Red Pants Retired after 7 seasons

After 7 consecutive seasons, Chris Kelley's Red Burton Toaster snowboard pants have finally been retired to the mud closet. The veteran Red pants had accompanied Mr. Kelley in 4 different locations including their rookie season('98-'99) at Mount Snow, Vermont. That season, Mr. Kelley recorded 50+ days on the hill, though not all those days saw the use of the Red Pants, as many starts were handled by the company uniform Black Pants. From there, Red Pants saw many days in the Catskills, primarily at Belleayre ski area and some days of backyard boarding during the 1999-2000 season. This was followed by Vail in 2001, where Red Pants saw the most appearances in one season and really their prime season. From there, Red pants returned to the northeast to see out the rest of their playing seasons, primarily in the harsh conditions of Jay Peak, VT.

“(The Red Pants) were really starting to show there age this year at Jay,” Mr. Kelley said referring to their fourth returning season to the same resort. He added, “It was a tough decision on my part. They've been so reliable for such a long time. It's hard to see outerwear that has been part of the team, really, the unofficial captain, become such a burden on the other players. But Red Pants was just becoming too much of an issue day to day. I mean there was no insulation left in the ass! How can you expect to perform in that condition? You just can't.”

Red Pants will continue to travel with the team. Their replacement, a new pair of Burton 2L's acquired from the Boston Undergrounds for below market value, have already shown signs that they may not be able to handle as the new replacement. “We've already experienced some wear in the rookie. A little tear during a moderately difficult day in the weeds at Jay. We may consider a trade if the right offer comes our way,“ Mr Kelley said when asked about the yellow 2Ls. “I'm just not sure that they will be to hold up to the hall of fame performance of Toaster. Just not the same...Just not the same.”