Jack of All Blades

On almost any day of the season, Tom Gagliardi can be found turning heads on the slopes of Mt. Baker Ski Area. Equipped with a pair of ski blades, a helmet, jorts and a jacket if it's cold, Gagliardi draws hoots and hollers from the lifts. Sending 360s, flips and worm turns, it is nothing short of a fun time getting to watch Gagliardi click into a pair of blades and go.

From high praise in lift lines to good-spirited heckles from the chairs above, Gagliardi has been known to many as Mt. Baker’s “blades guy.” But Gagliardi isn’t sure he’s earned the title yet.

To learn more about who he is and what he thinks about mini skis, we sat down with Gagliardi following Mt. Baker Ski Area’s closing weekend for the 2023-2024 season.

This interview has been edited for clarity.

The Ski Journal: Let’s start with the nuts and bolts. How do your blades compare to your ski setup?

Tom Gagliardi: I ride a pair of 186-centimeter-long J-Skis—the Vacations. And my ski blades are 99 and 97 centimeters. I have two pairs. My skiboards, they’re a bit wider, true twin tip, and are made by Dynastar. And my other ones, which are true ski blades, are made by Alpino. Those ones have a bit more of a pronounced side cut. If we really want to get into it.

Could you tell us about your background on ski blades?

I’ve been blading seriously for two seasons on my own now. But I got a little bit of blade time around sixth or seventh grade in middle school. My friend’s dad bought him a pair of ski blades instead of a normal pair of skis. He was still growing and in that in-between phase. I got a few days on those, it was wild.

When did you get a pair?

My first pair of blades came from Labrador Mountain in Truxton, New York. They were originally part of the rental fleet. I worked at the rental shop and was asking throughout the season whose they were and if I could buy them. And one of the techs was like “No one’s going to miss them. They’re yours if you want them.” So, they’re mine now.

How do people perceive you on blades? Do you ever get blade haters?

Feeding off people's energy is the biggest part, and the love that I get on blades is unmatched. I feel like I hit a flow state that I’m not able to get on skis. When I’m on skis I feel like I get sucked into trying to perform. All of that goes out the window once you put on blades. People are just happy to see me out.

What is your favorite trick on blades?

My favorite blade trick is probably the screamin’ seaman. If you pop one of those off a mogul under the lift, people go nuts. It’s got that satisfaction to it that landing any proper trick on skis does but it's a joke.

Do you ever take your blades out on a powder day?

Proper powder days? No. That would be sacrilegious. There’s only so much that you can ski in terms of depth, on blades. Even when it’s after a big dump you still have that chunky, Cascade Concrete snow that will eat you alive.

Jibs for days. Gagliardi is no stranger to technical features in the park or getting funky on the blades.

I want people to know me for how I actually present myself. You can step out for a photo with your blades on, with your jorts on, your tongue out and whatever. But I live that.

Are there any bladers you look up to?

Ian Compton. Blades O’ Glory, filmed in the early 2010s at Corinthia in Mt. Snow. Something clicked watching that. That’s the energy I’m trying to channel.

Should every skier get a pair of blades?

I’d recommend blades to everyone that knows how to ski. I think that they make you a better skier. Knowing where your center of gravity is, is huge. And blades show you that straight away. I think everyone that’s looking to go from intermediate to advanced should spend a few days on blades.

What value do you think ski blading brings to the sport?

is definitely its own sport. It’s not skiing. It’s different. If there was an X-Games event, then I guess someone’s figured that out. For most people, it’s just a spring skiing novelty thing but I think people are really missing out, not doing it throughout the whole season.

We’ve heard people around the mountain refer to you as ‘the blades guy.’ Does it feel like you’re being pigeonholed?

I haven’t earned it yet. If that’s the case. If I’m to properly earn that title and feel I’ve deserved it… I need to hit the road gap, which is going to depend on conditions. I don’t think you can land it . It just has to be a huge powder day and I have to be the one to track it in so I can get that first bomb hole and just do it. Only then will I be the blades guy.

Tom Gagliardi in his element; The Sticks freestyle park at Mt. Baker Ski Area.