"First, skating used to be done outdoors on natural ice. Today's skaters no longer have to worry about sun, rain, or snow," he said.

The second thing missing is the compulsory figures, an event where all skaters had to run through the same routine.

"[The compulsory figures] were eliminated, a victim of television's lack of interest and of taking too much time," Button said.

The fact that there are now Russian and Chinese skaters is different from the days of St. Moritz. "Also, everyone was truly an amateur," Button added.

"Finally, the competitive skating world now exists in fall and spring, not just winter," he said.

These days, Button lives at his home in North Salem, New York, in a place appropriately called Ice Pond Farm.

Yes, there is a pond there, but only when the conditions are just right.

"I only skate if there is 'black ice.' That's where the whole pond freezes completely through and then you can skate perfect figures. After I skate on it once, then it is no longer black ice because it has been marked up. I wait for it to completely melt and freeze again."

Button only does his sport on his terms. Such pickiness is perhaps the true mark of a legend.