Ben Hilley - USA

Instagram: @beninthebackcountry

Year You Were Born: 1983

Hometown: Burleson, TX

Year You Moved to the Mountains: 2008

Current Mountain: Vail

What Inspired You to Move to the Mountains: My mother passed away in my 20's and I realized that life was short and nothing is guaranteed. I quit my career as a mechanical engineer and moved in with a college friend in Vail. 10 years later, I still live in the same house and snowboard to my backdoor daily. Life is good.

What Do You Do For Work: I've done everything from bartending to spa attendant here in Vail. Whatever it takes to survive. I became a backcountry guide in 2010 and have guided snowmobiling and jeep trips since. I began working for Weston in 2015 as a shop employee. I am now the Events & Team Manager for Weston Snowboards.

Advice to Help Someone Make the Leap to Live Their Life: Life is short and nothing is guaranteed. Everyday that you hesitate is a day you could have been living your dreams instead. There is no try, only do.

What Board(s) You Ride: Is this a trick question??? Japow or Backwoods in deep pow, logger to jib and hit log rails with, range or timber if im throwing tricks in pow, and big chief if i just want to charge down big lines.

Stance: 21.5" w -15 15, -18, 12 on Japow!

Sponsors: Weston Snowboards, TOBE Outerwear, Kind Design, Ravinos, Purl Wax