The following article was originally printed in the November 2024 Issue of Slush. To get more articles and subscribe, click here.
Age: 14
Stance: Regular
Sponsors: Darkside, Capita, Union, ThirtyTwo, Anon.
Perlmutter first came onto our radar—like, I think, most of the world—at The Uninvited Invitational, where we all watched in awe as this 14-year-old rode with the power and confidence of someone twice her age. Her presence was undeniable, commanding attention as she held her own alongside some of the biggest names in snowboarding, proving she’s more than ready to carve out her place in the scene. We caught up with snowboarding’s newest jetsetter while she was in Europe, training for terrain far grander than Darkside’s backyard park, her hike park back home in Vermont. In this Up Next, we dive into her inspirations, how she balances skating and riding, and her plans for the future.—Stan Leveille
Favorite place you have gotten to snowboard yet?
As I am doing this interview, I am currently in Hintertux, Austria, and it is by far my favorite place to snowboard. The culture, people, and nature in Austria are so interesting, and it has been a great experience for me. The park is super fun and great for progression because it has all the different-sized features. I also visited Banger Park to hit the airbags, which was so sick to hit the big side and practice some bigger rotations. Also, the food has been delicious!
Biggest snowboard inspiration?
My biggest snowboarding inspiration is definitely Dusty Henricksen. In my opinion, he has the best style and is incredibly versatile. On jumps, he can be techy but also do an 1800 and has some crazy rail tricks in his bag. He is also a crazy good skater, which is why he is the GOAT, because very few people are doing that. Also, his part in Buster is really awesome.
Biggest inspiration from a non-snowboarder?
Kader Sylla is definitely an inspiration for me. He is a skater from California and rides for Supreme and Violet. Every time I want to get hyped to skate, I watch his Adidas part, which is my favorite skate video. His trick selection is insane, and every time I see his parts in the Supreme skate videos, it makes me want to hit the streets in NYC.
Favorite snowboard movie?
The Spotheads movies for sure! The Spotheads crew are a group of riders from Vermont that make the most out of all the crusty spots in Vermont. Their crazy energy, passion to have tons of fun, and friendly presence at our home mountain in Killington make their movies really relatable and enjoyable to watch. My favorite movie from them is Spotheads 2.
You have been crushing it in both snowboarding and skating, which is a rare balance to strike. Do you ever feel snowboarding takes time away from skating, or have you found a rhythm where the two sports fuel each other?
I feel that it is a mix of both, where I have limited skate time during the winter, but the two sports definitely fuel each other. It is difficult to skate in Vermont because they have limited skateparks, and Vermont winter is pretty long. I also take snowboarding a little more seriously because of competitions and training. For skating, I do some competitions, but I am more focused on learning new tricks and having fun. I have been balancing snowboarding and skateboarding for a few years, and I have found a rhythm and appreciate each sport separately.
You’ve been on an incredible streak lately, winning both USASA Nationals and Park Showdown at The Bomb Hole Cup. How do you stay focused and keep the momentum going between events?
I stay mentally focused by thinking about the tricks I am going to do and playing back a video in my mind of me landing them, so I feel more prepared. I also try to think about the events as an opportunity to have fun on my snowboard and meet new people, so I am not stressed about the competition aspect. Sometimes during the competition, I get frustrated because I can’t land my tricks, but I have an amazing support system between my coaches, friends, and family.
The Uninvited Invitational is such a key event for women’s snowboarding, and you crushed it with 3rd place and a rookie award. How did it feel to compete in that atmosphere, and what were some of the standout moments for you?
What an unforgettable experience! It was definitely the highest-level event I have ever competed in, and I was so excited to compete with all of my idols! Ever since I saw the 2023 video recap, I dreamed of competing in it. I actually was more excited to get the wildcard invitation to attend and ride than to win third, which was so unexpected. It was definitely intimidating seeing riders I look up to before the competition, but after the first day, it hyped me up to land my tricks.
The energy at The Uninvited was different from any event I’ve been to. All the ladies were hyping you up at the top and cheering every time someone landed a trick. Some moments I will never forget are meeting Jess Kimura and Henna Ikola, landing the front board pretzel on the wall ride with everyone cheering, Maggie Leon hyping me up at the final, and crowd-surfing at the afterparty.
Winning $8,000 at The Uninvited Invitational is huge! What’s the plan for that prize money?
Definitely paying travel expenses!
Being from Vermont, you’ve been riding on the East Coast. How has that shaped your style and approach to snowboarding, especially as you take on bigger competitions on the national stage?
Riding in Vermont has definitely shaped my riding into what it is today. Being from the East Coast, I grew up doing more rails because big jumps are limited. The community is so strong and supportive on the East Coast, especially in Killington with Darkside Snowboards and getting to hike the Dark Park at night, their backyard setup.
My approach to snowboarding has always been progression and learning new tricks. I am spending more time on airbags and jump training to take on the bigger competitions and events.
Do you imagine yourself staying in Vermont for a long time?
Vermont is very special to me, and I appreciate everything about it, especially the community. However, I’m a high school freshman, and I’m starting to think about where I want to go to college and where snowboarding takes me.
Check out more Up-Nexts right here. And don't forget to CLICK AND SUBSCRIBE TO SLUSH THE MAGAZINE TODAY! All archived issues can be read with both print and digital subscriptions via THE APP!