This kid’s got an agenda, and there’s no denying it. Upon first glance of Jeff Rutkowski, you can tell he’s not from around here. Launching himself out of New Jersey and landing in Boulder, Colorado, Jeff brings a unique style to the sport of freeheel skiing that not too many people outside the core circle of freeheelers are used to seeing. Much like freeheel skiing itself, the terrain park discipline of our sport is on the rise, and skiers like Jeff are helping us plant seeds in the park, harvest progression, and take the produce to the market.

Age: 19
Hometown: Flemington, NJ
Resides: Boulder, CO
Student at the University of Colorado

Are you focusing on anything yet in school?
Ah, no.

When did you start skiing?
I started alpining when I was five and then I started freeheeling two-and-a-half seasons ago.

Where are you skiing at these days?
The Summit Country resorts of Colorado. I want to do a few trips this year out to Utah and the Reno Freeheel open.

We’re amped to see you out in Utah; did you get a house key to Madsen’s place yet?
No, not yet (laughs).

What’s your favorite type of terrain to ski?
I mainly ski park, but I love powder and cliffs.

Contest wise, what do you have lined up and what are your goals for the season?
I want to compete a lot. I’ll be at the US Open. I also want to do the Vermont Open, Aspen Freeride Series, and TGP comps. It’s a pretty full schedule and I plan on being really busy.

Any big tricks you’re working on?
I want to get the standard switch cork five-truck driver nailed down this year so I can be like everybody else.

Talk about your favorite aspect within freeheel skiing.
When you break it down, I really like the way it looks and how it feels – I like how it’s different from alpine skiing.

What are your thoughts on the freeheel movement and this new generation of freeheel skiers that are coming out of the woodwork?
I’m stoked on it for sure. It’s good to see that we’re starting to get more recognition. I feel like we’re off on a good first step and we’re about to explode. It’s really exciting to see where things are going to go. Five years ago I never thought I would see freeheelers in the US Open, and now, in 2007, I want to go to the X-qualifiers if this season goes well. Things are going to get huge! Hopefully this season a lot more people will start freeing their heels.

What are you looking to get out of this whole Monster Squad deal?
I want to keep getting my name out there and networking with people in the industry. A couple of the other Monster Squad members that I’ve met are all real good guys, and this is our chance to get out there together and blow things up.

What are your plans after school – where do you see yourself in five years?
It all really depends. I’ve got some ideas on the lifestyle side. I want to design clothes and get my own company started. But if this year blows up I could picture myself taking the spring semester off school and really focusing on skiing and traveling as much as I can. So I mean, in five years, I’ll still be relatively young and still able to do this stuff. Maybe I’ll be on your side of the microphone one day, who knows.

Do you have any thoughts for the freeheellife.com readers?
Put the time into your skiing – get out there and push yourself. I was the only freeheeler at my mountain in New Jersey and that was the story for a year-and-a-half. I got out there no matter what – dealing with the questions about what kind of skiing I was doing, because no one else was freeheeling. Just meet people and get a good group of guys to ride with and go for it.

Is there anybody out there that you want to thank?
I want to thank Josh Madsen, Voile, Karhu, and the Levitation Project – everybody supporting the Monster Squad. Also, I want to thank my parents – Hi Mom and Dad.

We just want to say thanks and we look forward to seeing you out in Salt Lake.
Yeah, for sure. All we need now is some snow.