Corey Van Aken - USA

Instagram: @vanakenbacon

Year You Were Born: 1993

Hometown: Blacksburg, Virginia

Year You Moved to the Mountains: 2013

Current Mountain: Copper

What Inspired You to Move to the Mountains: To ride my snowboard as much as possible, and the community of people in the mountains who also lust to ride every day.

What Do You Do For Work: I coach freestyle snowboarding for Woodward Copper, as well as work nights at a local music venue and DJ on the side for some extra cash. Woodward allows me to be on my snowboard every day and get paid for it.

Advice to Help Someone Make the Leap to Live Their Life: Just send it. Obviously, it can be a leap of faith but, if you can get a job lined up, and a place to stay (most resorts will offer some sort of housing), then the only thing holding you back is yourself! Just go for it! It is absolutely so worth it and you will meet so many new people that will become friends for life.

What Board(s) You Ride: The Range, Logger & Backwoods

Stance: Regular

Sponsors: Weston Backcountry, Blackstrap Facemasks, D-Curve Goggles, Everlace Bootlaces