Young Boy’s Plastic Lid Adventure Lands Him on Snowboarding Magazine Cover
December 29, 2025
In an unexpected turn of events, an 11-year-old boy with no prior snowboarding experience found himself gracing the cover of a top snowboarding magazine. The boy, Mickey Watkins, made headlines after sliding down a hill on a makeshift sled—a plastic bin lid.
The story began last February when Mickey was playing outside his house and noticed a group of snowboarders and photographers capturing action shots nearby. Intrigued, he approached and watched them perform tricks along a snowy hill and railing.
Inspired by their moves, Mickey picked up a nearby plastic bin lid and took it for a ride down the hill. Photographer Mike Yoshida, present for the photoshoot, encouraged Mickey to stand on the lid and snapped a photo amid his work with professional snowboarders.
The resulting photo was remarkable. Unlike typical snowboarding images, which often feature athletes in full gear, Mickey’s face was unguarded and expressive, capturing the essence of sheer joy. Mike Yoshida later posted the image on Instagram, where it caught the eye of Colin Wiseman, the content and brand director of The Snowboarders Journal.
Known for celebrating elite snowboarding and dramatic landscapes, the magazine decided to highlight something different. Wiseman believed the image epitomized the true spirit of snowboarding—joy over competition or perfection. Consequently, Mickey’s impromptu ride on a plastic lid became the cover of the magazine.
The cover’s online release was met with enthusiasm, with readers applauding it as one of the publication’s most meaningful editions.
The unexpected attention brought opportunities for Mickey. Organizations and brands reached out, offering support for his newfound interest in snowboarding. As a result, Mickey received a season pass to a ski area, snowboarding lessons, and a complete set of snowboarding equipment, which included a board, helmet, jacket, gloves, goggles, bindings, and pants.
Watch the video below:
