Snowboarding and Its Goodness

By Elijah Teter

Director of Snowboarding

Growing up each year on the far coast in Vermont you would hear of the Legend that surrounds Mt. Hood with the camps like High Cascade and Windells.  The raddest of the snowboard community from around the world would come together each summer. The thought of soft, summery snow seemed like a modern day airbag to me as I looked over and saw my reflection in the green ice of the opposing halfpipe wall back in Vermont.

I always kept a vision and held onto it with passion and determination. Because I had a dream and was wiling to chase it vigorously, I made my way through the ranks of USASA and eventually landed a spot on the US Developmental team, which gave me my first line into Windells and High Cascade.  In those days the camps didn’t have chair lifts so we’d hike up the hill to the pipe and park and then hike for every jump. It was thoroughly exhausting, but I loved every minute of it.

Quickly I learned about the summer heat, UV, and altitude and its depleting effects. Being from the East, these concepts were completely foreign to me.  Through this suffering, I learned about the importance of fruit and electrolytes. I discovered that by adding some salt and honey to my water, my body could retain the water it needed so I could continue progressing each day on snow.  It was a basic concept, but one that I continue to teach my pupils as we travel the world to these incredible high altitude places or even when we are home on Mt. Hood’s 11,000+ foot peak.

The next summer I found my stride and voice.  This formerly shy kid from Vermont suddenly started finding his confidence by being around a welcoming group of rippers, coaches, counselors, and diggers who would make sure you gave respect to your elders and followed the rules to a “T.” I learned this respect and hierarchy was necessary in order for operations to flow in the rhythmic form that provides elevated experiences and keeps us coming back.  

I love snowboarding because its a way to paint your artistic creations on the mountain, parks, and halfpipes.   I think the reason a lot of us stay in the industry is because we are afforded the opportunity to pass on this wisdom to the younger generations. We get share our love with other mountain enthusiasts who’s moment to moment experience is heightened by a path augmented by snowboarding.  

I am so grateful to have heard of Mt. Hood from a young age and that I get to continue to bring the biggest smiles to young and older faces.  I get the same feeling from teaching a first turn, a first 180, a first flip, or a first anything. That is who we are. That is who I am: forever grateful to have snowboarding and this amazing community in my life!