Name: Mike Stastook
Born: Many moons ago
Hometown: Campell River B.C.
Currently living in: Calgary
Years riding: 13
Sponsors:   Ripzone, Spy, Forum, Technine

Describe how you first got interested in snowboarding: It was love at first sight. I saw this friend's older brother trying it and I wanted to emulate him. So yeah, we "borrowed it and ripped it down this tiny little "hill" by his place and the rest is history.

What keeps you snowboarding today? The variety. Last season I really got back to the natural stuff and just trying to paint a pretty picture on these fine snow-capped mountains we have as our playground. This summer we scoped out some new urban terrain that is not just rails so I am looking forward to the snow falling. I really rode with a lot of people with a lot of different skill levels this past season and really started to enjoy ski hill riding again and appreciate every chance I had to ride whether it was at COP or sunshine, or in the backcountry.

What do you get up to when you aren't snowboarding?
In the summer I skate a lot (especially with the new Newline designed masterpiece Cochrane skatepark that opened up. And on the weekends I have been lucky enough to ride an endless wave behind a boat on my wake-surf so that's been so good. I spend a lot of quality time with my fiancée Angie as well...we live right downtown so we can walk to parks, to pubs, down 17 th , along the river, to watch a Flames game at the Saddledome, or people watching in Kennsington.

Describe the perfect day:
Winter: 30cms of fresh with Dwayne Wiebe, and Jay Neilsen and three brand new skidoos in Quartz creek under blue skies and on a weekday.
Summer: Sunset session at any Newline Skatepark, or at Angie's cabin with no other boats on the lake and 4 people to use as weight with the fatsacks...riding the endless wave.

Have you had any injuries or situations that have made you re-think your lifestyle?
No when I get hurt, its usually due to stupid mistakes. The last time I got played was skateboarding and it was because I stretched too much and the way I hit the rail just worked me, but now I just loosen up a little more but not actually stretch before is shred and my physiotherapist has me on a good exercise routine that doesn't involve weights at all.

Contests and freeriding, describe likes and dislikes of both:
I love events. Ones like Wade and Sandy's Ripzone Canadian Air and Style where it was   team event this year. Super laid back, one rider rode quarterpipe, one rode jumps and the other rode rails and it was the combined score of all of your hits in each hour long session that added up to a team victory. I kinda rode like crap but if Bannock and Geoff are willing to take me back, I think that we can win this year. It was just a positive jam session format during the mid-day as opposed to these 7:00-7:30AM practice then do your comp runs at 9:00 after you've been standing around all morning freezing and missing out on all the powder.I love freeriding. Any day in the mountains is amazing and I have really been trying to take the time to sit back and take it all in for a minute. We are so lucky to be out there and not stuck inside at a desk so we should take advantage of the that and make the most of our opportunity out there.  I guess that as much time as I spend on a snowboard, I prefer freerding, but I don't bum out when I ride at COP. Any day on a snowboard is better than a lot of stuff.

What keeps you snowboarding today?The fun, the love, and the variety of terrain you can find if you are willing to look.

Last but not Least:
Last movie: The Sentinal...pretty good
Last meal:   Pad Thai that Angie cooked...so good
Last website: www.wmhproductions.com
Last pizza: Wicked Wedge's famous DINO...a must have when you are on 17 th ave in Calgary. BBQ chicken, pineapple, grilled red onion, cilantro, cheddar & mozzarella
Last book: Deception Point by Dan Brown...he's got a great formula to keep you on the edge of your seat, but its cookie-cutter for him. Escapism at its best...loved it.
Last TV show: I only watch 24 and Prison Break
Last trip: To Okotoks to help some family move.
Last party: Our condo (last Saturday) before the Red Hot Chili Peppers concert.
Last car: 94 Ford Ranger
Last phone call: Jesse Fox
Last words: Make sure you love what you do with your life.