Backcountryoutlet.com Newsletter Articles

We’ve all been on the mountain when some pint-sized ripper about two feet tall flies by on his skis or snowboard. “Man, if I had started at his age, I’d be a pro by now.”

Yeah right, whatever.

Groms are going bigger than ever. And face it: some of ’em throw down harder than we do. Kids bounce. Adults don’t.

Maybe we can blame it on the gear. Companies from K2 to Burton, Rossignol to Forum are creating youth-specific models that make riding safer, easier, and more fun for kids.

We found a group of skiers and snowboarders 17 or under who are taking the scene by storm. Even though these kids are freestyle riders now, they’re the ones who will take big mountain skiing and boarding to the next level in the years to come. Check out their videos and the setups they ride. They won’t disappoint.

Tyler Flanagan

Sport: Snowboard
Rides: Gnu
Age: 14
Home Mountain: Mammoth, CA
Notables:

• Appeared in Volcom’s Escramble
• Appeared in a McDonald’s commercial
• Nickname: T

Setup:

Gnu Danny Kass Mini

Electric EG.5 Goggle

Maddie Mastro

Sport: Snowboard
Rides: Roxy
Age: 7
Home Mountain: Mammoth, CA
Notables:

• Placed 1st Overall Combined at 2007 USASA Nationals (7 & under)
• Tied 1st Overall Freestyle at 2007 USASA Nationals (7 & under)
• Started skiing at age 2, snowboarding at age 6

Setup:

Roxy Girl Freestyle Snowboard

Roxy Junior Binding

Roxy Hide & Seek Jacket

Kye Peterson

Sport: Ski
Rides: Rossignol
Age: 17
Home Mountain: Whistler/Blackcomb, BC
Notables:

• Son of the late extreme-skiing pioneer Trevor Peterson
• Appeared in TGR’s Anomaly and Tangerine Dream
• Featured in Tanner Hall’s Believe

Setup:

Rossignol Scratch Brigade Pro Ski

Oakley Wisdom Goggles

Giro Bad Lieutenant Helmet

Sean Pettit

Sport: Ski
Rides: K2
Age: 15
Home Mountain: Whistler/Blackcomb, BC
Notables:

• Has been riding with K2 since he was 11
• Appeared in Tanner Hall/CR Johnson’s Pop Yer Bottles!

Setup:

K2 Juvy Alpine Ski

Oakley Crowbar Goggles

Giro Nine.9 Junior Helmet

Alexis Roland

Sport: Snowboard
Rides: Burton
Age: 8
Home Mountain: Hyland, MN
Notables:

• Tied 1st Overall Freestyle at 2007 USASA Nationals (7 & under)

Setup:

Burton Chicklet

Burton Freestyle Boot

Burton Freestyle Jr Boot

Ben Watts

Sport: Snowboard
Rides: Burton
Birthday: 9/6/93
Age: 14
Home Mountain: Mammoth, CA
Notables:

• Came in 2nd in the Burton US Open Junior Jam
• Also competitive skateboarder

Setup:

Burton Custom Snowboard

Burton Cartel Binding

Burton Speed Zone Boot