Marc-Andre' Tarte Interview.

I first met Marc about 4 years ago when I was examining Level 1 Instructor Exams for the Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors. He was immediately noticeable in the group as he had awesome riding technique and was full of energy. He was always smiling and playing around and showed a definite passion for snowboarding. On the third day of the course I was marking the exams and I looked out the window to see Marc entertaining the other students with a variety of flips and spins whilst jumping off a bench onto the snow. Like a cat he always landed on his feet. Marc definitely has the skills to pay the bills and I am pleased to have had the opportunity to interview him.

Marc's Personal Information.

Home: 1995 GM Sanoma - with trailer and RMK 700 Snowmobile - parked in friends driveways.

Biggest Achievement for this Winter: Stomped Cab 1260 at Seefeld Austria Air and Style during qualifications. (see the picture)

Sponsors: Volkl, SP Bindings and Boots, Westbeach, Adidas Eyewear, Drop Gloves and Packs.

The Interview.

AC: What the plan for the remainder of the winter:

MAT: (1) I'm heading to Japan for the first time for the Toyata Big Air this February.
(2) Want to keep learning every time I ride
(3) Come out with a film part which I am proud of - I am working with Marco Lutz - an awesome filmmaker from Switzerland - I have some great footage already from when I was back in Europe and I want to work on some stuff here in Whistler.
(4) I want to keep leading the way and pioneering the sport - not just following everyone else.
My main goal is to learn something every day as that is the key to having fun

AC: Do you have a girlfriend?

MAT: Yes and Austrian girl from Hall - near Innsbruck - this long distance relationship is perfect for me as it motivates me every time I leave. When I am in a different environment I tend to live for the moment - I love taking in new environments and having this girlfriend helps me to do this

AC: What motivates you?

MAT: I am pretty motivated myself however my friends motivate me for what to do - Punk Rock motivates my state of mind - to push my limits.

AC: Favourite computer?

MAT: My G3 Powerbook but I wish I had the G4

AC: What do you do in your spare time?

MAT: I do a lot of driving - like to Costa Rica two summers ago and Vegas last week - I like doing video editing, skateboarding , surfing (even though its really hard), listen to punk - I really don't have much spare time. For example right now I have a midweek pass for Whistler Blackcomb Mountain so on the weekend it is really nice I can go snowmobiling. I can ride all the time.

AC: What up with you snowmobile?

MAT: I just got a tune up and the sliders needed to be replaced - so this weekend I had lots of spare time - every day I can ride I ride - there is so much learning to be done

AC: Age?

MAT: 23

AC: What was up earlier this season?

MAT: I was in Europe. All the south facing places in Europe got dumped on from early December - always new powder so I got to learn to freeride a little bit - this is a whole new world for me and I also got to spend a great deal of time to film for a serious snowboard movie. This was really nice - this was one of the reasons for me being in Europe.

AC: What is interesting about your life right now?

MAT: I am living in my truck and I am going to Japan for the first time in February for Toyota Big Air in Sapporo where the first place prize is $25000 US and the last place is $3000 US (for the last few years the special prize has been a Toyota car and this year the special prize is a surprise for the trick with the highest score in the competition) - all expenses paid trip - and I am staying for two extra weeks in Japan to film and to hang with my sponsors who are meeting up there

AC: So things are good?

MAT: Things are Ok - I am getting way more coverage in Europe than the States or Canada which is where I am from - that's funny - but I am spending a lot of time there - two months a summer for the last three summers - and two months of winter the last two winters.

AC: What did you do last time you rode?

MAT: I hit the smallest jump in the Whistler Blackcomb Park. I hiked it AND LEARNED NEW TRICKS ALL DAY- YEAH!!!!!!!!!

AC: Cool Cool - thanks for your time.

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