Tricia Byrnes is a fan of emoticons. During the course of our Insterview, she used 9 variations of them, including an animated winking smiley face, a mouth-taped-shut smiley face and a ninja-guy that was poised like Daniel-Son from Karate Kid. Fitting, since our conversation covered everything from her happy memories of snowboarding in Vermont as a kid to her role as Kelly Clark’s agent to her favorite 80s movies.

Who is Tricia Byrnes? She’s an agent, a Twitter addict, an action sports broadcaster, an Aspenite. She’s a lot of things. But for the purpose of this interview, let’s just focus on the fact the she is about as veteran as veteran gets when it comes to pro female snowboarders. Last year she competed in her 20th straight Burton US Open at Stratton – the upcoming Open next weekend will mark her first year as a “retired” rider as she watches from the sidelines instead of wearing a bib. It’s tough to consider Tricia retired, though, considering she’s as busy as ever.

RideVermont says: yo

Tricia Byrnes says: hey

RideVermont says: are you an emoticon user?

Tricia Byrnes says: unfortunately I do like them because I think they are lame and funny.

RideVermont says: so let’s kick it back to the 80s. where did you grow up?

Tricia Byrnes says: i grew up in Greenwich, CT.

RideVermont says: and do you remember your first time visiting VT?

Tricia flanked by Olympians Greg Bretz (left) and Louie Vito (right) in Vancouver.

Tricia Byrnes says: yeah my mother convinced my father to go on a family ski vacation when I was in 3rd grade and we rented a house on Stratton and it poured rain the entire time.  my dad fell in love with skiing and, come February, we bought a house on the mountain. but actually before that I had come up to Bromley with my best friend and Vermont felt so cool. I mean I was in kindergarten and first grade so it felt far away and awesome.

RideVermont says: and when did you decided you wanted to snowboard?

Tricia Byrnes says: being at Stratton while Burton was doing a lot of early pioneering in the sport, I had the chance to see it and then my brother started doing it and it just looked awesome and fun. i had to get certified and I failed the lower mountain certification like 5 times but I think the snowboard instructors just wanted more beer money.

RideVermont says: the “older brother” reasoning… that seems common. isn’t that how Kelly Clark and Hannah Teter both got into the sport?

Tricia Byrnes says: it’s pretty common, I mean kids either want to do exactly what their older siblings do or the exact opposite 8-)  haha.

RideVermont says: speaking of Kelly, you have the job of representing her as her agent, right? how and why did that job come about?

Tricia Byrnes says: yeah I manage her onsite and media appearance sort of stuff.  when I was competing I was represented by Octagon [a sports agency] and then when I started to edge towards retirement they offered me a job as a client manager. It’s been great and I of course love working with Kelly.

RideVermont says: when did you start competing as a pro yourself?

Tricia Byrnes says: I started competing officially as a pro in 1992, right after I won the US Open. i was like “well I guess I can hang with the good girls”

RideVermont says: were you a straight-up halfpipe rider all the way through?

Tricia Byrnes says: no. I started snowboarding in the late 80s when everyone did everything. the first year I competed I won the amateur slalom thingy at the US Open….pretty funny how far this sport has come

RideVermont says: did you wear the tight racing suits?

Tricia Byrnes says: of course….my teenage heart is still scarred from it.

RideVermont says: speaking of teenage hearts, i had a huge crush on Barret Christy in the 90s. did you hang out with her?

Tricia Byrnes says: yeah, still do. I’ll let her and Temple know.

RideVermont says: crap. that sounds like a husband.

Tricia Byrnes says: oh yeah, mother of two, husband and all… Temple Cummins, snowboard legend, Baker-style.

RideVermont says: she’s so rad. back to topic: you competed as a pro from 1992 – 2009, retired, and jumped into the media game.  what caused you to finally retire last year?

Tricia Byrnes says: I hate the word retire because I just want to do what’s fun and snowboarding is still so fun and so I’m still doing it. But in terms of the contest grind and all that, I just felt like I wanted to develop other

"Check out my tweets". Arguably the best Twitter avatar in actions sports history.

aspects of my life and create a new exciting niche for myself and the webcast commentary role is pretty sweet for that…..so is Twitter. But it was really important to me to stay involved in this industry when I knew the end was near and to tell the story of the sport and its athletes in a voice that is authentic and also can speak to the history. I mean, it’s so quick moving, people can’t even remember who came 5 years before them.

RideVermont says: your Twitter feed is arguably the best in snowboarding. you provide live updates at all the big events, including the Olympics. plus it’s entertaining. what’s with the profile photo? is that you?

Tricia Byrnes says: who wants to know?

RideVermont says: probably everyone.

Tricia Byrnes says: yeah it’s me… it’s supposed to be funny, like “check out my tweets”.  but then people just think it’s slutty. i haven’t found a better photo yet.

RideVermont says: i’m sure everyone will be fine with you leaving it the way it is.

Tricia Byrnes says: awesome (hug)

Ride Vermont says: so, you’re a rockstar tweeter. which brings us to your “job” now. explain to the kiddies at home what it is you “do” these days.

Tricia Byrnes says: it’s complicated, but basically I am running a webcast production company called We Media Project. we aim to webcast events in snowboarding and beyond.

RideVermont says: awesome. so you went to Saint Michael’s College up in Colchester, Vermont?

Tricia Byrnes says: Yup. I won the US Open and then started college because my mother basically forced me into it. But get this…..my mother was right! I loved St. Mike’s from the minute I got there and still have my three besties from day one. Pretty funny. So I went to St. Mike’s fall and summer sessions and competed on the World Cup tour in the winters and graduated with a double major in Psychology and English. And for the record i lived in Ryan hall freshman year, with a bunch of sophmores and like 20 odd ball freshmen….

RideVermont says: sick! i rocked Joyce Hall 4th floor in the 1999-2000 year.

Tricia Byrnes says: that’s amazing! St. Mike’s was awesome.

RideVermont says:  did you get any Vermont riding in during the St. Mike’s years?

Tricia Byrnes says: yeah, I mean I have always felt like Vermont is home to me in many ways. I would snowboard in the early season at Stowe and Sugarbush and then of course Stratton. There is something really great and soulful about riding in Vermont regardless of the weather. I mean that even though I am now spoiled here in Aspen. If I am in Vermont you will still find me riding in the rain and ice and snow. I just love the east coast especially Vermont and its people!!

RideVermont says: now you’re living in Aspen, where the beer flows like wine, what are the biggest differences between VT-life and Aspen-life?

Grete Eliasson, Louie Vito, is that... 50 Cent? yup that's 50 Cent, JJ Thomas and Tricia.

Tricia Byrnes says: well, so many things I don’t even know where to begin… the mountains, the snow, the people the outfits. it’s crazy what people wear when they come to Aspen….it’s like a bunch of wing nuts from LA decided to get some western moon chic outfits to rock around the slopes and streets. then there is the whole contingent of people who think we are in Europe and do the whole European ski thing. it’s all awesome, I like the diversity and the fact that it’s like NYC in a way, where anything goes and no one really bats an eye at what people wear. so there is a real freedom of expression.

RideVermont says: do people wear those ginormous furry yak boots? are those a real occurrence?

Tricia Byrnes says: every-effing-day. no joke. and the mini dog scene is out of control.

RideVermont says: how does a girl from CT with VT roots keep it real in such an environment?

Tricia Byrnes says: i just love snowboarding and being outside and it’s a pretty amazing place for that and I love that I can live in a town that has more going on than just snowboarding or skiing but makes an attempt to have real-life things like music, art, writers, film etc… but I do find it hilarious that I live here. but keep in mind I travel A LOT, so it’s always fresh.

RideVermont says: what’s your favorite 80s movie?

Tricia Byrnes says: so many, I love that genre. Caddyshack, Pee Wee Herman’s Big Adventure, Sixteen Candles….I still quote most of those on a regular basis.

RideVermont says: favorite cereal?

Tricia Byrnes says: i’m gluten-free, so I avoid all grain product. smoothies (boring). and eggs.

RideVermont says: Simon or Garfunkel?

Tricia Byrnes says: Simon. Diamonds on the Souls of her Shgoes is a classic. and American, Only Boy Living in NY. and what has garfunkel done?

RideVermont says:  he got arrested for pot posession in New York a few years ago. so there’s that. do you have a pet?

Tricia Byrnes says: no, I like animals but don’t feel like picking up hot steamy crap on a regular basis.

RideVermont says: last question…  what’s open on your internet browser right now?

Tricia Byrnes says: i always have five windows open, facebook, twitter, my blog and then some random stuff I was gonna research about Africa, unicorns or whatever.

RideVermont says: any parting words on the current state of snowboarding?

Tricia Byrnes says: so many words on the current state of snowboarding but I’m just proud of the progression and hope people are still keeping it fun….

In an hour the 2010 Olympics kick off with the opening ceremonies. Three Vermont snowboarders will be competing: Lindsey Jacobellis (Snowboardcross, Stratton), Hannah Teter (Halfpipe, Okemo), and Kelly Clark (Halfpipe, Mount Snow). Ross Powers (Snowboardcross, Okemo/Bromley) will be on stand-by as an alternate.

Head here to check your local listings for a television schedule.

Here’s the full snowboarding event schedule:

February 15, 2010

10:30 – Snowboard – Men’s Snowboard Cross Qualification

14:00 – Snowboard – Men’s Snowboard Cross 1/8 Finals

14:26 – Snowboard – Men’s Snowboard Cross Quarterfinals

14:42 – Snowboard – Men’s Snowboard Cross Semifinals

14:53 – Snowboard – Men’s Snowboard Cross Finals

February 16, 2010

10:00 – Snowboard – Ladies’ Snowboard Cross Qualification

12:15 – Snowboard – Ladies’ Snowboard Cross Quarterfinals

12:29 – Snowboard – Ladies’ Snowboard Cross Semifinals

12:40 – Snowboard – Ladies’ Snowboard Cross Finals

February 17, 2010

13:05 – Snowboard – Men’s Halfpipe Qualification

17:15 – Snowboard – Men’s Halfpipe Semifinals

19:15 – Snowboard – Men’s Halfpipe Finals

February 18, 2010

12:30 – Snowboard – Ladies’ Halfpipe Qualification

16:00 – Snowboard – Ladies’ Halfpipe Semifinals

18:00 – Snowboard – Ladies’ Halfpipe Finals

February 26, 2010

10:00 – Snowboard – Ladies’ PGS Qualification

12:15 – Snowboard – Ladies’ PGS 1/8 Finals

12:51 – Snowboard – Ladies’ PGS Quarterfinals

13:09 – Snowboard – Ladies’ PGS Semifinals

13:31 – Snowboard – Ladies’ PGS Finals

February 27, 2010

10:00 – Snowboard – Men’s PGS Qualification

12:15 – Snowboard – Men’s PGS 1/8 Finals

12:51 – Snowboard – Men’s PGS Quarterfinals

13:09 – Snowboard – Men’s PGS Semifinals

13:31 – Snowboard – Men’s Parallel Giant Slalom Finals

Scott, Parker and Martha Clarkson (l to r).

Stop #3 – Stratton – 1:30 pm. Arrived at Stratton. G.M. Mike Quinn had our parking space reserved near the bottom of the gondola. He helped us unload our gear then he escorted us up to the head of the short gondola line so we could board the lift and keep moving. A few minutes later we were strapped in at 3,900 ft. and headed down what used to be Rimeline/Standard for a non-stop cruiser to the bottom. Charlie Herrick, our driver, rode his board with us at this stop, so the four of us were evenly divided on our equipment choice. We made great time and were back in the car heading to Bromley at 1:50 pm. With Mike’s help, Stratton was by far our fastest stop, (kinda like my career there!) so we pulled over at the bottom of the Stratton Access Road in Bondville for a quick photo op by the Stratton sign. For me, it was fun to reminisce back to the mid-to-late 80’s when I worked at Stratton. It was there that Martha and I met and began our lives together. Okay, enough of that, we’re on our way to Stop #4 – Bromley!

Stop #4 – Bromley - A quick jaunt from Bondville up Route 30 to Route 11 in Winhall, hang a right on Route 11 East and soon Bromley’s entrance appeared to our left. We pulled right up by Bromley’s sign, unloaded the gear and headed for the Sun Mountain Express lift to Bromley’s summit. There we met up with Para-Olympic skier Betsy Hurley and her dad. After some brief introductions, we headed right up the lift to the 3,284 ft. summit. On the way up I was interviewed by Luke Stafford of .VT for this blog. We stopped for a few pictures at the top of the lift, and headed down Upper Twister. Betsy took the lead, carving her way down the face in a way that could only be described as poetic. It was hard to fathom how someone strapped into a seat can maneuver to combine grace, speed and control in a non-stop run to the bottom. This run was truly a highlight of our day and a keen reminder of why we chose to support Special Olympics Vermont. A few more group pix at the bottom and we were 4 for 5!

Betsy Hurley takes the lead on her monoski at Bromley Mountain.

At 3:00 PM sharp, we departed Bromley, heading for Okemo, the end of the trail. I was back in ski boots for the final descent. We had a nice ride on Route 11 East toward Londonderry, over frost heaves, rolling hills. Left onto Route 100 North toward Weston, right over Terrible Mountain (more frost heaves… reminded me of a run through the ‘Rosscross’ snowboardcross track at Okemo). At this point I think we all were looking toward the finish line. Parker’s knee seemed to be okay… at least he was able to ski the last two mountains. Martha was fine, enjoying the groove and keeping all of our heads in the game. I was still pretty sore, but determined to finish as planned. Charlie was hoping to catch last chair with us at Okemo since logistics prevented him from first tracks down Burke earlier that morning. Plus, he still had a 2+hour drive back to Burlington!

Stop #5 – Okemo - Down Route 100 into Ludlow, left at the big OKEMO sign marking Mountain Road, and soon the Clock Tower was in view. A sure sign that we were nearing our finish line. We pulled up by First Aid, unloaded the gear and scuttled up toward the South Ridge Quad.  By now, we had the gear thing down, everyone knew their role and we were right on schedule. Time check: 3:40 pm. Last chair on the Northstar Express quad is 3:45 pm so we had to hustle. Off the South Ridge quad, we headed quickly down to the Northstar lift. I had been in contact with the mountain manager so he knew we’d be pushing it a bit. We got to the lift at 3:50 pm and the load gate was already closed, indicating we had missed last chair. Jim Gritman the lift foreman recognized me, saw the bit of panic that flashed across my face, and moved the gate aside for us to head up. (The Okemo Difference in action!) Once at the 3,343 ft. summit of Okemo we had to part ways with Charlie, our driver as we were headed to the true base of Okemo at Jackson Gore, and he was headed for the Clock Tower base to pick up his cab and drive over to meet us.

So there we were, Martha, Parker and I, alone at Okemo’s summit, about to begin our fifth and last run of our full-day adventure. We had well-surpassed our fundraising goal and accomplished our on-snow mission. Well almost… We forked left and headed for Sunburst, down to the top of the Solitude Express quad, hard left down Escape and over the Coleman Brook bridge to the Jackson Gore trail pod. We then shot down Upper/Lower Limelight to Fast Track, over the Vermont Railway bridge and dropped down into the base of Jackson Gore. Again, we found ourselves alone, it was quiet, 4:15 pm, but the sun had already disappeared behind the mountain. It was peaceful, serene, and a fitting way to end our day. The temperature had dropped significantly in the shadows but we were warmed by the accomplishment and fulfillment that this day had given us. Nine hours and 5 minutes had elapsed since boarding snowmobiles at Burke. 203 road miles had been driven, and 11,292 ft. of vertical had been descended.

All in one day.

-Scott

Big ups to Scott and his family for their philanthropic adventure. The Special Olympics Winter Games, which includes a snowboarding event, will be held at Suicide Six (Woodstock , VT) March 12 – 14 this year. Volunteers are always welcome. Thanks for your support – everyone deserves to slide sideways on the snow!

Vermont Special Olympics (VT S.O.) gets some love at a summit fence.