Photo: Oli Gagnon – MFM with a FS 180
Mountain High announced this week it has signed Mark Frank Montoya (MFM) and Louie Vito to its pro team, and promoted hometown rider Cory Cronk. In addition the resort has added close to 25 new features to its park program including signature jibs from MFM and Cronk.
Says John McColly, Director of Marketing, “I’m stoked to have these guys as part of our family. It’s something we’ve been working on for a while and I’m glad to see it finally come to fruition. This season you’ll not only see their exploits in both photo and video, but you’ll also be able to ride with them via several text-to-win campaigns.”
Marc Frank Montoya is the real deal. Born and raised on the streets of Denver, he has been touted as one of the smoothest and strongest riders in the world with a heavy skateboarding influence. Besides his impressive contest spreadsheet and numerous video parts, MFM was named Transworld Snowboarding’s “Rockstar Of The Year” in 2004 & 2005, and is one of Snowboarder Magazine’s “Top Ten Riders in the World.” Now this legendary icon has come to Southern California with hopes of giving back to the sport that has given so much to him.
Says MFM, “Snowboarding has given me the life I’ve always wanted. And skateboarding saved my life when I was younger. It helped keep me out of the gangs that every single one of my homies were in. Now my goals in snowboarding are to help other people get what they want out of life, and use my name and recognition to change the world. It’s a greedy, messed up age we’re livin in and people need to wake up and become part of the solution, rather than part of the problem.”
Louie Vito is the new wave of snowboarding. In 2005, he exploded onto the scene with big superpipe finishes at both the Burton New Zealand (4th) and Burton Australian (1st) Opens. Now he is competing for a spot on the American team and a chance at the 2010 Olympics. Trained on the East Coast, Louie is known for his technical style and back-to-back 1080s. He excels in all aspects of the sport from pipe to rails to back-country kickers and it is the combination of this diversity and his charismatic personality that makes him one of the most sought after riders today.
Says Vito, “I’m super stoked to ride for Mountain High. The resort is all about snowboarding and I can’t wait to show up, sign some autographs, and hopefully make a lot of new friends. I’ve also got my sights on the Olympics so, of all the years, this is the year to be pushing it.”
Hometown hero Cory Cronk was raised at Mountain High on a diet of picks and shovels. Now a 12 year veteran, he has the swagger of a jibber but the experience of a big mountain rider. He is a fixture in the Southern California snowboarding community and has several features named after him including the Cronk Bonk, new for 09/10.
Says Cronk, “Snowboarding is not all about the partying. I know because I got caught up in the scene that comes with being a pro shredder. But a little more than a year ago I turned my life around, quit the partying, and had the best year of my life at Mountain High. Now I am completely focused on the snow. To the kids I say stay on point and follow your dreams. Because at the end of the day, it is what you make it.”
In addition to print ads, interviews and web videos, Mountain High will be hosting text-to-win campaigns to give visitors a chance to ride with the pros. A Louie Vito Celebrity Rail Jam will hit the event calendar in 2010, and the resort is assisting MFM with the development of a new foundation to get underprivileged youth involved in snowboarding.
Photo: Andy Wright – Louie Vito doing what he does best
