Rising Up: Jess Perlmutter

INTERVIEW: MARY T. WALSH 
PHOTOS: ASHLEY ROSEMEYER 

The first day of the 2024 Uninvited Invitational, you could hear the buzz through the crowd each time an unassuming young rider in a black Darkside t-shirt and army green pants dropped in. Every trick was as proper as it was technical; her prowess was outsized, and she seemed to come out of nowhere. That day, snowboarding’s general consciousness became privy to what Killington, Vermont locals already knew: Jess Perlmutter is a force of nature. As a last-minute wildcard entry to The Uninvited, the East Coast rider immediately cemented herself among the most talented, and at the end of the week, she earned a rookie award and third place overall. Since then, Jess has been on a tear. She’s racked up podiums from Red Bull Heavy Metal to Rev Tours. This past April, when Jess returned to The Uninvited Invitational, she won the whole thing with her head-turning snowboarding, blending a quietly casual approach with total precision. Now 15 and continuing to hone her skills at Killington Mountain School while adding to her collection of trophies and oversized checks, Jess’s future is overpoweringly bright. 

AGE: 15 STANCE: REGULAR 
HOME MOUNTAIN: KILLINGTON, VERMONT 
SPONSORS: DARKSIDE SNOWBOARD SHOP, CAPITA, MONSTER ARMY, COAL HEADWEAR, UNION BINDINGS, MODEST EYEWEAR, DIMITO, THIRTYTWO 
INSTAGRAM: @JESS_SHRED

What was it like riding in The Uninvited Invitational the first time, being in the mix with so many of snowboarding’s most talented rail riders? 

It was insane to ride alongside so many people I look up to, and I was truly grateful for the chance to share the setup with everyone. This was by far the biggest event I had ever competed in, so my main goal was just to do my best and enjoy the experience. I didn’t expect anything going into the event, so taking third place felt completely surreal. Winning the rookie award validated that I belonged. Winning third place set the stage for opportunities this past season. 

What did it mean to you to win the contest in 2025? 

Winning meant the world to me! I was so excited about the tricks I landed that taking first place felt like an incredible bonus. It was truly an honor to share the podium with everyone. I never imagined in a million years that I would win. Honestly, just having the chance to compete in The Uninvited alongside all the other girls already felt like a victory to me. 

Let’s talk about Red Bull Heavy Metal in Boston. Gnarly zones, 40,000 spectators, being at home on the East Coast. What was that contest like for you? 

The contest was absolutely insane – the amount of people that showed up was incredible. I think I rode even better because the spectators were hyping me up, my friends were there, and the whole East Coast vibe was so energetic! I loved the setup, and landing a backflip in the streets was such a cool experience. Winning made it even more special because my family, KMS teachers, and friends were all there to support me. 

What was your favorite event you rode in last season? 

Definitely The Bomb Hole Cup! The weather was beautiful and the setup was perfect. I think that jump is still my favorite one I’ve ever hit – I still have dreams about it to this day. 

Your approach to rails is very technical. What drives your trick selection? Who inspires and influences your snowboarding? 

Definitely the people I grew up riding with in Vermont, especially my Killington Mountain School coaches, Ryan Sihler and Devon Gulick. They’ve coached me since I first started riding park and have really shaped my approach and style. I always wanted to try all the tricks I saw the riders from my local shop, Darkside, doing – I would just try to copy them. I also find a lot of inspiration by watching clips on Instagram. I definitely look up to Dusty Henricksen, Mia Brookes, and Lucas Magoon the most. I love their style and trick selection. They’ve influenced my riding a lot. 

You also compete in slopestyle. Are you hoping to continue to bigger stages in that arena?

Absolutely! Now that I’m on the US Snowboard Team for slopestyle and big air, I’ll have access to great training this season, and I’ll be working hard to do well in competitions. I’ll be competing in the Revolution Tour and NorAms this season, with the goal of qualifying for World Cups in the future. But I’m still just as hyped on rail jams and other events – I love riding rails and want to keep pushing that side of my snowboarding, too. 

Does your mindset shift depending on what kind of contest it is, like a rail jam versus slopestyle? 

My mindset shifts depending on the contest. I usually get more nervous at slopestyle comps because the jumps are bigger and the environment feels more intense. Rail jams, on the other hand, are more laid back. It’s just riding with your homies and having a good time, which helps keep things fun and relaxed. I really like having that balance throughout the season. 

When you think about snowboarding, in general, and what you want to do in the future, where do you dream of going from here? 

Looking ahead, I’m really excited about pushing myself further – competing at X Games and moving up the ranks in slopestyle are definitely big goals for me. But I also want to keep doing events like Heavy Metal, The Uninvited Invitational, and rail jams. I want to film more street, for sure. There’s something special about creating a video part and getting creative in the streets. Ideally, I want every season to be a mix of slopestyle contests, rail jams, and street filming. I love the variety and the different challenges each brings, and I’m excited to see where that path takes me!