When it comes to snowboarding, competition results aren’t as sought after as getting in a hot session with your friends, slashing down the mountain or psyching each other up to learn new tricks in the park. However, a love for the sport and passion for those sessions usually pays off when the judges are watching. Take Pat Moore, for example: he made his Winter X debut last year, scoring a top ten finish in Slopestyle despite having a sprained ankle. He’s headed into Winter X healthy this year, set to compete once again in Slopestyle. He says he’s got some new park moves on deck, so he’ll definitely be one to watch in Aspen.
You’ve kicked ass in every snowboard discipline; how would you compare Superpipe vs. Slopestyle?
I really enjoy both, as far as just riding. They are each their own element in snowboarding, so it’s good to stay up on both. As far as competing goes, Halfpipe and even Slopestyle have gotten to the point where if you want to be competitive, you have to focus just on that one specific element. So with that, I've kind of lost interest in competing in Halfpipe, because I don’t get to really ride them that much. Plus I don’t like to just focus on one thing or another—I just like to ride everything. I'd rather be a good all-around rider than just good at Halfpipe or jumps or something. I guess the thing that I don’t like about Halfpipe and Slopestyle is that I can’t ride them both at the same time. It’s like having divorced parents—you have to divide your time up.
What does it take to do well in Slopestyle competition?
Well, what I like about Slopestyle is that it takes your all-around riding skills and puts them into an event. Sure, the jumps are the most focused-upon thing, but the rails and hips and quarterpipes mean just as much as the jumps, so you have to be good at everything.
How do you feel about competing? Do you train for it?
I don’t specifically train for it. I’ll ride park and try new tricks and stuff, but it’s not just for contests; it’s also for filming and just progressing for myself as much as anything else. But it definitely helps your confidence if you’ve been riding a bunch before a contest.
How do you feel going into Winter X this year?
I'm pretty mellow about it. I mean, the tricks that are winning the events now, like 1260s and double corks and stuff, aren't really in my bag of tricks right now. I'm going to bring my own style into it and see what happens.
Any new tricks up your sleeves?
Yes, I've been riding a bunch of park lately and I've got some stuff. It’s a secret, though.
How is Winter X different from other comps?There's a lot of coverage so there's added stress to do well there. I approach it like any other contest; no one remembers anyone except who won, so you have to either win, or lose trying to win. Peter Line taught me that.
Is there anything in particular you’re looking forward to?
I enjoy seeing all of my friends, and my family is going to be there too, so that will be cool. My good friend Chaz Guldemon will be there for the first time, so that'll be awesome.
Break down your strengths and weaknesses?
Well, I'm not sure about my strengths, but I guess my weakness is that I don’t have some of the tricks like the 1260 or the double cork.
Are you looking forward to seeing any other athletes in other events?
Yes, I have some skier friends who are in there. Also the Dingo; he's not in any events, though—he just talks a lot.
What’s your favorite thing about snowboarding?
The best thing about snowboarding is the friends that I've met because of it.
You’ve done a lot of traveling; how did you settle on buying a house in Utah?
It was actually a spur-of-the-moment thing. My dad and I really wanted to buy a house somewhere, and we just picked Utah. Now that I'm here, I really enjoy it and I think it’s the perfect spot to call home for right now.
Are you working on any video projects at the moment?
I'm filming with Forum for their new movie, and I'm also working with Foursquare for their promotional movie.
You’re good at every discipline; is there any one aspect you’re focusing on right now?
Yes, jumping, for the most part. I'm really excited about the double corks and all the different variations of spinning that are coming out right now. I've been trying some into powder and really want to get them dialed in.
What are your future plans/goals?
My goals as of right now are just to film as much as possible to get a good part in the new Forum movie, and to get enough photos for an interview somewhere. I think that’s my ultimate goal: getting an interview in the next couple of years.
Describe an ideal day.
There is no such thing as an ideal day. I don’t need perfect conditions or perfect jumps to have fun. Some of the most fun I've had has been on crappy days at Waterville with my good friends. That’s the only thing that would be in my ideal day—having my friends there.
Pat Moore