Last Winter – Mark Ruparelia.

Published on: 13th July, 2010

He’s one of the UK’s unsung heros of shred, and we’re privileged to catch up with him for this years Last Winter interview on FoTP. Enjoy some fine time with Mark Ruparelia as he talks about an epic season touring the globe.

Huge thanks to all photographers for capturing Mark in action. James North, Alexander Henderson, Leif Maeland, Marilyn Poon and Hamish McKnight.

Mark, where were you last winter?

All over the place, it was so sick.. 1st to Canada around Lake Louise and Vancouver, Washington up at Steven’s Pass and Mt Baker then to Mayrhofen, Japan, Tignes, Morzine and Laax.

By all accounts it sound like you had one of the most busy and awesome winters yet. You started with tour of Canada and the North-West US right, what was that all about?

I had a chance to go to Lake Louise at the end of December over new year so I figured I would stay on up there, trek around the northwest and chase some powder.

I have done trips to Washington the last three seasons so I’m beginning to learn the area and the good spots. Mt Baker and Steven’s Pass are my favourite resorts to ride out there, so much amazing terrain and good people. Basically two words Cowgirls Coffee!

Is this the first time you’ve been so far north in the US ? How does it compare to places like Mammoth and Tahoe?

The mountains up in Washington are much steeper and the terrain is so impressive, it seems like there is just more kicker spots and huge cliffs to jump off everywhere you look. I have ridden in Mammoth and Tahoe a few times before but have mostly ended up riding the sick parks they have there. Although Washington does have some good parks that’s not why you go there, Mt Baker can have up to 10m of snow in a season!

After you’ve been to the US how does Europe compare? Is it an anti-stoke in terms of less money and creativity in the parks or do you prefer Europe?

Not at all, I love Europe for so many reasons over the States, I think we do have some epic parks like the Vans Park in Mayrhofen. For sure there are sick parks in the US but Europe has way bigger mountains on average, less bullshit too I think. Mammoth is like a fashion show!! some of the stuff these kids are wearing up there is ridiculous, like something out of Zoolander. I cant be bothered with that nonsense. While I love all the fashions in snowboarding, it is just snowboarding!

You spent a bit of time in Mayrhofen too last winter, what were you doing there, just hanging out and recovering from your US trip or were you still shooting and filming?

I went there to ride with some of my good friends and just hang out before our Japan trip, well and give some of my yearly earnings to Scotland Yard and the new Rockstar bar. Just hanging out with the boys and maybe a beer or 2 or 7! Ha!

Why is Mayrhofen such a draw to you, what keeps you going back? The park, the people or the parties?

All the above, especially fun park, although I’m riding that less and less due to injuries these days and the sick free riding. I’ve done some of the best runs of my life there. load of good friends are there, its been home from home for like 5 years now.

Last winter you undertook a rad trip to Japan, which we broadcasted on FoTP. How would you describe that trip? Is it once in a lifetime or a new obsession?

When I left for sure we all were like its a new obsession, its was an amazing trip! We scored sick snow, met some amazing people, had such a good time. Japan is such a crazy place, everything is so different, the food is amazing, the whole experience you get just so much more than a normal snowboard trip, read the blog I guess, way to much to say!

While Japan was obviously awesome just to experience, you were there to shred and get shots. What was your favourite place and experience from the Japan trip?

Favorite place was dropping over the back of Niesko on an epic bluebird powder day, the view was unreal and snow was next level! Also the food was the best experience everyday. Watch out for our podcast coming September on the Reason Website.

After Japan you took a bit of chill time in France, Morzine and Tignes right? How important is it you get a bit of time to ride for yourself?

So important, I mean I’m not ever gonna be Travis Rice you know, I work hard all summer and autumn long saving all my money for the winter and spend it all in like 4 months, so finding the right balance of working hard shooting pics to just getting out riding doing laps is important. And when your stoked you ride better so. I just wanted to spend most of my time now enjoying my riding not stressing about comps or shots all the time. It’s not the be all and end all.

Are you stoked on this season? What is your favourite moment from Last Winter?

So stoked, there was too many amazing moments from the winter really I cant pick one, Either Hanging out with Jamie Lynn in Seattle, riding insanely deep powder in Japan with Plumley, Northy and Henry, Standing on top of Mt Baker with Ian Ashmore, eating ostrich sushi, Partying at Snowbombing in Mayrhofen, The Dalikfodda Jettblack Gents gig in Tignes, jumping off the biggest cliff of my life up in whistler, too many good times, I guess I’m pretty lucky. Very lucky!

Sponsors? Vans Boots and Apparel, Dragon, Bataleon Snowboards, Union Bindings and Dalikfodda.

Thanks? Victoria Barrio, Henry, all the boys, Chris Chan from Niesko, Dalikfodda, Duff, Hamish Mcknight, Morzine crew for scraping after knocking myself out, Billy for being Rad, Gouda for stong beer, Dukie, Japan.. that’ll do.. ta peps

Love? Food.

Hate? YOU!! haha! No I love you too!

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