and being on panels at Cutters Camp is a testament to how deep his passion and performance for a product and the industry's operators, truly does go!Elia Hamilton's list of accomplishments is long and he has held titles like Mountain Manager, at Mt.Snow as well as Director of Freestyle Terrain and VP of Terrain Park Development for Peak Resorts. This is the first time we've had the opportunity to chat at length with Hamilton and we cover the industry stigma of ‘the boys club' and his advocacy for a shift in this mentality and structure... his vision for training and development of employees, the emphasis and value he places on people and their worth as well as his opinion and influence on what the future holds for the snow industry. Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

"The Gentleman" - The Blade Dive, Episode 9. Charles Beckinsale, an incredibly humble individual, yet one of the most influential leaders and talented masterminds of the industry who, worth noting, is truly in it for the right reasons! Beckinsale joins us to discuss what it's like growing up in Australia, his career as a professional Snowboarder as well as how those skills transitioned over to the successes he has seen in Snow Industry management and operations today.A world renowned Terrain Park builder and business owner, Charles Beckinsale came from humble beginnings - Growing up on the coast of Australia. As a young grom, along with his Mum and sister, Beckinsale moved to a small country town (now the ‘place to be' for the Snow industry in Australia) - Jindabyne, New South Wales. Quickly familiarizing himself with his new ‘Snowy Mountains' playground and obtaining his setup through swap meets and discount sales, Beckinsale was equipped ...and he hit the slopes as any first timer would, absolutely frothing. Beckinsale continued to pursue his interest in Snowboarding, investing time around those that were associated with the Terrain Park program at Thredbo Resort.With his scope of interest expanding, Charles Beckinsale was keen to get behind the sticks and delve into Snowcat operations, whilst still riding pro. Beckinsale earned an opportunity to grow his skill set, venturing across the pond to operate at Squaw Valley, California, USA, ironically before even getting the opportunity in Australia and from there, the rest is history. Beckinsale was and continues to be instrumental in putting Australian Snowboarding and Terrain Parks on the map, managing and evolving programs such as Thredbo Resort and Perisher, Snowy Mountains, NSW, Australia.Highs don't come without lows and Charles Beckinsale discusses the dramatic side of the industry - the operator social circles and the need to surround yourself with like minded positive people. Beckinsale opens up about the risks of starting “The Stomping Grounds”, the time and tolls it took and quite frankly... how much he has sacrificed to be where he is, today.In true ‘Charles Beckinsale' form, Beckinsale would be the first person to tell you that none of his successes came without the help from others and credits people like Torstein Horgmo, Jason “NINJA” Isaacs, Brandon Dodds and others, as some of his biggest supporters. A husband and father, Beckinsale views time by his family's side as precious and it's rare that his family does not join him as he travels the globe. This episode is full of laughs, yet the blade does dive deep into being true to oneself and not sacrificing authenticity, operator pay, time management and various other, often shied away from, topics. Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

“Rosie - We can do it!” ....The Blade Dive Podcast, Episode 8. Jess Richitelli joins us, and shares the untracked path she and many like her have and continue to pave, as successful and impactful leaders within the Snowsport industry! A highly regarded industry leader, Jess Richitelli has overseen prominent Terrain Park Programs at both Cranmore Mountain Resort, New Hampshire, USA & Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, California, USA, and has spent many years at the top in this sector of the business. Richitelli, however, was not always met with such admiration and respect and she knows first hand what it means to be a woman in the the Snow Industry, what the grind to climb looks like and all that comes with being a female in operations.Jess Richitelli has East Coast of the United States roots, spending her childhood in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Raised by a strong ‘biker type' single mom, Richitelli was taught to be herself, believe in her dreams and never let anyone tell her that they weren't achievable. It's this strong foundation and idealistic mentality that was emphasized to Richitelli throughout her upbringing, that has propelled her throughout both her life and career endeavors and successes. Exploring Snowboarding in her 20's, Jess Richitelli quickly found herself moving to New Hampshire, hanging around local Snowboard shops and getting in on trips with friends to her ‘local', Cranmore Mountain Resort. Taking an interest in Terrain Park operations, Richitelli joined the Hand/Day Crew at Cranmore and never looked back. A male dominated sector of the industry; mountain operations, Jess Richitelli was met with resistance from individuals simply not understanding why a ‘woman' held a Terrain Park Manager title. Eyes forward, Richitelli found inspiration from other female leaders, such as Isabelle Falardeau and forged forward. In an endeavor to be and continue to be the best, to break down the barriers, influence change and bring her talent to everything she does, Richitelli was and to this day, is not afraid to ask questions, seek help or guidance and is still a believer in what it means to give and honor ones word. With thoughts of potentially leaving the industry after receiving her welding certification, a skill that she was once mocked for even considering throughout her operations career, Jess Richitelli was presented with an opportunity whereby she saw undeniable success, overseeing and leading the Terrain Park program at Squaw Valley, hosting big name Events and photoshoots like Women's Superpark.  In an industry that has often been described as a “boys club” Jess Richitelli has paved the way for women as both an admired leader and successful operations manager, proof that women should be hired based on their talent and not denied employment based on their gender... Richitelli is one of the queens, smashing the glass ceiling of the Snowsports industry for future female generations to come!Jess Richitelli words to live by: “Don't talk, just act. Don't say, just show. Don't promise, just prove. Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UPFollow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

"The Aspenaut" ....The Blade Dive Podcast, Episode 7. We are joined by JP Martin, a passionate industry enthusiast with Mountain roots most would only dream of.  JP Martin, hailing from Aspen, CO, USA, humbly claims to be a jack of all trades, master of none. Growing up in this iconic Mountain town, rich with Snow Industry history, Martin identified with being original, by "carving" out his own trail through life.  With Buttermilk Resort, Aspen, CO as his playground, the mountain quickly became a home away from home and influenced the creativity that JP Martin deploys to this day.  Aspen High School, at that time, was was an open campus and if Martin didn't have a class scheduled, he followed Bob Klein, an early Burton Pro rider, and Chris Carroll, an advocate who worked tirelessly to allow Snowboarding in the slopes, at resorts.  JP Martin went on to become a Pro Snowboarder, but credits his upbringing  with the outdoors as to how he came to see equipment operations as a treat. Furthering his skill set, he pursued opportunities at enviable, big name resorts, such as JHMR, Jackson Hole, Wyoming / Sugar Bowl Resort, Norden, CA / Squaw Valley Resort, Olympic Valley, CA and Baldface Lodge, Nelson, BC, CA. Martin even became one of a select few that have completed ‘Railroad Training' at Donner Summit, Lake Tahoe, CA... allowing him to apply Snowcat operations, in areas one would never even think to.JP Martin isn't the first person to discuss failures on The Blade Dive, but he really digs into the depth of his... speaking to his life burn-out and quite literally, the implosion of his Terrain Park operations career, in an effort to help the next generation understand that if your "Imagineering Goggles" aren't focused correctly, the industry will chew you up and spit you out.Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

The King....The Blade Dive Podcast, Episode 6. We are joined by the OG of Halfpipes; both competition circuit and construction, Mr. Frank WellsThe North Carolina native grew up chasing the surf, up and down the East coast states, making his way as far north as Rhode Island. After finding Snowboarding and becoming absolutely stoked on achieving tricks that evaded him on his skateboard, Frank Wells chose Breckenridge, Colorado, USA over Community College, and was bound for the West.  Quickly finding his crew, Frank Wells went full throttle into competitive Snowboarding, seeing it not only as a great way to advance his skillset, but also to network the scene and the industry as a whole. Reaching his ceiling on the competition circuit, Wells took an interest in operating a Snowcat and found himself co-pilot to some of the best operators in the world. His expansive scope, exceptional skills and industry rep found him sharing his expertise; consulting with companies such as Vans & Snow Park Technologies, labelled globally through years of commitment as “THE Halfpipe builder” Frank Wells  is a legend, a symbolism of success when considering influence and impact on the industry. A family man and has more time these days to work on his swing and pursue his passion for Golf. In this episode we discuss Wells' adventures with Snow Park, Cardrona, New Zealand, all that goes into teaching, training and maintaining Halfpipe operators, the current trend of Halfpipes and the future of Halfpipes!Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on Facebook & Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

Aloha! ... The Blade Dive Podcast, Episode 5, we are joined by someone who has and continues to leave a personal mark on the industry, Peter Colombo. The Massachusetts native, Peter Colombo spent his time exploring Snowboarding at the local Golf Course fairways, sliding sideways whenever there was enough snow to do so.  Eventually Colombo found himself shredding locations like Loon Mtn. & Waterville Valley Resort and Stratton Mountain Resort. Colombo found Snowboarding during the golden era of Terrain Parks and witnessed their creation as well as their expansion,  placing his signature style on everything he put his blade to. Boots on the ground, Colombo witnessed events such as the US open at Stratton Mountain Resort and experienced Mt. Hood, OR's summer camps, as a high school graduation gift from his parents.Initially hesitant, Peter Colombo ended up making the move to Mammoth Mountain, at 19 years old. Joining his hometown buddies, after just one week in town, Colombo landed a job Grooming trails with the Fleet crew. Working on perfecting his new found passion, Colombo was offered an opportunity to bulk push snow for Superpark. At the end of the season, Colombo headed back east, with the thought of attending college... which later fell through. In 2002 Colombo inquired about a job Grooming again with the fleet, but fortunately for him their crew was full and it was this turning point for Colombo that his employment with Mammoth Unbound, under the management of Terrain Park Director, Oren Tanzer, began. Colombo's operator influences during his early years were Mike Gerstner and Issac Smith. From 2002-2009 Peter Colombo was with Mammoth Mountain, investing his time in others and progressing and pushing the limits on what was possible in the parks. Colombo's list of builds is hefty and long, including projects for brands such as Smith Optics, Snowboarder Magazine and big industry events like Superpark and X Games.  As Colombo transitioned over to work with Snowpark Technologies, he became a key operator and influencer, contributing to Sun Valley Resort, ID. While there, Colombo helped to establish their Terrain Park program, along side Brian Callahan.Peter Colombo stays with our podcasts trend of individuals who tell it as they see it. Colombo is wise, insanely talented and notably humble; crediting others before himself.  Currently Colombo and his wife reside in Hawaii and manage a charter boat business dedicated to whale watching and snorkel trips. In this "deep dive" We discuss work/life balance, managing the skill sets of individuals, failure and learnings, team work and the autonomy sometimes needed for individuals on the team, operator insecurities with respect to feedback and what leading a team to ground breaking success looks like from someone whose done it best!Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

He comes from the land down under... The Blade Dive Podcast, Episode 4, we are joined by Reuben “Reubs” Cameron, an iconic Aussie operator that is passionate to the core and does not let anything stand in his way of building and managing large scale Terrain Parks and projects, within the industry.Growing up in Brisbane, Australia....Reuben Cameron was hooked on Action Sports at a very young age. While  investing his time BMX  & Surfing, Cameron had his first on snow experience and was immediately obsessed! Learning that his brother purchased a Snowboard, Cameron took the leap and dove into Snowboarding, capitalizing on resorts only a few hours down the road at Falls Creek and Mt. Hotham, New South Wales, Australia. Spending his first season employed as a Lift Operator at Mt. Hotham, Cameron  realized that Falls Creek had the Terrain Parks he wanted to ride and utilized the Helicopter link to access them, until he landed a job on the Park Crew. Once onboard Falls Creek's Terrain Park program, Reuben Cameron built relationships with highly credited and influential operators such as Jeremy Cooper, Mike Gerstner & Sam Poffley and saw a future in the industry, operating equipment. With inspiration from Poffley, Cameron approached the Mountain Manager and was told to pretty much, walk the talk! Cameron began riding along with operators at Falls Creek and logged a few solo hours behind the sticks. Cameron also realized that many operators had misconceptions regarding the landscape and weather that the Southern Hemisphere had and continues to offer. This presented priceless learning experiences for those committed to investing time operating in Australia. Cameron's first full season operating a Snowcat was spent in Vail, Colorado, and this experience quickly showed him that in order to gain good experience it required him to start with the basis of a solid foundation. It was his time at Vail that humbled Cameron's ego and set things in motion for a profound return to Falls Creek, re-joining Poffley, only to dive deeper into his skills as an operator and expanded his knowledge. Cameron has since held Terrain Operating positions at resorts such as June Mountain, CA , Perisher, AUS, Thredbo, AUS and has been a part of build projects like Women's Superpark, The One Hit Wonder Downunder, Grenade Games, Matchstick Productions photo/video shoots. Cameron  has been fortunate enough to have travelled the world building Terrain Parks, including countries like Norway & China. Because of his appreciation for properly building a solid understanding of Snowcat operations, Cameron is a firm believer in sharing the knowledge and takes great pride in helping others. Currently residing in the coastal surfing mecca that is home to the legendary Bells Beach, Torquay, Victoria, AUS and enjoying the beautiful Australian Summers, Cameron values his time with his 2 children but is always looking forward to Winter and being back on snow.Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP! Follow us on: https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

Go outside the ropes, The Blade Dive Podcast, Episode 3, there's no mistaking it, we are joined by an industry OG. SPT Co-founder,  X Games course builder and world renowned global operator... Mike Binnell.A California native, specifically from the 909 San Bernardino area.  Binnell grew up with ‘that mom”, we all wished we had, selflessly dedicated to driving the family up to Snow Summit, CA, Big Bear, CA  and Mammoth Mountain, CA for years, and from a young age,  getting Binnell time on snow and familiarization around resorts. It was here that over time, Binnells fascination and infatuation for Snowcats was born. Fast forward to young adulthood, with the Action Sports scene finding traction and reach, rapidly expanding in Southern California and its surrounds, Binnell and friends found access to Snowboarding through Instructor jobs at Snow Summit, CA and it was here that his obsession with Terrain Parks began. Showing a keen interest in the Parks and a shit load of initiative and drive,  Binnell and co., earned a rookie seat in a machine. It was from this moment on,  unless he was operating, Binnell never looked back.Staying with the craft and honing and perfecting skills, expanding his knowledge and expertise as he continued to spend more time behind the sticks, Binnell was given the opportunity to build the first X Games setup and went on to become one of the Co founders of Snow Park Technologies. Being tapped as “the operator” Mike went on to spend time at Mt. Hood, OR and establish a friendship with Jeff Flood, who Binnell claims was not only one of the best of the best, but the biggest influence on his career and a key personality within the industry to date. Mike Binnell has travelled the world building state of the art Terrain Parks, competition and event venues, custom builds for some of the most high vis photoshoots on the scene, however Binnell calls out Red Bull Ultra Natural - Baldface Lodge, BC, as his all time favorite project, noting all elements that lead to this accolade.  Binnell has a passion for being in the machine and getting it done and because of that, parted ways with Snow Park Technologies, which helped him re-assess, realize and re-align new personal goals both in life and his career. Binnell has come full circle and couldn't be happier with where he is currently at, getting time with his family, shredding his board and operating a Winch Cat at Kirkwood, CA. You could go as far as saying  that he has finally found his sweet spot and is happier than a pig in shit.Mike Binnell is family first - all the way and has a deep level of gratitude for his people. There's no mistaking it, Binnell has sacrificed a lot for the sake of the industry and pushing the boundaries to be one of the most well respected and influential operators we have or will ever see. Binnell is as real as real, a genuine and truly authentic dude, whose not afraid of calling bullshit or how he sees it. A great storyteller, he allows us to indulge in his ‘o shit' moments whilst sharing a snippet of a lifetime of stories, friendships and experiences.Noteworthy, this is actually our first time ever speaking with Binnell. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did...so if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UPFollow us on: https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

Digging in... The Blade Dive Podcast, Episode 2, we are joined by an industry lifer, Mr. Ryan Gage .An Oregon native, Ryan Gage grew up in “Govy”; Government Camp, OR with enviable access to a resort, right outside his front door. Taking advantage of the mountain playground that Gage found himself in, from a very young age (literally, 12 years old) he saw and sought opportunities to build relationships with the resort operations teams, to not only get free go cart track laps, but to learn the ins and outs, why's and why nots, cutting his teeth on resort equipment operating. This early access and interest in snow, showed no boundaries and at a very young age, Gages passion for ski racing and the skill and thrill that comes with that pursuit continued to engage and challenge him as both a competitor and later as an alpine race coach.Learning the ins and out's of the construction industry from his father, Ryan Gage saw himself pursuing a career with family, within that field, however a man driven by passion, Gage soon found himself more interested in moving to Bend, Oregon where his career path would take a turn or perhaps lean into his true destiny? It's here that Gage applied his on snow and ‘in the cab' skills he had obtained in the early years, to a resume, and quickly sought out Grooming and Snow Removal positions, at the local resort. Successfully landing the job, which, if you're fortunate enough to know Gage, one of the most determined and steadfast beings, there was no other option, Gage had finally figured out a way to combine his love for skiing and working construction, by operating equipment at night.Ryan Gage is like a fine Red Wine... left open to breathe and only getting better with age, over time, Gage continued  to combine his passion for ski racing  with his improved skill and expertise of operating Snowcats. Throw in his Snow Science knowledge and the man becomes an asset and an influencer within the industry! Traveling the region and the country as an athlete, coach and operator, Gages career continued to chug along like a trusty LMC 3700 , stacking street cred and skill, climbing the ranks to where he is today.Ryan Gage is an incredible human being, both professionally and personally. A low tolerance for bullshit, calls it as he sees it and fiercely loyal, if you are fortunate enough to make his acquaintance or call him a friend or colleague, you would know just how much Gage treasures his relationships that he has inside and outside of the industry and as a leader in the industry says “he would never ask someone to do something he wouldn't do himself” attitude and approach. In this heart felt- skill heavy- industry rooted episode, we are graced with Gages unique and engaging storytelling as we learn what it takes to be literally, one of the best in the business. Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on: https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive