Eero Ettala 20th Anniversary Snowboard Interview

Eero Ettala has been a part of Nitro Snowboards for over 20 years, and we are so honored and humbled that he has spent the majority if we dare say, entire career together with Nitro. Eero is one of the most influential snowboarders of all time, from filming some of the most groundbreaking video parts and tricks with MDP, Standard Films, and pioneering web series, standout parts in Nitro Films, producing snowboard films and creating his documentary with Pablo Films – ENDER. While doing all this, Eero has been a true advocate for the passion and joy of snowboarding through his progression and endless love towards supporting new riders and the snowboard community.

As a token of our appreciation to this great snowboarder and human, we have re-released his first-ever Nitro Pro Model board from 2001 – as a special 20th Anniversary Edition. We are honored to have Eero Ettala in the Nitro Family, and we are so happy for him and his wife for expanding their own family; we look forward to many more years together. In celebration of their new child, we created a few limited Nitro 20th Anniversary 86cm boards for him. Now they can all ride together on the board that started it all.

We sat down with Eero and asked him a few questions about the iconic “Burger Board.”

What was your inspiration for the original Pro Model Graphic - The Burger Board?

I was looking back to the graphic now it is pretty funny, actually. You get your first pro model, and you can design anything you want in the world for the board graphic, and then you end up choosing a burger. Makes zero sense. But at the time, I was 21 years old and loved the American fast food scene, especially burgers. So when the Nitro designer asked me what I liked in life and what would be a good inspiration for my first pro model graphic, I just ended up saying a burger, Haha.

What was your favorite trick you filmed on it, and what movie was it in?

It must have been the double backside rodeo 1080 up at Mt.Hood for MDP's Follow me around.

Did you ever think you would have a 20th-anniversary Release Snowboard come out?

No! It's crazy thinking that one of my boards is getting re-released when I'm still actively riding, especially repping the same company for all these years. It shows the loyalty that goes both ways!! I'm so honored for this gesture from Nitro.

How and why do you think you have been able to stay in the professional snowboard world for so long?

Purely just for the love of snowboarding and being able to work with such amazing companies. They have had my back for all these years. I've tried to stay relevant in the scene by being out there riding as much as possible and having fun on the board, and I think that people can relate and get inspired to go shred...if that 37-year-old fart is still shredding, so can we!

What is your favorite part about this snowboard? What does it mean to you?

The fact that Nitro has valued my career this much to honor it with surprise like this. It really warms my heart.

Also, do you think you will have a 40-year reissue?

Hahaha. It is totally up to you guys. That would be a sick milestone to reach. I would be 57 at the time!

Last question how and where are you starting the season?

I'm currently getting in the first jibs and turns of the season up north of Finland in Ruka! Feels so good to be back on board and especially seeing that burger graphic between my bindings.