Time is an engrossing concept. I don't remember giving its passage much thought as a younger person. That could be because, in my twenties, there were still many new experiences. Eventually, as an adult reluctantly creeping towards middle age, you reach a saturation point, the sort of "been there, done that" stage of life. Nowadays, it creeps into my thoughts ad infinitum.
I recently went to HMart in an area of the Salt Lake Valley in which I don't usually find myself, and as I pulled in, I thought, "I sold a board in this parking lot 15 years ago." It felt like another lifetime, but it also felt like yesterday. Time brings knowledge, memories, lessons, and perspective, but it can also become a villain if allowed.
I admit I have fallen into that trap to a certain extent. The Wasatch of 2025 is not what I experienced as a transplant 30 years prior, and I have regrettably allowed that to seep into and steal my joy. I am working out of that primarily through viewing the pleasure of the many people along the Wasatch who are having the best times of their lives. I see the kids getting after it with exhilaration and abandonment, just as I did when I was their age, and I realize nothing has changed about snowboarding. The draw of friends, a pow day, the anticipation you get before a big storm or before the season starts and temperatures first drop; all of that still exists. It's been there since the first people strapped into a board, and I've grown to take it for granted.
This pic from Ben Littler capturing a parade of devotees hiking Brighton side country reminds me that the more things change, the more they stay the same. It reminds me that the joy I felt hiking those same routes for the first time still exists today in the next generation of riders. It reminds me that though some trivial details have changed, my love of snowboarding can never be diminished unless I allow it to, and that's on me, not snowboarding. Time will bless you with decades of memories, but it will also try to wear you down. Don't allow it. Keep your fire burning; you'll need it to hike those ridges.
Words by Daniel Cochrane
Photo: Peter Limberg
Riders: Luke Lund, Max Warbington, Len Jorgenson, Naima Antolin, Corrine Pasala
RIDER: JAKE BLAUVELT
PHOTO: SILVANO ZIETER
PHOTO: Trevor Slattery
RIDER: Gavin Matson
LOCATION: St. Paul, MN
SHOOTING GALLERY
PHOTO: Ben Girardi
RIDER: Tommy Van
LOCATION: Pentiction, BC
SHOOTING GALLERY
PHOTO: Trevor Slattery
IMAGE: Jake Antisdel tattooing Eli Potts' broken arm
LOCATION: Super 8 Motel in Houghton, MI
SHOOTING GALLERY
PHOTO: Krista Holden RIDER: Egan Wint
PHOTO: William Nevins
RIDER: Anthony "Wally" Mckeown
LOCATION: Selkirk Range, BC
PHOTO: Weston Colton
RIDER: Miguel Lopez
LOCATION: Orem, UT
SHOOTING GALLERY
SHOOTING GALLERY
PHOTO: Patrick Pfister
RIDER: Tyler Temerantz
LOCATION: Alta, UT
PHOTO: Ben Girardi
RIDER: Ben Poechman
LOCATION: Whistler, BC
PHOTO: Weston Colton
RIDER: Zane Hallman
LOCATION: ATLANTA, GA
SHOOTING GALLERY
PHOTO: Sam Berghoef
RIDER:
PHOTO: Ben Girardi
RIDER: Ben Poechman
LOCATION: Whistler Backcountry
SHOOTING GALLERY
PHOTO: Patrick Pfister
RIDER: James Buehler
LOCATION: Thompson Pass, AK
PHOTO: Ben Girardi
RIDER: Cameron Spalding
LOCATION: Whistler, BC
SHOOTING GALLERY
PHOTO: Ben Girardi
RIDER: Matt Belzile
LOCATION: Whistler Backcountry
Adam Hohmeyer
Cat Operator / Park Manager
Mulligans Hollow Ski Bowl
Grand Haven, MI
P: Simon Berghoef
We,
the snowboarders, are the “small fractures breaking away from the larger
mass”.
Go against the grain, celebrate diversity, embrace your uniqueness, don’t be a sheeple."
Splinters Boardshop, located at the base of the Sugarbush Access Road, was founded in 2016 by two local snowboarders: Previous local shop manager, me Travis Kerr, and Sugarbush snowboard school supervisor Aaron Guilfoyle. Aaron still works on the hill, and I’m in the shop pretty much every day. Our mission statement is simple, “to help get snowboarders on the hill”. We are called Splinters because we, the snowboarders, are the “small fractures breaking away from the larger mass”. Go against the grain, celebrate diversity, embrace your uniqueness, don’t be a sheeple. Get it – and yes, we do like Ninja Turtles too. We happen to be in a ski dominant town, home to the only resort on the East coast where snowboarding is still prohibited (Mad River Glen). It’s like a corny 80’s movie out here sometimes, but that seems to bring the board community together. Being the first real board only shop focused on “our” community, people have really rallied behind us. Our tagline #communitynotcore says a lot about us. It refers to Splinters being a “core” shop in the sense that we are rider owned, sponsor a local team, carry proper product selection, have rad employees that rip; but not in the negative “core” sense of the cool guy throwing vibes while sitting behind the counter. We are as core as it gets, but we’re stoked to share our culture, rather than gatekeeper for lack of a better word. We pride ourselves on supporting rider owned brands.
In 2023 we renovated our store and almost doubled our square footage. Our main goal was to offer a
better experience, improving our flow, and adding a designated area for rentals, demos, and repairs. Setting us up better to help all snowboarders, from the first-time renter as well as the 20-year vet looking for a specific need or want. It also allowed us to hire more staff aka snowboarders with jobs. So here I sit, halfway through our eighth season, more team riders, more products, more sales, and more stoked than we’ve ever had before. Swing through if you’re ever up at Sugarbush or you can check us out at @ SplintersVT on IG and FB and hit our website for all your needs at splintersboardshop.com – much love.
“Honored to call Splinters Boardshop my local and proud of how Travis and Aaron have helped nurture and support the local snowboard scene in the Mad River Valley and beyond. Growing up in the valley just about every ski shop was offering some amount of snowboards but it was always "part" of the shop. When Travis and Aaron opened Splinters it became ~the~ snowboard shop in the MRV and they've done such a rad job of supporting the scene and the culture. I've known Travis for over a decade and he's been a huge catalyst for snowboards from the weekend rider needing a binding part to helping a lot of kids get their first box of gear from a sponsor. I think the biggest thing to note is Travis and the crew at Splinters really care and want to help everyone have fun snowboarding. At the very least give @SplintersVT a follow for the daily snow reports.” -Holden Barth (Vans, The Bomb Hole, etc)
Relentless EERO ETTALA
Words by Josh Ruggles
Photos by Pasi Salminen
Three years in the making, Eero Ettala just dropped another feature-length film. Milestone is more than a video part. It’s one part reflection on his two decades of pro snowboarding, one part a testament to his love for the sport and his relentless pursuit of pushing what’s possible.
“It feels great to finally put this project out there,” Eero says. “When I started filming, my first son was one year old, and now he’s four. We even had a second child during the process. It’s been hectic, but the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. I’ve been a professional for 25 years, and this project has received the most love of anything I’ve done.”
“That was the first time I realized I could take progression into my own hands. I didn’t have to follow what everyone else was doing.”
THEN NOW
Eero hasn’t just been at the forefront of snowboarding— he’s been in the business of redefining it with tricks that consistently set a new standard. From exploding onto the scene with some of the best switch tricks in the game to landing the first-ever Double Backside Rodeo 1080 in Mack Dawg Productions’ Follow Me Around, calling his career “progression” is a huge understatement.
“That was the first time I realized I could take progression into my own hands,” Eero says. “I didn’t have to follow what everyone else was doing. I could do something original, step out of my comfort zone, and lead rather than lag.”
In Milestone, Eero doesn’t just revisit the past—he evolves it, delivering tricks that reflect his growth as a rider. “Filming a video part is about confidence,” he explains. “It’s about visualizing the end result and making it happen. I wanted this project to showcase who I am as a snowboarder now. For example, I hit this big wooden rail where I did a nose press back in 2006,” he recalls. “Going back there 18 years later and landing something more technical proved to me that my career isn’t over.”
UPS DOWNS
Anyone pushing things to Eero’s type of level knows success doesn’t come easy, and the progress can be brutal. Among the regular injuries like concussions and breaks, Eero has burned through three ACLs in his career. “Every time it happened, I wondered if this was the end,” he admits. “But once I got out of surgery, it became a motivating process. It’s when you measure your character—how much do you really want it?”
While many in his place couldn’t come back from a single ACL surgery, Eero was always built different. His injuries just hardened his resilience. “Those were the hardest times,” he says. “But they taught me to fight for what I love in life. Snowboarding has always been that thing for me.”
Eero’s career is not just a testament to his love for snowboarding and his ability to continually push the level of the industry, but a case study in how to manage yourself as a professional in anything. Eero is a pro who has ridden for the same bunch of companies his entire career, which, after all the corporate exits from snowboarding a decade ago, is close to unheard of. From the golden era of high-budget productions like Mack Dawg and Standard Films to the rise of social media, Eero has never really missed a step. His ability to stay relevant in a tumultuous industry during a technology revolution for two decades is rarified air.
“THOSE WERE THE HARDEST TIMES. BUT THEY TAUGHT ME TO FIGHT FOR WHAT I LOVE IN LIFE. SNOWBOARDING HAS ALWAYS BEEN THAT THING FOR ME.”
When I started, I was just a kid from Finland who didn’t know how much effort it took to film a part. Now, I understand the dedication, and I wanted Milestone to reflect that.”
TRUST GROWTH
Eero’s career isn’t just a testament to his passion for snowboarding or his relentless drive to push the limits— he’s teaching a masterclass in navigating a professional life with precision and focus. To have unwavering support from sponsors throughout his career, especially after corporate exits gutted snowboarding budgets a decade ago—Eero is breathing rarified air.
“I was always really making myself available for the companies, even when I was injured,” he says. “The first e-mail I would send them is like, all right, I’m hurt now, you know, so if you need me for anything, just hit me up—like trade shows, whatever. I’m available now. I got a bunch of free time, you know.”
Eero has been around long enough to have been a part of the golden age of high-budget productions like Mack Dawg and Standard Films to the chaotic rise of social media that upended the traditional snowboard video format. Through it all, Eero is as relevant as ever.
“For me, social media was actually a huge help,” he says. “It allowed me to stay home more and film locally instead of traveling to the US all the time. I didn’t overthink it—I just posted stuff I liked doing. It wasn’t about trying the hardest tricks; it was about enjoying snowboarding and sharing that.”
At the same time, Eero acknowledges the challenges of the social media age. “Back in the day, you could focus all season on a video part and release it in the fall. Now, you have to promote yourself constantly to stay relevant. But it’s worth it, especially since it lets me spend more time with my family.”
“I don’t see an end to it now. I’m motivated, I’m healthy, and I know I can keep pushing myself. The story’s not over yet—it’s just about how far I want to take it.”
REFLECTIONS MILESTONES
For Eero, the project was not just about proving he could still perform but also about honoring the path he’s traveled. “Looking back, I’ve realized how much I’ve grown as a snowboarder and a person,” he reflects. “When I started, I was just a kid from Finland who didn’t know how much effort it took to film a part. Now, I understand the dedication, and I wanted Milestone to reflect that.”
At 40, Eero’s priorities have evolved, but his love for the shred remains the same. “My biggest goals now are making sure my family is healthy and happy,” he says. “That perspective has taken the pressure off snowboarding and made me appreciate it even more.” This is highlighted by a scene showing Eero leaving for a night film mission while his kids slept and arriving in time to be there for their morning routine. Over the course of his career, Eero has been relentless in his progression—not just in pushing the boundaries of what is possible but in embracing the journey of evolution.
For all its reflection, Milestone feels like a yearbook of sorts—an epic recap of a decorated life dedicated to snowboarding. But it’s clear the yearbook has several blank pages left to fill, because Eero Ettala is far from done. “I don’t see an end to it now. I’m motivated, I’m healthy, and I know I can keep pushing myself. The story’s not over yet—it’s just about how far I want to take it.”
AN INTERVIEW WITH
MADISON BLACKLEY
Madison Blackley's pro snowboarding career has been an ever-evolving journey for over fifteen years. There's an expression, "I walked so you could run". The wild thing about Mads' tenure is that she not only did the walking, but she is fortunate to be able to partake in the running as well. She has helped pave the way for new generations to enter an industry with a much better climate for women in snowboarding. In the present phase of her career, she is producing and riding in feature films (go watch Hinterland ASAP) as well as competing in marquee events like Robyn Van Gyn's Research & Development contest.
From the Hot Dawgs & Hand Rails podium to battling for an opportunity in Natural Selection, few have had a snowboarding career like Madison's. We've been lucky to have a front-row seat, and we can't wait to see where she takes it from here.
Words by Mark Seguin Photos by Ben Girardi
Earlier this year you told me that you hadn't had anything in print since we did the "Hi There" for you back in 2013. What’s crazy about that to me is that it feels like you are everywhere in snowboarding. What do you think about that?
Yeah, it's kind of confusing to me too. I guess one of the reasons maybe why, which like you said I'm all kind of all over the place, is at the time when I had that opportunity for that article, print kind of started dying a little bit. So opportunities were getting less and less available for me to have things run, especially with so many more people coming into Salt Lake City, and photographers being stoked on who the new people are. Having the opportunity to grab photographers when there's always some hot new shit coming into town can be a challenge. Just because that was happening though, it didn't necessarily stop me from doing what I'm doing, or filming, or doing all these other things in snowboarding to still kinda get my name out there. So besides not being around on paper, I definitely made the rounds through lots of areas of snowboarding over the years since then. But yeah, I definitely think being a Salt Lake City local and native I like to say, I'm always fourth-place-for-life; like old reliable over here [laughs]. You know what I mean? I'm not like that hot new person in town but I’m just still consistently around getting it done, but there's always somebody else who has a cool story to tell,
you know what I mean? I'm not saying that mine's not cool or anything, but there's just a lot of people snowboarding. There's a lot of people to talk about, you know? I'm not the only one there.
Yeah, for sure. I mean that's really interesting when you think about that too the timing of it and you’re spot on with the print thing. When did you turn pro?
That is such a weird gray area. For so long, like 15 years ago, I mean some people called me pro. I had brands that I was riding for calling me saying that I'm on their pro team or whatever, but it didn't really come with the monetary price tag that a pro should come with. I still had to work full-time throughout the winter time so I would say I didn't really even technically feel like a pro until I signed with Rome like four years ago. That was the first time where I was fully able to take my winters off completely. Like, I finally got enough money to pay my bills fully. So really only the past four years, despite my title of being pro, being there for a long time, just because of where the women's industry was 15 years ago.
I'll never forget, not long after I first interviewed you, seeing you serving tables when we went up to Mt. Hood. I can't remember exactly where I saw you…
Yeah, I worked. I served at Mount Hood brew Co. That's at the bottom of Govy.
That was when I realized what it takes for a lot of pros to make it happen.
Yeah, and it's so funny cause that summer too, I had a signature session at High Cascade with the Frends crew. The irony is that, just like all the other sessions, I had to just go back to work every day [laughs].
With that as a backdrop, maybe you can reflect a little bit on when you look at those early days when you're being called pro but you're not feeling the pro accolades or perks right when you look at that versus what we're seeing now in 2024 for women snowboarding like what do you think is the driver of the difference we're seeing?
Well, there's so many factors. I've been snowboarding for a long time and it was, and is still a young sport today in the grand scheme of things. So 15 years ago being a very young sport, it was just such a minority to even have women in snowboarding. From the outside [of brands], I have no other way to look at it besides it just taking advantage of women for cheap work. Basically for them to say “We can just call you pro and you're not gonna say anything about it and we're not gonna pay you”. But that's just kind of like how it was. It felt like there just wasn't room for women, and that was just drilled into everyone's brain. Now, in 2024 no industry will survive without supporting
women if they're doing the same work as men. So now pro has a different connotation where it actually means what it describes. Also now with snowboarding in the Olympics and it's so all over the place there's a certain standard for what pro means in a sport. Even 15 years ago, nobody knew what pro meant because there wasn't any snowboarding outside of the small core snowboard industry, right? So you could just say whatever you want and people on the outside wouldn't really know what it meant because you know those normies out there they don't know what goes on in the snowboard industry [laughs]. It's so much better now. Pro means pro now, which is so cool. There's finally defining lines of “flow” and “am” you know? Kind of what skateboarding had for a long time. But yeah, back then pro was just like you get anything but gear. Now it's like, no you actually have to make money off of it, which is great.
For sure winning Kings & Queens of Corbet’s. Like, hands-down there's nothing else that I could be more proud of. That was something that I was not familiar with, like that is not my strength, and that is a skier thing and I kinda showed up as an underdog. Which if you know me, you know that event is fully within my capabilities, but at the time most people just saw me as a jib girl and never really looked past that. Also, skiers win it every single year
That's so sick! I honestly get that quite a bit from people because they're like, oh yeah I was watching this and I had no idea you could even do that, or I had no idea you were at that level. I just think it blew not only my mind, but so many people in snowboarding that it was just pivotal. So much more pivotal than getting a Signature Session at High Cascade, which at the end of the day didn't really get me anywhere sadly.
Up until a few years back when you got on Rome, the feeling I got when I looked at your career is that there was a lot of DIY to it. Like, “I’m gonna figure this out and I’m gonna keep this thing moving forward regardless of what is happening.”
Do you feel like it was a situation back in the day where it was like, you're gonna get what you get and you're gonna be happy with it and we're calling you a pro and that's where you're at. Yeah, I mean that feels exactly right and throughout those years I've had this kind of funny saying with Max Tokunaga, who is a super good border. We used to take a bunch of trips with Airblaster, and he started doing some team manager duties and some off-snow stuff. We would joke that being pro actually doesn't mean “professional”, it means proficient. Because there's so many people that we all know in the industry where it’s like, yeah they work for that company, but they're the best snowboarder I know. Right? They should be pro. It's proficient because you put that boarder in any situation and you know they're gonna handle it amazingly. So I’ve kind of put it in my head now that pro just means proficient in any type of snowboarding.
You mentioned your Signature Session at High Cascade earlier. I recall that in your “Hi There” back in 2013, you said that was your moment of pride. Now that we're over a decade later, what would you say is your moment of pride from your career at this point?
and, at the time, Travis Rice was the only other snowboarder who had won it. It's not something I could've expected in my whole life to ever happen, and it did, and I lived that. It was top-tier for sure.
That’s incredible. Sidenote, I had just started chemo (fuck cancer) and I remember watching that air and as corny as it sounds it really was one of the highlights for me during a really dark time. Like, I fucking know her, dude! It was awesome.
That's yeah I feel like that's pretty spot on.
DIY comes pretty natural to you?
Yeah, I'm one of those people who is like if you wanna get it done, you just have to do it yourself. If I set out on something or I tell somebody I'm gonna do something, you can bet I'm gonna follow through. It doesn't really matter if I have the funds for it, I'm gonna figure it out. I told people I'm gonna do this and so I'm gonna do it. Also figuring out how to work without necessarily having the means or resources. I wanna be in this position, so I'm just gonna figure out how to put myself in that position. I've never been one to just wait around to get invited on something or for an opportunity. I'll just do it myself to the point where they have no option but then to give me that opportunity later on. Just totally a do-er. If I have a certain goal and all I have to do is do steps A, B, and C, whether people support me or not, then I'll fulfill that goal. I mean to me that just sounds like there's no other option but to just do those steps to get where I wanna be. If nobody else is helping me then that's fine. I’ll totally do it on my own.
That's such an awesome mindset to have. I'm just gonna read through a list of things I wrote down; video parts, X Games, Dew Tour, SASS, The Uninvited, Research & Development, Kings & Queens of Corbet’s, Hot Dawgs & Handrails and I’m sure I’ve missed something, but the point
"If I set out on something or I tell somebody I'm gonna do something, you can bet I'm gonna follow through."
is that your thumbprint is all over snowboarding.
Yeah
Do you think that a DIY, relentless mindset is what led you to have the career you've had?
For sure. Starting at the beginning of my career, it was the mentality or concept where if you're gonna make it as a woman, there can only be one per team. So you had to work really hard to stand out for that. As time progressed and it just became more equal for women to get into it, there's a huge growth of women in the snowboarding industry and there's opportunity for a lot more people. So for me to try and stay on top or hold my ground, there's so many other girls that have all this new opportunity. I have to work ten times harder in that situation as well because in this day and age everything moves so fast. It's all in a one year cycle. So if you drop out like, one year, two years, that's really hard to come back from. So trying to make sure I do what I feel like I need to get done every single year I guess is the reason I'm still here. There is a funny line about the pro definition as well from Nick Poplawski, who is the head coach of the Park City snowboarding team and a super close friend. We've talked about this literally since I was like 19 years old. He's always said “You're gonna be a legend before you ever go pro.” He's always said that and I'm like, dammit I feel like I'm still fulfilling that. Kind of doing it all, never really on top, but always around and kind of dipping into everything [laughs]. I mean if that's my legacy, and I die legend, I'm cool with that.
That's pretty rad. I don't think you can go wrong there with that mindset especially when the results match it. I mean maybe maybe the wallet would disagree a little bit but as far as legacy goes… Yeah, well I'm happy I finally made it past that little financial hurdle finally [laughs].
Is that DIY mentality something that is just built into you as a person or have you been inspired by others to replicate what they’re doing?
I guess not really. I think it's something that's kind of just been innate and comes naturally to my brain. I've always been a motivated person for things that I want in my life and at the end of the day it's like you can look back and see all these hard things that you DIY’d and you don't remember them being that hard. You're like, oh that was so fun, or that was such a fun season. But maybe it's just typetwo fun. There's a handful of people for sure I can relate to as far as how hard I've worked over how many years to get to the level that I'm at now. Honestly, most of them are women that are my age who are like, “yeah I have just devoted my whole life to this and got fucked for so long, but I’m too deep and you can't go back” you know? So you just keep pushing forwards and hope that one day what you're doing will eventually work out… which so far it's working out.
Are you comfortable name dropping?
Yeah, like Darrah Reid-McLean, I've known her forever. She's had tons of injuries and we're the same age and she just keeps going back. It doesn't matter how hard of a season she’s had or how much she gets pushed around by other people in the industry. She's always just like, “fuck you, I love snowboarding and I'm just gonna keep doing this.” It's nice to know that other people work as hard as you hope they do.
Who do you see coming up that shows that? Are there any girls that are making a name for themselves that you can see a bit of yourself in?
A couple of them. It's kind of hard because all the young girls that are snowboarding now and are really good, they film like two video parts and they're pros and they're getting paid. I can’t relate to some of that. In my early career in the industry we had to do so much more for free for so long before we ever got any compensation, and honestly respect, a lot of times. We’re obviously still not fully equal and there’s still a lot to do, but yeah for a lot of the younger girls, and nothing against them because they deserve everything that they're getting, but it is kind of wild to be like, oh we're on the same page here in our industry, in our careers, and yet I've done it for five times longer.
Yeah, that's crazy to think about. It is the downside of being on the ground level in almost every industry; all accolades without the rewards.
I've had a lot of stamina and endurance with this career and I've had to do it for free for a lot longer. Oh, actually that’s really funny. Egan Wint is calling me right now. I'm gonna call her back later.
Are you sure? That’s uncanny timing…
Yeah, I have no idea why she would be calling, but I mean she's a great example, she's crushing it. You know, she hasn't been in the industry for a super long time in the grand scheme of things, and she is getting all sorts of media and all sorts of accolades. Very, very well deserved but comparably to some of us other long time gals, it took us so much longer to get the same thing.
Do you have the desire to mentor anybody, or have you already taken on that role?
Yeah, I definitely do. There's a handful of people who I'm for sure in a mentorship position with. It's kind of one of those things where I wish I could offer more,
"BASICALLY I JUST WANTED TO RIDE SOME FUCKING DEEP SNOW."
but I know women’s snowboarding still doesn't pay that well. I wish I could be in a Jess Kimura situation where I could really offer a lot of resources and opportunity, but I do what I can with what I got. I do wanna mention the Beyond The Boundaries that I coach for. I do those a bunch and that's a pretty nice way to feel like I can give back. Especially to adult women and not just the younger scene.
Is there anybody specifically that you are in that mentor role for?
Yes. I want to snowboard a bunch with Rory [Avelar] and this girl Ellie Weiler and Izzi Gomez. They're really strong jumpers and I want to give them the opportunity to go into the backcountry and start filming some jumps because that's something that people just won't take you to do because you can only hit a jump so many times before the landing is done. It’s one of the most selfish realms of filming, because you have to be. The snow is just not unlimited right, so you have to be tight with your crew. I mean I never had anybody take me out to build jumps or anything because they were like, oh you're the girl, you're gonna bomb hole. So I had to figure out myself and that just kind of sucked. So for me, it's no loss to me if we build a jump and I just watch them try cool stuff and bomb hole. Especially if it makes me try harder stuff as well.
That's really cool of you to do that.
Thanks
Tell me about Hinterland. It's just a really cool project, entertaining start to finish with great riding. What inspired you to take that on?
I have been getting into snowmobiling the past four or five years and just constantly wanting to challenge myself. I have been known for filming a bunch of rail videos, and street parts for as many years as people can count. Just kind of been that Salt Lake person, and I wanted to do something that people didn't really expect me to do. I met up with Lucas last year, he kind of just hit me up out of the blue trying to find people to film with. He sleds and he’s just a really big supporter of women's snowboarding and trying to give them opportunity. So, we filmed for a season, feeling things out. Then we made this plan for Hinterland. It's one of those things where we had the idea like, cowboy country, which is kinda trending right now and I wanted to do something different. It turned out pretty much exactly like our pitch was, which I feel like almost never happens. Basically I just wanted to ride some fucking deep ass snow. I wanted to jump off some shit. I want to do something I've never done, on a level that I never really feel like I've been at before. I guess I should mention this too, one of my biggest motivators is to get into Natural Selection as well. Like you said, I've done all these contests and stuff throughout my years and what else is there? What can I now hope for and work hard for and try to find an opportunity in. I was like, I guess let's do it, let's get to Natural Selection. I don't know if I'm doing it, but that was also an internal motivator.
When Natural Selection posts on their socials asking “Who would you like to see compete?”
I've definitely seen your name pop up in the comments. How do we make this happen?
Yeah, basically after I won Corbett’s, I was like this is my next goal. So that's when I started trying to be more vocal about it. I would just straight up tell people that I wanna be considered for Natural Selection; I can do this. I'm gonna film a full backcountry part, and just talking about it and then that fuels me to be like, oh man I told those people what I wanted, I guess I better do this now. So, then I'm like let's make a movie and show it to the contest. I'm not one to go around the back and find people's emails and you know and hit them up and try and get in. I'm just like I'm more of the up front person where I'm gonna work so fucking hard that you just really can't deny me an
opportunity after that. So, I have no idea how the actual selection process works. I’ve emailed a couple people like, “hey here's my footage. I hope you guys are the right people to send this to” each year for the past three years. I just show up and who knows. Again, I have no idea what the selection process is like and I have my fingers crossed for this season, but no guarantees. But now I've said it in print, so now it's even more real life.
I think there's something to be said about putting it out there like that.
Yeah, I don't wanna be in that situation where it’s like, oh we didn't give you an invite because we didn't know you wanted to do it. So I'm gonna make sure you know that I want to do this so that you can't say that.
Do you think a decade ago if Natural Selection was the same contest, that we’d see the breakdown of riders like we do now? Two full brackets, one for men and one for women. Do you think that's something that we could've had in the past?
Yeah, I just don't think so. It probably would've been like the top five riders go on a whole tour. All because they're bought in by their sponsors and there's no opportunity to get in. It's just the top 1 % just claiming the 1% consistently. I mean that's where it still kind of has been and that's why Robin made the RnD contest. She was like, “no, we need to have a way that people can have hope to get into this cause if we keep circulating the same people, what does that do for the industry and the community?” You know what I mean?
The prizes were great. It was a whole week where you got to film and get to know the landscape. It was so much needed. It gave a lot of hope to a lot of people that there are ways to get into certain parts of snowboarding that aren't your standard route. Standard as in like having to be either a slopestyle contest boarder, or having to film a video part.
"I'm gonna work so fucking hard that you just really can't deny me an opportunity after that."
Most people don't know how to get into filming things or riding big backcountry stuff or even freeride world tour stuff unless they have a crew to guide them that way. This kind of made a crew of more advanced riders up there that kind of brought us all together.
The RnD event is pretty sick. I saw you posted that the full edit dropped… Yeah, the full recap video and everything dropped today.
What was that experience like for you?
It was so, so cool. It was just everyone being in a situation where you're looking at kind of spicy lines and kind of spicy conditions and not having a guy say, oh are you sure about that? Or like, I don't know that’s kind of south-facing, or like, that’s kind of big. You know what I mean? Here, to just talk to anyone else involved in the contest, it was more like, oh damn that line is sick, you should totally go for that. It's very rare to be in a backcountry situation where it's just super positive and pushing people to their best. It was just so great having it be like, I think that this line looks kinda gnarly. Then the response is like, dude if you think you can do it, you totally got it. It's just not often to hear stuff like that, especially around competitors at contests. They're selection of riders was really awesome.
You went to Baldface last week for Risk Maturity, how did you end up there and what was that experience like?
I've known about Baldface forever, as well as the Risk Maturity course but I kinda just thought it was forever going to be one of those out of reach bucket list items. I won the course as my prize at the RnD contest last spring at Whitewater and I couldn’t have been more excited to receive that. There were so many familiar and new people taking part in the course, but everybody had the same mindset going into it; ready to be engulfed in information and how to use it in real life. After a few intense days of wilderness first aid in Nelson, we headed up to Baldface for the avy and rescue portion. I thought I was going to be super overwhelmed at first, being my first time at this course when others there had done it many times, but I honestly found it really intriguing and a lot just validated and confirmed that I have a pretty solid foundation to my skills. I didn’t feel overwhelmed at all thankfully, because it would be A LOT if it was all brand new information.
Lots to absorb. Who was in your crew?
My cat crew was super high vibes all week. I was with the Technically Doing It crew and the Mountain Hardware boys. I was for sure the solo rider, but they all kept me in tight as one big crew. Everybody got a little rowdy on the last night, but we kept it pretty low key all week. The snow was too good to risk not feeling 100 percent able to enjoy it the next day. We all seemed to have our priorities dialed. We all got super lucky with conditions this early. Legit pow runs with tons of features and deep enough to tomahawk and be fine. After the first day riding and showing up to the sword at the very end for a victory lap to the lodge, that feeling was pretty magical. Being right in front of it really gave me the sense of, this belongs to all of us. I feel so lucky to be able to be in a community that has a deeply rooted home for snowboarders in a place like that, and for all the right reasons. I felt so rewarded that the memories I get to keep from all the people and the mountains there will mean more to me than any prize could be worth. I hope I can get back there, even if I have to pay for a full price trip. It is worth every single penny, just gotta get past that wait list.
That sounds truly incredible. We touched briefly on film parts earlier, but other than Hinterland we didn’t spend much time there. What part or parts of yours stand out for you?
For sure all of Too Hard, it was so ahead of its time. I mean, the riding in there is so good. If any of our parts from then came out now, people would be like, you're on Monster,
you're going pro. The editing was so sick and people just thought it was disgusting and raunchy because women haven't been hadn't been kind of accepted into the sport as do whatever you want. It was kinda like you needed to look like the dudes or else you're out. That was such a pivotal moment I think for a lot of women's snowboarding. For a lot of the new riders that I see now coming up who are ripping, they're all like, oh like Too Hard was my inspiration. So it's really cool to be a part of something that sparked this new wave of people now.
Those films are so rad.
Something that was so funny I wanna mention was last year at Dew Tour when I went up against Mia Brooks, she said she was nervous going up against me. I was like, dude I'm not even trying to win [laughs]. Like I'm next to YOU Mia Brooks, you're like the goat here. It was just so funny to be like, wow I'm competing next to Mia Brooks and were 17 years age difference, this is so fucking cool.
Mia is so sick! That's definitely a cool story. Yeah, it was just so funny and I was like wow, I have no pressure because I have no chance. This is great.
What does the future look like for you?
Outside of a Natural Selection slot that is…
I guess people may perceive me as an old old head, but at the end of the day isn't it everyone's dream to still be doing it for as long as I've been doing it? It's just so silly that people think that you couldn't be doing this when you're in your 30s, but if you've done it the whole time and you invest your whole life in it, why would you not continue? Why is being an old head a bad thing these days? Isn't it the dream to be able to get paid the whole entire time and have it be a career and not just a job?
Do you think that it's still said with a negative connotation? Is it
starting to shift to where it’s said out of reverence more than taking shots at people?
That's basically what I would hope that it can lead towards.I hope that it can not be this negative thing because at the end of the day, it should be everybody's goal to still be in it when they are old heads.
Look at Mikey LeBlanc, he's over 50 now. With girls too, I mean it’s not that I hear it too much from the women, but if there's fucking Mikey LeBlanc doing it at 50, why the fuck shouldn't I be doing it till I'm 50 you know?
Well, I know myself and many others are going to be rooting for you to ride to 50, and beyond! As you look back on your career, can you sum it up in a few sentences?
So far in the 27 years I have been strapping in, as I look back it feels like it’s almost just the same year on repeat. Almost like a Groundhog Day, with some peaks and valleys, but it just keeps on going. Just keep hustling and hoping to be a little better and a little different. Everything about the vibe, my passion, and persistence stays the same. I really can’t believe that I’m not just a 23 year old doing this still. It just feels like I’ve had so many seasons, but my mentality has always stayed the same in some sense. It’s an ageless sport, so when I’m 50 I’m hoping I still feel the same.
Editor’s note:
Manifestation is one hell of a drug… Just a couple of weeks after this interview, it was announced that Madison has been invited to compete in the Natural Selection DUELS in February, taking on Stefi Luxton, for a chance to punch her ticket to the Natural Selection at Revelstoke.
HI THERE
Written by Mark Seguin
“The culture” can be such a cliche thing to say when describing anything. Yet, with snowboarding, the culture actually is the thread which weaves the whole industry together. How that culture is shared has always been key for snowboarding. From the early days when it truly was counter-culture and snowboarding could only be seen in the back of a skate magazine, to a time now where people make a living talking about snowboarding. At Arkade we have had many talented people help share the culture of snowboarding through our magazine over the last 19 years and we’re excited to introduce another.
Meet our new Designer, Brittany Lovegrove.
Growing up in Sandy, Utah Brittany’s first days on snow were on her dad’s shoulders in a pack while he skied. Around age ten, Brittany switched to snowboarding and has been standing sideways ever since. She loves the intersection of design and snowboarding whether it be in flipping through snowboarding magazines or watching a snowboarding film. After studying fashion design in New York, she transferred to the University of Utah where she studied graphic design and fell in love with it. Looking forward, Brittany’s definitely got a bright future, not only in the snowboarding industry but also in design and we at Arkade are stoked to have her on the team. Welcome, Brittany!
Name:
Nickname:
Age:
Birthplace:
Hometown/Home Mountain:
Years Snowboarding/On Snow:
Moment of Pride:
Other Hobbies:
Heroes/Idols/Role Models:
Best Advice Given to You:
Favorite Snowboarding Film:
Brittany Lovegrove
Currently Working On:
Plans for the Future: Park or Pow:
I spent a few days bikepacking the coast of Oregon this fall. Prepping for that trip and pushing my body was an experience I will never forget.
I spend a lot of time in ceramics studios, and biking/mountain biking in the summers.
I look up to my peers and people in my community that are following their passions. Whether it be a hobby they pursue or something they turn into a career.
That where you are right now is probably where you are supposed to be.
When I moved back from New York I got really into snowboarding content. I remember watching Tangled and thought Desiree Melancon's part was so cool and inspiring. I shazamed every song from the film and listening to them over and over and playing it back in my head. It was the first time I was really exposed to that intersection of art/design and snowboarding. I wanted to be a part of it.
I love coming up with business ideas and branding them out. I am working on a hypothetical bagel shop that is for people waiting in traffic to go up the canyons in the winter.
I'm hoping to land a job at a design agency creating brand identities for clients.
Pow for sure. I love being in the backcountry.
Photo by Tori Pachiano
Written by Mark Seguin
A Minnesotan moving to Utah to snowboard in the west has been happening for over a decade now. Every once in a while, however, you get someone who has the hunger, skill and right energy to stand out in the white noise of the Wasatch. Jaylen Hanson is doing just that. In her first season here in Utah as a freshman at the University of Utah, she gets to witness firsthand what it’s like living in what is arguably the epicenter of snowboarding. Wherever you do it, snowboarding is snowboarding, but when she gets to see people daily who she might only see a handful of times living in Minnesota, it starts to feel like a far cry from where she cut her teeth as a grom snowboarding on the G-Team at Buck Hill.
When I asked Jaylen if there has been anything difficult about coming up, her response was that there’s not really bad things, only new new and different things. That growth oriented outlook coupled with a healthy level of putting pressure on herself to improve makes Jaylen someone who needs to be on your radar for years to come.
Name:
Nickname:
Age:
Birthplace:
Hometown/Home Mountain:
Years Snowboarding/On Snow:
Sponsors/Hookups:
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Other Hobbies:
Heroes/Idols/Role Models:
Best Advice Given to You:
Favorite Trick:
Currently Working On:
Plans for the Future: Park or Pow: Jaylen Hanson
Woodbury, Minnesota
I grew up in Hastings, Minnesota, mainly riding at Buck Hill and Hyland Hills.
8
Zombie Boardshop, Public Snowboards, Dang Shades, Union, Volcom, ThirtyTwo
My friend Ella and I filmed and edited our own street video a few seasons ago and it was super fun. It was our first time in the streets and we worked really hard and learned a lot. I’m super proud of our crew and how everything turned out!
I’ve gotten more into skateboarding recently and I like going to the gym too. I’m also super into art, mostly crocheting and painting.
Jess Kimura and Jill Perkins
Take up space, you deserve to be here just as much as anyone else. And at the end of the day, snowboarding should always be fun.
I love a good nosepress, switch lip sameway, or frontboard pretz. Such feel-good tricks.
Expanding my bag of tricks, getting better contest results, and filming more. Also connecting with more boarders and industry people out here in Salt Lake.
I plan to keep snowboarding as much as possible, doing contests, and get back into filming again. I’d love to film a full part and go on some real street trips.
I haven’t really had the chance to ride real pow yet so I’m gonna have to go with park. Also being from the midwest nothing beats sunny tow rope laps with your friends :)
PHOTO: Mary Walsh
RIDER: Jaylen Hanson
Desarae Lee
Apeculiar turn of events brought Desarae Lee to the magazine for this specific issue. I had other prospects fall through, and as the deadline loomed, I was experiencing an ever-increasing sense of panic. Call it fate, luck, happenstance, destiny, or whatever word you use to explain such things, but while in line at Sugarhouse Coffee and reading a DM confirming that another potential would not align timing-wise, I looked up and saw Desarae's artwork on display. I reached out that same day. Being particular, I was naturally relieved to find an artist I appreciated. Once I received her correspondence discussing her work, her outlook, and the course of her career, it felt so serendipitous that she landed in THIS issue.
Words by Daniel Cochrane
As you read, you will agree that Desarae's story mirrors many similar aspects of the modern snowboarder. As you digest her journey, you will hear echoes of Eero's, Madison's, or perhaps even your own path. Episodes in our lives are commonly referred to as "chapters." It's a fitting metaphor, as chapters are the individual pieces that coalesce into a complete story. We each open and close chapters in our lives, sometimes willingly and other times because we are forced to do so. Desarae's path is no different.
Desarae Lee was raised in the wilds of Utah, whose peaks and valleys offer limitless paths to wander physically and spiritually. She attended university with aspirations of teaching art, which she did successfully for a half dozen years. While at university, she experimented with many mediums to feed her creative output. Desarae ultimately found her creative love language after being asked to create a cover for a book of poems. Having recently happened upon Edward Gorey and being captivated by his pen-and-ink line work, she began exploring that process. She was immediately infatuated and adopted it as her primary medium.
"I love working in pen and ink because of its meticulousness. I love using solid black ink against white paper to create a full range of texture and value. The tiny little lines are delicious; you lose yourself in the repetitive motion. It's a Zen medium where time doesn't matter. If I'm being completely honest, I also love the sense of control. I know exactly how my marks will show up, as opposed to something like watercolor, that just does whatever the hell it wants."
Nautilus
Cranes
Flying Triceratops
SeenUnseen
Hammerhead
Her works on the following pages combine the fanciful and the foreboding. They balance the whimsy and weariness of life, which, in the end, is what each of us endeavors to accomplish.
Images such as Seen Unseen and Still Processing hint at unresolved traumas, while Triceratops and Hammerhead present "dangerous" creatures in capricious circumstances. They are labors of love with autobiographical undertones borne from a rather unconventional creative process.
"I'm a little bit weird as an artist in that my pieces are completely mentally composed in my head before I ever put pen to paper. I guess you could call it visualization -- I know what I want before I start. Then, as I work, things will or won't match that vision according to my skill. Of course, things evolve as time goes on. My sketchbooks, then, are saved more for "the battle": practicing textures and anatomy, doodling, and drawing from life. None of these make it into a finished piece, but the practice definitely shows as I progress in my career."
Desarae's chapter as an art teacher concluded when she began to live solely off her works. She traveled across the country and sold her wares at festivals and galleries, in effect, "turning pro" within the art world. A sense of prestige is associated with living exclusively off one's art and surviving outside the system of a standard nine-to-five. The reality, according to Deasarae, however, was a less than glamorous repetitive cycle of "work your ass off, watch your career grow a tiny bit, repeat." Life as a traveling full-time artist was an emotional mixed bag between the highs of meeting those who appreciated and loved her work, the lows of the pressure to earn money, and the nagging sensation of those pressures somehow compromising and ultimately stagnating her freedom and creative output. Sound familiar?
The most significant life change for Desarae came in droves during 2020, a year that affected everyone in some manner. That year, she accepted a full-time position at the University of Utah, which, by default, voided her standing as a "self-supporting artist." While that bit of distinction may have been lost to outside eyes, it also catalyzed creativity. With a dependable source of income outside of her art, Desarae finds more time these days for experimentation with less pressure to produce. However, the ups come with the inevitable downs. At times, she finds it hard to admit she is no longer a full-time artist, posing the query, "Am I still a professional artist, or am I now just a hobbyist? It's imposter syndrome on a whole new level."
Unfortunately, since 2020, Desarae's bout of imposter syndrome turned out to be the least of her challenges. She was diagnosed with a life-changing mix of autoimmune disorders, which drastically impacted every aspect of her routine. For anyone, this would be a challenge. Still, for an artist built on routine and already entrenched in a lifelong battle with mental health struggles, it was an enormous obstacle to encounter.
"These last four years, my time and energy are now profoundly limited. My body just doesn't make the little energy molecules at the same rate it used to, and I have so much more time to think about a piece before I have the energy to build it. There have been times in my life that I wondered if it matters that I'm alive. I don't have to go into the intricately broken logic of depression. Still, somehow, in those times, art has been the shining argument for sticking around. If I'm not here, the things I make will never exist -- nobody else can make them. Of course, sitting here in my healthy brain, it's obvious that I have hundreds of reasons to stick around. Still, in that broken space with its broken logic, the unique things that nobody else will do, things only I can do or create, have been my lifeline."
I've long maintained that creatives are born hardwired or actually rewire their brains to accept, embrace, and overcome setbacks or failures. Our lives are disproportionately filled with pursuit instead of perfection. We are the best example of the adage," It's about the journey, not the destination." The potential downside is never being completely satisfied, resulting in imposter syndrome and negative self-thought. However, when presented with significant-scale lifealtering challenges, few others rise so heartily to the occasion with purpose. Desarae's story is unquestionably an example of this drive. Her creative output is a culmination of battling and embracing the many chapters of her life. Some are more challenging than others, but each leaves a resounding mark on her path as a human and an artist. Her works represent her life's story to date, with lessons and influences from its many unique chapters. You can find her art online at desarae-lee.squarespace.com as well as a linktree on her Insta @desaraelee
Justus Hirvi photo
The Cure "Songs of a Lost World" LP 2024 Universal Music Group
The Cure's first album since "4:13 Dream," which was released during the MySpace era, "Songs of a Lost World," hit late 2024 like a ton of bricks. The album is The Cure's most commercially successful in the band's forty-plus-year career, charting in the top five on twenty-two international charts, including fifteen number-one spots. This is especially interesting given that long-time fans would agree it is definitely NOT the accessible pop stylings of previous hit makers "Wish" and "Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me." Instead, it is The Cure and Robert Smith at their most sullen and moodiest since the fan favorite "Disintegration" was released in 1989.
For The Cure and Robert Smith, the triumph of SOALW was a bit of vindication after "4:13," which, while critically acclaimed and embraced by those who bought the album, had little commercial success. For long-time fans, it was a moment to relive and share the glorious mid to late 80s, long held as the band's golden era, with many newer fans too young to have experienced it for themselves. It is a musical time warp to an alternate universe in which "Songs of a Lost World" was released as the follow-up to "Disintegration." Indeed, SOALW shares many similarities with its sister album, most notably long instrumental intros, often clocking in at three or more minutes on some songs before a word is sung. As with "Disintegration," it is a swirling operatic endeavor containing bleak lyrical content but noticeably missing the few "radio-friendly" pop singles that accompanied its predecessor 35 years ago. It is The Cure at their most stereotypical Cure-ness.
Lead single "Alone" immediately caught the attention of fans and critics alike and quickly generated a groundswell of buzz for the impending full LP release. The follow-up single "A Fragile Thing" was released quickly after and affirmed The Cure's regression towards its Disintegration era self. The crowning achievement came upon the album's full release when fans were graced with the final track, the anthemic 10:21 long "Endsong," heralded by many as one of the band's most remarkable songs of their 45-year career. Smith has promised an accompanying tour in 2025. In an era where most "legacy acts" are content to tour on decades-old material or on sub-par, half-hearted new efforts, Robert Smith and The Cure have shown how to truly cement a band's legacy.
Midwife "No Depression In Heaven"
LP 2024 The Flenser
Midwife is the project of self-taught musician/sound engineer Madeline Johnston and is self-described as "Heaven Metal." Their newest LP, No Depression In Heaven, is a slowcore sonic masterpiece delving into Johnston's oft-explored themes of grief, alienation, and devastation. While possibly the project's most approachable effort, No Depression In Heaven is still filled with Johnston's trademark feedback, slow tempos, and almost devoid of any backing percussion. "Vanessa," written as an ode to Johnston's Tour Van, is one of my favorite songs of the year, as is the album's second single, "Rock and Roll Never Forgets." Slow, brooding, uncompromising music for a long winter night, No Depression In Heaven is one of the year's best LPs for those up to the task.
Chat Pile
"Cool World"
LP 2024 The Flenser
Scattered across the badlands of Oklahoma, Chat is the name given to the poisonous mounds of lead mining by-products from the first half of the 20th Century. It is from this dangerous and harmful material that Chat Pile, a band composed of Oklahoma natives based in Oklahoma City, takes its name. Often described as either Post-hardcore, noise rock, or sludge, the band's second full length is an uncompromising gut punch. Cool World is a ten-song collection of material that ranges from in-your-face aggression (I am Dog Now, Frownland, No Way Out, Funnyman) to downtempo sludge (Camcorder, Milk of Human Kindness) and even, at times, flirts with something close to melodic (Shame). The album and group are highly recommended for visceral yet lyrically introspective hardcore fans.
Cold Cave
"Passion Depression"
LP 2024 Heartworm Press
The newest release from Wesley Eisold's LA-based Darkwave project, Passion Depression, is awash in 80s nostalgia. Fans of the genre will recognize elements of first-generation mainstays such as Joy Division, Depeche Mode, Nitzer Ebb, and most notably, a healthy dose of Sisters of Mercy as well as peak mid-80s era New Order. A notable change in Passion Depression that sets it apart
from previous Cold Cave efforts is the addition of more frequent and impactful vocals from long-time collaborator Amy Lee (not to be confused with the Evanescence singer of the same name). At eight songs and only thirty minutes, Passion Depression is short. Still, it is a rare no-skip and worth checking out if you appreciate synthy Darkwave.
Dehd
"Poetry"
LP 2024 Fat Possum Records
Chicago three-piece Dehd returns with their sixth full-length, "Poetry," which continues the band's genre-hopping indie output of snappy, catchy, energetic music. Dehd effortlessly drifts between indie pop, doo-wop, and surf (among other styles), which is unsurprising for a band whose members cite influences as diverse as Cocteau Twins, Broadcast, Dolly Parton, and Roy Orbison. As a longtime fan of the band, I'm trying to understand why Dehd is still playing in small clubs but also dreading the day they finally get their due and move up to larger venues. This is pure, sugary indie music with great lyrical content and toe-tapping melodies. If you haven't yet discovered Dehd, there is still time to get in "early." If you're a long-time fan, this album is easily one of your favorites of 2024.
LA LOM
"The Los Angeles League of Musicians"
LP 2024 Verve Records
As you have probably deduced from the name of their debut, LA LOM is an L.A.-based three-piece. The trio formed and began playing based on their love for classic 50's and 60's soul music. Performing instrumental renditions of seminal songs of the mentioned era, the group expanded over time, and began incorporating the stylings of Bolero and Cumbia into its music. This debut is their first full release of original works. Khruangbin, Beirut, and even early Vampire Weekend fans should enjoy these instrumental selections. If mid-winter Utah inversions, perpetual Mid-West grey winter skies, or PNW rain have you down, these breezy, top-down, wind in your hair, sunglasses on, this album of summer-inspired tunes may be just the escape you are looking for until spring arrives.
FINAL DESTINATION
January is a peculiar time of the snow season; depending on where you live (and the blessings of the snow gods), you are either ramping up or beginning to give up. That's not to say that low-tide winters can't be salvaged with phenomenal springs. Don't lose hope if your local area has yet to be gifted; count your blessings if you are over those typical YTD snow totals. Remember, it's not just about the snow; it's about the crew you assemble and the memories you make. Even in a low-tide January, the company of the homies can keep the stoke alive. Either way, strap in, gather the crew and have a blast. Get your days even in the worst seasons because once summer arrives, turns will prove challenging to find, no matter where you are in the Northern Hemisphere. Here's a snap of Jed Sky captured by Benjamin Littler as he rides away stoked after a Grizzly Gulch banger last spring—a spring, for your information, that salvaged an abysmal start to the past Utah season. Never give up hope and we will see you in the spring!
Words by Daniel Cochrane
Photo: Benjamin Littler Rider: Jed Sky
Lucky Slice Pizza Ogden, Clearfield, & Logan
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Contributing Photographers Ben Girardi, Benjamin Littler, Peter Limberg, Tori Pachiano, Pasi Salminen, Trevor Slattery, Mary Walsh
Contributing Writers
Daniel Cochrane, Mark Seguin, Josh Ruggles, Trevor Willy, Patrick Pfister
