Description
A vintage Winterstick Tom Burt Prototype Round Tail with unique graphics is an exceptionally rare and historically significant snowboard. This board represents a direct link to the collaboration between the pioneering Winterstick company and legendary big-mountain rider Tom Burt, likely from the late 1980s or early 1990s, given Burt’s prominent status in that era.
Tom Burt is widely considered a godfather of big mountain freeriding, and any prototype board bearing his name from this period would signify his direct involvement in its design and testing. The “Round Tail” designation indicates a departure from Winterstick’s iconic Swallowtail, suggesting a focus on different riding characteristics, likely geared towards the steep and varied terrain Burt was known for conquering. A Round Tail design in this context might have aimed for a balance of floatation and carving ability, perhaps with a more traditional feel than the Swallowtail.
The “Prototype” aspect makes this board particularly special. It means this was likely one of the initial iterations, possibly hand-built and tested by Burt himself, before a potential wider production run. Prototypes offer invaluable insight into the design process and the specific performance goals sought by both the rider and the manufacturer.
The inclusion of “Plus Graphic” suggests a unique and potentially one-of-a-kind artwork on the board. Graphics from this era often reflected the rider’s personality or the brand’s aesthetic, making this feature an integral part of the board’s historical appeal and collectability.
For collectors and snowboarding history enthusiasts, a Winterstick Tom Burt Prototype Round Tail with unique graphics is an incredibly desirable item. It embodies the intersection of a legendary rider’s vision and a pioneering snowboard company’s innovation during a crucial period in the development of big mountain riding. Its rarity as a prototype, combined with the association with Tom Burt and unique graphics, would make it a true treasure.