Photo: Jeff Curley
Photo: Jeff Curley

grilled

If there was ever a certified badass in professional snowboarding it’s Mark Carter. Born and raised in the badlands of central Wyoming, Carter grew up on a cattle ranch working the land with his family, learning the old fashioned values that only backbreaking labor can provide. Consequently, Mark sees through much of the BS that infects the snowboard industry and simply takes care of his and his own. Having wrapped up one of the most productive winters of his career filming with good friends Bryan Iguchi and Travis Rice, I caught up with Carter recently and “Grilled” a guy I consider to be one of the most authentic people in snowboarding.

Is there anything in snowboarding that has impressed you recently?

My obvious answer would be Travis Rice. But that’s a given. Riding with Pat Moore this year was impressive. That guy is a machine.

What is something about Pat that most people might not know?

Well, Pat is a pretty soft-spoken guy but when he’s in the mix doing his thing, he is aggressive. Definitely heavy metal!

What does snowboarding need more of in your opinion?

It needs to stay in the mountains more. We also need more people like Byran Iguchi.

What does it need less of?

Whiney rich kids.

Photo: Jeff Curley
Photo: Jeff Curley

What do you think about the Olympics?

I have no opinion about the Olympics. I really don’t care.

Do you have troubles getting in to Canada?

That’s a whole other story!

Editors note: A story that will be told in Vol 10 of Snowboard Mag.

Who is your hero?

My brother RC. He is a true man. When I am talking about my little problems, bitching about the snow, there he is out on the ranch responsible for 800 head of cattle. He’s a great father with the best attitude of anyone I know. He truly is a man of integrity.

What is your best powder day this year?

I would have to say when pro surfer Ian Walsh and his little brothers were in town. Guch and I took them out on our sleds into the backcountry and yeah, it was insane powder, but we opened up a whole new experience to these guys. They had never done anything like that, so getting to see the stoke on their faces was really cool.

Are you saying that watching people ride powder is just as fun as shredding it yourself?

You know, when you can take someone out and show them an insane pow day… to show someone that whole experience – that’s definitely rewarding.

Can you sum up how snowboarding makes you feel in one word?

Free!

So you are filming with Travis Rice for his new movie project. What is it like going out with that guy?

It’s aggressive. You always have the feeling when you are out with Travis that something is going to happen. You don’t quite know what that is, but you know something is going down. I wouldn’t say it’s an uncomfortable feeling but you now that he is going to get something started, and at the same time he is also going to push you to do something you have never tried before. You could be fishing with the kid and something is going to happen.

I have seen a little bit of these new places you are filming and they look sick. Can you tell me where they are, like how to get to them exactly?

Ahhh ha! Yeah you go north into Montana. Basically anywhere up there!