cold snap
ERIK TERVO
The last real winter we had in Tahoe, the snow was deep. So
deep that about mid-winter, KT would barely have any liftlines in
the morning. It seems early morning pow doesn't matter when
there is too much snow. It was like 2-3 feet of new snow everyday
for what seemed like a
month, maybe longer. I
remember always seeing this
one guy going fast and doing
tight lines-totally solo. Kids
low on experience died from
the pow being so deep that
year; chairlifts had to be dug
out so they could run. And
here's Tervo out throwing
down lines by himself, only
to go back to work in 45 min-
utes, knowing he got his.
People are dying, and Tervo
is out on his lunch break.
But Erik's roots go deeper
than his snow-riding habits.
He has been skating for 14
years and manages to keep it real despite the rip side of life.
When did you first get really cold?
1986 Telluride, Colorado, Burton Performer-bitter cold, frozen
stiff, but I was hyped. That was day one.
What reason would possess someone to skate and snowboard for over
10 years?
Freedom to express myself and release tension and aggression in a
positive way. I enjoy what I do.
What's your deal with skating?
I'm a vert dog turned mini-ramp champ. I'm down for it all, actually:
pool slasher, curb slapper, I might even do a flip trick for good luck.
And snowboarding?
Terrain-wise, I like it all. I've ridden in good and bad conditions. The
perfect days are unreal, but rare. Some of my best moments aren't
on the best days. Respect yourself and the mountains. They're big,
we're not. Educate yourself.
Future focus?
Try to keep it real, stay out of life's way, and don't be scared to do better.
Last Words?
I want to thank my family and friends for being there, Bryce and the
Switch family, Population, Airborne Snowboards, and the almighty for
letting it all happen. -Dylan Farr
114 THRASHER
Clockwise from sequence: Vert dog turned mini-ramp champ, Erik nose-
blunt reverts at the heavily sessioned Truckee High School ramp complex.
Escaping from the liftlines of KT-22, Tervo hurls a solitary method off an
undisclosed backcountry quarter-pipe. Lien 360° off a Tahoe Donner
super-kicker. In the backcountry, you have to be prepared to fend off all
sorts of hungry beasts. Here, our hero prepares to give this skulking wolf
the beatdown of its short life. All photos by Aaron Sedway.
115