Place of Birth? Pasadena, CA
How long on the Mountain? 7 years
If you were not brought here as a child, what brought you to the Mountain?
My girlfriend Becca imported me from Lake Tahoe, CA.
Profession? Sales and Marketing Coordinator for Kokopelli Packrafts. We make small ultralight inflatable kayaks that you can take hiking or travel easily with.
Other professions? Ski & Snowboarding instructor, rock climbing guide, backpacking guide, ropes course manager
Favorite movie/and or musical? Out Cold
Favorite TV show? Eastbound & Down
Favorite book? Smith Rock Rock Climbing Guide Book by Alan Watts
Favorite type of music? Anything from the early 2000s like Backstreet Boys, N*Sync, Britney Spears, etc.
Favorite Food? Pizza
Favorite hobbies? Whitewater rafting, snowboarding, rock climbing, hiking, river surfing, and playing with puppies.
If offered a dream vacation, where would you go, and why? Back to New Zealand to go heli-skiing again and also paddle some rivers down there, too.
Best lesson learned as a child? Blame your brother for something you did.
Defining moment in your life or your greatest accomplishment? Getting into rock climbing and all the places it has taken me.
A memorable dinner? Making burgers 5 days in on a rafting trip in Hells Canyon on the Snake River in Idaho.
A funny moment from your life that you can share? Snowboarding in my birthday suit on my birthday at Timberline a few years ago.
If you could invite anyone (past or present) to dinner, who would it be, and why? Shane McConkey (professional skier) because he was so wild but just made the most of life and made every moment funny and never took anything too serious.
Describe yourself in one word? Stoked.
When you’re not reading The Mountain Times, what book/author/magazine/other do you read? Rock climbing or river guide books.
If your life were made into a play or movie, what would the title be? “The Best Skier on the Mountain: The Tristan Burnham Story”
Pet peeve? People being mean or inconsiderate (especially in a small town)
Bad habit you’d like to break? I’m a packrat.
Famous person(s) you have met, and the circumstances? Dean Potter (professional rock climber and BASE jumper). I was at a rock climbing spot in Bishop and we climbed with him. My dog Odessa also got to play with his dog Whisper.
Favorite quote? If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space.
Favorite part of The Mountain Times? The Outdoors section.