This story originally ran in the October 2008 issue of Freeskier (V11.1). Interview by Shay Williams.

Skier: Matt Margetts
Age: 20
Hometown: Penticton, BC
Canada Sponsors: Orage, K2, Voleurz, EC Headwear, Smith
Results: 5th, 2008 Orage European Open Pipe, Laax, Switzerland 7th, 2008 WSI halfpipe, Whistler, BC
Filming: Theory-3 Media
Voleurz
Rage Films

Photo: Erik Seo/PBP

Matt Margetts is ridiculous. And not in an overbearing, borderline crazy, avoid-that-guy-at-all-costs kind of way. His talent, his drive, his competitive spirit, his hairstyles: all ridiculously unique. Double flips, pipe skills and a rare style are all helping him carve a name for himself — no easy task from the talent-rich ski pool known as British Columbia. His vigor towards skiing translates off the hill as well with antics that take him from ridiculous to down right hysterical. Here, Matt talks about sponsor-me videos, looking like Zack Morris and being ridiculously good looking.

Is it hard being a Canadian in an American world?

It is in this industry. It’s tough because a lot of the sponsors and important people and money are in the States. That’s hard, but all-in-all, the only thing the States have on us is cheap food and booze.

That’s a lot though.

It is. You can buy a brick of cheese for like, four bucks and it’ll last you a month and a half because of the great preservatives in it.

A brick?

Yeah, like the size of one of those old cell phones.

Like Zack Morris from Saved By The Bell had? Don’t you look like him?

Well, I have my days. Actually, I spent about 46 days this year looking like him. It made me feel like one of those pimps. Women come up to me thinking I’m Zach, but I tell them, ‘No, no. Sorry, I’m not him. I’m the guy they got the look from, though, for the show.’ [laughs]

So you’re a teen icon?

Absolutely. I am what people strive to be — in high school. As soon as I got out though, it kind of went downhill from there.

Does that mean you put a nice portrait in your sponsor me video to Orage?

No. There were no lifestyle shots in that. Just some good ol’ thrashin’ and hot doggin’.

Apparently the team manager, Cody Lynge, liked it.

Yeah, I guess he did. He said I’m the only guy to get sponsored straight from a video.

How does TJ Schiller feel about you stealing his sponsors?

He’s pretty choked that his protégé is moving up in his place. But that’s what happens when you get old… people start filing in. [laughs]. I think he’s pumped on me. I hope so. He’s been trying to organize trips with me and such because we’re good friends. That’s what buddies do, right?

Are you his protégé with women too?

Not really. I’m a really nice guy but girls like really hard dudes… I’m just not one of those guys, you know?

Are you sure it’s not because of your bowl cut or earrings?

Totally. Right now, I have a beautifully trimmed head, with three racing stripes in it. It looks really good, I’m not going to lie. Oh, can you make me sound more literate, too?

You want me to make you sound more literate?

I mean, I graduated grade 12, but like I said, it went downhill from there.

Beautiful people don’t have to be smart.

Well no, but I work construction, so I just swing a hammer and that makes up for me not being as smart… doesn’t it?

What’s your plan for next year, more construction?

I’m gonna work some construction to make a couple dollars to put in my back pocket. I think I’m going to go to New Zealand in August. I was supposed to go last year, but that fell through. You know the story; the little incident. [ed. note: he got beat up hitting on girls.] After NZ, do some early season sledding in BC, then onto the competition season. I’ll really be buckling down and skiing a lot of halfpipe I enjoyed skiing it this year. And after a bunch of training, I think I’ll be able to get my A-game out there and be more consistent.

Sounds busy.

Oh, and jam super hard to Turbonegro at the Euro Open.

Is that all?

Yeah. Oh, can I give a shout out to Mommabear, Pops and my biggest fan… you know who you are.

Oh, Josh Bibby told me you have a super hot mom.

It’s fortunate in that I get my good looks from that side of the gene pool. But it is unfortunate because my friends always try and hook up with her.

Photo: Dave Amirault