Noah Salasnek Famously Shredded Spines, Now Shreds Cancer

Quoted as “the ultimate,” “one of the coolest ever,” “
the one to look up to,” and “the shit, that’s for sure,” Noah Salasnek’s undoubtedly a legendary shredder. He pioneered spine riding, and was one of the first people to bring a skate-influenced style to the hill. But he didn’t stop there. Noah hit Alaska, riding some of the world’s steepest fluted faces like he would Bear Mountain or Squaw Valley. He did stuff nobody ever expected. He was, according to friends, “liquid metal.”

Noah's the whole package: rad on snow and rad in personality. He's said to have taught friends the likes of "tig ass bitties." Noah Salasnek photo. 

Noah’s unparalleled frontside airs off Super Spines, bunnying from one to the next, and unique fluidity inspired, and continues to inspire, riders worldwide. You’d think transitioning from skateboarding to snowboarding would take time, but not for Noah. He fused the two sports flawlessly. He’s just made to shred. It’s in his blood. Be he ripping big mountain terrain or the half pipe, goateed Noah and his distinctive knock-kneed stance never missed a beat. 
SIMS even made a Noah-dedicated graphic, and it was the most iconic board of the 90s. He wasn’t just a token freestyle rider; he took charge.

Salasnek owned the freestyle-to-big-mountain transition that still preoccupies progressive boarders. John Foster photo.  

But times have changed for Noah. Boarding is on hold. For now, he’s busy fighting liver cancer, and while it’s a mother of a battle, it’s nothing he can’t handle. His head’s fully in the game. He’s got too much to live for. And since we’ve all witnessed Noah pull off some matchless things on snow, why would this be any different? The dude's strong, and there’s just something special about him. 

Mike Hatchett of Standard Films has proof of Salasnek's something-specialness. Hatchett has filmed the crème de la crème, but while other shredders have come and gone in his life, he's hung onto Noah because, "Noah's got a great attitude, he's funny, and he's hands down one of the best, most fluid, raddest riders...even Jeremy Jones was influenced by him." Hatchett's 1992 film, 
TB2: A New Way of Thinking, beautifully captures Noah's total natural talent. He descended spines with balletic grace, not once tempted to jump ship. He and the mountain tangoed like never before.  

Salasnek surmounted the odds juggling pro snowboarding and pro skateboarding. Be it a cement jungle or powdery spine, Noah ripped. Noah Salasnek photo. 

Noah is undergoing alternative treatment at a center in Reno known for its successes. The 15% chemo, 85% homeopathy is doing its thing, and Noah’s contributing with positive thinking. He’s got his eye on the prize: boarding. Noah’s friends are also by his side. The Hatchett family and Mike McEntire of Mack Dawg Productions are huge players in Noah’s life, helping him remain spirited. They set up his 
GoFundMe account, gathering all he’ll need in recovery, needs that go beyond three weeks of medical treatment. Healing food — all the fruits and all the vegetables — is just one factor.  

"Noah's Arc" 1995 SIMS pro model. Juddaah photo.

Cancer’s fricken rough, and Noah needs all the healing vibes he can get. The community’s shown respect through kind notes and monetary donations, but we’re not done. The mind is a powerful tool; send Noah strength. He hasn’t finished revolutionizing snowboarding. His flawless fluidity was just the beginning. Noah’s got a following yearning to see more. His one-of-a-kind skatey style is hypnotizing, but he’s also got killer humor. Unlike most of today’s shredders, Noah isn’t driven by competitions. For him, snowboarding isn’t about winning awards; riding 
is the ultimate reward.