20 Questions with Kurt Jenson

20 Questions with Kurt Jenson

Kurt Jenson charges harder than most. Whether he is stomping a trick off a cliff with the cameras rolling or scrambling to meet a production deadline, Kurt doesn't half step. You have no choice but to have a good time in his company. Always quick with a smile and a high five, Jenson is beloved at Stevens Pass. Checking in on injuries, fatherhood, friends and filming, we're pleased to offer this episode of 20 questions.

Where do you work these days? I know you're still a pro snowboarder, but mortgages aren't cheap. Who writes your checks these days?
I'm a video editor for the world's greatest and only drinking show 'Three Sheets'. If you have Comcast HD, check it out. It's on MOJO, channel 6 hundred something.

Video editing and production has given you an excellent way to make money while staying involved in snowboarding. Any suggestions for up and coming moviemakers and filers?
Give yourself a project and follow it through to the end. Even if you don't know what you're doing, when you focus on the end goal, you will figure it all out in between.

Did you study any film making techniques in school, or are you pretty much self taught?
I am self taught. A lot of frustration along the way thought trail and error when you learn yourself, I mean a lot! But in the end I really learned my craft in way I won't forget. Making snow videos taught me so much more that I could have learned in film school.

You were one of the masterminds behind Soundstrait films. I really dig that you guys mixed big mountain riding with park style tricks. Style and power. Boardslides and cliff drops... Which film was your favorite to be a part of and why?
I would say 'The Temple'. It was our first one and captured most of the original crew that I was a part of. Plus the skits were super fun to make.

Which side of the lens do you prefer to be on? The filmer or the rider?
That's a tough one because I love both so much. So lets say it depends on conditions. Foot of fresh powder and some sick lines I would much rather ride. Icy kicker, I'll be getting some sick shot's of you!

What are your top 3 favorite shred porn flicks?
‘Upping the Ante', ‘TB 5', and of course the snowboarding bible, ‘Subjekt Haakonsen'!

Stevens has some great history and has had some great riders. Who are a few of the all time personalities?
Well, Matt Goodwill of course. Goodwill is a true Stevens Legend, and the first rider I ever saw really stomp a 60 foot cliff. And then all my OG mentors from the 90's like Monty Hays, Orien Yeckley, Russ Rickets, Simon Smith, Elan Bushell, Brian Schaefer, and so on. Those guys showed me how to ride a mountain, because back then, there was no park, the mountain was the park. It's what you made of it.

I know you enjoy dropping cliffs and finding steeper lines, but do you still ride the park and pipe?
I love the park and pipe. These days I save that for the spring when there is no Powder. But I recommend that everyone else ride the park at all times. In fact just stay in the Park all day, powder is over rated!

Washington is heavy on shred talent. Who are some of your favorite guys to ride with?
Well a lot of those riders are from Mt. Baker so I don't get the opportunity much. Pat McCarthy I rode with a ton a few years ago but now not that much. Nate Lind, Tarek Husevold and Nick Ennen to name a few more. More locally, Monty Hays, Brian Schaefer, Elan Bushell, Tim Carlson, Joe Bosler, Eric Smith and many more. You will most likely see me with one of these fine riders on any given powder-day at Stevens. Oh yeah, I can't forget Tim Wangon!

You have your two year old daughter, Piper. Man, she's a cutie. How has parenthood affected your approach to riding?
Parenthood to me has opened a new door in my riding for many reasons. First making me be smarter about the choices I make on the hill, weighing what's worth it and what's not. I want to enjoy snowboarding with Piper in the future so I can't be reckless with my body any more. I don't get to ride as much so I appreciate every minute I have at the mountain and make the most of it.

Not riding every day is both a blessing and a curse. Is it less of a job now for you?

After making 5 films where you ride every day and push it as hard as you can regardless of the conditions, it can start to wear on your stoke. Sometimes it numbs you to fact of how lucky you are to be able to shred in such a beautiful place. Now when I go ride it feels like when I first started. I'm super pumped to just be there and want to hit everything! I start seeing new possibilities in terrain that I've been riding for 10 years and thought was played out. It's like a re-birth or a Renaissance if you will.

You have had some tangles with limbs and joints. How is the ankle doing?
It's doing great; I had it fixed 3 years ago. Word of advice: don't ride on injuries or you WILL pay for it later! I did and lost 2 seasons of shredding. Legend

You also had a run in with a tree if I remember correctly. Did you break your leg?
Yup, I hit a good sized gap and landed too far left 10 feet in front of a tree. Broke my tibia and didn't know it for a few days until I went to the doctor. Watch out for trees!

You roll on four wheels as well. How long have you been a skateboarder?
Since I was 12 so 20 years.

With all the concrete parks around, which ones are your favorite?
Port Angeles, Arlington and Greenlake.

Favorite skateboarders?
Rune Gliffberg, Danny Way, Drebohl, Mark Hubbard....because they kill Concrete!

Any spots you've visited and would like to go back to?
I can't wait to get back to AK!

Game plan for this upcoming winter?
Shred as much as I can, and find new zones! I'm bringing Piper up too so look for us on the rope tow!

Need a babysitter?
Nope, this year Piper is riding all my lines with me! LOL.

Check out the new Stevens Pass poster featuring Kurt Jenson sending it. Ask for yours at Guest Relations next time your at the pass.