With winter officially underway, I thought that it would be interesting to see what a few of my favorite pro shredders are doing to prepare for the long season of snowboarding ahead of them. Back in the day, I used to go to the gym, watch snowboard vids, set out a schedule for my sponsors, scout out spots for the season, and last but not least, make a trick list.

But enough about my washed-up ass, let's get to the main purpose of this column and ask the real pros how they're getting prepped.

What do you do, besides going to the gym, to get ready for the season?

Annie Boulanger: "I do a lot of work on my body, mostly physio and body re-alignment. I find that thinking positive thoughts for the season is also a good way to stay motivated."

Mikey Rencz: "Watch shred videos and live the dream."

Rube Goldberg: "Actually, I don't even go to the gym, but I used to. I like to ride my motorbike and I actually do quite a bit of Pilates. A quick game of poker here and there keeps me pretty happy. I also check the sponsor list to make sure that everything is in order. I used to do way more, but now I just try to keep it basic and stay focused."

Mercedes Nichol: "I do lots of swimming, yoga, and aerobics classes. Actually, recently I have been doing a little skateboarding for fun."

What keeps you stoked during your off season?

Annie: "I usually like to go on a surf trip to somewhere in Central America, ‘cause it actually makes me miss snowboarding. It's a good thing to get some time away from my sponsors and everybody that's trying to get a hold of me. I really need that time to get a little peace and quiet for my headspace.  When I'm surfing, I miss snowboarding and it makes me realize how good of a life I have from snowboarding." 

Mikey: "Partying and cruising around. I try not to stay in the same area for to long, so I travel all over the place. Last summer I floated around from Finland to California, and all over BC and Alberta."

Rube: "I actually get stoked to take a break. I would love to go surfing, but that hasn't happened yet. Summer camp is pretty cool, and this summer I started a painting company. Really though, I was stoked to relax whenever I could. I got a motorbike and tend to I enjoy a road trip to Nelson, BC, when I can. I want to go back to San Diego on my bike again. A few years ago I did it in five days."

Mercedes: "Not snowboarding! [laughs] Well, it's just that when you're not doing it, you tend to miss it just a little bit. This past summer my car blew u, so I ended up hanging out over here in Mammoth just biking around and going to a few parties."

How do you get stoked for the season?

Annie: "I get motivated to film a video when I'm riding tons of powder. During the off-season I watch my video parts and try to figure out how do better. I also like to watch other videos out there so that I can get some ideas."

Mikey: "Organizing the film crews, checking out the new vids and mags. That stuff keeps me pretty psyched. Oh, yeah... I also get pretty amped when I'm finishing editing the 8mile webisodes for our new video."

Rube: "I usually get stoked when I end up going over the shred shots I got throughout the past year. Once the people start putting together your video part you get bummed, ‘cause you always wish you did better. Once that bummed feeling turns into motivation to get better shots, I get psyched."

Mercedes: "I like to watch all the new snowboarding videos, but then I end up getting all angry that there is no pow to shred. Luckily, since I'm out in Mammoth fairly often, it opens pretty early so the off-season is shorter and you get to start earlier."

When does your season start and where will you be spending the winter?
Annie: "My season started on the opening day of Whistler. I will be spending most of my season in Whistler and the BC area; it's actually pretty dependant on the snow condition. I will be filming with Absinthe again this year, so wherever they go, I will be there."

Mikey: "Opening day of Whistler Mountain. Right now I'm finishing a little refresher course in business in order to stay busy, so that's alright. Eero [Niemela] and I will be filming together somewhere in the BC area, and we've got a couple things to figure out with film companies still."

Rube: "It started on opening day."

Mercedes: "I was actually just out in Argentina during September. After that I was off for a month, and I had my first day of shredding on the 4th of November out here in Mammoth, California. I'll be spending the season out of my suitcase... [laughs] Seriously though, I will end up travelling to the USA, Europe and Korea for a bunch of Grand Prix and World Cup competitions. Nothing is fully laid out yet though. "

What do you hope to do this year?

Annie: "There is always something I don't get to do. I guess I am looking forward to riding with Marie France Roy ‘cause I think that she is awesome, and a really good shredder. Other then that, I'd really like to ride some lines, and spend some time in the air."

Mikey: "I hope that I can film a good shred part, have tons of fun, and stay injury free!"

Rube: "I hope that I can stay healthy, and I really want to have a real video part again. I got injured last year and I only got a few shots that I was really stoked on. If I can just put together one more good part, I will be happy. And for the record, I'm talking about a full song of tricks, not just the chorus."

Mercedes: "I would like to shoot a bunch in the backcountry. Keeping in mind that it's also the year before the Olympics, and I would like to qualify for them. I will need to qualify for them through the FIS, so I guess I will pretty much do lots of competing."

What would you recommend for people out there to do before shredding for the first time this season?

Annie: "Try strapping into all your new gear at home so that you can avoid tightening and adjusting everything during the first day. Oh, yeah: try to visualize things as well."

Mikey: "Be prepared to suck on your first day. After that, it's just up hill. Stay motivated on the shred and don't get down on yourself."

Rube: "Stretch to avoid injury. Here's a secret that I was taught by my friend a while ago: Run your boots over with a truck to give them that ‘worked in' feeling.  New boots have always sucked for me, so I run over them with whatever is around to beat the shit* out of them. I don't care what it is -- a snowmobile, truck, car, or even a couch! Whatever is heavy will do the trick." 

Mercedes: "Be sure to try your boots on to see if they are good, and that they fit properly. It usually takes me three days of riding to get back into the rhythm of things. You end up sucking for a few days, but don't worry because it always gets better."

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Related:
More with Mikey Rencz in 8 Mile: A Life Worth Living
Find out what Rube does in the off season in Rube the Roadie