Park Profiles Week Fifteen
*Taylor and Tucker Zink*
I was able to meet up with both the Zink brothers at the same time to catch some laps! Originally from Massachusetts, they grew up riding at Bousquet Mountain. Their uncle ran the ski school program, but their mom put them in snowboard lessons instead, and the rest is history.
The boys would build a park in their backyard out of railroad ties and whatever else they could find. Taylor would spend his time building and shaping, and Tucker would be the guinea pig and test the features.
Tucker was inspired to pursue a career in the snowboarding industry especially when he first stepped into his local shop in Massachusetts, The Garden.
Taylor, Tucker, and Tucker's now wife, Kaitlin, ventured out to Tahoe for a couple winters before returning to the east coast and landing in Killington. Tucker became the manager of Darkside in Killington.
They now have very cute girls that they are teaching to snowboard.
Taylor's Profile
Age: born in the 1900s (1989)
Insta: @thezink
When did you start riding park?
since Y2K
Favorite board?
2024 Burton Elite 150 - modern tech, vintage shape, shreds everything except switch riding since there is no rise in the directional tail
Favorite trick?
backside 360 tail grab
Favorite feature?
backside hips - You can go faster and bigger every run once you feel out the takeoff and landing transitions.
Favorite snowboarder?
John Jackson and Tucker Zink
Is there someone you look up to who is not a snowboarder?
All of my friends raising kids that still make time to get after it with their hobbies. Bonus points for the ones that get their kids into the same hobbies so the family can get out and enjoy life together.
Do you listen to music when you ride?
Not while riding. Snowboarding to for me is just as much about the sights and sounds of the mountain as it is the physical act of sliding on snow.
I listen to XM stations Liquid Metal, Turbo, or Octane while driving to the mountain.
Favorite pocket snack?
cheddar cheese and slided pepperoni
Goals for the season?
Stay healthy heading in to the summer for mountain biking and try not to lose muscle memory for my small bag of snowboard tricks.
Tuckers's Profile
Age: 33
Insta: @akatuckerzink
When did you start riding park?
Not long after I started riding. Probably age 10 or so.
Favorite board?
Arbor Relapse for park, Korua Dart for groomers and pow.
Favorite trick?
back one on a jump
Favorite feature?
1st Stash jump or a backside hip
Favorite snowboarder?
Daniel Franck
Is there someone you look up to who is not a snowboarder?
Derek Jeter. He was my childhood idol. A hardworking, humble winner who did it with style for a long time.
Do you listen to music when you ride?
Depends on the day, but mostly yes. Right now I am listening to Spaghetti Junction - OutKast.
Favorite pocket snack?
bubble gum
Goals for the season?
Snowboard as much as possible, and make sure I keep all my tricks in the bag. Maybe learn a couple. Get my daughters on the mountain!
