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It’s been a while since I have done this and to tell you the truth I saved it for last. I mean the very last. It’s probably my least favorite part of putting together a magazine. I don’t think of myself as an editor, just someone who loves snowboarding, good photos, graphic design and of course this great state of Utah. That’s why when the guys at Arkade called and asked me to come back and take over I told them the only way I was going to come back is if I got to make the magazine a Utah snowboard only magazine. It also helped that I had some free time on my hands. You see I had closed my snow & skate shop earlier this year, a shop that I ran for the last four years… I loved that shop, but the current economic situation got the best of me. Then I ran into some problems with the skate company I tried to start in the spring and had to put that on the back burner. So when we sat down to put the magazine together...time... is the one thing I had. The first thing I did was get a hold Andy Wright and Bob Plumb. If Arkade was coming back we couldn’t do it without them. Good snowboarding photos are the foundation of a good snowboarding magazine and Andy and Bob had been there from the beginning… the 9350 Magazine days. Unfortunately it took some convincing to get them back on board. But after many texts, voicemails, and facebook messages they began to see the vision of Arkade coming back and now thanks to them, some new photographers and some very dedicated writers we have a brand spankin new issue for you guys to enjoy. I don’t know exactly how we did it, but we put together this 76 page magazine in all of 30 days. Thanks to everyone from Andy Wright, Bob Plumb to Jeremy Jones, Stevie Bell, Alex Andrews, Bryce Packham, Lindsay Aceto, Daniel Cochrane, Corey Llewelyn and all the others for still believing in Arkade. For those of you we have let down, we want to win you back and we are willing to do whatever it takes to do that. We will be doing three issues this season, with the next one coming out in January and the last one in March. Our goal is for Arkade to be the pride of Utah snowboarders. Arkade is snowboarding. Arkade is Utah. - Paul Bundy
RIDER: JORDAN MENDENHALL
PHOTO: BOB PLUMB
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Some would say that I am one of the lucky ones in regard to the fact that I was snowboarding in the mid 90’s during what they tout as the golden age of snowboarding. More than anything it was being a product of my environment and needing something to occupy those long dark winters in Western New York that lead me to this life of snowboarding. Something many people like myself have pursued over the years. I think this is possibly the most distinguishable thing between the ‘core’ community and the mainstream. Those that live snowboarding to its very being would be the first and those that do it as a winter activity to kill time and get a little exercise representing the latter.
The more I’ve been involved with this lifestyle I’ve chosen the more I’ve watched the culture and sport of snowboarding grow. From a counter-culture revolution to mainstream success catapulting snowboarding into the global scale and five ring circus that is the Olympics. Sitting back during this growth and explosion in popularity has allowed me to bare witness to who is influencing who in regards to the trends we see.
I can remember a discussion I once had with one of my industry friends where he said, “core culture influences the mainstream”. He was perfectly right in saying that, if you look at how small the group of 100 day a year riders is compared to the vast majority that ride a handful of times a year. It’s a perfect example of the few leading the many that has been a theme throughout history. Trends start with this niche of riders and spiral outward till the mainstream swoops them up and essentially causes them to be blown out. Once this happens along comes another trend doing the same and completing the trend circle of life.
That’s not to say that the mainstream doesn’t have an influence on snowboarding as well. The biggest example of this is the amount of money companies are dumping into movies, events, and riders. Art of Flight has to be this years biggest nod towards that example. Red Bull Media dumped millions into making a movie that allowed them to film helicopters filming helicopters filming airplanes all while in the pursuit of making a movie to appease the snowboarding masses. How much influence is this movie going to have on someone that isn’t in the core of snowboarding? Probably a hell of a lot more than say one of the movies that better defines what snowboarding is about like Romes The Shred Remains which was also a two year project like Art of Flight. But being that Art of Flight has a promotional budget to rival an independent Hollywood film of course this one will better promote snowboarding to the masses.
There’s honestly nothing wrong with the core or the mainstreams involvement in snowboarding. The more I look at it I think it’s becoming closer to a fifty-fifty mix of influence between these two separate parties. The core of snowboarding is probably close to the same size or slightly larger than it was back in the day while the mainstream mass continues to swell and expand. This I think will cause an equality in where our influences come from. The only thing we can hope for is that individuality remains present in snowboarding because no matter what the suits in Southern California dictate to us as cool we as individuals should influence everything in snowboarding’s culture.
JON KOOLEY
PHOTO: BOB PLUMB
WORDS: AVRAN LEFEBER
VISIT ANGRYSNOWBOARDER.COM FOR MORE AVRAN LEFEBER
BELL / JOHN
/ JAKE WELCH / NIC SAUVE / DANIEL EK / NIKO CIOFFI / AUSTEN SWEETIN
STEVIE
JACKSON
Name: Ozzy Henning
Age: 21
Birthplace: Salt Lake City, UT
Hometown: Heber City, UT
Years Riding: A lot [almost 10]
Hookups: Epic Boards, PCMR, Rome, Cassette, Alday, Sponsor This? and Smith Optics
Home Mountain: Park City Mountain Resort
Greatest passion aside from snowboarding: Skateboarding and hunting
Heroes/Idols: I don’t really have any. I’ve never really liked watching snowboard movies or anything. So if I have to say who my hero is, I’d say everyone.
Favorite Trick: Back one, swack one
Trick in-the-works: Gonna spend a lot of time working on jumping. Lots to work on.
Plans/Goals for the future: Win King of the Wasatch, make a lot of videos and hit way more jumps…travel to places like New Zealand for jump training as well as the East Coast and Quebec for urban filming.
Sitting on the tailgate of an SUV on a beautiful fall afternoon, we had the chance to catch up with Ozzy Henning. Seeing his 2011 edit showcased on world-known snowboarding websites, we decided it was clearly time to highlight him in Arkade. Following in his older brother’s footsteps, Ozzy started snowboarding at age 12. From that first day on snow, he was hooked. His natural talent has allowed him to develop a unique style that makes him stand out in any resort park, contest or film. He has both taught and coached snowboarding but shies away from resort jobs because of the rules and “grooming standards” (no long hair allowed). After being denied the first place finish he earned at last year’s King of the Wasatch contest because he wasn’t wearing a helmet, his goal is to claim that title this year and continue filming as much as possible. Ozzy is definitely one to keep your eye on.
WORDS: LINDSAY ACETO
PHOTO: CHRIS SHIELDS
In 1987, a single mom in Idaho put her 3 year old son, Skylar, on skis. He loved the snow. After seeing a show on TV about snowboarding, he and his friends started trying to stand up on their plastic sleds. Around age 9, Sky found himself an old Hoogar Booger at a used sporting goods shop and told his mom that he really wanted to learn. Riding in hard boots like he did as a skier, and a 60/60 forward stance, Sky taught himself how to snowboard at Soldier Mountain. He beat himself up learning back 3s and jibbing with his alpine stance and super sharp edges, but he pushed himself every day. Today, Sky is still pushing himself to progress and aims to learn every day he is on snow; however, learning something every day doesn’t necessarily mean a new trick. Sky learns about himself and others through teaching at Brighton Resort. Listening to Sky talk about the rewards of teaching makes it obvious that he loves what he does. Sharing his stoke with students and peers, promoting the sport in anyway he can, Sky Seabrook has pure passion for snowboarding and lives to ride.
Name: Skylar Seabrook
Age: 27
Birthplace: Sun Valley, ID ....moved to Utah in 1999
Years Riding: 18…holy crap that’s a long time!
Home mountain: Brighton Resort
Hook-ups: Never Summer, Salty Peaks, S4, Bern
Greatest passion aside from snowboarding: Besides waiting for snow, I love art, drawing and a little bit of graphics stuff. I’m into building bikes and skating, even though I’m not great at it
Heroes/Idols: JP Walker and Jeremy Jones (Utah) because of how they’ve really been innovators in snowboarding park progression.
Favorite trick: Anything with a nollie
Currently working on: Double corks off booters
Accomplishments: I’ve done a bunch of regional comps in the past but most recently I am proud of my video clips in Never Summer’s “Shred ‘em All” and Salty Peaks “Eighty Seven”. Goals for the future: I just want to keep riding and keep having fun. I want to focus on filming and finding new features. I will continue to every day.
WORDS: LINDSAY ACETO
PHOTO: ADAM O’NEILL
Throughout Utah and the US snowboard community, a name that is familiar to most is Ben Pellegrino. Self-dubbed as the King of Milosport, his reputation precedes him as a well-liked and highly respected member of the community. We decided we wanted to take the opportunity to catch up with Ben and hear his story.
So, I don’t know if you’ve heard, but you’re kind of a big deal. HAHA I have heard that, but I try not to let it get to my head.
Being a big name in the snowboard industry, I wanted to talk to you a bit about how you got started so that people who are familiar with you name can know your story. So, Ben, would you please tell me about where you grew up and how you got started in snowboarding?
Well, I was born in Princeton, New Jersey. Then my dad moved us back from New York to California and back and forth a few times because of his business. I grew up skating in the Bay area; I was a sponsored skater [Spitfire, Thunder, and Black Label], traveled all over the place…then randomly, actually, tried snowboarding on a skate trip! We were up on our way into Oregon and it was snowing, we were going to an indoor contest in Eugene…Mike Ranquet talked me into trying it in Tahoe a few weeks later and I fell in love with it immediately. After that, every weekend in high school we would drive from Danville to Tahoe.
Every weekend? How long was that drive?
Depends on who was driving! And weather of course, but we went rain or shine…so depending on who was driving and how the roads were it would take us 3 ½-5 hours each way. And yeah, every weekend through the winter. I’d say I went 15 or 16 times a year at that point.
So how did you get started in Utah?
My brother decided to go to school out here. And I should probably mention George. George Johnson owns the Milosport out in California; he was good friends with my brother in high school. They both moved out to go to the U of U. George told me “you’re into snowboarding? You should come check it out… It’s supposed to be really good out here.” HAHA this was all kind of before Utah started marketing itself as “greatest snow on earth” and what not. So I came and visited my brother right after I got out of high school. It was supposed to be a 7 day trip and I ended up staying for 3 weeks. It snowed probably 6 major storms while I was here. So, my first winter here was 1989/90.
I guess this means you weren’t an original shop kid at Milo SLC?
Nope, I started working for Milosport in 1995 as a shop kid. Dwayne Bush and Steve Brush, the original owners of Milo, started a company called Winterstick. As they started putting all their time and money into that they couldn’t give the store what it needed anymore. They sold the shop to Cal. George and I didn’t even know the shop was for sale, if we had we would have done something. But once Cal came in, and we worked so much for him that he couldn’t keep us so Todd approached Cal about opening a shop in Utah County…long story short that’s how Todd and I ended up with the Orem store.
Now might be a good time to ask, which of the two competing shops on 3300 South opened first?
It had to have been Milosport.
Thanks for clearing that up. But without focusing too much on the shops, tell me more about your experience in moving to Utah. I moved out to Utah, late September 1989 and stayed until probably midMarch. Then I was kind of transient back and forth between California and Utah until winter of 1993/1994 and then I stayed full time since then. I got a job from George at Milosport. I ended up moving into his basement, he had an apartment downstairs so I rented that from him and one day he saw me looking at the Want Ads in the paper. I had been working up at Snowbird doing lots of different jobs, but he asked me if I wanted a job at the shop.
Did you ever get into competing in snowboarding?
Not really. I think maybe because I did it so much with skateboarding and was kind of burnt out on the idea, snowboarding was just different for me. I would travel around with buddies who were competing and get bibs so I could practice. But snowboarding has always just been the rawness and pureness of snowboarding that does it for me.
You’ve mentioned George, but who would you say have been your major influences in your involvement and love for snowboarding over the years?
George has been a major influence. He taught me so much. That guy knows the industry in and out. In the early and mid-90s, snowboarding was a weird thing… there were windsurfers involved and influences from lots of weird facets of people who weren’t actual snowboarders. George knew my background and kept me away from all the crap of that—he would just take me snowboarding, let me sell boards, and really almost nurtured my love for the sport. So, he for sure was my major influence in the beginning. Now, what influences me the most is just riding--just the spirit of it. I don’t want to sound egotistical, but for me, I’ve influenced myself. Snowboarding became a career because I loved it. It slowly became my life because I just wanted to be more and more affiliated with it. I didn’t know anything else and I didn’t want to know anything else. I still feel the same way! I wake up every morning and I’m stoked.
There are a lot of people out there who dream of jobs in the industry. What advice, if any, do you have for young people who want to get involved?
Study business. Forget about the marketing and advertising, you really need to know the insides of the business world. I also highly recommend graphic design courses. There is a lot that goes into online media and publicity that having experience with design can help with. I’ve gained recognition through knowledge and passion. I’m not afraid to speak up at meetings and I push people to get out on the mountain all the time. In order to be knowledgeable, in touch and in tune you have to be on the hill and in the skate park… don’t forget to ride.
Before we finish up, if you’re ok with it, I was hoping to take a moment to hear your reflections on the very unfortunate passing of Scotty Goodale.
Scotty’s death was pretty brutal. It was really gnarly because of how many head injuries I’ve heard about in the past 3 years…I think that Scotty was such a crushing blow to everyone at Milosport because he was so involved-- one of our team riders, employees, reps… part of the family. He was amazing. He was one of those guys who, no matter what the situation, he was always laughing and smiling—even if you told him you were going to cut his leg off! He was always up beat no matter what the news. So everyone remembers his spirit and we’re reminded to not sweat the small stuff. Look for the good in everything, if anything is bad in your life just change it, don’t dwell on it.
Thank you for sharing that. Is there anything else that you want to share about your experience in snowboarding—events that have changed you or anything significant you want to mention?
The coolest thing has been that when I moved here I could only ride Park West, Brighton, one lift at Snowbird…couldn’t go to Park City… but now I can go snowboarding almost anywhere. But the one thing that pisses me off more than anything is that Utah still has two of the last three Ski-only resorts in the US. But just seeing all the resorts here, in Tahoe and across the country become open to snowboarders has been rad.
Well thank you so much for sharing the stoke for snowboarding and telling your story. Are there any final thoughts you want to share? Whatever you do, or want to do with snowboarding or the snowboard industry… never stop riding. Holding onto that spirit is what keeps snowboarding alive.
We had a chance to catch up with PCMR employee Danny Davis to get the inside information on all of the changes happening at Park City Mountain Resort for this up coming season. The resort spent a lot of time and money making improvements. The most anticipated upgrade is the new Three Kings lift. In the past, a slow 2-person chair serviced the Three Kings (Pick & Shovel) terrain park. The new Doppelmayr fixed-grip 3-person chair moves at 500ft/min and doubles the number of people to the top of the park per hour. Resort officials made a conscious decision to not install a high-speed quad because that would actually put too many people in the terrain park at one time and jeopardize safety. Interestingly, the new lift is not a traditional fixed grip 3-person chair. Doppelmayr’s unique design incorporates a 3-person-wide magic carpet under the loading area for this lift. The purpose behind this design is so that a lift operator no longer has to grab the chair before you sit down because you will already be moving forward, which prevents being knocked over by the fast-moving chair behind you. Davis commented that he is sure it will take some snowboarders time before they are comfortable getting on the grippy surface of a magic carpet, but as soon as people are used to the design nobody will have any issues. Anyone who has never used a magic carpet before can take a quick practice run on either of the two new magic carpets PCMR Ski School has added this year below the Payday lift. *Don’t worry, we won’t give you too much slack if we catch you practicing—at least not as much as we’ll give you if you fall getting on the new Three Kings lift. The new lift has eliminated the hill that park riders used to have to walk up to the right at the top of the lift and the base has been moved up to where Cobra Dogs’ trailer used to be.
Speaking of Cobra Dogs, don’t worry, they’re not leaving! In fact, they’re putting down a permanent residence. Cobra Dogs will be building a new, permanent structure at the base of the Three Kings terrain park. Their new building will have electricity and running water; however, whether or not there will be bathrooms attached is not yet known.
A few other points of interest that need to be mentioned include the Earth building that has been done to the super pipe. Previously the dirt structure beneath the pipe was 15 degrees on one side and 7 degrees on the other. This required substantial snow making in order to build the pipe to regulation standards. This summer, the crew worked hard moving dirt from the Peek-a-Boo run and built both sides of the pipe base to 17 degrees. This will save the resort a lot of money and time when it comes to making enough snow to open the pipe. More lights have also been added to the Three Kings terrain park. Last year PCMR added lights and opened 3 lifts for night riding. This year they had added additional lights to their jump line to make it safer in the park at night. More park improvements include adding “an artistic touch” to all of the lift poles for the new park lift. Details were being kept quiet, but we should all be able to see soon. The park crew wanted to mention that they have built 4 new stair sets this year (last year there were none) and they are also recycling the old lift towers and making them into park features.
With all of the improvements, the 2011/2012 season at Park City Mountain Resort should be the best yet.
WORDS: LINDSAY ACETO
PHOTO: DANNY DAVIS
SNOW PORN
Quick Guide
Powder movies: Givin, Twe12ve, Art of Flight, YES Even mix: Rome SDS, Capita , VG Retrospect, Burton, Forum, People, TB20 Rail Flicks: Familia2, Shoot the Moon, Think Thank (could go in Even Mix its real close), 32 Ammo Lots of Extras: Both Videograss movies, Art of Flight Moderate/Normal amount of extras: People, Familia2, Twe12ve, Think Thank, Rome SDS, Capita, TB20 Few Extras: Ammo, Given
Givin “One”
Retail: $24
Runtime: 50 minutes
Extras: One 7 minute clip of Europe
Synopsis: A pow heavy flick full of psychedelic music and effects, a great flick to watch before or after riding, great for background movie watching
Absinthe “Twe12ve”
Retail: $30/iTunes $8
Runtime: 53 minutes
Extras: A few episodes of Flipside from the making of Nowhere, a slam section, photograph section, and winning clip of last years Whitelines contest
Synopsis: Perhaps Absinthes best ever … tons of powder with urban balance courtesy of Paxson, Brisse and Bode …. Bode has an epic 10 minute ending part
Yes “Its a Movie”
$20 Yes site (not a download)
Running Time: 39 minutes
Extras: Unknown
Synopsis: Way better than I expected … ungodly deep pow in Japan, Revy, and Russia Frank April the “token jib kid” has a banger part too
Standard “TB 20″
Retail: $26
Runtime 43 minutes
Extras: Standard Show “Alaska” episode , Montreal street edit, teaser
Synopsis: Kevin Jones … the end .. ok ok a well rounded flick with urban,big mountain, and girls!
Forum “Vacation”
Retail: $24/ iTunes $8
Runtime: 44 minutes
Extras: Unknown
Synopsis: Finally getting the whole crew healthy (minus John Jackson whose left the team anyways) Forum drops a better balanced hammer this year. Finally jumpers Wiig and Moore have full parts and even Stevie Bell gets his long awaited back country footage.. Welch, Sweetin, Nico, Cam and the rest hold it down from front country to bc booters as well…
Burton “Standing sideways”
Retail: $13/ iTunes$8
Runtime 40 minutes
Extras unknown
Synopsis … Everyone except the Red Haired kid and the girls make a showing in this years Burton flick. Solid but not groundbreaking with Jussi ending and Kokubo opening .. only downside is much of the footage comes from their riders parts in other films so may be redundant for some …
RomeSDS “The Shred Remains”
Retail: $24/ iTunes $8
Runtime: 1hr 13 minutes
Extras: Jib Farm, Day in the Life with Lazz, AmArmy Remix, and the party bar
Synopsis: One of my favorites for the season. A two year project that feels like an old school video from the 90s. Fast riding and fast times with a good mix of pow and urban…
Think Thank “Ransack Rebellion”
Retail $30/iTunes $10
Runtime 41 minutes
Extras: B-footage from most riders, some skate from Visconti, Filmer/Photog riding, Yobeat contest winners YaGoons part
Synopsis … Another creative effort from Think Thank … took a bit more getting used too than previous films but I grew to like it .. solid and inventive
Capita “Defenders of Awesome”
Retail: $20/$5 Download on Capitas site
Runtime: 39 minutes
Extras: Stevens bonus stuff, short clips of Capita homies, Cale’s sponsor me video, slam section
Synopsis: One of the best teams today puts out their second vid… solid riding from everyone even Stevens and Kimura who spent much of the season hurt .. downloadable for 5 bucks = cant miss
32 “Ammo”
Retail: $10/Download on 32′s site $3
Runtime: 28 minutes
Extras: Riding montage
Synopsis: Featuring ams Hobush, Alito ,Schubert,and Brewster as well as regional flow riders and a few shots from Grenier, Stevens, and Bradshaw … raw and wild as you would expect from an Am flick.. for three bucks you cant go wrong
Brainfarm “Art of Flight”
Retail: $30/iTunes $10
Runtime: 1 hr 20 minutes
Extras: 13 extras ranging from behind the scenes, to POV TRice/Jones footage, slams, fishing, and even music videos
Synopsis: most people will list this as movie of the year but I place it in the documentary category not shred flick category … amazing eye candy and stunning riding from the best free riders of the day .. the one film all season your parents will tolerate watching with you
People “Good Look”
Retail: $25/iTunes $10
Runtime: 37 minutes
Extras: Five bits about 3 minutes each from out takes to bonus riding footage
Synopsis: People is a cast of vets and established riders so you know youll get solid well rounded riding.. a good balance of rails and pow with Eric Jackson giving his best part ever at the end
FODT “Familia 2″
Retail: $30
Runtime: 35 minutes
Extras: Team Shootout, E-stone and Sean Kerrick Sullivan photos, Windells footy, and Familia 2 teaser
Synopsis: Injuries took their toll the past season on the FODT. The riding is still solid and the cinematography is top notch but Familia 2 lacks the repeated bangers of last seasons Arena. If youre a fan of FODT youll be stoked but possibly wishing for just a little bit more .. some seasons just get the best of you…
Videograss “Retrospect”
Retail: $25/$10 iTunes
Runtime: 38 minutes
Extras: The Rascals short movie, Andy Wright photo, Cal Surf shop check out, Bungee bonus, Team shoot out stuff, Curtis Ciszek set up, 8mm bonus
Synopsis: Of the two VideoGrass flicks this is the more balanced with ample amounts of rails and pow. Although the riders arent quite as familiar as those in Shoot The Moon you wont be disappointed.
Videograss “Shoot the Moon”
Retail: $30/$10 iTunes
Runtime: 39 minutes
Extras: Airblaster edit, Jonas brothers, Brighton edit, Rail gardens edit, Ashbury demo, Jed bfootage, One off shop check out, Rascals Movie
Synopsis: Full on urban chaos in this Videograss release. Easily the most progressive rail video of the season and on par or better than the first Videograss release two seasons ago
FYI both VG movies come with a copy of Scotty Whitlake and Bryan Foxes Mt Baker pow movie entitled The Rascals .. youll want to buy a hard copy of one of the VG flicks for this juicy little nugget
WORDS: DANIEL COCHRANE
ALEX ANDREWS MICAMOVE.COM
Ok tell me who you are.
My name is Alex Andrews
Where are you from? Ogden, Utah.
Nice. Born and raised? Born and raised.
Good deal.
Yep.
Well that leads me perfectly into my first question. Being raised in Ogden you were a Snakeboarder. Were you a sponsored Snake Boarder?
Oh boy! If you want to call it that sure, however it’s not called Snakeboarding. I didn’t do Snakeboarding actually I did Streetboarding.
(Laughing)
But it’s the same motion as a snake.
What do you mean the same motion? You mean as in they just changed the name?
(Sighs) Sure. Basically.
So what kind of...
Let’s go back to how old I was ... I was like maybe 12.
That’s pretty irrelevant but let’s talk about the sponsors. What kind of sponsors do you get when you’re a Snakeboarder?
Well my buddies in Ogden, by the way Ogden is like the Meth capital of the world.
Right.
So my buddies they owned a Snakeboard company and that is how I got involved. They were older and I saw them doing all this cool stuff like a snowboard…like they would do flips and all kinds of stuff and I was a twelve year old so I was like “Rad!” and I got it and started doing it for a hot minute and then realized skateboarding was way cooler.
So was Snakeboarding what ultimately got you into snowboarding?
No I was snowboarding way before skateboarding and Snakeboarding.
Really? Yeah.
So snowboarding was what got you into Snakeboarding? Yes.
Cause they are supper similar... (Laughing) Sorta... at least like riding rails, ledges, and a half pipe is similar, like I rode vert ramps on the thing.
Sure. So what was your most banginest trick? Ah uhh alright this is gonna be good...
And I want the REAL name of the trick. Well we used the same names as you would in skateboarding. So I went to the world championships and we used real names. It’s just like skateboarding but you can’t do kickflips.
No. No its not.
I went to the world championships and did a frontside rodeo 720.
Over like a funbox? A tabletop.
Really?
Yeah. You know the old Real Ride Park?
Yeah.
Like that.
That’s where the worlds were?
No but it was like that. The worlds were in California…Compton…. Downey they were in Downey just outside of Compton
Dudes that’s heavy. Yeah I was thirteen.
So you were a baller Snakeboarder that’s cool. Changing subjects…you’re one of the most injury prone humans that I know. Give me some of your favorites, like what are some of your most banginest injuries?
Well lets rephrase injury prone to just getting injured a lot in one year of my life. Okay?
Okay so one year of injury proneness
Yes because before that I had never really hurt myself.
Bad year?
Bad year of injury proneness. My favorite one? For sure my spleen. That’s probably my favorite of yours.
Yeah cause you get a really cool scar out of it and a story and just think your body was opened up and your guts were all hanging out and someone was digging through them is kind of crazy to think about.
Well since it was all in one year and pretty recent let’s just get the full list of the injuries.
Ok. At the end of August I broke my collarbone at Mt Hood
Was that before or after you wrecked your bike and got a fat lip?
It was after.
Okay.
Collarbone, had to have surgery. Then going into the year at “The Spot” …your spot, I tore ligaments in my ankle and then I was good for December. Then January ruptured my spleen and then I got really antsy and within a month I went snowboarding in Pittsburgh and I blew out my knee.
That’s a good list.
Yeah
So would you attribute falling back on prospecting at the spot to torn ligaments in the ankle?
No, no. I attribute it to me trying stupid tricks at your spot.
Well that answers a question that I didn’t ask. Did you quit prospecting at The Spot because of your ankle? Maybe that year I did yeah. Yeah for sure.
Alright.
But then I just decided to create The Bone Zone.
So that’s your creation? But I got it from you guys.
So it’s your creation? No it’s not my creation.
It was a collective effort?
Yeah
But you kind of spear headed it? You were behind it? Sure. I would say people would agree with that.
I would agree with that. So zero to hero dude in one year. (Laughs) Zero to hero..
That’s pretty good. Full VG part, Burton footage, full VG tour. Fill me in on filming this year like how that went down with VG. Was it what you expected or what you hoped for?
It was definitely not what I expected. Just because of the injuries I was very hesitant going into the season. I felt good and I was healthy, just my mind wasn’t.
Were you scared?
Yeah bottom line I was scared and I think that definitely reflected on my snowboarding this year but I only had one goal for the year and that was to not get hurt. So I accomplished that and I am excited about that and I feel A LOT better going into this next season; now that I have a solid season under my belt. You know? Yeah it was awesome filming with VG. Everyone was really cool I love that crew and I was really stoked to have a full part, but like for me personally I’m not too stoked on my part for my own reasons.
Because you know you can do better?
Yeah that’s it. I know I can ride better and there were lots of situations where I would go to a spot and question it and not, you know, be able to pull myself out of that but.
So you’re just looking to put it all out there this year then and send it?
A little bit but also I feel like I am smarter now too.
Well that’s good. What are your plans this year then? VG again?
I am working with you fool!
Burton movie?
Burton movie.
Nice. How’s that feel?
Really good. I am really excited. I think that they made a really awesome movie this year. I’ve gotten a lot of good feedback on it and I’m excited to be a part of it.
Burton went through a phase of not doing it but you kinda stuck with it and climbed the proverbial ladder in the Burton camp. How come you stuck with it? I mean what was the motivation there? You had other sponsors, other companies you could have gone with but you grinded it with Burton for a few years.
My main reason was definitely like the local people. I’d known Krista for a long time and supported what she had done with Burton here in Salt Lake City and also Josh Fisher has always been a good friend of mine because I worked at his shop so I got to know him. So definitely the local people as far as me riding for Burton as a rep rider I got a lot of support. Then the more I learned about companies and got to know you and just that it is a snowboarder owned, rider driven company I realized it was something I wanted to be part of and I decided to stick through it. I am really glad I did.
Because now being a legit part of it I REALLY like it and I can’t picture myself riding for someone else and I don’t think I’d be where am if it wasn’t for the company.
Well I think that’s respectable. I don’t think many people have that in them anymore. Because it was a grind.
Yeah.
I mean there were a few years there even after you were on the radar in house where it was still a grind and I think it’s hard for video kids with Burton so that was respectable.
Yeah it was definitely a grind and there were times where you would hear things like “oh you’re going to do this or that” and then it doesn’t happen soon and you know its kinda like “Aw man do I stick with this?” I’ve seen a bunch of kids come and go from the rep level of Burton because they are impatient.
That drive that you had to stay consistent and to stay there is something I feel is dying. I mean you said it; a couple people just moved on and couldn’t be patient. Why is that? Do they want more? Or are they just trying to get a small paycheck to pay a phone bill? I mean why do they just peace out?
Because in this world, I am learning, people think they are qualified before they actually are. So they feel, I mean even people with jobs, they want to get paid top dollar and be top boss but they haven’t put in their time or you know been through the ropes. It’s like a lot of people want that instant gratification as far as “making it” I guess is what they call it. So I think they feel like they deserve more and they get frustrated and go to someone who will give them more product right away.
In a sense they feel like they are pre-qualified basically. Yeah and I still feel like I am just starting Do you feel like there is more for you to learn?
Yeah exactly. I don’t feel like I should deserve anything. I am still working. I want to be a snowboarder for a long time so it’s just the beginning.
Well I think that’s something that is going to contribute to your success I’m sure So yeah people just get impatient.
Impatient with pre-qualifications. Yeah.
So boards.. You’re kind of the banana board guy? Like what got you into that? You didn’t start riding on those did you? No
Why do you prefer them? Or do you?
To be honest, I am in between on a lot of stuff. For instance I rode your board the Monkey Wrench. I really liked it but I just wanted it to be a tad softer, but I liked it and I didn’t notice the difference between the camber. I really like them for powder, I notice a difference there. I dunno I guess I immediately started riding them because they were softer for pressing like back. When they were first coming out it was easier to press that’s the bottom line..you know?
Yeah.
Then I guess I just started riding them. Now I guess if it’s too banana’d I am not too into it.
So Salt Lake City forever?
Yep.
Love it?
Yep.
Your girl loves it?
Yep…just bought a house so I am committed.
That’s kind of adultish, how’s that feel?
It was a goal of mine so it is adultish and it feels really good. I got my own spot I can do what I want, I can fix what I want I can paint what I want, I can mow my own lawn.
You got a garage?
I got a garage.
What you got going on in there?
It’s more like an apartment.
Its home you’re saying. Yeah. I got tools, music, a fridge, I am working on a couch. I got motorcycles, skateboards.
You got a mini in there?
Nah I am working on that in the back. Cement bowl actually... working on it.
Very nice. Just need that raise you know.
Uh huh..What kind of bikes do you have in the garage?
I have a Harley Davidson Sportster 1994 and a 1980 Honda XL 500 Dual Sport Street/Dirt Bike and then I have a 1981 XS 400 that is in pieces but coming together. Oh and Danielle, my girlfriend, has a 125 Buddy Scooter. We ride that thing a lot.
Ah so you’re pretty into it. Yeah.
Ok well one more question ... So Ogden, you said, is the Meth capital of the state. I mean if Reno is the armpit of America then Ogden is definitely the armpit of Utah. But you’re giving it some cred I guess. So let’s hear your most Ogdenest story growing up.
Oh God .. I got a couple good ones but this one is more recent because when I was growing up there I didn’t notice how weird it is. Hopefully the Ogden people don’t get mad at me.. but it’s like I went to Europe and then I came home to visit my parents and it’s like I am in another world...in like a box. One time me and my lady go to this hot spring in Ogden Canyon, right off the road, a pretty well known spot, she’d never been there and she grew up in Ogden and I was like oh you got to go there, you got to check it out. It’s this spot and sometimes there will be weirdos there druggies whatever, hippies, normal folks I was like we will have date night and go there. So we go at and we go to the hot springs and we are walking down there and I hear this loud noise this is right off the road. We walk up and there is this like 65 year old man in a yellow pancho naked with two 40’s in his hands standing in the hot pot with a generator and a T.V. on the side of the hot pot with like four movies, he is drunk and asking us to watch like Bruce All Mighty. Of course we didn’t get in but he is all depressed saying no one wants to be with him so it was just a weird situation with a drunk guy dragging a TV and a generator down to the hot spring.
And it’s like normal too.
Oh yeah for him it was totally no big deal and I am sure if someone whose been there more came down they would just be like. “Oh Bills down here again with his TV and generator let’s do some meth.”
Well Alex good luck with your career and great interview. Thanks for your help
For sure.
Stevie Bell... he’s not a polarizing figure in snowboarding by any means but he definitely seems to attract his share of the hate that goes around the snowboarding world. Of course most of the time when you attract the hate it’s because you are doing positive things for yourself. Indeed Stevie seems to have the dream life. Growing up in the Salt Lake suburbs he didn’t even snowboard until a friend of his in school talked him into going one day. Within a couple of years Stevie went from reluctant participant to getting noticed by Justin Bennee who helped him secure a spot in the 2005 FODT release. Salt Lake legend JP Walker took Stevie under his wing from there and in 2006 Stevie was riding with some of the biggest names in the industry as he filmed for Forums “That”. In an industry that takes years of hard work and dedication Stevie’s rise seemed too fast to believe and the doubters came out. He was called everything from “fad” to “lucky” to “flash in the pan”. All the while Stevie paid no attention to the haters and kept doing his thing. This season Stevie dropped his seventh part for Forums “Vacation”, hardly a flash in the pan. I was able to catch up with Stevie recently and we talked about filming for video parts, keeping a positive attitude, and even a little bit about how it’s those same friends from school that he still chooses to ride with when he’s in town. One thing’s for sure you will notice Stevie’s constant talk of training, hard work, and focus and also how he believes really in the end luck doesn’t have anything to do with it.
Hey Stevie what’s up this is Daniel with Arkade Hey Daniel what’s up, how are you?
I’m good how are you doing tonight?
I’m good. What are you up to tonight?
Oh you know just doing my thing working, and waiting for some snow. Me too (laughs) Hey I’m sorry I meant to call you today but I’ve been trying to get caught up on everything since I’ve been gone so much and I just keep spacing things.
No worries and in fact that’s one thing I wanted to ask you about I know it’s cool to live in Salt Lake City but it probably sucks too because you can’t really escape the industry when you come home and try to get things done.
Yeah you know you’re just right back in it but it’s cool I like it out here.
So being from West Jordan and now living in Salt Lake with it being so industry heavy what are the advantages and disadvantages for you?
Well the good is like you say you’re in the industry and you’re kind of by it all and you get more of an opportunity to know other riders, photographers, filmers. Also you know you became friends with everybody so when someone sees you... know it helps you out. For me I ended up becoming friends with Justin Bennee and all them from just riding Brighton
INTERVIEW: DANIEL COCHRANE PHOTOS: TIM PEARE
and they kinda gave me the two thumbs up to Technine which is what helped me. Then the downside of it is there’s a lot of kids out here it’s harder to get noticed as well. There are so many kids that are good and so many kids that move out here to snowboard. Filming out here is almost forbidden. Every time you go to a rail you get kicked out or you go to a spot there’s already three or four crews there. So it’s kind of hard to be productive here.
Right, you have to keep it fresh and new. Yeah and it’s kind of hard to out here.
Speaking of video parts, going all the way back to your first video part in That when you’re part came out you were disappointed to have all your back country stuff cut and every year since for whatever reason either injuries or time constraints you were never able to get in a good back country segment. How stoked are you to finally get in a good back country segment for your part in this seasons movie Vacation?
Ah I was stoked man. I finally found a new program that helped me. I changed some things I was doing in the off season and in training and it helped me out and also I finally had a healthy season and it worked out for me. It’s like that for everyone. I know everyone gets jumps cut out of their part I’m not the only one it happens to on our team and people on other teams. So you just gotta keep fighting at it and keep practicing and hitting jumps to make it happen and I finally did. It feels good finally so I’m just ready to move forward and keep it going.
Yeah it was super sick I was really impressed to see the double (cork) in there.
Thanks.
Did you feel any pressure to really put that exclamation point in there and not just have a “standard” jump part?
Well I definitely wanted to make a point; I didn’t want to have mediocre shit. I wanted to make sure I had some things that people were like going to talk about or be stoked on.
So is that one of the harder things about filming since obviously that’s your primary focus. Is it hard knowing that at the end of the season after all you’ve done you’re really at the mercy of editing between time constraints and everything else? Is that something you keep in your head or is it something you just have to get over and do your thing and let it fall into place?
It’s just something you got to deal with and get over. I mean if you let it, it’s only going to hold you back. One thing you got to know is other people have the same situation and not just the back country dudes. You just have to change your focus and work hard towards it and it will happen. It’s hard to though and it kinda sucks. It’s like damn man you don’t want to be only known as a rail rider or whatever people say about you. So it’s like work hard and change it or a few years go by and you’re still in the same situation. It takes a bit to get over it but once you do it seems to work out.
Well I see you from time to time when you’re in town riding at Brighton and Park City and I know you’re a well rounded rider but it’s got to be tough when others can’t see that and you get pigeon holed as a single type of rider.
Oh yeah.
So of the two which is more intimidating for you standing at the top of a big back country booter or psyching yourself up to hit a hand rail?
Ah hah hitting a rail EASILY yeah like way easy. Like I dunno hitting the rails is fun and I don’t want to sound like I’m over it and be all like “I’m just gonna be a backcountry kid” but you kinda get over doing something all the time it gets repetitive. So when it comes to rails I love’em but sometimes I feel bored when I go to rails and sometimes it’s hard to get psyched. It’s like ok another big down flat down or some tech down rail and you’re just like ugh ok. It takes the right people around you like my crew, I love
filming with them so it makes it easier to go out there. Then I just throw my headphones on, but when I hit a jump I’m just so excited to be there that there’s no fear there it’s just I’m ready to go you know.
Well and speaking of the crew...Forum is a little different in that you guys film team videos so I imagine that makes you guys a lot closer.
Yeah for sure.
So when you guys film how do you break up into crews? I mean obviously Andreas doesn’t hit too many rails so do you have a rail crew that eventually meets up with the other guys? Who are the guys that you usually film with?
Well it actually changes during the year quite a bit it just depends. Like obviously we have quite a few rail riders on Forum right now so what we usually do is to split into groups of three or four and go to different zones because it sucks having everyone in the same zone or city because all the video parts start looking similar. Then when the rail stuff gets done we decide who has enough rail footage to join the crews in the back country. Like Daniel Eck is obviously
going to be in the back country all year and Andreas does the same thing. Those two are usually on my crew and then as I said as the rail dudes get done we start pairing up in crews until we have enough for two crews then we just split. Some go to ****** and some go other places like that. Oh wait!! Don’t write that down that I said “******” cause I don’t want people to know where we go.
Haha ok I understand. Spots will blow up.
No worries.
My crew would kill me if they see that in there I promise you. They’d be like what the fuck??
Well leave that out don’t worry. So that’s cool it kind of gives you the incentive to handle your business on the rails and then you can get out into the snow.
Yeah right get it handled. I mean going on rail trips is really fun I don’t want to sound like I’m over it but when you do something all the time you kind of want a change. Going out with my friends like Cam
Pierce, Nic, Jake Welch, and Pat Moore all those dudes you know we’ve filmed together and been together for awhile. So it’s always good times and we amp each other up and have fun but work hard at the same time.
Right and then there’s all the traveling bullshit associated with the rails like you have to go to Minnesota or Finland or where ever and that wears you down. Oh yeah and that concrete is not getting any softer. (laughs)
For sure I will cartwheel any day before I eat a rail. See THAT’S how I feel.
And for me being an old man it’s not the falling so much as the getting back up. Little falls keep me down for a week or more.
Yeah exactly like just that right fall that bruises your hip where it just takes time (to heal) but you don’t have time. You only have so much time to get a part in the winter and you just kind of have to use that wisely and decide to continue to ride hurt.
So now that you’ve been on the team for awhile do you have a bit more pull so to speak on your parts or is it like you just kind of watch the final edit and you have no idea what’s going to be on there until you see it?
Well it’s kinda like you talk with the editor, you talk with the guys at Forum and they kind of let you know. Like I already knew what was going in and what was going to get cut but you do have some say you know. If there’s like a shot you feel should be in there they’ll add it in and if it works great and if it doesn’t they’ll take it out. It really just depends.
So speaking about the team obviously you’ve been on Forum forever but back in the day, just right before your time Forum was pretty solid. Solid as in not too much movement team wise where as the last few seasons there’s been some folks that have come and go. Like I know you were pretty close to both JP and Eddie (Wall). How do you handle or deal with it when your main guys move on to newer things?
Well its sucks but you know all you can do is just kind of look back and enjoy the time that you had with those dudes on the team or whatever. You have to enjoy that they are making those decisions to move on for better change which is a good situation but you know we run into those guys all the time. I don’t see JP too much but we run into Eddie, Ikka, Devun, and Laurie a good bit. So we always run into each other so it’s really not THAT big of a deal, but of course it would be dope if they were still on the team but change happens…shit happens.
Part of being a success in something is a lot of hard work with a little bit of luck thrown in. For you personally how much do you feel is luck and how much is hard work?
What you mean like coming up in the game? Did it just fall into place for me? Or what?
Well just for example like you see a lot of kids that come out here and work their ass off but it never works out for them. Then there’s times where a kid happens to be in the right place at the right time and drops a park run and some company rep sees you and it snowballs from there...
Well I’d say it’s probably 20% luck 80% hard work because you can be right place right time for anybody and that can happen for a lot of people but I mean for someone to
notice you at that moment you know you would have already put in the hard work to be that good of a snowboarder that they notice you.. you know what I’m saying. Or even to continue because if you’re not even that good it kinda shows pretty quick and teams will get over you. So for the kids that do work hard I wouldn’t call it luck. I mean there is luck sometimes just to come around on tricks where you can get hurt real easy but still be able to try it over and over again. I think most of it is just hard work. It does take a little bit of luck in knowing the right people for sure because like in anything its not what you know...it’s who you know.
Speaking of who you know I think a lot of people would be surprised to know that you actually hang out with Louie (Vito) a good bit. Yeah .. I do actually that’s funny I was hanging out with him this morning.
So you guys are completely different world in the snowboard scene so how do you relate your snowboarding to each other? Like he’s pure contest kid and you’re a pure video kid how do you talk about snowboarding together? Or do you even talk about snowboarding?
Well we talk about snowboarding sometimes but it’s cool that were on different sides of snowboarding. Sometimes I’ll ask him about things in competition and he’ll ask me about things in video world but we both respect what each other does but most of the time when we hang out we just talk about football or other sports we don’t talk about snowboarding too much. Vito I think is one of my favorite people to ride with when it comes to riding resorts and having fun. That like my boy right there, that’s who you’ll mostly find me riding with anyways during the season.
Well yeah and its funny you said that because almost every time I see you riding at the resorts its always with just your homeboys from growing up and that does have to be one of the coolest things about being from Salt Lake is you have those guys who you’ve always known and you know they are there for you to go ride and have fun.
Yeah and Louie and I used to be neighbors. I already knew him and then when he moved to Utah he moved right by me so we became homies you know closer friends.
Ah that’s cool so do you play FIFA together? Yeah actually we just got done playing FIFA.
Ah ok well I’ll just leave it at that and show a little love for Vito because it sounds like he got a beating..
Nah he didn’t play me I was playing online. He hasn’t got the 2012 yet but I do beat him at 2011. He knows.
Ok Stevie well I guess that’s all the time I will take from you tonight thanks for answering the questions especially after just getting back in town. Before we go give the readers all your shout outs and thanks...
Ok well thanks to Forum of course and Special Blend, Spy, Skullcandy, PCMR, iRide winches, Arkade magazine you guys over there are killing it, and anyone that reads this interview.
You can keep up with Stevie at steviebell.com, follow him on Twitter at @ Steviebell801, and see him in action in this falls Forum release “Vacation”
DOUBLE DECADE SL
There was that book that came out a few years ago that talked about various examples of situations reaching a “tipping point”. It talked about trends or opinions or circumstances that built up momentum over the course of time, and then, at a very real and identifiable moment, “tipped” and entered a new level of popularity. I thought the concept of a “tipping point” was very interesting, and while the title of that book escapes me, I was fortunate enough to witness a “tipping point” of my very own on Friday the 28th of October 2011. Electric has been throwing a Halloween party for the last 7 years, and it has always been a good time. The format has varied over the years, ranging from dance party to karaoke bash, to packed rap shows. People dress up, drinks flow, and everyone has a good time. This last party however, was the year that The Electric Halloween Party stepped out of the realm of “good times” to “can’t miss party of the year”. Costumes were bigger, funnier, sexier, and more over the top. The guest list was more of a “who’s who” in the snow/skate scene than ever, with riders, reps, shop owners and photographers all coming out in force. The venue, Metro Bar, was by far the best location for this party, and they went all out with the Halloween decorations. DJ Matty Mo was en fuego in the DJ booth, pairing the latest club bangers with remixed versions of the “Edward Scissorhands” score. Awards were given for the “Best Duo” (A pair of Luchadors who spent most of the night staging exhibition matches on the dance floor), “Spirit Award” (a toss up between a Lucasfilm™ caliber Chewbacca, and some crazy “Where the Wild Things Are” style monster that sweated their asses off all night) and of course the coveted , “Best Costume” which was between the best Amy Winehouse I have ever seen (by a bearded man) and Awesom-O the Robot. Awesom-O ended up taking home the prize, mostly due to his crowd surfing abilities. By the end of the night, if you weren’t laughing and sweaty, you definitely weren’t at the same party. My advice to you is to start planning for next year’s party now, because Electric’s Halloween Party has tipped, and it’s only getting bigger from here.
WORDS: CHRIS BRUNSTETER PHOTOS: AMBER PENA AND THE COAN CREW
s4optics.com PHOTOGRAPHY BY: JASONANDERSONPHOTO.COM
