p: Zack Griswold

Yale Cousino is perhaps the definition of the Vermont snowboarder. He started out on the icy slopes in the northern part of the state and then dulled his edges to tackle many, if not possibly, all, of Burlington's infamous handrails. He's been a major player on the East in contests and local videos for years, and proves to be heavy competition in events on other coasts and in other countries as well, bringing his strong, smooth, go-for-it-and-stomp-it style of snowboarding wherever he goes. Already this season, before the lifts have even begun to turn back in his home state, Yale has impressed crowds at the biggest events of the summer and fall, from Ante Up at Whistler over the summer, to Hot Dawgz & Hand Rails at Bear in Southern California, to Downtown Throwdown in Seattle.

While Yale has been a well-known force in snowboarding for years, traveling, competing and filming, he has remained true to his 802 roots, staying close with the up and coming riders in Burlington--guys like Luke Haddock, that only a mother could love, Yale shreds with and hangs with, enjoying every minute of it. For a legion of local shredders, Yale is not only a role model but a friend. Just kidding about the mother thing--Luke's an awesome guy that never fails to bring a smile to your face. But, enough about Haddock, this is about Yale. Yale's a pillar in the VT snowboarding community, no doubt, and so it was fitting to have him run down his favorite parts about Halloween in the Queen City, a place where Halloween is the biggest holiday of the year, where the multitude of snowboard-creative types in town go all in on incredible costumes, and local brands combine video premieres with costumes parties, and strong drinks. Halloween in Burlington never disappoints.

Saturday morning, after night one of Halloween hit Burlington (when Halloween lands on a Sunday, you're just asking for trouble in the form of extended-forecast hangovers and empty wallets), I met up with Yale in our friend's living room. While everyone lounged super hard on the couch and futons, Yale disclosed his top five thing about Burlington Halloween. Yale kept it light, it had been a long night. Yale's associates, his agent Rkelly and co-agent, Dubbers, assisted with all aspects of the following.

When he's not urban-lion hunting, he's putting base material to wall to make ace shots.

If you missed Halloween in Burlington, you have another opportunity to get in on a big shred party (minus the costumes of course), when Burton's Queen City Sessions make their way back into rotation this Saturday, November 6. Yale will be there, doing what he does best.

1. Slutty Girls - Slutty costumes are cool, because, well, they are slutty, and it's funny. It is ridiculous what girls will wear, especially when it's close to freezing outside.

2. Falling Down Stairs at 3am - I tried to go to the bathroom in a strange house that I was sleeping at. It was pitch black and I proceeded to tumble down the stairs and wake up at the bottom, knocked out. I thought I broke my shoulder, but it turned out to be OK. [pause] I don't know why that is top five.

East Coast work ethic. (l to r) Luke Haddock, Ryan Hebert, Erik Roomet, and Yale

3. Parima's Costume Party - Every year, various people in the Vermont snowboard community put on a costume party at Parima in Burlington. Parima is a Thai food restaurant and bar, but I think the only time people really go there is on Halloween. I've been to Parima for the last three years. Anyone who is anyone is there. Always epic, always good. My stuffed animal lion was the best costume ever--I got inside a stuffed animal. I bought a giant stuffed animal and cut it open and gutted it out and proceeded to get inside of it. Urban lion hunting. I had no costume and Luke Haddock came up with that one for me. [Dubbers' side note: Luke Haddock sucks.]

Yale and Christine Savage at Parima.

4. Colin Garvey's Pre-Party - Everyone dressed up. Luke Haddock's daily beating happened, which is when we beat up Luke every day. We did it at the party, which was not exactly a special occasion because it happens every day, but he was dressed up, so it was special in that way, I guess. And somebody hit Colin's car, which he is really pissed about. That part wasn't as good.

Yale planting it on some fake snow last year.

5. Halloween Hangover - What is good about the hang over? Absolutely nothing.

And the events that caused the hangover, the Parima party. A few photos:

Burton's Christine Savage and Kelly Stoeklein, who was teen sensation, Justin Beiber.

Burton's Lauren Offenberg was a dancing sock monkey.

Caroline Janeway was Madonna.

Ingrid as TwoFace and Christine as the Devil in disguise.

Bonjour Hi played the party. Here's DJ Treatz.

And lastly, from Dubbers and Rkelly, their number 6 reason Halloween in Burlington is great is "letting fools catch my fade." [What does that mean? is it a Lil' Wayne reference?]