Interview by Jim Borchardt
Whats up Brian.
Tell us a little about your background, your home mountain, and the beginnings of your ski career.
Alright so I grew up in Rochester, NY.
I started skiing when I was 3 at Bristol Mountain and was hitting jumps not long after that.
I did not start skiing park avidly until my first backflip and I guess it was history after that.
What was it like skiing Bristol growing up?
It was pretty sick.
Everybody bitches about their park but in reality it was pretty good.
There is also a really cool freestyle scene there where everyone is friends and everyone knows your name.
What riders did you look up to when skiing out at Bristol?
How did they influence you?
Kids like the Dadali brothers were always killing it and I would always watch and rewatch the IHateNY movies.
I find it interesting how many different components can mix together to influence style.
I don’t think that we all really draw inspiration from only one sole source.
What sources outside of the world of skiing have you drawn inspiration from?
I love watching skateboarding videos and how they will do really long lines.
I think this really shows the versatility of a skater and shows his consistency.
I also really love watching snowboarding videos.
They really are years ahead of skiing and they always look like they are having a great time.
Anyways, I love how they just go really fast and grab off of rails.
A lot of snowboarders just look at the park in a whole different light.
I will watch a video of just about anything, rollerblading, scootering, etc.
and see how they can influence my skiing.
Yeah that’s a good point.
What influence has your move to Utah had on your life, outlook, and skiing?
If you are not having fun then why are you doing it.
As for skiing, I think Utah has helped me develop into the skier I have become.
You see kids at PCMR throwing dubs before they even have a clean and styly 7.
Style is like a fine wine, it matures into itself over time.
it’s possible for you to’t force it.
It sounds like Utah has been pretty influential in shaping your style and outlook on the sport.
What has it been like to ski with the Hood Crew?
What is the group dynamic like?
It pretty much a party at all times.
I think the group dynamic is what makes skiing such an awesome sport.
You are out there as an individual but you get to have all these great times with homies.
And trust me, hoodcrew has plenty.
I think groups are fun, but they are also so influential in a skiers development.
I am curious to hear about your plans for next year.
Care to fill me in?
I hope next year goes as well as this year did.
I also want to tackle some bigger urban features and not just your normal downrail 2 switch up shot.
Maybe a couple trips out to CO and other places shall be in order.
The main focus is to double-check I am always having fun!
I am eager to see what is to come from you and everyone else next winter.
Skiing aside, what are some of your other goals?
Straight A’s haha.
School is definitely really important to me.
Getting a cool job, hot wife, etc.
you know how it is.
Yeah looks like you’ve got your priorities straight.
What are you studying right now and what sort of career are you hoping to pursue after college?
I am a double major, Environmental and Sustainability Studies and Urban Planning.
I am hoping to solve climate change and save our snow!
Haha but really I have no idea.
I am just going to let the road take me.
That’s completely alright though.
A lot can change in 10 years!
Nice choice on the degrees though.
Care to fill me in?
Haha I knew this was going to come up.
It currently resides in the air ducts and eats any food I leave lying around.
After a couple modifications with some duct tape I was able to keep the other one in.
So I come home after school one day and find that the sugar glider isn’t pregnant anymore.
So I’m like fuck where did this little fucker go?
After about 5 mins.
of searching my room, I go back to the cage.
Little did I know I found a little sugar glider skeleton in the water dish.
The worst part was the mama sugar glider was protecting it as if it was still alive.
Long story short, I released the demon cannibal sugar glider into the wilderness that is Salt Lake City.
Good talking to you man!
It’s always fun to shoot the shit with a fellow shredder.
I’m looking forward to skiing with you next season.
Do you have anything else you would like to say?
Thanks for this opportunity.
I would just like to say my thanks to Bloom and Choice Apparel for hooking it up.
To my friends and family that have been there every step of the way.
#HOODCREWTOTHEWORLD Everybody get ready for Freed the Streets coming out soon!
Its going to blow minds.
http://www.newschoolers.com/watch/630899.0/Get-to-Know-Brian-Tonetti?c=11
