Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Age: 22
Team: Global
Sponsors: 686, O-Matic, Nike Snowboarding, Monster, Spy, Kicker, Vestal, Grenade, Boost, Utility, Mt. High

My name is Louie Vito. I am 22 years old and have been snowboarding since I was around 6 years old.  Started at my home mountain in Ohio called Mad River Mountain.  I started day one with my pops and now my whole family snowboards.  Pretty cool to be able to go snowboarding with your family.  A lot of things inspire my snowboarding.  Ridin’ with all your friends is one of the biggest.  Nothing beats those days.  I still look up to some snowboarders too, their style, ideas, I don’t think I will ever grow out of being a fan.  I look up to my family because they have definitely helped get me to where I am today.

This last season was my busiest year yet.  Started out doing Dancing With The Stars, which was so far out of my comfort zone, but I had a lot more fun doing it than I thought.  I wanted to go on, be myself, and ultimately bring some new people to snowboarding.  I got the chance to go to the Olympics this year which has been a goal of mine forever.  I didn’t quite get a medal like I was hoping, but I landed my run when it counted and that’s all I can really ask.  So, I guess I just have to wait 4 more years.

I have been riding for 686 for almost 3 years and couldn’t be happier.  Every single person at the company is down for the company and down for snowboarding.  It’s not owned by some big corporation or skiers, it’s run by snowboarders.  I like their style, ideas, and direction that they are going and want to go.  Plus, they have their rider’s backs and that’s all you really need from a company.

I am still planning on doing a lot of contests as the next couple years come but also want to try to start filming more again and do both.  If you can, then you get the best of both worlds.  I just want to snowboard, have fun, and still push myself to progress every year.  If I can do this, then I am LIVING THE DREAM.