One of the best aspects of snowboarding is the personalities that participate in it. Sure, there are more than a few middle-of-the-road types - who I won't mention by name - that could put you to sleep in 30 seconds. But aside from that boring minority, snowboarding attracts some seriously colourful characters. And one of the most colourful is, without a doubt, Mikey Rencz.

There's just something larger-than-life about Mikey; I can't help but feel like I'm never having as much fun as he is whenever I see him. Or that maybe I've misspent my life somehow, ‘cause whatever he's doing, it sure looks good. And how can I get a piece of it? Keep in mind there's nothing controversial or dramatic about Mikey; he's just good at having a good time, and making those around him want to have an equally good time... if that's even possible.

More importantly, Mikey's a really good snowboarder. The style he exudes off the hill is doubled on it, and he makes his long, lanky frame look surprisingly compact and graceful in the air. He's also earned veteran status in the Whistler backcountry, even though he still ranks among the younger pros out there, simply because he started out so young. I won't even get into all of that, "he was kind of Shaun White's rival when he was young" business, because none of that even matters anymore. Mikey's his own man now, and that's all you really need to know.

I caught up with Mikey in October when he was in Toronto for the annual snowboard show. We did a quick interview and had a few laughs, but time was tight. I wanted to catch up with him more, so with the Christmas holidays approaching, I dropped him a quick line so we could talk more.

So since it's the holiday season right now, fill me in on how the Rencz family likes to do it up for Christmas.
I am just headin' back to Alberta after this film trip to get festive. Christmas is pretty mellow for me; I just get together with all the fam' and kick it. Just straight-up family time, since I don't get to see them that often.

How about the Eight Mile guys: do you guys exchange gifts or do Secret Santa or anything like that? Or is it more about of a rave-around-the-Christmas-tree?
No, nothing really. One year we would party our socks off and put all our socks on the tree. That's it, though... it was filled with socks.

When you and I last caught up at the Toronto snowboard show in the fall, you'd had kind of a gong-show journey out and arrived late. Was that a rare situation? Do you normally have good luck or bad luck when you travel?
[laughs] Yeah, I actually don't have very bad luck with travel -- knock on wood. Burton just booked me on a later flight than I should have been on. Oh, actually it would have been fine but the cab driver took me to the wrong city, too. [laughs] I forgot about that part...

What's the single worst or strangest travel experience you've ever had?
One time I full-on got on the wrong plane. I was sitting there and this girl came up and was like, "you're in my seat." And I showed her my ticket and was like,
"no I'm not," and she told me, "Yeah, wrong plane!" It was really embarrassing! They had to stop the other plane and let me get on. It was in Chicago; that place is hectic.

BS 720.

In the debut issue of King Snow, Eric Greene really lays into you for your musical choices. What was your reaction when you read it the first time?
[laughs] That was fine... I knew he was gonna do that. I guess that's the reason for the column. I really don't care at all if someone doesn't like my music; it's probably better that way, actually. [laughs]

Do you think, out of fairness, we should get Eric to submit a play-list and you can comment on his picks? Because we can arrange that! 
[laughs] Not unless he has any Gucci Mane. That's all I'm listening to right now.

I'm guessing not... OK, Whistler got seriously dumped on in November... It seemed like almost overnight, it was "game on" out there. Were you amped and ready for it when all that snow fell?
Man, that was amazing. I was actually in Alberta when the resort opened in Whistler, so I missed the first weekend. But I've never had an early season like this before. It has been insane.

Do you normally like to ease into the season a little bit, or are you comfortable with throwing some tricks almost right away?
I used to take a bit to get back into it every season, but this year I've felt strong and good-to-go since early on. I wasn't recovering from an injury all summer and fall too, so that helps.

Filming season is about to begin. Do you have some goals or a trick list or anything like that?
No, there isn't a trick list. It totally depends on what features you find, as to what tricks you can do. I definitely have some plans for this year... got to get some new shit goin' for sure! I have been more into doing tricks off of stuff that people wouldn't usually do, off of that certain cliff or whatever, so I've got to keep that going, and also get some of those doubles going!

Yeah, the doubles seem to becoming mandatory. Another hot snowboard topic these days is reverse camber... Burton's got a lot of them in their line. What's your take on it? Do you ride reverse camber boards, or do you prefer the traditional style?
I have this super sick board right now, and honestly, I am not really sure what the rocker type is called! It's kinda funky, but it's fuckin' ridiculous. It's called The Sherlock. It'll be out for 2011. Last year I was rockin' The Fix board, which was "party rocker" and it was sick, too. I'm backing it, but it's all personal preference, you know?

Are you picky with your gear in general?
I am not picky at all. But I pretty much ride the same shit all the time. I just like bigger and wider boards, so that's what I ride.

OK: Last question! If, right at this moment, you had to elect someone the Prime Minister of Snowboarding for Canada, who would it be and why?
Devun Walsh, ‘cause he is the official boss man and that is why.

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Related:
Rencz, Reid, Sollors and Zurek Hit Toronto
8 Mile: A Life Worth Living
Video: A Look At 8 Mile