by George Crosland

Louie grew up in Ohio and recently finished school at the Stratton Mountain Academy in Vermont. Lately, Louie Vito is on a tear, with a few podiums under his belt in the pipe contests it is rad to see him entering the rail jam too. A well rounded rider he now rides for Omatic. Judging by his pipe skill set he could be a contender for the 2010 Olympics. I said Mason Aguirre would be in the Olympics way back in 2002 so I know of which I speak. Let us see what he is into lately, as of December 9, 2006

Age: 18

Home: Sandy, UT

Sponsors: Omatic, Volcom, Redbull, spy, vestal, kicker, grenade, Technine, Skullcandy, Utility boardshop, Windells, Neff

Snow Rev: I am going to Breck next weekend for the Grand Prix
Vito: I’ll be there; I was just there it’s good

Snow Rev: when do you leave?
Vito: Tomorrow or Monday morning. I almost was not going to come here, its super good there

Snow Rev: What have you been up to so far this winter?
Vito: I have just been hanging out in Salt Lake City cause I just bought a house there. I went on the Red Bull drive by which was a road trip through Eastern Europe. Then I went to Colorado for a few days and now we are at the block hanging out. Then back to Colorado for the Grand Prix.

Snow Rev: You going to run all the Grand Prix’s this year?
Vito: I am going to run at least two of them. I am going to the Nippon Open then decide if I will go to the third one.

Snow Rev: How about the Tahoe Cup?
Vito: I believe I am going to the Tahoe Cup.

Snow Rev: What are your other plans for the winter?
Vito: Ride in some contests, film for the Technine movie and for Kyle Clancy’s movie

Snow Rev: What are you going to work on, trick wise?
Vito: In pipe just perfect what I have and go a bit bigger. In jumping I need to work on my 10’s, I got 2, I need 2 more. Keep riding and having fun

Snow Rev: What motivates you?
Vito: You know, I don’t have to get motivated to snowboard, I just wake up and I am stoked to get out and ride, ride with my friends, that’s all that matters to me.

Snow Rev: Advice for kids on the come up?
Vito: Go out everyday, have fun, push yourself, don’t be afraid, but mostly you gotta have fun and not worry about what tricks your doing, do your best, keep progressing and do what you wanna do.

Snow Rev: Do it everyday?
Vito: Yep!

Snow Rev: Even when it’s crappy like in California now?
Vito: Even if it’s crappy you gotta get out there, ride and make the best of it

Snow Rev: You think growing up on the east coast (Ohio and Stratton) makes you more motivated?
Vito: It makes me appreciate the west coast and the good snow out here; if you can do it on the east coast; you can do it anywhere, that’s what I think. The east coast is definitely a good proving ground.

Snow Rev: Thanks man
Vito: Sure

see pictures on http://www.snowboard-revolution.com/rider/5-Minutes-with-Louie-Vito.html

Here’s Louie in March of 2006 at the Vans Tahoe cup where he finished 2nd. Only Antti Autti bested him and that is not too shabby

Wall jam at Marc Frank’s Block at Tahoe rail jam