Photo: Terry Ratzlaff
Pat Milbery

Pat Milbery is one of the nicest guys in snowboarding not to mention being a damn good shredder. Ever in a positive mood and always involved in some sort of creative project, he's an all-around good dude and one that you can count on to get the shot, do a few shots or simply shout out props to all those who get after it and make it happen.

Last week BNQT had a chance to hang with Pat at the LA premiere of Cool Story and Parkumentary at Arbor, both of which Pat had a part in, and where he acted as a fine company spokesman and raffle host extraordinaire.

Pat, you're now onboard with Arbor Snowboards how is it being on their newly formed team?

Arbor is a great brand. I love the boards, both the snowboards and the skateboards. The people involved are passionately devoted to quality & making the best boards on the market. They have taken me in as part of their family, so great thus far.

As you indicate Arbor is known for making amazing product but as a brand hasn't necessarily been as relevant with the trendsetters... Do you see that changing in the future?

I don't see Arbor starting trends, I see a strong community of believers backing a movement of quality-based products. Once you try a Arbor, chances are you will be hooked. I was once I strapped into the Arbor "Draft" along with other models. The product speaks for itself. Arbor is not out to be the "coolest" brand, we would not really want the responsibilities of living up to a title like that. We all live to ride and the team is something new to the brand, which is very exciting. Our team is Chelone Miller, Moss Halladay, Joe Bosler, Rob Kingwell and Myself. We all have been working together to rep the brand like we know how to do it best. Having Brad Farmer involved with Arbor is a great thing and his background of experience will be a major asset to the brand's growth. I also know Arbor supports a lot of artists, so they will definitely influence a demographic of followers and fans.

Tell us what you learned from the whole Forecast experience?

The importance of a strong foundation to a company. A successful company needs a base to build from. Forecast spent a lot of money marketing the project, which looked really cool and had a refreshing image, but the structure was weak. I learned a lot about the industry, the costs involved and how many resources a business takes to be run successfully. It's not easy to say the least.

Photo: Terry Ratzlaff
Pat - gettin over the pile. (click to expand)

You were born in Minnesota - how was it growing up out there?

It was cold, and frigid almost every day. I love Minnesota. In our backyard of my family's house we have a small hill, and that's where I taught myself how to shred. I used to build jumps every day and send it with a couple friends. I had a little park set-up with small benches to slide, a mini quarter pipe, and a couple mini tabletops. My Dad and I built a drop in ramp to get some extra speed to boost the mini table tops and my Mom that kept us warm with some hot chocolate during the 8 hour + sessions. Thank you Mom, Dad and Jill.

Who are some of your favorite riders to come from the Midwest?

I grew up riding with Mike Casanova, Ricky Tucker, Jonas Michelot, John Makens, Matt Seifert, Erich Dummer and Drew Luarson, so these guys for sure. All time favs are Pat A, Bjorn Leines, Chad Otterstrom, Ron Bureta, Joe Curtes, Nate Cole, Jeff Meyer, Tigger, and Jeff Christopherson.

Colorado is your current home ... What's the best part of living in the Rocky Mountain State?

I enjoy the people; riding at Winter Park Resort rules. The accessibility, working on projects with my peoples at the Ink Monstr warehouse, eating the delicious Gomez Burritos and having the city being so close to the mountains.

Photo: Terry Ratzlaff
Pat tail tap.

You were up in Windells a lot this past summer...is it really the Funnest Place on Earth?

Heck yes, that place is the closest thing to heaven on Earth. Tim Windell is doing amazing stuff up there to improve, progress and set the camp apart from any other camp on the planet. We had the first ever rope tow Mt Hood has seen, which made laps incredible all summer long and furthered progressive snowboarding. Tim allowed me the opportunity to experiment with a new program I conceptualized called the "Dream Feature" program (watch Pat Milbery's Dream Feature), which brought pros in to each session of camp to hand build uniquely creative features in the park. The kids were able to session with the pros! The community of campers and pros rode together, while using our minds to best utilize the possibilities of each feature. Super fun times... (Click here to see Pat Milbery in Windells Shredcast)

With the new winter upon us, tell us some of the highlights from last season?

Staying healthy, keeping an opening mind, always staying hungry to travel and explore the world, getting a new puppy named Tora, my girlfriend putting up with my hectic life on the road, Alli's Vegan Banana bread, working with Terry Ratzlaff to create art through imagery, crushing with Captain Safety, the consistent snow in Colorado was amazing, riding with Opio from Souls of Mischief, watching my Mighty Midwest Snowboard Camp Tour grow through having fun, a lot of SO-GNAR design projects, working with Monstr on a new mentoring program I started and probably the great friendships that I have made.

4th Annual Mighty Midwest Tour!

Despite being only November, you've gotten some work done already, yes?

We have been busy. There have been two storms in Denver already that brought considerable amounts of snow. We have been hanging out under this bridge near downtown with a lot with Trolls, building features with any snow let over from the storms. We just hosted a Del The Funky Homosapien, A-Plus, Bukue One & Go! Motion show, big up's to PBR for the involvement. And currently have two art shows going on in different galleries.

And from here what are some of your plans from the upcoming season?

I will be filming for Think Thank again. We are also working on a project called The Adventures of SO-GNAR on RSN and distributed through so-gnar.com. I have my 4th Annual Mighty Midwest Snowboard Camp Tour going on, check it out! A lot of new art work, some riding with friends, fun of course and making the most of every day.

Cool Pat, thanks. Any shout outs?

Thank you BNQT.com for letting speak a few words. Thanks to all my sponsors:

Arbor Snowboards, Winter Park Resort, Red Bull, Skullcandy, VZ, Capix Helmets, XSI Insurance, Flux Bindings, L-R-G, Pow Gloves, Spacecraft, HeadHunter Suncreen, SO-GNAR.com, & Windell's Camp.

Also thanks to Alli Botto, Terry Ratzlaff, Mack Collins, Jameson Walters, Terry Ratzlaff, Alex & Tyler, Monstr, Reed Silberman, Ken Perkins, Captain Safety, Alexander The Great, Bob Carlson, Jesse Burtner, Pika, Sean Genovese, Margaret @ RSN, Ian Hill @ Fuel Tv, and Tim Windell