MATTHEW HAINES
Birthplace: Chemainus BC Canada First Mountain: Mt Washington resort Years riding: 33
Welcome to the Stranda family! Let’s start from the beginning, where did you grow up and how did you get into snowboarding?
I grew up on the west coast of Canada where we receive an annual 10m snow pack. I started skiing when I was 5, started skateboarding when I was 10. I saw snowboarding on TV and had to try it. It was like skateboarding but in the snow. Made a snowboard out of a water ski to ride the hills around my neighborhood and was instantly hooked. To this day skateboarding and snowboarding is all I think about.
What’s home mountain?
Whistler, B.C, Canada
Favourite place to ride?
Blanket Glacier Chalet. It’s a hut deep in the monashee mountains in the interior of British Columbia. The best tree skiing on the planet
Can you describe yourself in one sentence?
I like to go fast!
What´s your favorite trick to watch?
Backside 180. Nothing better than big backside 180.
What is your favorite book?
Right now I just finished Dave Grohl, The story teller. I highly recommend.
Do you listen to podcasts, if so what´ your favorite podcast?
Darkstarts Splitboarding. Check out episode 22.
Best splitboarding/snowboarding Hack (advice) you have?
Everyday after I ride I get home and go over every nut and bolt on my board to make sure things are tight and not broken. It only takes a few minutes and can save you a lot of BS the next time you ride. No one likes mechanical issues in the back country.
Who have been some of your biggest influences as snowboarder?
My biggest influence as a snowboarder came from Garry Pendygrasse. He’s taught me to Splitboard and showed me around his backyard in the sea to sky region. Most of all he taught me to just take it easy and have fun. After all that’s what’s life’s about.
What boards have you gravitated to in the Stranda line up and why?
I gravitate to the Descender. This board is amazing and lived up to the hype. I needed a board that can handle it all. Long approach’s, variable snow to steep and deep descents. You need a board that tours up as well as it descends. For me the Descender is a quiver killer. From couloirs to playful tree Laps it takes it all.
Boards of choice:
Descender 162w with phantom bindings and atomic backland boots.
Stance: + 27 in the front 0 in the back.
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