Ryan Tiene: Natural Progression

In 2004 a 17 year old Ryan Tiene blipped on the snowboard world’s radar, taking down international riders of note and winning the Stylewars event. It seemed the fresh faced youngster had a long competitive career ahead of him… X Games awaits we all thought.

Each winter as the tricks in Tiene’s bag accumulated, the interest in competitive snowboarding diminished and his interest in the back country grew. After growing up locally, his progression to the natural features and steep, stacked, powdery slopes of Thredbo was inevitable. Taken under the wing of Ryan Gardiner while filming for Digital Snowboard Magazine, Tiene the grommet learnt valuable life lessons in the form of shoveling snow, building jumps and filming. Hard work, commitment and an ability to connect with people would serve him well in the years to come.

After joining the DC amateur team and filming a small part in the DC Mountain Lab 1.5 in 2007, Tiene stepped it up getting the closing part in Sandbox’s 2008 release All Day Everyday. He continued filming with Sandbox in 2009 for Shine On. His filming career was well and truly underway with industry stalwarts Standard Films taking notice. Endearing himself to the crew with his hard work and humour, he put together banger parts for The Storming in 2010 and Totally Board 20 in 2011. In 2012 Tiene was elevated to the DC pro team and filmed with the crew for Must Be Nice. 2013 and 2014 saw him involved with the Get Outta Town webisode series. In 2015 and 2016 the Wildcats returned to movie making with Wildcats Never Die movie. Tiene was a perfect fit with the legendary crew and he filmed one of his best parts yet. Keep your eyes peeled for his part in Odd Folks’ Foreign Affair dropping in September 2017. Filmed in only 25 days Tiene rates it as possibly the best part he has ever filmed.

The hunger to film still burns within Tiene and no doubt we will see more movie parts in the future. However with loving wife Dani and 1 year old son Leo at home, travelling the world risking life and limb to get the shot has increased consequences. Making it home safe and continuing to put food on the table is the top priority. The snowboarding, work ethic and interpersonal skills developed over a decade plus of filming has led to Tiene’s next progression… mentor and coach.

After a season coaching in Colarado leading the Transition Snow Camp, Tiene has returned to Thredbo as the head coach of the Mountain Academy Snowboard Park Program. This season long program serves as a pathway to state and national teams for young Terrain Park shredders. It’s awesome seeing Tiene back in the Terrain Parks, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with the kids. Australia’s snowboarding future is in good hands. If you’re interested in finding out more check out the various Thredbo Seasonal Programs online.