UP TOP COVER “On the last day of an eight-day trip to Alaska with Danny Davis, Brock Crouch and Ben Ferguson, there was a classic Valdez warmup, but we were able to capitalize on this protected pocket not too far from town. We chopped up this jump the day before, let it settle for the night, came back and had a beautiful session on it. This is Ben with a front 9—the one track before him is from Brock’s front 10. If I recall correctly, the riders ‘forced’ me and cinematogra-phers Gabe Langlois and Rafe Robinson into a media lap after, then we went back to town for a beer.” Photo: Aaron Blatt UP TOP 01 “Early season in Whistler, BC, we head out to the backcountry with low expec-tations—it’s mostly just a good excuse to explore and check on the snowpack while re-learning how to sled. The light in this classic Brandywine zone is epic at this time of the year with lots of shadows. These are the days that remind us to not take snowboarding so seriously. At the end of the day, it’s all about getting out there with your friends and riding pow.” Case in point featuring Chris Rasman, Beau Bishop, Mikey Rencz and Rusty Ockenden. Photo: Tyler Ravelle 02-03 “The winter had been a pain in the ass in Europe, with only a few powder days. So, when the forecast said 3 feet of fresh snow in Italy, we didn’t think twice. It was the last week of March, which means aim high, and it’s not gonna last long. Both photos were shot within the first hour of reaching the slopes—two days before the snow got cooked up to 12,000 feet.” Photos: Julien “Perly” Petry 04 Julian Gluck with a crowd-pleasing finger flip into a hell ride drainage ditch in Flagstaff, AZ. Spot find courtesy of Jeff Holce and the Dinosaurs Will Die crew. Photo: Tim Zimmerman 05 “Interior British Columbia might be the best, most consistent place to find good snow in February and March. Regardless of avalanche conditions or snowpack, there’s always going to be something great to ride and the crew at Stellar Heli in Kaslo will help you get there. This was Cannon Cummins’ second time in a heli, but you’d have thought he’d been there a million times. Natural.” Photo: Tim Zimmerman 06 “The original three amigos that this zone is named after would have to agree that after seeing Hana Beaman, Spencer O’Brien and Mary Rand ride here, maybe it’s time for a switch up. The Three Amigas put on a clinic after Haines received 4 feet of snow, which bonded almost perfectly to the existing snow-pack. With three different riding styles, the ladies were all able to make their mark on this seriously steep face.” Photo: Tyler Ravelle 07 “Bend, OR, pro mountain biker Carson Storch has this setup in his backyard to train for Red Bull Rampage and other events. In the winter, a rare, big dump in town can turn it shred-worthy. I got the call from Randal Seaton that a session was going down with him, Carson’s cousin Dru Brownrigg, Van Allen, Garrett Lockrem and a few others. Dru’s reputation as Mt. Bachelor’s silent killer is well deserved, and last year’s wins at the Gerry Lopez Big Wave Challenge and Red Bull Landing Gear are formal recognition. Dru’s casual comfort on his cousin’s fabrication was evident from this first hit, and he proceeded to stomp several big inversions and switch landings over the course of the afternoon.” Photo: Jon Tapper 08 “Pre-season training at the Baldface Risk Maturity class usually consists of long and intensive days of learning. After a day digesting snow science, Olivia Kelly and a small crew of riders prepared to tour to the ridge above Baldface Lodge, BC, to stretch their legs into the night.” Photo: Dustin Lalik 014 THE SNOWBOARDER’S JOURNAL
The Snowboarder's Journal The Snowboarder's Journal 22.1: Page 14
