From left to right: Ethan Fortier, Liko Smith, Mikey LeBlanc, Marc Frank Montoya, J2 and Kurt Wastell at Chads "Circle Bar" in Salt Lake City.
Kurt Wastell
Home Mountain:
Brighton, UT
Favorite Trick:
Switch Backside 180
Accomplishments:
I have been in every major magazine for the past eleven years, Place 5th in Xgames slopestyle in 2000, Vans Triple crown 1999 big air 1st place, Tenth place at Vans triple crown halfpipe 2004,World record jump and MVP of 1999 snowboarder superpark, been in nearly 15 movies including Kingpin Productions, Absinthe Films, Mack Dawg, Standard films, Dis functional films, 411 snow.
Who/What influences you the most:
I would definitely say my family and friends motivate my every movement, nothing is more important to me.
Why the snowboard industry:
I just followed my brothers footsteps and did pretty much whatever he did and ended up turning pro just after he did.
Why did you invest in THE BLOCK:
I backed THE BLOCK because Marco is one of my best hommies and he has sick ideas that I back for the snowboarding image and industry....
Joni Malmi
Home Mountain:
Talma, Finland / Big Bear, California / Whistler, BC
Favorite Trick:
Method
Accomplishments:
Last Part in "Promo Copy", Cover of TWS Photo Annual 05, Pro Model for 06 Forum Snowboards, made my hometown Helsinki the 4th most photographed place in 05 according to TWS Business, ha,ha...
Who/What influences you the most:
My surroundings.
Why the snowboard industry:
A hobby became a job...
Why did you invest in THE BLOCK:
The best way to predict the future is to invent it.
JJ Thomas
Home Mountain:
Breckenridge
Favorite Trick:
Pow turn
Accomplishments:
Olympic Bronze medal, X-Games Gold medal
Who/What influences you the most:
All the other ill pro shreds
Why the snowboard industry:
I love to snowboard.
Why did you invest in THE BLOCK:
Sounds cool; business combined with snowboarding.
Chris Coulter
Home Mountain:
Wasatch Mountains
Favorite Trick:
All types of trick, lately double grabs have been getting me stoked. Nolie BS 180's are tight.
Accomplishments:
Investing in THE BLOCK.
Who/What influences you the most:
My peers.
Why the snowboard industry:
Working with cool peeps.
Why did you invest in THE BLOCK:
Because Marco is the man. To do something smart with my loot.
Dean "Blotto" Gray
Home Mountain:
Snowbowl, Arizona
Favorite Trick:
Anything with style on a skateboard or snowboard.
Who influences you the most:
Anyone around me, good or bad.
What influences you the most:
Concrete and mountains.
Why the snowboard industry:
Cuz snowboarding needs to go in the correct direction by snowboarders.
Why did you invest in THE BLOCK:
To give snowboarders the type of lodging/after shred life they deserve, further enhancing their experience on the hill. No stress off-hill needed.
Travis Wood
Home Mountain:
Back in the day-hiking the Utah Backcountr. Today-San Clemente.
Favorite Trick:
Faxing and emailing at the same time while in a meeting with the cell phone in one hand and playing online poker all at the same time with a staple grab. I have an office job now-
Accomplishments:
I am still here, accomplishments are for people that need attention or that are trying to sell something.
Who/What influences you the most:
The unknown, pops, family, spirituality, fun.
Why the snowboard industry:
It chose me, I like doing business in a t shirt and jeans.
Why did you invest in THE BLOCK:
It's pure in every form, from the people who own it to the people that run it. From a business stand point it was a huge risk to somebody that doesn't get the life a snowboarder or the snowboarder mentality. I didn't just want to make money and be involved in a hotel, I wanted to see history be made and give snowboarder a dope place to stay that they knew was real. We are working on the master plan and the current hotels are just a the beginning.
Mikey LeBlanc
Home Mountain:
Brighton, UT
Favorite Trick:
Powder Turns
Who/What influences you the most:
Everything is inspiration, i get inspired whenever and wherever I really look for it. Life is complete inspiration, you either choose to see it or be constantly surrounded by it and not see it.
Why the snowboard industry:
It has a lot of energy and possibility, there are a lotta people that are easy to work with as well.
Why did you invest in THE BLOCK:
Because Marco and Liko are on it, and the industry can expand into things like this easily with anyone with energy behind it that can think outside the box like Liko and Marco. They are amazing, energetic, and they can see what's possible. Where others have never thought before. It's kinda a look in the eye they have and a background to back it up. I also like to support people that kick ass, that are doing their thing. And money in the bank is wasting away... spread that shit fools, get it out there.
Travis Parker
Home Mountain:
Meyers, California and South Lake Tahoe, California
Accomplishments:
I was in TB7, 8, 9 and 10. I was also in Afterbang, Lame and Afterlame. Those are all snowboard videos and they were major accomplishments for me. I'm proud of all the hard work I put into my video parts as well as the teamwork that went into them. I got first place in a Doritos Big Air contest in Mammoth once. The trophy that I won from the contest almost burned my house down. The trophy was made of glass and was shaped like a magnifying glass. I set the trophy on my window sill and went snowboarding. The sun beamed through my trophy and it lit my pillow on fire. My roommate was home and he put the fire out. It was really weird.
How did you become a pro:
I was a K2 pro in 1996 and made a couple hundred dollars a month. This was a good start for me because I was broke and hungry. I got my first part in Standard Films "TB8". I landed my first 1080 and started making money. Pro snowboarding for me was a mix of hard work, luck, dedication, and patience. Thanks friends, family, and sponsors.
Why did you invest in THE BLOCK:
I wanted to be a part of something that had a future and could open up opportunities. Marc Frank asked me if I wanted to be involved with a Hotel idea he had. I like Marc, so I went for it.
