Mary Rand: From Rails to the Backcountry

While she might have grown up riding two humble East Coast hills, Loon Mountain and Yawgoo Valley, Rand has quickly progressed into a big mountain snowboarder to keep your eye on.

Growing up, the rider trekked out to New Hampshire’s Loon Mountain from her home in Rhode Island every weekend. If she wasn’t able to make the commute, she rode her local hill instead. Both resorts are a long way from the deep powder, open terrain, and pillow lines that Rand now craves. But if anything, these early days of riding helped build a solid foundation for her to grow from.

Eventually, snowboarding blossomed into something bigger when she joined a recreational team to compete in rail jam competitions. Her talent in street-style riding caught the attention of a few sponsors, which prompted her to move up to Loon Mountain to fully commit to the sport. But the East Coast could only satiate Rand for so long. Hungry for bigger mountains, she decided to drop out from the University of Rhode Island to move to Seattle in 2012. Rand knew that she’d thrive in the area, having already spent her summers at Mount Hood riding and coaching.

Once in Seattle, she got a job at a restaurant in the city to support her growing career. The job worked well with her travel, allowing her to go back East to film street segments. For five years she balanced her work between serving and snowboarding, steadily dropping one stacked edit after the next. One of her Yawgoons edits caught the attention of TransWorld Snowboarding, who awarded her the coveted “Rookie of the Year Award” in 2015. Capitalizing on the momentum, she put down a stacked part in Rendered Useless and was awarded a TransWorld Reader’s Choice Award the following year. And to push herself even more, she left the concrete jungle of Seattle for Stevens Pass in the Cascades. With the mountains right at her doorstep, the opportunities felt endless—and 2017 brought her big break.

VANS invited Rand to join Hana Beaman and Leanne Pelosi to film in the backcountry for Listen to the Eyes, the brand’s first ever all-female snowboarding project. Not only was it well received by the community, but it signaled a larger transition for Rand, taking her away from rails and deep into the mountains. That year was one of her biggest in the backcountry, and while she’s still learning, Rand can’t wait to keep pushing her riding even further.

We reached out to Rand while she was up in Alaska with Beaman and the TGR film crew for their TGR Tough Fun road trip. She had some downtime before hopping on the ferry, and here’s what she had to say about transitioning her career, moving West, and executing the perfect road trip:

How would you describe that transition from riding to rails to more of a backcountry approach to snowboarding?

MR: After Listen to the Eyes, I learned so much. I kept having these opportunities to ride in the backcountry, and it helped to have the mountains right at my doorstep here in Washington. It was a natural transition, but it’s not to say it wasn’t challenging. Many times I felt out of my comfort zone. I had to learn to be okay with going out and knowing I might not get the shots I want or just tomahawk the whole time. In the end, that’s okay because the experience is worth it.

Is your focus now on backcountry/big mountain riding?

MR: I think so! It’s hard because people ask me when I’m going to ride rails again because that used to be my specialty. I’d say that riding in the backcountry feels more fulfilling to me. Simply knowing that there is so much to learn and how it could take a lifetime—that’s what is intriguing to me. There are endless possibilities.

Rand about to navigate a tight couloir in Alaska. Justin Mayers Photo.

How did you become connected with Hana?

MR: I’ve known who she was for a while, and used to follow her career. She’s definitely one of the top female riders I followed and looked up to. We went on our first trip together three years ago for a project with Von Zipper. That was the most alone time we’ve ever spent together and since then we’ll often ride Baker together or she'll come down and ride park with me. She’s always down for a good time and adventure.

What’s the most memorable road trip you’ve ever been on?

MR: Probably when I got my first truck four years ago. I didn’t have a car when I first moved to Washington and since I was living in Seattle I would just bike to work. When I eventually bought a truck I went on this solo road trip down to California and that was awesome. It’s fun to road trip solo because you have no ties and go where you want.

The girl's dreamy camping spot up in Juneau. Justin Mayers Photo.

Funniest moment from a road trip?

MR: Yeah, when Hana and I drove to Tahoe with our sleds, the wheel on the back of this shitty trailer flew off. The wheel well was dragging on the ground and we almost started a fire. Of course, we were also in the middle of nowhere. We had to get a U-Haul and leave the damaged trailer behind.

Favorite road trip snack?

MR: Well, I am known as the snack queen. So, you can usually count on me having a backpack full of snacks at all times. Chips are nice because they keep you awake—so I'd say Salt and Vinegar chips are my guilty pleasure.

What are some items you don’t leave home without? / Top 3 Road trip essentials

MR: I don’t travel anywhere without my foam roller. I like to decompress mentally and physically, so foam rolling is really meditative for me. I also usually bring my Mala beads and some special rocks or crystals to make me feel more grounded. It would be nice to journal, but it’s tough when you’re traveling and don’t have much alone time.

Equally, as passionate about surfing as she is snowboarding, Rand loved her time up in Yakutat, Alaska. Justin Mayers Photo.

Tell us what’s on your road trip playlist—any podcast recommendations?

MR: Oh it’s kind of across the board. I really love Beyonce and Rihanna, and if I’m with like-minded people it’s nice to jam the f*ck out to all their best hits. I’ve also started listening to books on tape on long drives. I always wish I had more time to read, but I’m just so busy, so this is a nice alternative. There’s this book called Lost Connections by Johann Hari, and I highly recommend it.

What do you think is special about traveling by truck?

MR: Driving is sweet because you still have to be aware while you’re traveling—you can’t just check out on the road. I often call my family on long drives because it’s really the best time to catch up.

How do off-season sports influence your skiing?

MR: Surfing, skating, and hiking, they all influence my snowboarding. Since surfing and skating are both board sports they cross over on a physical level, but they’re also my other two passions. In the end, they're all lifestyle sports with vibrant communities in each of them. If I snowboarded all year I don’t think I would love it as much.

The girls scored with perfect conditions in Yakutat. Justin Mayers Photo.

What features do you look for in an adventure mobile?

MR: Definitely four-wheel drive, not close to the ground, and good gas mileage is a plus! I’ve never had a brand new car and probably never will, so I'd look for something that’s practical and pragmatic—not showy. And of course room for friends and all the gear.

Any tips and tricks to share from your years on the road?

MR: I can’t drive at night, so I think it’s important to find a nice place to rest so you’re more recharged during the day. If it’s possible, also take breaks to stretch or do a little exercise so that you’re taking care of your body. Honestly, not being in a rush is also key. That way you can pull over and check out things if you want.

What are you looking forward to on this trip?

MR: It was cool to reconnect with my friends in Alaska and learn about where to fish, surf, and explore hot springs. Alaska is so spread out and it’s got the ocean, the mountains, and wildlife so it’s been awesome to experience that in a new way. I feel guilty sometimes going places for snowboard trips and not really experiencing the destination as we are now.