For this installment we head back to Colorados Front Range to check out the accomplishments of Forrest Thorniley. Wether its snow or rock Forrest has a general love for the mountains which pushes him to be up there year round. What was at first snowshoeing quickly progressed to AT skiing then finally he found his way to a splitboard. In this interview we talk about his progression back into snowboarding and what drives him today and his plans for the future.
Name: Forrest Thorniley
Primary Location, Home Mountain, or Home Range: Colorado Rockies, Front Range
Age: 30
Primary Solid Board: Never Summer Premiere F1 168
Primary Split Board: Never Summer Titan TX 165. Purchasing a Venture Storm R 166
for 2011.
Preferred Binding System: Spark Ignition II, Karakoram for 2011
Boot: Burton Driver X
How Long Have You Been Snowboarding? 16 years
How Long Have You Been Splitboarding? 5 years
What Compelled You to Begin Splitboarding? I guess it all began with my love of mountains. I am a bit of a “peak collector” so to speak. It’s a goal oriented sport that has allowed me to see a lot of new terrain that I probably wouldn’t have otherwise. I spent several years hiking new mountains around Colorado as a teenager. This is also when I started snowboarding. After doing a lot of postholing downhill it just made sense to start hauling the board along. In the early days I had some pretty funny gear combinations to pull it off. I spent a lot of time on snowshoes. Eventually I started to hang with like minded skiers with AT setups. I saw the ease of which they glided along and up the mountain while I stomped behind. My interest was peeked and I started searching for more information. That’s when I came across Splitboard.com and the rest is pretty much history.
Most Memorable Glacier Travel: Unfortunately we don’t have Glaciers in Colorado so my experience is fairly limited. DC route on Rainier would have to be it. This is something I plan on changing in the near future.
Where has Split Boarding taken you? 
Farther then I would have ever imagined. I remember as a kid watching the TB series snowboard flicks and thinking I would never ride stuff close to that. I used to lust for the out of bounds terrain from the chairlifts. Riding off the summits of peaks was just a dream. Then I embraced the splitboard and it has really opened my eyes as to what is possible. I am still learning a lot about snow science and mountaineering. I love exploring new mountains and terrain across Colorado and the west. I hope to start branching out further into North American and over to the Alps as well.
Gnarliest or most Extensive Approach for a Single Line: Last year a couple friends and I got to shred a fun unknown line in the San Juans of SW Colorado. It involved an approach by train and a healthy bushwack for not a lot of riding. It was a great wilderness experience with friends though. I love the interesting approaches, like a canoe ride for the Skillet on Mt Moran. One thing that’s kind of nice about living in Colorado, is the access. Tons of high mountain passes and mining roads that deliver the goods without multi day approaches (unless wanted). This comes in handy if you happen to be a working stiff like me.
Ideal Backcountry Day: Riding off the summit of a jagged peak after a tough climb, down a couloir about 30’ wide full of stable pow for about 6,000’ with good friends. Followed by smiles and a frosty beverage back at camp.
Lifetime Goal or Objective, a Line You’ve Been Eyeing for a While, or What Would Be your Dream Trip? My lifetime goal is to spend as much time in the mountains as possible, exploring new terrain with good friends. I plan on moving sometime in the next couple years to help fulfill this. I think life is too short to stay in
one place forever. Variety is the spice of life. My dream trip would be a full expedition to a remote range and a classic descent. Something like the Polar Star Couloir on Baffin Island, or riding from the summit of Cho Oyu.
Favorite Backcountry Meal: When light is right Id have to say Mountain House chili mac. But mostly I eat whatever I can and dream about the first meal when back to civilization.
Favorite Piece of Gear (and Why): My camera. I am really stoked when I come home with good photos to remember the trip by. I have really enjoyed looking through old stuff from several years ago, pretty hard to do by memory. It would be fun to show my kids someday if we have them. Its also fun to show the bros on splitboard.com and share the stoke. As far as technical equipment, im really impressed at the progression of the split binding, hopefully boots will follow suit someday.
Favorite Place You’ve Travelled (and Why): My travels are pretty limited thus far, but I really enjoyed a my trip to Costa Rica. Such a beautiful country. Too bad they are lacking in the snow department. I also really enjoyed a climbing trip to Mexico where a couple friends and I climbed a bunch of the high volcanos there, reaching our PR of 18,490’.
Sponsors: My wife 😉
Local Causes You’re Passionate About: I really like what programs like the Access Fund has done for climbing. Public Access is a must for this sport. Also being environmentally aware. Trying to reduce your impact and spreading the word. I will often vote on a politician based soley on his stance on the environment.
Other Stuff You Do (music, volunteerism, art, school, etc.): Climbing peaks year round, Im working on summitting all the peaks above 13,000’ in Colorado. Currently at 240/637 using the 300’ rule. I also enjoy fly fishing and photography. Im thinking about going back to school as well.
Website/Blog: www.ForrestThorniley.com
For a taste of what Colorado has to offer Check out this TR
