12.3 English Method Snowboard Magazine

PHOTOGRAPHER: Daniel Blom RIDER: Torah Bright SPOT: Bariloche, Argentina TRICK: Rock ride

PHOTOGRAPHER: Remi Petit RIDER: JJ Roux SPOT: Queyras, France TRICK: Andrecht

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Thomaz Autran Garcia thomaz@method.tv SENIOR EDITOR: Alexis de Tarade alexis@method.tv SENIOR EDITOR: Chris McAlpine chriso@method.tv ART DIRECTOR: Carlos B. Aranda carlos@method.tv VIDEOGRAPHER/EDITOR: Ryan “Diggles” Scardigli diggles@method.tv WEB PROGRAMMER: Laurie Barker laurie@method.tv FRENCH EDITOR & TRANSLATOR: Gabriel Bessy GERMAN EDITOR & TRANSLATOR: Oliver Kraus ITALIAN EDITOR & TRANSLATOR: Davide Compagnoni SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS: Daniel Blom, Oli Gagnon, Carlos Blanchard CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Markus Alatalo, Darin Back, Ben Birk, Vernon Deck, Erik Bro Hostetler, Andoni “Antxon” Epelde, Ethan “E-Stone” Fortier, Dean “Blotto” Gray, Kipp Hinkley, James Holm, Florian Jäger, Gabe L’Heureux, Alex Mertz, Dan Milner, Scott Needham, Remi Petit, Denis Piccolo, Bob Plumb, JP Rodrigues, Samuli Ronkanen, Michiel Rotgans, Frode Sandbech, Andrea Schilirò, Stone, Olav Stubberud, Daniel Tengs, Kirill Umrikhin, Danielle van den Heerik.

Andy Wright, Danny Zapalac

I’m not going to lie, I’ve been struggling to write this editorial for a few weeks now. Not because I feel like I am suffering from any sort of writer’s block or anything. I suppose that after more than a decade writing them I just feel a bit tapped out when it comes to aspirational musings about snowboarding. Even though I wouldn’t say so myself, some of you might call that “jaded”.

But I beg to differ. While it is true that being exposed to anything, as entertaining, awesome or “cool” as it may be, will eventually make it commonplace hence “normal”, there is a difference between jaded and experienced. It’s not a subtle difference either.

A jaded person sees no redeeming value in anything, it’s almost borderline nihilism. They revel in schadenfreude and love to talk shit on other more passionate, more earnest, more committed people.

Someone who is jaded feels none of the emotional highs and lows that come with actually caring.

A lot of times people become jaded without realizing it. It all starts as a sort of disaffection, a sense of perceived “coolness” brought on by aloofness, by acting like you just don’t care. It’s all innocent enough at first, and before you know it there’s a little ball of blackness eating away at your soul.

Experienced people are none of this, although at first appearance it might be hard to differentiate between experience and that little ball of blackness. Experienced people have none of the despicable qualities I listed above. In fact, experienced people tend to be the most passionate and caring, despite perhaps not being as given to overt displays of emotion as youngsters. You learn to channel that emotion in a different way.

So I might be having a hard time writing this editorial, but it’s not because I am any less passionate about snowboarding, it’s just that I am kind of tired of cliched platitudes. I can sit here and start spouting off about “fun” and the “soul” of the “sport”, but none of that is going to change what snowboarding is to you. You could say I’m jaded but I’d disagree. I probably care more about snowboarding than I ever did. I just don’t think I should be preaching to anyone about it.

I’m not jaded, I’m just old.

TAG

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“Knowing Scott Stevens’ snowboarding pedigree, there was a real stoke in getting to shoot with one of snowboarding’s greatest tricksters and board benders. This guy is a living definition of NITS (Nothing In To Something): Scott is going to make it happen on anything, making him a great addition to this fine event. After lunch on day three, Mr. Stevens offered up a master session on the mini-QP topped with your standard straight box. Tail blocks were in order and so was an angle that would bring you up close and personal, to get a feel for the flex.”

- Blotto

Camera: Nikon D3s Lens: 15mm Aperture: F20 Shutter Speed: 250 Rider: Scott Stevens Trick: Tail Block to Fakie Spot: Northstar at Tahoe / Nixon Jib Fest Date: April 28, 2011 @ 14:11

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Frank April, E-Man Anderson, Alex Andrews, Juha Blid, David Carrier-Porcheron, Dave Downing, Andoni “Antxon” Epelde, Jesse Grandkoski, Chris Grenier, Zak Hale, Seth Huot, Jeremy Jones, Danny Larsen, Leslie McKenna, Scott Needham, Laurent-Nicolas Paquin, Louif Paradis, Matias Radaelli, Nic Sauve, Schoph, JP Walker, Devun Walsh CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS: Simon Riviere, Schoph

BOOM EXTREME PUBLISHING LTD

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Gareth Rees PUBLISHER: Ben Gallivan FINANCE DIRECTOR: Mark Fenwick SALES & ACCOUNTING: Ben Gallivan ben@method.tv DISTRIBUTION: Transglobal Freight Management Ltd www.tgfml.com PRINTER: Benhamgoodheadprint Limited www.bgprint.co.uk PAPER: Gould Publication Papers UK www.gouldpublicationpapers.co.uk METHOD MAGAZINE 218 Penarth Road Cardiff CF11 8NN United Kingdom Ph.: +44 (0)2920 671 513 Fax: We prefer emails info@method.tv Method and all other brands associated to it are produced by Boom Extreme Publishing Ltd. Copyright 2011 Boom Extreme Publishing Ltd. No liability is accepted for the accuracy of the information contained herein, nor are any guarantees given by the magazine. Copyright worldwide of original material is held by Boom Extreme Publishing Ltd and permission must be obtained for any use, transmission, storage or reproduction. Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily shared by the publisher. Boom Extreme Publishing Ltd assumes no responsibility for the loss or damage of unsolicited material. Thanks for choosing Method Mag. We sure hope you like it.

5 things that Frends are good for: 1. Good advice 2. Fun times 3. Boredom 4. Keeping it real 5. Headphones

5 things that will cause a session to abruptly stop: 1. Someone getting hurt 2. The jump falls apart 3. The landing slides 4. Lunch time 5. Lots of diarrhea 5 things you would throw at the Hulk before you ran off: 1. Poop 2. Clam shells 3. Rotten eggs 4. My iPhone because it’s already broken 5. My wallet cuz I’m broke

5 things you can still buy for a buck: Shaun White gum, what more could you need?

5 things you might easily forget on a trip: 1. iPhone charger 2. Socks 3. My avy gear 4. Helmet 5. Sticker pack

5 brands you wish would sponsor you even though they have nothing to do with snowboarding: 1. Remington firearms 2. Playboy 3. Spaghetti-O’s 4. Apple 5. Kittery Trading Post 5 things you like to crack: 1. iPhones 2. My chicken’s eggs 3. Bones 4. Whips 5. My butt

5 things that become a lot harder to do with a broken jaw: 1. Eat food 2. Talk 3. Smile 4. Keep on weight 5. Keeping your teeth clean 5 things that make you feel like times really are a’changing: 1. Obama 2. Gas prices 3. I found a gray hair in my mustache 4. Bob Dylan 5. Talking to my grandfather 5 things that parents should say less to their kids: 1. No 2. Don’t 3. Stop 4. Can’t 5. Won’t 5 things that are total bullshit: 1. Sneeze farts 2. Politics 3. Shake weight 4. al Qaeda 5. Ghosts 5 things you always end up cooking: 1. Deer steak 2. Spaghetti 3. Soup 4. Pizza 5. Coffee

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Scotty getting high, live free or die! Photo: Doctor Zapalac

The Gulli Gudmundsson aka Canis Gudmundnus can be found in some of most frigid extremes on the planet. The GG nests mainly in Akureyri, in Iceland but performs frequent migrations to Sweden. The GG tends to be active from early December to early April. During the winter months its brown plumage turns a shade of white to match its surroundings, and blend with its typically gray and black outerwear. It sheds its coat twice a year, switching from Atikin streetwear to a thicker, darker winter fur, but the most prominent distinguishing feature of this species is Hoppipolla hats all year round. The GG is one of the only native land mammals to Iceland. It came to the isolated North Atlantic island at the end of the last ice age, walking over the frozen sea.

With a global population of only 300,000 in its native habitat, the GG is hard to spot in the wild. But Icelandic population growth has generated more urban sprawl, hence more spots are available for the GG to perform its curious street maneuvers and massive frontcountry aerials. This regular-footed creature does much of its foraging and feeding in the streets of Akureyri, Helsinki, Oslo and Stockholm. It often herds with the Helgason species, in an almost symbiotic existence.

With its blue eyes it scans the frozen tundra for “down rails, mellow double downs

and creative, technically difficult spots”. The GG will claim territories with stickers and kill spots to the point where other males must move onto other hunting crowds. Its prominent frontal canines are clear signs of a carnivorous predator, plus it has a “really long tongue” but that is mainly for breeding purposes.

height from repeated impacts, which cause spinal compression. The GG has “strong vision and can hear well, what I want to hear”, which is usually “doom metal and heavy metal”. The GG prefers” honest and friendly individuals that look at the good sides of life”, but “doesn’t like people that are just noise all the time”.

The GG tends towards monogamy. Mating with “my lovely Helga” apparently “happens all the time and everywhere, it just depends on the mood” and moon cycle. Pairs are formed by odor detection and the GG tends to chase females up trees. When the GG is put under pressure, it will not breed as often and if food is scarce breeding may be delayed. Despite this apparent reluctance, the GG enjoys kids, “well, at least most of them”.

Due to population increase there have been numerous sightings of the Gulli Gudmunsson this season, actual footage of the GG in the wild can be seen in TB20, Sexual Snowboarding, and Loveolution 3 Sponsors: Bataleon Snowboards, Switchback bindings, Atikin Streetwear, Transform gloves, Love skateboards, 7 9 13 belts, Junkyard.com and Hoppipolla headwear.

The GG will generally eat “fast food while traveling, some candy and chips are always nice”, but during mating and resting season to stay “healthy I eat dry Iclendic fish”.

The GG tends to hydrate with Pepsi and Viking beer. The GG has a sharp-edged, blunttipped Bataleon snowboard that enables it to descend broad tree trunks, skinny handrails and even house walls. The GG’s strong lower limbs enable it to leap large gaps. The GG also has the ability to swim. Notably, it is thought the GG has been diminishing in

Gulli is crazier than a fish with titties! Monster gap to front lip. Photo: Olav Stubberud

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Depends on the rider, but I think one of the best ways to say it is “we almost got THE shot, but a bit higher would be better”, and then hike up a bit to get a better angle.

What else do you find yourself shooting besides snowboard?

Portraits of people I meet in the streets of the places I travel to.

What would you say to the people that claim “photos steal a part of your soul”?

Yes, it’s true, but it’s in order to immortalize it.

How do you like to entertain yourself while waiting for the riders to hike back up?

Singing, walking around looking for other angles or spots, smoking, talking trash with the filmer, checking out the view, just enjoying my office for that day!

What scares you the most about digital photography? How has digital made your job easier?

I came to professional shooting at the same time it was all turning to digital.

I thought it was going to be a fad. The year I finally got a digital camera I still had no computer, I was borrowing comps all the time, thank you JJ Roux! The worst for me was when I totally stopped shooting analog for one year. Digital is fast but there is nothing as good as analog. When you’re shooting digi lifestyle, everyone stops talking to see if he/she looks good on the LCD and that kills the moment!

Analog permits you to spend more time with people you’re traveling with instead of spending 2 hours every night sorting your shots out. Getting a good shot on a memory card, that’s nice, but getting a good shot printed onto celluloid, that rocks!

Ph: Self-Portrait

How does someone see past equipment and effects. What are signs of true photographic talent?

Something that I hear often that makes me skeptical is “this camera takes good pics”. Personally, I’ve never seen any camera that takes pictures on its own! I know a lot of good photographers who use random cameras, but still take good shots. I don’t remember which photographer it was who said “someone who understands only by watching is a good photographer”, but that is exactly how I’d like to answer this question.

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Do you ever feel that your rider motivational skills are important as your shooting skills?

I hate to push a rider to do something. I feel like I am giving orders and come on, snowboarding isn’t the army! I’d rather suggest lines (as a team, in a diplomatic way of course, hehe). If one part of the team isn’t motivated at all, it simply won’t work out. You’ll realize this when you look at your shots at the end of the day.

What is a good way to ask a rider to hit something again without letting them know you missed the shot?

Scenario: The house you live in catches fire. You can only grab one camera before the place falls to the ground, which one do you grab?

My cameras are all in one bag, don’t you think it would be faster to grab the bag with all the cameras inside? I would only leave my flashes and tripod to the flames.

Scenario: Someone borrows your camera at a spot and they get a great shot. It ends up going to print. Who gets the credit, the shooter or camera owner?

If the shot ends up going print, the shooter get the credit of course, but he has to pay a pint to the camera owner, that’s the rule!

PHOTOS: DAN MILNER WORDS: LESLIE MCKENNA

Airport to Snow: The closest airport to the main resorts of Cairngorm and The Lecht is Inverness.

Edinburgh is Scotland’s biggest airport.

When: The season can last anywhere from 6 months to 2 months, depending on the year.

Usually the mountains are open from just before Christmas to the end of April. The best time is definitely late February and March.

Local Heroes: We have a strong scene in Scotland and there are some great up-and-coming riders. Quiksilver rider Jamie Trinder and his bro Angus are the local rippers on Cairngorm and are sometimes joined by Angus Letih if he is not overseas shredding. Matt McCormick is another Scottish ripper from Glasgow, Ben Kilner also rips.

Good Eats: Scotland is not really known for healthy food but there is good food around. Must try is black pudding (blood sausage), it is really good. You can get a good steak in Scotland and salmon is fresh and local as well as venison. Try Highland Cow steak - it is brilliant.

Local brew: Whiskey, of course! The Whiskey Trail is pretty much on the road from Aviemore to Aberdeen so it is worth going whiskey tasting on a down day.

Jamie Trinder stepping up at Cairngorm

Don’t Forget: Clothing for all weather and a sense of humor.

Don’t Bring: Snowboard snobbery of any kind. People in Scotland ride because they love it and they often ride in terrible weather and dodgy conditions - and enjoy it.

Definitely Bring: Banter, crack and an upfor-it attitude.

Locals Suck At: Speaking English properly, cooking fancy food, taking themselves seriously, bypassing a good party.

Locals Rip At: Telling stories in funny slang, making fish and chips, taking the piss out of themselves and everyone else, and finding a good party.

Old Mountain Tale: A few years ago one of the local riders woke up sleeping up a tree. He had no idea how he got there.

Why Shred Scotland: Everyone who comes to Scotland loves it.

It is beautiful and great fun and even if the weather is bad you will have a great time.

Local Ed Greig spins 540 at The Lecht

the water is cold! If all else fails then there are castles and whiskey.

Shred Slang: “Craic” pronounced “crack” is not a reference to crack cocaine but to the atmosphere or chat going down. You will get asked “how’s the crack?” on a regular basis. (When I first lived in the USA when I was 17 this caused me problems). If you are “pissed” in Scotland you are drunk - not angry. If you’re angry then you are “ragin’” and if something is good it is “braw”, like in Norwegian.

100 euros Gets You: Mugged - only joking. A return flight from Europe to Edinburgh or Glasgow on easyjet, a few good nights out with money left over for a deep fried Mars bar - local speciality.

Down Days: Golf - there are thousands of golf courses in Scotland and it is not expensive to play here. Skateboard good indoor parks in Aberdeen, Dundee, and outdoor parks in Edinburgh and Glasgow and Dundee. If you want to be really adventurous the surf is brilliant - although

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Hampus and Aimee ride the tow at The Lecht

How did EMA begin? Tell us about your “original” production staff.

(Maria Ferrés) EMA began in the car, driving up and down from the mountains to the city, from Andorra to Barcelona, making bandanas and customizing clothes for myself, never thinking about it as a brand. The original production team was my grandma, my mom and I, we basically made everything at home. I can proudly say that we still produce almost everything at home in Barcelona, friends and family are EMA’s staff.

Who rides for EMA, whose smiles do you protect?

Ema protects many smiles around the world: Marc Swoboda, Dominik Wagner, Wojtek Pawlusiak, Clemens Schattschneider, Nejc Ferjan, Jocke Rasmussen, Kire Karlsson, Klas Beyer, Eric Johansson, Laura Hadar, Darrah Reid-McLean, Marie-France Roy, Isy Szumovski & BWA crew, Gaia Giacomazzi, Mary Luggen, Denis Leontyev, Max Wharin...

The fashion and function of neckwear has changed a lot over the years. We know your stuff looks rad, how is it functional?

It’s a simple product but with a lot of potential, I started creating bandanas and now we have more products, it’s just about evolution & function. Any neckwarmer is really useful to protect your face and neck from the cold, wind, sun and of course, also a perfect way to hide your ugly mug or protect your big smile, :) EMA neckwarmers are simple accessories that give you a touch of style, easy to put on and take off.

Who do you think has the best smile?

Any real smile is amazing but if I had to choose someone famous, a snowboarder and a family member I would say: Einstein, all the EMA riders (that’s why they’re on the team) and my sister Núria, in that order.

Name some reasons why smiling is so important? t 4NJMJOH JT UIF JOUFSOBUJPOBM MBOHVBHF PG happiness. t 4NJMJOH NBLFT ZPV BOE PUIFST GFFM TP HPPE it gives you energy and good vibes. t 4NJMJOH BOE MBVHIJOH NBLF ZPV VTF BMNPTU 400 muscles. t 4NJMJOH XIFO ZPV SF BOHSZ JT UIF CFTU XBZ to say “fuck you”. t 4NJMJOH BOE CFJOH IPOFTU DPVME NBLF UIJT world a better place. Make smiles, not war!

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t 4NJMJOH JT UIF CFTU XBZ UP FYQSFTT MPWF stoke and happiness. Protect your smile, :) Where is the weirdest place you found a material or pattern to make a bandana?

In a suitcase full of old clothes I found in the streets of Barcelona. I love creating limited edition neckwear with materials I find around the world.

Is there anything you thought about putting on a bandana and realized maybe it wasn’t such a good idea?

Last season I ran into the Spanish Army’s mountain troops on the hill and I tried to put some bandanas on their faces with peace stickers on them, but it was impossible. That same night some of them got involved in a bar fight.

What can we expect from the future? Anything beyond bandanas?

Yes, for sure, I can’t stop creating and designing! Did you see our 2011/12 collection? EMA is much more than just bandanas!

Is EMA better than makeup?

Both of them can hide an ugly face but EMA neckwear is unisex, easier to wear, takes a fraction of the time to put on and isn’t bad for your skin!

Does EMA protect against bad breath as well?

You can try using it as a shield but believe me, the only thing against bad breath is brushing your teeth. :) Where can we buy EMA gear? www.emaprotectyoursmile.com www.bluetomato.com and many shops across Europe!

PHOTOS: ANDONI “ANTXON” EPELDE

Are you happy with how it came out?

Yeah, real happy, I think it covers all the bases. You can see some of the stuff I’ve done over the years and what I do now, and also where I come from and grew up riding.

What are you up to these days? Plans for the future?

Snowboarding, and taking care of my family. I don’t know, I am still trying to figure out my plans for the future, but for sure it will involve snowboarding because that is what I know.

Message for the kids?

Keep riding, and don’t forget about the backcountry.

“We’ve looked up to Iker as an icon of Spanish snowboarding for years, way before he ever filmed a part with BQP. It was a time when we were growing up and making a name for ourselves, and he was at his peak, filming parts with some of the biggest production companies out there. As time passed, BQP came into its own and Iker had a family, which changed his priorities. He wanted to stay closer to home and started spending more time with the Spanish scene, which led to us developing not only a good working relationship but also real friendship. It’s now been two years that we’ve been filming with him, which led to us producing this documentary. It was an honor for us, if there is anyone in Spain who deserves a movie about his life it’s Iker Fernandez.”

- Matias Radaelli, Director & Producer of Saiko

Thanks to...

My family, friends, sponsors, and all the people that helped me along the way.

Look for the full documentary on Method TV!

So Iker, how does it feel to have a movie made about you?

Personally, it feels really nice to have something like this happen. It’s been many years since I’ve been involved in snowboarding, so the time was right to do this and lay it all out in one go. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my sponsors and BQP for making it happen.

How did you guys come up with the name?

Saiko, it’s my nickname. My brothers and especially my friends from San Sebastian all call me that. When the idea for the documentary came up, I thought it was the best name for it.

Iker is a fully psycho Spanish bull

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Galileo was wrong, you can fall off the side of the earth, Iker FS 7 sender in Astun

Snowpark Structure, it’s now one of the biggest resorts in Italy and after the 2006 Olympic Games the resort and the park grew a lot. Nowadays it’s almost like a little Bear Mountain, with tons of features, jib lines, kickers and a sick pipe.

PHOTOS: DENIS PICCOLO

Hey Marco, introduce your posse to the world.

(Marco “Johnny” Morandi) Before I introduce who and what we are I want to say thanks to you guys. We used to always thank people at the end of interviews but I want to change that now. It’s good to be here and I’m real glad to talk to you. Most of us come from Milan, but you can also find Garbagers in Turin and elsewhere in Italy. Snowboarding is the biggest aspect of our crew and now we’ve got homies in Holland, Spain and France too. We had to find a way to escape from this sick society.

Here in Italy the culture is really bad and boring, but I’m not here to talk about that stuff.

Most of us love snowboarding but that’s not all we do. We have homies that love skateboarding, others that love music, and they do those things very well. I guess we are just a bunch of friends with the same point of view on life, and we just call it the Garbage Gang.

You released a dope movie this year called “Believers”, will we see another movie next year?

“Believers” was our first movie. A crew movie. It was produced with no sponsorship, only our own money.

We decided to make a movie to represent ourselves in the best way possible. We decided to go to the US first of all, just to hang out and ride together. When we came back I asked all of our friends if they wanted to be a part of this project and they all seemed stoked and sent me their shots. I got bangers from Holland, Spain and France. I found it very hard to edit all the videos, but I was very glad with the outcome in the end. When we did the premiere last October there was over 700 people there to see the movie. It was just amazing! Another movie? For sure, this season we got some sponsors like Skullcandy, Spy+, Doors, Well and Rough Snowboards supporting us. The idea is to do a tour around Italy, filming as much as possible in the streets, finding new spots and new locations.

So you guys call yourselves the Garbage Gang but in fact you’re not that garbage, what’s up with that?

Hahahaha! To be honest, the name came from a trick called “hot garbage”, which was the hottest trick around 5 or 6 years ago. After an entire day trying to land that fucking trick we realized “garbage” was a great (and appropriate) name for our crew, but that’s not the only reason. Like I told you, we come from Milan and seriously, it’s total garbage there compared to the white mountains.

Marco “Johnny” Morandi, nothing rubbish about this nose press

Matteo Ferraris taking out the trash

You guys are one of the best crews that have come out of the boot recently, what’s up with the Italian scene?

Unfortunately we don’t have lots of talented young riders in Italy. I guess we’ve lost a generation. Me and the other Garbagers aren’t exactly spring chickens, but we started to share our values with some new up-andcoming kids. As a country and in general, Italy is “old”, and that’s how things are in the Italian snowboard scene too. Thankfully, things seem to be getting better, step by small step! Everything takes time in Italy…

Where in Italy does the Garbage Gang throw their junk?

Bardonecchia is our headquarters. Thanks to Doors

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Johnny nosing through the garbage

Wolle falling through a powdery void Photo: Oli Gagnon

This might look to be a pristine puffy pow surfer slash turn by Wolfgang Nyvelt in Japan, but looks are deceiving. It’s actually a curse.

This curse unravels itself in the not-sodistant future after Wolle experiences two completely snowless seasons in a row in the ZIllertal valley, so he heads out to Japan where snow is rumored to still fall. Unfortunately, he is greeted by warm temperatures and the rapid-fire sounds of rain drops striking the plane’s wings.

After shuttling up the mountain, Wolle is enveloped by desperation. He starts to drink heavily and, finishing off the last can of Asahi,

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mumbles to himself, “I hope everything turns to powder”. He slips into bed, filled with dread that his trip was in vain.

The fog is dense in the morning as Wolle laces up and heads out. Once at the top, he isn’t surprised to find brown patches all over. He straps in nonetheless, dropping his goggles over his eyes. As his eyes take a second to acclimate to the heavy yellow tint of the lens, Wolle suddenly sees something that was once so very familiar. He sees snow.

A whole lot of it. How is this possible?

It is not a mirage. He drops in and with every slash, it just seems to get deeper and the snow falls even faster. It becomes harder and

harder to make a distinction between the falling snow and the snow on the ground.

Rocks and even trees seem to disappear into the white abyss.

A massive smile creases Wolle’s face as he blasts one last bottomless turn but instead of cutting back, he seems to be falling.

He thinks he’s flown off a cliff but impact never comes. He just keeps falling endlessly through time, lost in a swirling vortex of blower pow.

He has finally gotten what he asked for: everything turned to powder. Everything.

Careful what you wish for on that last sip…

PHOTOS: REMI PETIT ILLUSTRATION: SIMON RIVIERE

Victor de le Rue must have plums the size of medicine balls. Most people wouldn’t even consider the idea of hitting something like this and the few lunatics who’d even entertain the thought would probably be blowing massive chunks out of their asses beforehand. We are not sure what went through Victor’s mind before launching his carcass into such a beastly rock ride, but from his steeze in this shot it looks as if it’s business as usual for the young Frenchman. Honestly, this shit is mind-bending, a clear mix of stupidity and gnarliness, or is it calculated craziness? Whatever it is, it just makes us scream, “Holy Mackerel!”

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Victor trying to check into an Argentinian hospital, front one to switch rock ride

With sold-out shows alongside the likes of Banksy, Shepard Fairy and Blek le Rat, international selling artist, founder of the the infamous Dalikfodda deathpunk movement and Lib Tech ambassador, just to name a few, Schoph, the Yorkshire-based, Guinness-drinking rocker gives Method a little insight to his newest series of works. “’Blues for the Midnight Sun’ is a series of paintings I’ve been working on since last March.

I wanted to start making art reflecting a certain time in my life, having my work mean something to me from over a period of a year or so.

I guess it’s similar to the idea of a tattoo or keeping a diary.

I want to evolve with my art, some painters say art comes from inside you... I’m not saying this is wrong but I think if you only work from within, you’ll end up repeating yourself.

Creating is like self-discovery, and I think every good artist paints what he/she is inspired by at a particular timeframe, hence the reason why this series is ongoing, as is life.

I would try to explain what the pieces mean and are, but to be fair I don’t know whether I can...

There’s no point in writing some bullshit deep explanation, cause I guess that’s not me. Do you look at a bunch of flowers and wonder what it means? Keep that in mind and just enjoy art for what it is.”

Schoph

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At the time, in 1993, this was quite ahead of the curve and really pushed the freestyle element whilst others preferred to bash gates, ride pipes or do speed runs.

If a rail is only long enough as half your board does that make this half of a 50/50?

“Shaun Gall was a mad street skater who one day showed up at Curly skatepark in Manly, Australia, frothing about this new thing called snowboarding. Most of the skaters knew nothing about snow or at least could not afford it. But each winter Shaun Gall and his rat-pack would assault the natural terrain on offer at 40 Thredbo.

This image ran on the cover of Transworld Snowboarding Magazine and was the first-ever rail shot to land on a cover and as a result put Shaun on the international Joyride team. Also right around this time I witnessed Danny Way pull what had to be the first switch McTwist on a quarterpipe in Squaw Valley, which was set up for about 2 days only, as parks didn’t exist back then. Bryan Iguchi was there shredding picnic tables and rails too.

Resort management hated snowboarding and everything associated with it, they refused any thought of a snowpark or even one jump. But like any skater, Shaun just rode the mountain as a skateboarder would. This rail was a gold strike and Shaun nailed it time and time again with 50-50’s and tail slides.

In short, the skateboard factor pushed freestyle snowboarding to be little more than snow under a skateboard. Obviously, with bindings the snowboard jumps were a lot bigger but again, Danny Way changed all that and luckily Travis Rice brought it back.”

- Scott Needham

Please introduce yourself to the zombie horde.

Hey, I’m Redmond Gerard, I am an eleven year old snowboarder from Colorado. I am number six of seven kids, so there is not much you can do to torture me that I haven’t already had done to me.

Can you give one good reason why you shouldn’t be eaten by zombies?

I’m not really worth your time, I’m little and there’s not much meat on me.

What do you do if you are attacked by zombies?

Curl into a little ball and cry like the little girl that I am.

What kind of people do you think should be eaten by zombies?

Fat people.

Tell us about a crazy crash that made you think you had returned from the dead.

I did a front 3 over a 75-foot jump, knuckled, did a Miller flip and somehow landed.

If you were bit by a zombie, would you ask your friends to shoot you or would you try to eat everyone?

Eat everyone for sure, I have always wondered what human flesh tastes like.

Cheer up Red, you rip and you’re sponsored! Noseslide transfer in Park City Photo: E-Stone

You have been infected and your brain has begun to rot. If you could only mumble words, what would be 5 words that describe you?

One brother says I should say”scrawny”, another says “hyper”, another says “baby”, and my sister says “brat”. But since you asked me, I would have to say snowboarder, skateboarder, high-flying, highenergy and grateful.

What would be the benefits of already being dead?

I could try any trick I wanted.

Do you prefer eating humans on the streets, the park or the powder fields?

The park.

Who keeps your unholy, undead body kitted and fitted?

Arnette, Burton, Woodward at Copper, Cobra Dogs, Skullcandy, Celtek, RED, Stance, NXTZ and Hobo Shredwear.

Photo: Gabe L'Heureux

What other zombies do you mob around with?

Who are some My brothers. of your favorite zombies?

Torstein Horgmo, Terje Håkonsen, Danny Kass and my brothers.

eux L'Heu r Gabe Photo :

Please introduce yourself to the zombie horde.

Yo wuddup, I’m Danyale Patterson and I’m gay as fuck.

Can you give one good reason why you shouldn’t be eaten by zombies?

No. What do you do if you are attacked by zombies? Do you know a good way to kill them?

Well, zombies are going to come during the Apocalypse or Judgment Day, so I would just start praying to my savior, Jesus, and I know he would protect me. That day is coming soon.

What kind of people do you think should be killed by zombies?

Molesters, racists, Christians, snowboarders.

Tell us about a crazy crash that made you think you had returned from the dead.

One time when I was about 6 I tried to

This roo

f ride is

make a zip line from my upper deck to my trampoline. I tied a rope from the deck to a tree on the other side of the trampoline, then I got a plastic hanger to slide down the rope with. I hooked the hanger onto the rope and full of excitement and confidence, I leapt off the deck. The hanger immediately broke and I fell 15 feet, straight onto my back. The ground was all rocks and it hurt so bad I couldn’t breathe.

If you were bit by a zombie, would you ask your friends to shoot you or would you try to eat everyone?

What!? Why would I wanna get shot? I wanna be a zombie and fuck shit up!! It’s like being an old person or Justin Bieber, you can do whatever you want and get away with it.

You have been infected and your brain has begun to rot. If you could only mumble words, what would be 5 words that describe you?

Crazy confused little blonde girl.

gay as fu

ck, and b

What would be the benefits of already being dead?

Um, what aren’t the benefits???? But seriously, I could be good at snowboarding if I wasn’t scared of dying! Hell, I could be so good at every sport if I wasn’t scared of dying. I would freaking jump out of planes on my BMX bike and do whatever I wanted.

Do you prefer eating humans on the streets, the park or the powder fields?

Humans are gonna taste like poop no matter where you eat them.

What other zombies do you mob around with?

All the hot zombies from the Peepshow crew, the most depressed little dudes from bHappy, and the Prince of Darkness, Brendan Gerard. Seriously though, if you see us, you better move because we will wreck your vacation weekend at Northstar.

Who are some of your favorite zombies?

I hate this question because I don’t know.

y that I

mean G

NARLY!

Photo: A

lex Mert

z

I don’t watch snowboard movies. I am influenced by my friends, and in my mind they’re the best snowboarders.

Who keeps your unholy, undead body kitted and fitted?

My parents, Gnu, 32, Peepshow, SABRE, and my friends.

Tell us about a crazy crash that made you think you had returned from the dead.

I broke my neck this year in April and I was out for 3 months, sitting on the couch with a neck brace. It made me reflect a lot! Mostly about life, you gotta enjoy it and live it to the fullest!

If you were bit by a zombie, would you ask your friends to shoot you or would you try to eat everyone?

Eat everyone, well at least my buddies, so they have to join me and we can have some fun.

You have been infected and your brain has begun to rot. If you could only mumble words, what would be 5 words that describe you?

Blowin’ money fast.

What would be the benefits of already being dead?

Pffff, I don’t know. We’ll see! You can’t DIE twice, so everything will be fine.

Please introduce yourself to the zombie horde.

I’m Cees Wille from Holland. Place called Monster, a lil’ farmer’s town next to a big city, The Hague. Born in 1992. Grew up on the Indoor dry slopes.

Do you prefer eating humans on the streets, the park or the powder fields?

I really wanna eat some of the people you see on the streets, like those old, sulky grandpas. Especially after you dug for a couple hours and finally set

&

Can you give one good reason why you shouldn’t be eaten by zombies?

I’m a good guy! I don’t have beef with anyone!

What do you do if you are attacked by zombies?

Pop them, haha.

What kind of people do you think should be eaten by zombies?

Skittle skiers and people who take the whole “image” thing too seriously!

everything up! Most of the time it doesn’t make sense to complain, we are only there for a few hours. And we’ll clean everything up! Most of the time we even clean all the steps! I WANT TO EAT THEM! *#&*#$@ What other zombies do you mob around with, terrorizing the hills?

I cruise mostly with the guys from Shaped, they are tight! I also travel a lot with my homies Gerben Verweij, Joey Von Candy and Tim Schiphorst.

And everyone who’s having a good time in the indoor domes.

Who are some of your favorite zombies?

Risto Ruokola, Johnnie Paxson, Harrison Gordon, Halldor & Louif Paradis.

Cees never ceases to impress Photo: Danielle van der Heerik

Photo: Danielle van der Heerik

Who keeps your unholy, undead body kitted and fitted?

Shaped Snowboarding online shop, Vans, Smokin’ Snowboards, Skullcandy, Grenade Gloves, Monster Energy.

Please introduce yourself to the zombie horde.

I’m Anne-Sophie Lechon, 20 years old, I’m French & I’ve been riding Belgian fridges for 4 years.

Can you give one good reason why you shouldn’t be eaten by zombies?

Because I’m too hot, baby! Haha! No, they wouldn’t be eat me, I’m simply uneatable!

What do you do if you are attacked by zombies?

I would kick them in the nuts with my snow boots!

What kind of people do you think should be eaten by zombies?

Haters & your mom!

Tell us about a crazy crash that made you think you had returned from the dead.

Two years ago in Kaunertal, it was the end of the season and we were hitting a big jump, something like 15 meters. I just O-VER-SHOT!!!

Damn! I was in the air and I could see the icy snow coming towards me, I crashed so hard it knocked all the wind out of me. I was fine, but my friends didn’t want to show me the video because they thought I would be too scared to jump again… I didn’t break any bones and still wonder how! I think I owe it all to my back protector, wrist protector and helmet!

If you were bit by a zombie, would you ask your friends to shoot you or would you try to eat everyone?

A female lobster is called a hen. Not really though… Switch tailslide

I would try to eat you all! Snowboarders are made out of tasty meat!

good too, for the freshness but Belgium is not really full of powder!

What other zombies do you You have been infected and your brain has begun to rot. If you could only mumble words, mob around with?

My friends from the fridge, my what would be 5 words that describe you? boyfriend and I are really scared of Shit on my tits! Only 4 words! them, you should see some of the crazy Belgian shapers in action! They What would be the benefits of already give me motivation everyday and being dead? they’re always down for some No pain, just ride all day, every day! But I sick sessions! wouldn’t like to be dead, there’s no rails, no jumps and no powder in heaven!

Do you prefer eating humans on the streets, the park or the powder fields?

In the park! Delicious BBQ humans for everyone!

Powder is

Who are some of your favorite zombies?

I don’t have any favorite zombies but I watch a lot of videos and get inspired by my homies, they taught me some of my best tricks and we always have fun together!

Photo: Michiel Rotgans

Who keeps your unholy, undead body kitted and fitted?

Lobster, I’d like to thank Halldor, EIki & Kristoffer by the way!

PHOTOS: OLI GAGN

ON

I have a tendency to get too low to the ground and drag my knuckles on take offs, putting me in a corked spin, which makes it really hard to land because I’m so far in the backseat.

So first off is to stand reasonably tall in the in-run. As you approach the lip you need to be prepared to spin reasonably hard, so wind your shoulders up in the opposite direction to create some torque for take off.

When you get to the lip, start spinning by turning your head hard over your back shoulder and letting those arms follow.

Everything else will follow as long as you’ve committed to the spin. It’s similar to a BS 3 or 5, which hopefully you’ve done before, if not you might want to start there.

Also, at the point of take off you want to be on your toes and then just wait for your tail to pop you, so in essence you want to actually take off from your tail but on your toe edge.

Once you’re spinning, keep your head turned over that shoulder and reach for the grab. Mute is easy because it makes your body keep rotating, I find. As you’re

spinning, keep calm and wait for your landing to come around, Holding on helps keep the rotation moving smoothly. I didn’t hold the grab the whole way here because I thought I was landing in the valley and spooked myself. (Ed: That’s what happens when you go as big as Devun!)

Once the landing is spotted, let go, open up and stomp that son of a bitch! I like to land square over my bindings in all conditions, stomp-it-or-nose-roll attitude.

Hope this helps, now go stomp some shit.

- Devun

Frank is not ju st another Que becois street slayer, he is a very hu mble guy from Rivi eresnowboarding du-Loup who loves . He’s a sick sk at too and as so on as the snow eboarder falls somewhere, Fr ank seems to get after it.

Warming up on the slopes of Colorado during the pr e-season, Fran k is just getting ready to assassinat e the streets of Quebec City and other snow metropolises -filled . Frank is a YE S man; you just always w ant to be arou nd the guy, he inspires an d motivates th e troops and keeps every si tuation fun an d true. to figure little while It took me a r regular, o fy was goo k an Fr if t u o th ways, st so rad bo his style is ju up, big time. Frank s it and he step street killer, but he’s ig b t is the nex er. This more to off ay w t o also g filming e b on, he’ll for the coming seas so al d an grass kind of with Video e ject. He’s th new YES. pro all opportunities that kes guy who ta them to the ay and lives w is h come not only k ally, Fran is ic as B t. es ll fu our team, a ition to the HE man. a great add , he is also T an m s Ye n -o full friend!

Thanks, my - DCP

Plenty of panache to go along with the burl, Frank checks into the Quality Suites with this quality back lip. Photo: Bob Plumb

Tell me something about you rself that no one knows.

I have a paranoia of being lock ed in bathrooms. Like when you ’re in a public bathroom and jammed. I usually panic for a the door is hot second.

Why is it about letters, sendin g and receiving them, that ma kes them so rad?

Well, in this digital age when everything is so instant and har d wired, it’s magical when you something that you can hold, receive that someone else held and too k time out of their day to wri It’s storytelling and sharing. te and send.

The other day I got a letter from my friend telling me she was The joy of hearing that news expecting. through her words on paper was monumental. It was so spe wouldn’t have been the same cial and it hearing it any other way.

If you had to explain what you do to an alien, how would you describe snowboarding?

I strap my feet into a piece of wood that’s been engineered to glide on snow, which is rain frozen, then I slide downhill that has and jump on and off things in my way.

If I looked inside your refriger ator, what would I find?

I haven’t been home for a while so I would say it’s a little bare, but right before I left I had som fresh eggs, some locally cured e local farm hard salami, some organic gre ens from the farmer’s market English hot mustard, some spa , sauerkraut, rkling water, some non-alcoho lic beers, lots of hot sauces, and tortillas. I will admit I am a tota some l food snob. America’s disrega rd for the health of its food ind disgusting and, as your dollar ustry is is your strongest vote, I don’t support it. Support your local farmers, kids!

What is the temperature wh en it’s twice as cold as zero deg rees?

Damn. I feel like this is a trick question, -32?

What’s your favorite Biggie Sm alls line?

“When we were growing up Christmas missed us, now we sippin’ champagne when we thirst-ayy,” something like tha t.

Laura hones in on this down rail with the Hadar Radar, front lip Photo: Andy Wright

Style. What is it and who’s got it?

Rich people! Ha! Just kidding. I like a lot of street punk style, and anyone who can wear the same outfit for more than four days without you noticing much.

Is FICE your vice?

Yes. I go in there and get all shopaholic. No, just kidding. I usually stop in when I need a new pair of jeans and a fresh shirt or a slutty dress.

Have you ever used a pseudonym? If not, which name would you use?

No. But I would love to, I’d probably use Hungry Eyes. Would that work?

Stones or Beatles?

Ooooh, hard one, probably the Stones.

Best thing about being a certified Defender of Awesome?

The badge.

Snowboarding needs more…

Weird shit to go down. More artist types getting fucking Tom Penny on this shit. Weird out, kids, fuck the Olympics.

Would you rather wear wet socks or wet underwear (and why)?

Wet underwear because the chances I am getting some or just got some are way higher.

Will you ever become a real Ma one day?

Hmm, I dunno, every month when I’m ovulating and I’m all horny, I think about getting all preg-o and starting a little renegade family. Buuttt, then I get back to reality and think, hmm, I should probably just try and date a guy for longer than six months.

Laura Elizabeth Hadar is….

A young woman on a warrior path, out to find the meaning of life by never giving up on her dreams, loving the few around her tribe and being kind and courteous to all on her path.

How does it feel to land on the cover of Method Mag? Damn!! I am very honored! This is my first solo cover ever, so I feel very lucky.

Are you a Mormon and is that why you live in SLC now?

Ha! No, I am not a Mormon. I live in SLC because all my Massachusetts friends migrated there some time ago and now we are pretty much all here, plus there is great skateboarding, mountains, food, parks and sick terrain!

Are you familiar with the practice of “soaking” in the Mormon religion? It’s when couples put “it” in but don’t thrust. Thoughts?

Haha. Yes, I am familiar with it in the sense that I know what it is, but yeah, I say go for it. Haha. They’re not bothering anyone, so whatever floats their boats.

Scotty karate kicks the shit outta this fastplant Photo: Bob Plumb

good size but not ultra special. The real “score” is in Valdez and Haines, but I’ve never been to those places. My point being, if I ever go to Valdez or Haines and ride rails, holy shit, somebody should slap me and spooning would be a privilege at that point, haha.

We hear you like running, are you, are you an “athlete”?

Yeah, running it’s kind of a phase thing. I feel like I only do it when I am extremely bored, like in the fall.

Tramp skating, tell us how much you love it.

There is no end to my love of tramp skating. I can’t even put it into words how much “zen” I experience doing it.

We think you have become the new face of “Awesome”. What would you like to be the face of?

Yeah, awesome is cool. Fuck, life is getting crazy right now, so I am just happy that awesome comes to mind. That’s a big compliment, guys.

You are one of the few dudes we’ve ever seen do a boneless one on a snowboard, how hard is it to ride with your front foot unstrapped?

It’s tough. It’s fun because most no complys and bonelesses are front foot planting whereas fastplants are back foot plants. I’ve seen other guys do it too. Burtner and Beresford do the fakie run in, and Wolle does some front foot stuff as well. I actually recently saw an old Wolle part where he did one on a wall ride, in one of the Absinthe films. Oh yea, I think Hampus also did one in Derelictica. I could be wrong, but Englesman did a BS boneless in the Nixon JibFest video years ago too.

Your video parts over the years have been consistently incredible, where do you draw your creativity from?

A lot of luck. Just trying and trying. My ability only goes so far, so just falling and thinking, that’s how I do it. Some other recent inspirations come from other movies, fellow snowboarders, skateboarders and Skrill Clinton!

Why did you have to stop wearing your board shorts under your shred pants at Hood?

Haha, how did you know that! Haha, I will quickly explain. I used to snowboard everyday at Mt. Hood in boardshorts under my snow pants. It was quick and easy and always hot up there. Day-in, day-out, no wash. I had them slung up out on my door one day. I looked up and there was a huge skid mark. Haha, well, I try to wash my undergarments more often now. Not that cool of a story.

What’s the maximum number of “footy stackin’” tabs open at once on your laptop?

Wow, you know all the dirt on me. Micah Hollinger taught me about tabs.

Ummm, let’s see, only a few, maybe like 3, 4 or possibly more. Any more than that and your computer starts running a little slow.

Are you a skateboarder that snowboards or a snowboarder that skates?

Oh, I like this question because I am 100% a snowboarder that skates. Snowboarding was my first love and I picked skateboarding up a year or two later.

Skateboarding is the best but snowboarding is better.

Haha, that is my POV. Just saying!

You do some of the tech-est shit out there, where did you learn your board control?

I really think just bouncing around on a snowboard for the past 16 years anybody would be able to have good board control, but yeah, I guess just not getting bored and avoiding repetition is my answer. I like feeling like my snowboard is a part of me, not in a hippie way but just that I am aware of how it works and bends.

How come you went all the way to Alaska and just rode rails, isn’t that like taking a chick home and just spooning her?

Wow, that’s an amazing way of describing it! Yes, I would have to partially agree, but from my small knowledge of Alaska, Anchorage and the surrounding mountains are a

Longest conversation you’ve ever had in your sleep?

I’ve never recorded it but I can go on forever. Just mumbling about this and that. Ha. Sleep walking is the other thing too. I’ve traveled quite far and seen many cool things in my sleep. I have no recollection of them but I know they were cool enough that I had to see them while I was sleeping.

Do you deliberately try to get gnar on rails or are you just having fun?

Rails, ahhhh, rails. They’re pretty cool. Definitely nothing to get all worked up about though. I like to hit rails for sure, but they are just fun and if I ever do get gnar it’s deliberate. I don’t 450 on without a camera, haha, that’s me being honest. I prefer to press and slide random shit. That may sound bad but I hate training and practicing tricks that are so hucked. Now, let me also say I love hucking! So take whatever you want from this. Ha! Do you have a trick list set up before hitting a rail or how much is improvised on the spot?

Yeah, I have lists but I also wing it. I have an organized side of my brain and also a junk bin where I keep subconscious ideas and shit that is really junk. Somewhere, mixed together, sometimes some cool stuff happens. “Sometimes” being the key word, it can be a pretty exhausting elimination process.

RUSSIA FACT SHEET 20 - number of years since the Cold War ended 21 - number of years since this writer has been snowboarding 6 - percentage of readers who actually reme mber the Cold War .5 - number of gallons of vodka consume d in order to nullify years of political tension 17 - number of additional gallons of vodk a consumed for the hell of it .1 – average blood alcohol level while in Moscow NORTH CAUCASUS FACT SHEET 29 - number of days before we arrived that a terrorist attack took place on Mt. Elbrus 58 - number of kilometers from our hote l to the site of the terrorist attack 3 - number of Russian skiers killed in the terrorist attack 1 - number of ski lifts that were blown to smithereens during terrorist attack 6/1 - number of injured/dead police and Russian Special Forces, from gun battle with terrorists 0 - number of terrorists apprehended

A squadron of freedom ravens descending

on our lunch.

At St. Basil's Cathedral in Red Square, Brandon Cocard got shot with two poisoned darts, right in his neck. Seconds later, the poison (vodka) would take effect and he would become quite happy and warm.

When I started snowboarding in g 1990, the Cold War was still in full effect, havin The 1946. since ered simm and alternately raged rs in this USA and Russia were the two biggest playe ers”. rpow “supe een 50-year military flex-off betw in the up ing grow kids of s ration gene So, for two full our were ans Russi States, there was no doubt that the ayed portr ” Dawn “Red like es mortal enemies. Movi land the Soviet Communist Army invading the main s.

Force al Speci n of the US, aided by ruthless Cuba rican Ame ling bumb two s “Spies Like Us” follow spies on a foray into the Soviet Union to save ar the world from (or accidentally incite) a nucle midome awes both are These US. attack on the ely.

80’s movies, which you should watch immediat this at seem plots these lous Regardless of how ridicu spy t Sovie and ions invas an Russi time, in moment a kid, I missions were the stuff of my childhood. As on a a Russi to go I’d day some that never dreamed snowboard trip.

Nick Dirks, adding to the collection.

His angry little matryoshka has a sickle and hamm er, the old sign of the Communist USSR.

The Olympics are coming to Russia.

Among others, Big Brother will be watc

hing.

They say the boots make the man. The rifle and bayonet also help.

The new home page for the "Surf Russia" website: Grampa-koski getting pitted in Dombai.

Brandon Cocard, moments before impa

ct.

Brandon Cocard launches off a natural lip into the air. Where he will land is deep powder snow. It is nice.

And despite the fact tha t we no longer consider Russians to be the bad guys, Russia is indeed a wild and untamed land, full of danger, vodka, ne w millionaires, old grumpy people, young hot babes dressed in fur, vodka, animals, saunas, rugged mountains, the shadow s of generations of brutal rule, new-fou nd freedom, more vodka, delicious foo d, and most importantly… new frie nds and plenty of snowy things to slide.

We hit up Moscow for tat toos and street spots, before heading ou t to the high and lawless North Caucas us to search for the powder. The photo s here tell the story, and if you want the full skinny, check out the movie we made about this trip, entitled Thank You, Baby! Also known as Spicy Balls, Kro shka!!

Nick Dirks scoping a dope street spot in Dombai, North Caucasus Mountains.

This is what snowboard trips smell like.

Some people ask me, what do Russian spies look like?

They're actually not hard to spot.

But in the spring of 2011, when the opportunity arose to travel ¾ of the way around the world to visit the newly capitalist, notoriously rugged, and completely untamed Russia… Airblaster riders Nick Dirks, Brandon Cocard, and Airblaster co-founder Jesse Grandkoski (myself ) volunteered without hesitation. Our friends at Traektoria acted as our cultural / linguistic / shred guides, leading us on a (barely) safe journey through the gauntlet of the unpredictable new Russia.

Airpills, veeth mustaches!

Don't drink the water in Russia. It's

actually vodka.

What do you do when the power is out in your remote village in the North Caucasus, and you're stuck with no lights and no lift service?

Rent ATV's, rally hard up an insane muddy mountain road until you completely bury your machine in snow. Then build an obstacle course.

Brandon Cocard focuses on the log, Austin Will gets the shot.

This shot was taken by the KGB, watching our every move. Nick Dirks, wall jam onto the kink ledge.

“The craziest thing abou food... Oh yeah, and whet Russia was the that 100-foot bridge at n I jumped off 1970’s climbing rope. O tached to a sketchy h, the other craziest thing was when we wer cornice broke on Jesse e hiking and that an over heels and I though d he went head to die. Then he kept hi t he was going king and I turned back. Also, the food was in Russia that I don’t likcrazy. I learned meat or whatever we we sheep or goat might as well have been ere eating. We eating something. Maybe we raccoon or were.”

- Brandon Cocard

Air Humps, Snatch Tail! Nick Dirks multi-tasks during an on-piste drome

dary drop in Dombai.

PHOTOS: SAMULI RONKANEN, ANDREA SCHILIRĂ’ TEXT: JUHA BLID

Stefano Benchimol flips on his blinker and merges into the wall ride with this tail snatcher!

Safety meeting!

Stefano Bergamaschi hurdles the whole spot in a single bound

Three years ago, in the month of November, Matteo Maggi and I (Juha Blid) bought a van. We figured it was the perfect way to film around the streets of Helsinki and make some space to keep our boards, power pack, drop in ramp and shovels, as we both lived in apartments that were under 25 square meters.

Ruggine was the name of our first van, we spent 1,500€ on it, perfectly aware that it probably wouldn’t last till the end of winter. In December of 2008 we started filming our trilogy, titling each movie for the nickname of the car that got us to

the nicest spots in southern Finland. “Ruggine” means rust in Italian, and since that first van was a 1982 Fiat Ducato, we figured an Italian name for an Italian car was a good fit.

After one month driving around in Ruggine, we faced our first problem: the clutch broke and we couldn’t shift gears.

Pretty much this was the only set back during the whole season, but it happened three times within the space of a couple of months, so we were extremely broke from paying for all the repairs and pissed off. But despite the clutch (and little technical problems), it was a reliable car and without Ruggine we would have missed lots of good filming sessions and consequently life-long memories. That first car will always have a special place for Coldfocus Productions and in “the car trilogy”. Ruggine’s final destination was a demolition shop, after the engine died on our last trip to Himos in April of 2009.

New winter, new van: Transitmies.

As the 09/10 season kicked off we faced the

Tomi Passi looks cold

Easy Rider

same problem as the previous year, we had to find a car. This time we decided to buy something smaller compared to Ruggine. We found this 80’s classic rear-wheel drive Ford Transit with a nice leopard print interior for the affordable price of 1,000€. This car turned out to be a nightmare to handle in winter conditions, because of the extra light rear end and shitty winter tires.

The title of that year’s movie was influenced by the lyrics of a song called “Transitmies” from Finnish musician Jouko Mäki-­Lohiluoman, so Matteo came up with an idea of doing a karaoke teaser. From the filming point of view, there were lots of ups and downs, since Ruggine (the movie) had kind of squeezed us of all our energy and enthusiasm. It felt as if some of the riders needed a year off from snowboarding. On the positive side, new riders Pyry Lepisto and Stefano Bergamaschi brought new ideas and inspiration to Coldfocus. Like Ruggine, Transitmies (the van) didn’t make it to the end of winter, we sold it for 100€ to some guy who needed the body parts and engine for his own car.

al to the metal while last Pyry Lepistö put the ped tch 5-0 transfer swi one t fron es, fad t ligh

Ashley is the name of our latest van and movie. The name came from the fact that we got a Mercedes Vito.

Allow me to explain: this year Matteo got a bit nasty, he started talking about filming bare asses and fights in the street even before we started working on the movie, so we ended up calling it “Ashley” in honor of the famous (for some) porn star Ashley Mercedes. Just like our van.

After a rough season it was time to focus all our efforts on snowboarding and invest a little more money on our new car than in previous years. Ashley did cost a bit more, the idea being to minimize the number of visits to the repair shop since it was a newer car.

But it turned out to be the opposite, Ashley ended up going to the shop more than any of the other vans. At least it was pretty comfortable to drive and the heating system worked...

Transitmies

Ruggine

Juha Blid

Winter came to Finland unpredictably early last year and we started filming by late November. Last winter in Finland also broke snowfall records, so the streets of Helsinki turned into a huge snowboard park, where the only limit was your creativity. Spots which were considered impossible to ride before were now possible. The season kicked off amazingly as everyone was determined to film a good part and we were all really enjoying riding every day. Even though I broke my wrist in February and was forced to cut my season short, the rest of the riders were fully committed to film throughout the season. Ashley concludes “the car trilogy� and also represents the final chapter of Coldfocus Productions. We hope you like it!

RIP Ruggine and Transitmies, long live Ashley! coldfocus.it/ashley Matteo Maggi with Ashley

Juha Blid brakes for nobody, full gas gap out front board

Antti-Juhani “Naku” Piirainen lubing the tube, switch board

Risky Risto Ruokola, hea

vy BS tailpress

to F.A. What made you want g? din oar wb start sno s in Quebec City We have snow for 4 month sledding on some me e tak and my parents would n on the slope beside hills around town and eve I, we would try to stand our house. My brother and each got a “Black Snow”. we ugh up on them. Soon eno So us want to try real boards.

That was better and it made e ‘em for a rod n, atio vac ak bre ing we rented boards on a spr do. ment, that’s all I wanted to couple days. From that mo riding?

F.A. What influences your gonna lie. ing to do with it for sure, not eth som has g Skateboardin possibly can I t , in my environment, tha But also, what’s around me by how d cte affe be l wil trick selection do something on. Often, my and slow ng Goi s. day se the go fast fast I can go. I really like to re. sn’t attract me much anymo doe r eve for k tric e som ing try the to the snowboard world on F.A. Do you stay connected ? ine onl eos lot of snowboard vid internet? Do you watch a up, at’s wh see go I’ll internet Yeah, I do, every time I’m on e tching. I’m a little selectiv wa rth wo ng thi any re’s if the and eos vid rt times I’ll sta about what I watch. A lot of . But I really enjoy bad it’s se cau y fwa hal stop ‘em kids, what they’re of tion era watching the new gen were younger, doing. I remember when we kinda get ’d looking at the old pros, we I don’t ch. mu ng doi mad at them for not really I but n atio situ t tha in think we’re . don’t want to be that guy

F.A. You don’t want to take it for granted and sit on it.

N.S. You still have the desire to get better...

Yeah, for me and most the people I’m surrounded by, it’s a need to move forward and evolve.

PHOTOS: OLI GAGNON

F.A. What’s Quebec for you?

For me, Quebec is home . Over the past couple years I got to travel to many different places and enjoyed many aspects of all of them, but in the end being home is very unique.

It’s where I grew up, it’s my natural environment. One thi ng I really like about Quebec is how the 4 seasons are very different from each other and each has its own act ivities that come with them. I lov e the fact that there’s snow right outsi de my door in the winter too. Some pe ople have to drive hours to go ride.

We just drive around town, find a spo t and ride, sometimes we even wa lk.

er, tailpress to Flirting with disast y firecracker in Calgar

N.S. Do you think coming from Quebec has something to do with the rider you have becom e? Do you think if you came from Halifax, you’d become the same snowb oarder?

I don’t think so. Defin itely not. Being in Quebec and being wi th all you guys especially. I think with our crew, we all loved snowboa rding so much and pushed each other all the time.

If I was in Halifax, I’d pro bably be by

myself and I don’t think I’d be here doing what I’m doing. Also, it’s pretty obvious that I’m all about “urban” snowboarding, from what you can see in my parts and all that. I can’t get over it, and I don’t get bored in the streets. I always find new things to do and that, for sure, comes from growing up in Quebec.

N.S. Do you have any long-term goals?

I often think about that. I’m aware that this career doesn’t last forever.

But mainly my goal is to keep doing the things I love. Because right now it’s a dream come true for me, and if eventually I had to start doing something I don’t like for a living, I’d be miserable, I think. Growing up, being a professional snowboarder was my ultimate dream, right now I’m doing it. Hopefully I’ll have another dream like that and try to make it happen?! Or at least just keep doing something I love. That and try to be a good person, a good human.

F.A. Keep enjoying life?

Yeah, being happy, I think, is the ultimate goal.

N.S. What are you interested in besides snowboarding?

I love to be outside, outdoor activities, being in the woods...

F.A. Where would you like to take your riding?

I’d be super interested in doing some backcountry lines, pillows and riding natural features. That’s something I really enjoy watching people ride and that would be something I’d like to get into. But realistically, I just want to keep doing what I’m doing and see where it takes me. Looking only a couple of

years back, I notice quite a big difference in my snowboarding, from my part in “These Days” to now, my approach changed, and it’s gonna keep changing. And it’s not something I plan, it happens naturally. So I’m just gonna keep trying to bring something new and constructive to the table.

N.S. Well, your unique style of riding inspires people too...

F.A. That’s what I was gonna say, do you think about influencing people, is it one of your goals? Do you think about that at all?

I think about it whenever a kid comes to me and compliments me, but otherwise, I don’t think about it directly like that. I just try to do new things and not repeat myself from video part to video part. Often I see people with the same video part every year, just on different obstacles, and I find it kinda boring. Most of the time I try to do something that I haven’t seen before. That’s my primary goal usually, and maybe kids being stoked on my riding is a result of that... I don’t know.

F.A. Did you like enjoy taking part in Real Snow?

Yeah for sure, it was a good challenge, definitely a kick in the butt because it all happens so early. You deal with not much snow and the time frame is quite short, a month pretty much. But yeah, I liked it!

Definitely an interesting challenge.

F.A. What trick in your Real Snow part was the hardest or gave you the roughest time?

And which one are you the most proud of?

Well, the hardest was without a doubt the switch backside 270 on the gap rail. I had tried switch backside 270 at another spot for a couple hours earlier that day and couldn’t do it. I had to give up and go to a family dinner. While I was at the dinner, I couldn’t stop thinking about the trick and how I had to land it. So I thought of the gap and thought it would be easier to do there. I called you (Frank) and Oli, brought Hayden,

Louif won $20 for thi s trick but he should have won the Real Snow contest… Blunt to fro nt lip

el

Healing up that he

my brother and my girlfriend to the spot, lit it up and did it after a bunch of falls. When I watched the shot, I thought I could do it better so I went again, switch backside 3’d into the stairs and bruised my heel bad! So in the end it was for sure the trick that sucked the most out of me.

F.A. Was that the last trick?

That was like December 30th so yeah, I was done after that. Hayden and I had to deliver the edited part for January 2nd... and it started raining on the 31st. And we still wanted to celebrate New Year’s.

F.A. And what was the most satisfying trick?

The shot I’m the most stoked on is the bluntslide transfer to lipslide on that bridge, because I had found that spot in the summertime and knew I wanted to hit it but didn’t have a trick for it. Then while in Colorado, I thought about the spot and thought about that trick and didn’t know if it was possible. When we got to the spot, I told you what I wanted to try and you said it was impossible so we even bet on it.

Something like 20 bucks.

N.S. Does it happen often that you think of a trick in advance, without being at the spot?

It happens sometimes, but most of the time you have to work with what you find. It happens for features in Quebec City usually, because I can go anytime.

But when we go, let’s say to Sweden, we’ll find a spot and do it the same day so you don’t have that extra time to think.

F.A. So is there anything you’d like to change about that Real Snow contest?

It’s definitely weird to battle such different styles of riding together. I’d say it’s like comparing apples and oranges. But at the same time I think it’s cool. I think only 8 riders is pretty low, many other people deserve a spot, but if you look at the skateboard one, they don’t have every street skater in there, they just have new people doing it every year. I’m sure a lot of snowboarders that deserve to do it will get to do it at some point.

Under the bridge dow ntown, flapping out a fronts ide invert

to this, You just can’t step nosepress to 50/50

F.A. How did the rest of your season go after that?

Like I mentioned earlier, filming the switch backside 270 I bruised my heel bad. So after that I took a little break, tried to do some rehab, ice it. I just hung out for a while, helped other people with some shoveling, etc. Until there were talks of a trip to Sweden. I had the best trip ever there the year before, so I didn’t want to miss that. I went thinking I would be mellow at the beginning and get to ride after that. Which is what I did, but my heel never really felt any good. Any little impact would hurt so bad. I think I got only two clips out of something like two weeks there. A little

Keeping his compos ure, back lip on the drop rail

frustrating.

I still enjoyed it from the cultural perspective. But it was frustrating to force myself not to hit such good spots. Then I came back home and went to Aspen for the actual X-Games. We had to do that live event rail jam thing. I almost didn’t do it because of the heel but decided to do it anyway. And in the end it was a pretty cool experience, plus we came back with some medals and prize money!

just as scary and Street gaps are ountry ones, ckc ba as l ica techn h front 3 itc sw an ch y stomp

F.A. Your first time at X-Games right?

Yes, it was weird. After that I went to Japan to ride some powder with Taka, Wolle, Chris Carr, Harrison, Oli, Java and Boris Benedek. It was such a sick experience because, well, just to ride with Taka and Wolle is awesome but also because Wolle and Boris were working on a documentary about board shapers. So we got to learn and meet some really cool people making boards in Japan. We met the dudes at Gentemstick and also Atsushi, who makes the Yuki-Itas. Those are just carved out of wood in all different shapes, some of them have little wooden studs, some of them have just surf wax. And people just rip through the trees on them. We got to try a bunch of them. It was EPIC. Also got to try Wolle’s Äsmo. Definitely one of the best trips I’ve been on. Didn’t get many shots but...

N.S. Good life experience?

Yes, trying new things and seeing things I didn’t know existed...

F.A. And it gave your heel a little break?

YES! I didn’t feel it once. It actually made it heal almost completely. After that I went back home and filmed a couple things with the snow that was left. Then I got invited to the Nixon Jibfest, so I took it easy until then.

Went there, it was pretty cool. Fun setup, good weather.

F.A. And that was the end of your season, right?

Yep. That was it.

Blasphemous powersl ide in Quebec

F.A. What did you do this summer?

Eve, my girlfriend who I’ve been dating for 7 years, we were both still living at our parent’s places and we needed to get out of there. We’ve been talking about buying a house for some time, so we visited a couple, found one we liked and bought it. We had to wait until the middle of July till the people that were living there moved out, so I went to Mt. Hood for a week to do a trick tip for Videograss. When I came back to Quebec, it was time to move in, so that was awesome. To have my own place with a lot of room, a yard, a garage. It was all new to me. So it took us some time to paint it and make it how we wanted. I played in the yard a bunch, it was pretty much abandoned so I had to do a bunch of yard work.

It’s cool though. I also spent time discovering the surroundings, cause it’s all forest with infinite trails and a couple of lakes and rivers. Then I went back to Hood for another week and had a blast again.

TEXT & PHOTOS: ANTXON EPELDE

N

o one could have imagined that only a few days after our return Japan would be struck by the disaster we now all know about. For some weird reason, I feel strangely guilty about the whole thing. I had mentioned on our flight to Tokyo that someday I’d like to live through, or rather suffer through, a small earthquake. I’ve never experienced one before and to be perfectly honest, something about it appealed to me. It was as if the daring side of my personality took over and I just kept toying with the thought in my head. What an asshole, right? You should have seen my face once I saw the first images of that fucking tsunami. “What was that you said? You wanted to experience an earthquake, huh?”, scolded my meek side.

I think since that day, the day of the earthquake and tsunami, my bold side has become a lot more sane and timid. At least disaster didn’t strike the same zones where we had been, because it would have been really hard for us to imagine what might be the fate of all the amazing people we met on our trip there. Nonetheless, I could tell that our whole crew was overcome with sadness as the horrific images of death and destruction flickered on the screen. At that moment we felt very close to the Japanese people. I’m not sure if it was due to the fact that we had just flown back home or how well we were treated there or just the fact that they are really good people, but the fact is it was really hard seeing what was happening there. Japan is a magical place and I hope to return soon.

DOMO ARIGATO GOSAIMAS, Japanese people!

After a grea t day of snow boarding in Niseka we ra n across this bridge just co mpletely cove red in snow on our way back to the hotel. The su was low in th n e sky and th e light was going fast, bu t the crew w as just as motivated as earlier that morning. It was the perf ect moment to snap som backlit phot e os. Iker Fern andez, stalefi sh.

Shiga-Kogen isn’t very well known amongst snowboar ders, but the amount of snow fall they get is incredible.

Any vehicle that can help clear out the tons of snow that fall in the streets of Niseko is a good vehicle.

It snows so much in Niseko that trucks have to haul it away to make the roads drivable.

We had no Shiga-Kogen. sign said idea what the to hit that but we decided face anyway.

On our last da y in Niseko w cided to hit th e dee was different coast and find a spot that from what w e’d been riding the whol ew the ocean, w eek. When we got to e re was just as go alized that the snow od right by th it was on top e shore as of finding a land the mountain, so after ing we starte d sessioning this jum p rig ty rippable w ht next to some pretaves. Fer Nata lucci, FS 3.

o o in Nisek The volcan t for many an rm do en has be hiking locals like down. years. The er and rip at cr e th 3 t up to ou ab s p take is The hike u ride down e th d an , hours p top. u ry ai h pretty

Niseko

Fran Masaguer going deeper.

In Niseko there isn’t much space between the trees. It’s hard to ride comfortably because the trees are so close to one another.

This one drew my attention because it stood so far apart from the other trees.

was Hitting this snow ‘shroom s. On one bittersweet for Marc Sala crush that hand, he was psyched to knew his thing, but on the other he ldn’t friends waiting up top wou sation. be able to feel the same sen Shiga-Kogen.

Jibbing in the biggest freeride zone in Japan. Pretty much everyone looked at us like we were from another planet. They kept asking us how we could spend our time hitting a bridge when there were mountains right next to us. There is a time and a place for everything, my friends. Fran with the FS 50-50 stalefish to fakie redirect.

It’s true that Niseko is pretty flat but there are zones where you can find really interesting pillow lines just loaded with pow. Marc Salas basically popped a chub when he spotted this line. Actually Marc was psyched even before we got on the plane.

Shiga-Kogen

The crew in Shiga-Kogen.

Fer Natalucci dragging a huge comet tail of snow in Shiga-Kogen. We rode lines like this for several days to the point where we were bored of so much powder. I mean, we weren’t actually bored, we never get bored of powder.

But after a few days of this you start looking at it differently.

When we got to Hakuba we were tripping on the size and steepness of the mountains there. Our guide laughed his ass off when we told him we had been in Niseko, “it’s so flat there,” he kept saying. But he in was right, he hadn’t left his home Whistler and moved to Hakuba for nothing. There’s a reason why they call them the Japanese Alps. Our snowboarding changed completely over the next couple of days. From s, riding pillows and snow mushroom runs that would last 4-5 seconds, to non-stop leg burners that would last for minutes and minutes down the steep faces of that resort. Fran Masa guer rips out a toeside burner.

It’s pretty unusual to hit rails and wallrides in Hakuba, freeriding is king over there. Marc Salas held his own in the backcountry, but when he saw this wall (which serves as an avalanche barrier) he couldn’t help himself. This is a steezy halfcab stale to wall.

The Nixon Jibfest is something that is just meant to be a good time. Really, it’s not about advancing the sport or taking it to the next level or anything. Our idea was to get a group of people together to feed off and inspire each other. It’s a 3-day event where we just ride whatever we want and at the end of the day it’s all about how much you smile and have a good time, as opposed to winning.

It was hard to know who to invite but JP, Jeremy and I just put a big list together. There are so many good jib-style riders now that the list ended up pretty big, but the main goal of the event was that everyone should have a good attitude and get along well. It wasn’t just about being a good handrail guy. It took about a month to whittle down the list to 12-15 names to invite.

Every rider we invited stepped up and rode super hard all day, every day. But overall the most impressive thing was the whole group and how everyone acted, everyone had a lot of respect and that was the thing that impressed me the most. Just seeing the passion and enthusiasm of the younger guys and the good style that each of them have was really inspiring. Before going to the event I wasn’t even going to ride, but watching everyone just got me amped to get out there and be a part of it.

s and they I talked with some of the kid first the of ries all had strong memo cted affe it how and est years of Jibf way might them. To say we paved the an impact had it but be little arrogant, super is t tha ing eth som is and that . ally rewarding for me person

Jeremy gives the Nixon logo a lil’ love rub

use We brought it back this year beca d. goo felt It e. tim was it felt we just ’t can I es When I look at those dud help but feel proud that what I’ve at done with my career has somewh rs ride best the influenced some of out there.

me speech

Chad DiNenna welco

JP switch nosepressing faster than the speed of shutter

It’s the best thing I’ve been invited to in my entire life. It was crazy to hike up and have Dave Downing, Jeremy and JP telling me “that was sick” and high five me. ing

LNP sets the table for a shred feast, front tail

Joe Sexton

Dave Downing

Winners!

Alex Andrews, reppin’ the new breed, front blunt

As soon as I saw the course, my min d went straight back to the old Jibfest. I was hyped that it was so similar, S-rail, circle rail, kink rail, and lots more. There were moments where I just needed to stop riding for a minute and take in the whole experience.

FIRE!

Louif E-Man

BBQ Joe

Mack Dawg

Jones

I watched and studied all the Nixon Jibfest videos growing up, I have looked up to a lot of those guys for a long time, everyone was fucking shit up.

It influenced a lot of the tricks that I do today, without a doubt.

Chris Greiner pulling on the e-brake, Miller flip

Ten years later, Seth is still holding it down

The Jibfest is a jibber’s dream come true. Private custom snowboard park, BBQ, DJ, beers and bros.

The Jibfest was and is going to be one of the most memorable snowboarding expe riences I will have. I’ve always kin da been the youngest around bu t being the youngest here was awesome, Chico and the rest of those guys are just BOSSES, so you always learn from them.

Zak Hale getting kinky in front of the old men, gap out front lip

E-man making time stall still, blunt fakie

must’ve been high I have no idea why they picked me, they those boys know how or something. The set up was perfect, probably the litwas re featu to do shit proper. My favorite sooo hyped to was I shit. le e-sty skat love I tle QP stall thing. o if it helped dunn I but shred with everybody that was there, to do my g tryin just ous, nerv a push my riding. I was kind ? know you G, it stock shit. Keep

Field trip!

Downing getting crooked on the box

Joe Sexton going around in circles, front lipper

Stevens

Andrews

Chico is still a BOSS, locked in on the S-rail

Simon Chamberlain, buttery as a butter chicken

Thien Jones & Blotto

Scotty Stevens is a ledge-end, nosepress

JP

I was surprised they picked me as the winner of this year’s Nixon Jibfest because I didn’t think I had ridden that well, a couple of 270’s here and there but nothing major, but I was super happy that these amazing snowboarders were down for what I had done. I’m still hyped.

You don’t win the JibFest doin’ pussy shit, Louif switch FS 270 front board

Jonas Carlson flight of the bumble bee, floaty front 3 Photo: Erik Bro Hostetler

Bjorn Lindgren torpedoes through the white sea Photo: Markus Alatalo

He might as well change his name to Flo Andrechtrainer Photo: Florian J채ger

MFM doing his best Tony Montana impression Photo: E-Stone

Kareem going full retard, frontside gap out to wall smash Photo: James Holm

Colton Morgan making it rain awesome, tail grab Photo: Ben Birk

A complete double rainbow, what does it all mean‌ Joakim Nyhaugen bluntslide Photo: Daniel Tengs

Fuck this up and you’re French toast, xxxxx stalefish wall ride Photo: JP Rodrigues

Bjorn Leines ain’t no hippie but he loves all-natty hits, front 3 Photo: Vernon Deck

Gus Engle’s board, highbacks sold separately Photo: Oli Gagnon

Nicolas Müller and Scott Sullivan, together is better! Photo: Oli Gagnon

Nick Dirks doing some urban splitboarding, Stockholm Photo: Oli Gagnon