Downdays Magazine, December 2015 (EN)

DOWNDAYS

SEASON 15/16

MAGAZINE

LOS VS AK / STREETS OF RUSSIA / ALBANIA’S ACCURSED MOUNTAINS

DECEMBER

#5

Sam anthamatten, charging the line.

DegreeS north expeDition // SewarD, alaSka tero repo

Th e n o rTh fa c e .c o m

360° Helmet Fit System

Quick Lens Change Technology

Photo By Vincent Skoglund

Explore At anonoptics.com

KEIRA + WM1 MICHELLE PARKER

DOWNDAYS

SEASON 15/16

MAGAZINE

Rider & Photographer:

Jesper TJÄDER

DECEMBER

Spot:

Laax, SWITZERLAND

DROPPING 10

MAGAZINE SEASON 15/16

DOWNDAYS

Regardless of what you may think of the controversial invention called the “Selfie Stick”, being credited as both the photographer and the skier in a double-page spread of a coveted magazine such as this—if we may say so ourselves—is pretty damn badass. Creating a unique photo like this used to require a very brave photographer on a ladder. These days, all you need to bust out a banger is the ability to grab your ski while holding a stick and a nifty little thing called a GoPro. Okay, maybe it’s a little more difficult than that, and Jesper Tjäder is not only a professional skier but also, for all intents and purposes, a professional GoPro cameraman. A selfie stick may not be appropriate in most settings, but there is a time and place for almost anything, and Jesper definitely found the right time and the right place here to use the selfie stick for full effect.

EDITORIAL 12 DECEMBER MAGAZINE SEASON 15/16

DOWNDAYS

Stimulus I woke up from a dream the other day that was simultaneously frustrating and pretty damn awesome. During my slumber, electrical impulses in my brain mimicked classic early-morning powder shred preparations: awake before the alarm and hustle to get all the gear ready. Make sandwiches, put on the coffee, get dressed while brushing teeth and making plans with powder buddies. (It was a very vivid dream).

Nipple-deep powder was everywhere. Upon arriving at a lift accessing slopes littered with natural transitions and endless pillow lines, I realize my ski boots are missing. After a long and frustrating side plot (involving kids’ ski boots, escaping zombies and encountering Mel Gibson) finally I find a pair of boots. The dream was so clear, so lucid, that the ensuing shred session in powder paradise felt almost as thrilling as the real thing. Waking to a rainy day in the office was kind of a bummer, really.

”The trick is to combine your waking rational abilities with the infinite possibilities of your dreams. Because, if you can do that, you can do anything.“ Guy FORSYTH – The Waking Life Skiing dreams like this seem to occur the most in early winter, as if my body is compensating for the lack of skiing after six long summer months without two planks strapped to my feet. I wish I could have dreams like that every night! However, when you’re not having awesomely lucid ski dreams, other things can fill the gap left by the absence of skiing—this magazine, for example.

Once again we’ve assembled a blend of stories, photos, articles and interviews for your eyes and brain to feast upon. Our features this month are an eye-opening escapade through the streets of Russia, a perilous adventure into the mountains of Albania, as well as the hard-charging Legs of Steel crew crushing Alaskan faces for the first time. Profiles of German soul skier Roy Kittler and professional mountain guide Ode Siivonen and an interview with Swedish slopestyle Queen Emma Dahlström provide insight into the lives and thoughts of some of the most talented European skiers. Mixed with plenty of additional ski-related articles, I hope this issue of the Downdays Magazine alleviates your ski deprivation, acts as stimulant for skiing dreams and most importantly, thrusts you out of your seat and into the snow as soon as possible.

Mark von Roy

UNLEASH YOUR FREE SPIRIT THR ASHER 1 0 0 / HAMMER 130 THE THRASHER 100 IS ONE HELL OF A FREESTYLE M AC H I N E D E L I V E R I N G C O M FO R T, S U R R O U N D C U S H I O N I N G FO R H I G H - E N D S H O C K-A B S O R P T I O N , U LT I M AT E C U S T O M I Z AT I O N A N D H E L L- R A I S I N G P R EC I S I O N B Y T H E B U C K E T L OA D .

THE PROGRESSIVE FLEX HAMMER 130 IS A R E S P O N S I V E A N D R E AC T I V E F R E E R I D E B E A S T F O R T H E B AC KC O U N T R Y, G I V I N G P R O F E S S I O N A L B I G M O U N TA I N R I P P E R S S U P E R I O R C U S H I O N I N G , H O L D , C O M F O R T A N D E X AC T P O W E R T R A N S F E R IN ALL TERRAINS.

F I N D O U T M O R E AT H A M M E R T H R A S H E R . H E A D . C O M

CONTENT 14

Cover

Rider: Sergey Golovushkin — Spot: Nizhny Novgorod, Russia — Photo: David Malacrida

Content

Dialogue 20

Emma Dahlström

Creative 48

Gear 28

Hardgoods Softgoods

30

Gallery

26

Essentials 44 46

Softgoods Hardgoods

DECEMBER

58 68 76

Talent 50 52

54

56

Insider

Burning Bridges

102

The Freeski Podcast

MAGAZINE SEASON 15/16

DOWNDAYS

Stubai Glacier

98

104

The Three Phils

Portrait 106

Roy Kittler

Vibes

Laax

112

The JP Memorial

Science

114

Après

One World

Crew 100

Ode Siivonen

History

Destination 94

Snowpack

Legs of Steel in Alaska The Accursed Mountains of Albania Street Skiing in Russia with Life Steeze Media

Stash 92

State of Competitions

Brains

Media 88

Antti Ollila Carl Renvall

Thought

Spray 87

Kilian Amendola

Les Crapules

GOGGLES

W H AT YO U S E E I S W H AT YOU GET NO SHORTCUTS See past distractions with SCOTT Precision Optics.

Thanks to more than 40 years of eyewear development, we know how to build googles that allow your eyes to do what you ask of them — focus on what’s ahead.

SCOTT-SPORTS.COM © SCOTT SPORTS SA 2015 | Photo: SimonRicklin

IMPRINT 16

Contributors Carlos Blanchard

David Malacrida

Thoughtful, creative and talented, Carlos Blanchard usually photographs snowboarders, but we’re fortunate that he documents skiers as well. His camera and words show a unique perspective and attention to detail unlike any other contributor to this magazine. With a passion for the heritage of photography, Carlos often shoots with an analog camera, as he did during his arduous adventure in the Accursed Mountains of Albania.

Pally Learmond

Not only is David Malacrida the man at the helm of downdays.eu, he has become a world-renowned freeski photographer in the process. Based in Annecy, France, David travels the world reporting for our website, but when not on the job he enjoys finding romantic spots to read. He has developed a taste for discovering new locations to capture with his camera. His recent excursion to document the thriving street skiing scene in Russia is featured in this issue.

Eric Iberg

DECEMBER

A British expatriate that has found a home in Innsbruck, Pally Learmond is essentially an honorary member of Legs of Steel. Living just down the road from the infamous LOS house, Pally photographs most of their missions and parties with them just as much. We recommend you check out his stunning photos of the first-ever LOS Alaska shoot featured in this issue just before going to bed, because these shots are great inspiration for your dreams.

Hardly anyone on this planet is as passionate about skiing as Eric Iberg. A ski-movie pioneer turned entrepreneur, Eric is the CEO of Inspired Media Concepts and helped create the B&E Invitational. Along with his many other contributions to the sport, Iberg is also a walking, talking encyclopedia of skiing.

His knowledge is put to good use as a contributor to our History section with a revealing account of the influential Three Phils.

“Live life to die happy.”

Matt HOFFMAN

Imprint Publisher Distillery Concept & Creation GmbH Innsbruck, Austria

Downdays Editorial Staff

Ethan Stone | ethan@distillery.cc David Malacrida | david@distillery.cc

Do you want to get the Downdays Magazine for your shop, chalet or bar to hand out? Please don’t hesitate to contact us!

Editor in Chief

English Translation & Copy Editing

Publishing House & Editorial Address

Production Manager & Photo Editor

Image Processing & Desktop Publishing

Photographers

Print House

Mark von Roy | mark@distillery.cc

DOWNDAYS

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MAGAZINE

Klaus Polzer | klaus@distillery.cc

Pierre Augier, Elliot Bernhagen, Carlos Blanchard, Karim Bourakkadi, Adam Clark, Oskar Enander, Ruedi Flück, Mattias Fredriksson, Grant Gunderson, Pally Learmond, Felix Lundin, David Malacrida, Julien Mazard, Chris O’Connell, Klaus Polzer, Tero Repo, Felix Rioux, Philipp Ruggli, Christoph Schöch, Andre Schönherr, Erik Seo, Stephan Sutton, Sindy Thomas, Jesper Tjäder, Mark von Roy, Richard Walch, Johan Wildhagen, Daniel Zangerl Writers

Mark von Roy, Ethan Stone

Klaus Polzer

Mayr Miesbach | www.mayrmiesbach.de Adverts & Marketing

Distillery Concept & Creation GmbH Leopoldstrasse 9 6020 Innsbruck Austria Tel.: +43 (0)512-307 811 Fax: +43 (0)512-307 812 info@distillery.cc www.distillery.cc

Downdays Magazine is published in English, French and German.

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Downdays is also a website: www.downdays.eu

Head of Distribution

Downdays Social Media: www.facebook.com/downdays www.instagram.com/downdays_eu www.downdays-eu.tumblr.com

Simon Kegler

Carlos Blanchard, Eric Iberg, David Malacrida, Klaus Polzer, Stephan Skrobar, Ethan Stone, Mark von Roy Art Direction & Design

W—THM Büro für Gestaltung | www.wthm.net Layout

Floyd E. Schulze | hello@wthm.net

The magazine and all contributions are subject to copyright, Duplication, publication or any other re-utilisation, as a whole or in part, is only allowed with prior written consent from the publisher.

The publisher and the editorial team accept no responsibility for text or images submitted for appraisal.

erdmannpeisker / Robert Bösch

Maturity check.

Think you’re a high-fl yer? Make sure you’re not heading for a fall!

All seasoned performances start in the mind.

Powder action? Safe bet!

ULTRALIGHT REMOVABLE AIRBAG Maximum safety, minimum weight The Ultralight Removable Airbag sets new standards in terms of weight and performance! Complete with the airbag system and carbon cartridge, the slim ski touring and freeride backpack weighs in at around just 1720 g. The outer material is extremely lightweight but also very durable and its technical features leave nothing to be desired when every gram counts.

Safety has never been so lightweight. www.mammut.ch

IS EVERYTHING U LT I M AT E S T R E T C H S TAY S D R Y f e at u r i n g 37, 5 m e m b r a n e

RIPCURL.COM

SAM FAVRET WEARS ULTIMATE GUM SEARCH JACKET

Photo: Klaus POLZER

Spot: Suzuki Nine Queens/Serfaus, AUSTRIA

MAGAZINE

EMMA DAHLSTRÖM

Interview:

SEASON 15/16

Emma Dahlström David MALACRIDA

DOWNDAYS

DIALOGUE

20

…finding her flow.

DIALOGUE 21 Spot: Suzuki Nine Queens/Serfaus, AUSTRIA

DOWNDAYS

SEASON 15/16

MAGAZINE

EMMA DAHLSTRÖM

Photo: Klaus POLZER

As the overall 2015 FIS and AFP slopestyle champion and with an X Games gold medal to boot, Emma Dahlström dominated the competition circuit last season. But there’s far more to this kind, humble and talented Swedish ripper than her stratospheric competition results. We caught up with Emma at the 2015 Suzuki Nine Queens, the pioneering women’s freeskiing event where she’s become a regular.

DOWNDAYS

SEASON 15/16

MAGAZINE

EMMA DAHLSTRÖM

Hey Emma, how was your week at Suzuki Nine Queens? More importantly, how was the afterparty?

Last night was pretty crazy. We didn’t really party during the week, so everyone was super motivated to party afterwards. The week was amazing as usual—this was probably my favorite Suzuki Nine Queens yet. I have been to four editions so far, and this one was the best because the jump was perfect and the atmosphere was awesome due to girls progressing the sport more than ever.

You progressed significantly as well this season and rocked the competition scene more than ever.

What changed?

I think I found my flow in skiing, especially on big jumps I feel much safer and enjoy being in the air even more. During the pre-season I also worked on rails a lot and learned so many new tricks. I think that may be the reason why this season went so well.

Has being part of the Swedish national team helped as well?

Having the Swedish coach definitely helped me.

But skiing with my old friend Felix [Lundin] definitely helped as well. We went to the same school; he is a rail ripper, just destroys rails and teaches me along the way. When I ski with him I learn a new trick every day. So I think skiing with my friends and the team has helped. I think it’s super important to ski with friends and keep the passion. If you don’t feel that passion, you will not do well.

Let’s backtrack a little. Tell us a little about your roots, how did you start freeskiing?

I started skiing when I was two years old, then switched to snowboarding and eventually switched back to skiing when I was twelve. Where I grew up there is a ski resort with 15 slopes, but the elevation is only from 300 to 500 meters high. It’s not very big, so for me being in the Alps is pretty crazy.

When I moved to high school we were able to ski five days a week in a really good park, Kläppen. So we used to ski with all the boys who were really motivated, and that’s pretty much why I’m here.

So, what does the future hold for Emma Dahlström?

My plan for the future is to go more and more into the video direction, especially urban. I have already hit a few urban features in Sweden, but not big ones. I really want to do a full urban trip, and maybe next year I also want to do some backcountry kickers as well, but I need to get experience first. We normally have ice or wet snow in Sweden, which kind of makes it difficult. I get maybe one or two days of powder skiing in a season. If I could live with my sponsors supporting me only doing video, I would do it because that’s what really drives me, even if competitions are fun too.

If it’s fun, then why not… tell us about the atmosphere among the girls during competitions.

It’s different at each comp. This year was definitely more mellow ’cause we didn’t have as much pressure. Of course you want to do good, but there isn’t the Olympic Games looming at the end. So it’s been a little bit like the Suzuki Nine Queens, a lot more chilling and dancing around. But the year before, with the Olympics and all, it was way more focused. There was a lot of pressure and it was hard to even get in ’cause there were only 24 spots.

Skiing for Sweden, I needed to get a top-8 result at a FIS event to be able to grab a spot, and I had an injury in the early season, so the pressure to get that result was pretty stressful.

Photo: Felix LUNDIN

How is Old Classmates going and can you tell us a little more about the project?

It’s a project that I’m doing with my old classmate from high school, Felix Lundin. We’ve been filming a few edits from some of the biggest parks and it’s going pretty well. It’s something that pushes me because when you film you really want to land your trick and make it look good. I have to try new tricks, ‘cause that’s really the point. Filming helps me for the competition as well though. You can watch a trick right afterwards and see what went wrong. Filming is a big part of the sport. If you do your first double, you want it on video.

Spot: Suzuki Nine Queens/Serfaus, AUSTRIA

Born: on 19 July 1992 in Torsby, Sweden Hometown: Torsby, Sweden Hobbies: Playing the Guitar, Photography, Surfing, Hiking Sponsors: Monster Energy, Völkl, Smith Optics, Colour Wear, Hestra, Marker, Dalbello, KASK, Douchebags, Kläppen

Photo: David MALACRIDA

DIALOGUE

22

And you’re able to keep that passion, even during such a busy competition schedule?

After a season like this one, I definitely still have it.

It was busy but good. I’m super stoked about the season I had. It was really busy with all the comps, but also because I filmed a lot for my special project Old Classmates. You just have to look past all the plans and remember to live in the moment. I try to plan six months ahead, yet if I really look that far, I get a little scared. But if I live day by day, it works out somehow.

The Aaron Blunck Signature Collection AU R I C H E L M E T Aaron Blunck put his talent on display in 2014, with seventh at the Sochi Olympic Games and podium appearances across the AFP, U.S. Grand Prix and Dew Tour series. The Aaron Blunck Signature Collection includes the Auric helmet, the Fovea goggles and the Will sunglasses.

The lightweight and highly ventilated Auric helmet features a durable ABS shell and a multi-impact EPP liner, which is strategically thicker in the most exposed areas. The award-winning Auric provides increased protection for the ears and temples and is compatible for use with a beanie and goggles underneath.

FOVEA GOGGLES

The Fovea goggle has a spherical shape that ensures maximum vertical and peripheral vision. The double lens

www.pocsports.com

from Zeiss is made of optical grade PC/CP and provides superior optical performance while the soft-coated PU frame conforms to your face and maintains its flexibility even in cold temperatures.

WILL SUNGL ASSES

The grilamid frame is lightweight, flexible and durable, which makes it perfect for almost any athletic endeavor.

The hydrophilic rubber stays grippy even when wet, so the glasses will stick to your nose when you move, regardless of rain or transpiration. The nylon lenses are treated with Ripel for clear vision and easy cleaning.

POC is a Swedish company with a strong mission to do the best we can to possibly save lives and to reduce the consequences of accidents for gravity sports athletes and cyclists.

DIALOGUE

The presence of the Olympics definitely had an impact on the competition scene. What do you think of the Olympics in general?

I think they are doing a pretty good job. AFP and FIS are working together to create the FIS World Cups, which works pretty well. The last World Cup in Silvaplana was probably one of the best comps I have ever been to. They actually listened to you when you complained, everything was on time and the course was good. Everything worked well so I think it’s not a bad thing; it’s good to have a kind of structure. But the bad thing is maybe that it’s harder for a ski resort to host these big contests due to all the regulations and rules.

wants to do one now. It’s cool to see the snowboard girls push the level as well—after Jamie [Anderson] landed a 10 perfectly, all the girls followed. Our sport came from snowboarding – it’s kind of our roots – so I definitely love their style and as a skier I try to learn from the snowboarders. They are better with grabs and I try to be as cool as they are, but it’s hard.

You’re pretty cool Emma, don’t worry. So what do you get up to other than skiing like a boss?

I travel pretty much ten months a year, so I don’t get too much spare time. When I’m home I like to be with my family, work out, go running in the woods and play with our dog. I live about two hours east from Oslo, pretty close to the Norwegian border but still in Sweden. It’s a small city with about 4,000 inhabitants and in the winter there is snow and there are hills nearby. I really like

DOWNDAYS

SEASON 15/16

MAGAZINE

Photo: Klaus POLZER

Spot: Suzuki Nine Queens/Serfaus, AUSTRIA

EMMA DAHLSTRÖM

What’s it like being on the Swedish Freeski Team?

I’m in the Swedish team with Jesper Tjäder, Oscar Wester and Henrik Harlaut and I think we are a pretty solid crew. We have a good time together,

Results: 1st in Slopestyle, X Games Aspen 2015; 1st in Slopestyle, FIS World Cup Park City 2015; 2nd in Slopestyle, FIS World Cup Silvaplana 2015; 2nd in Slopestyle, Dew Tour Breckenridge 2014; 2nd in Slopestyle, FIS World Cup Silvaplana 2015; 2nd in Slopestyle, FIS World Cup Breckenridge 2014; 5th in Slopestyle, Winter Olympics Sochi 2014; 1st in Slopestyle, European Freeski Open Laax 2011

even when Henrik is more or less on his own program. Leading up to the Olympics he travelled a little more with us, but now he is back to focusing on his project. I travel a lot with Oscar and Jesper – to World Cups and camps – and it’s really cool to ski with talented guys like that—it motivates me as well. Unfortunately I’m the only girl cause the other one is hurt. We have maybe five girls that could be at the top, and I really hope some of them will join the team in the near future.

nature and I love playing the guitar, that’s probably my biggest passion besides freeskiing. I always long so much to get back to my baby [guitar]. It’s so crazy. But I travel with a guitalele, a hybrid between a guitar and a ukulele, so I can play that wherever, which is cool.

We saw a lot of progression this week at Nine Queens. Especially with snowboarders joining in, it seems as if the level has jumped up a notch…

I think the level is getting insane. Lisa [Zimmermann] is pushing the sport, doing back-to-back switch 1080s and now she landed the first-ever women’s switch double cork 1080. I don’t know how many times we saw 10s this week. Everyone

It turns out that Emma is a really talented guitar player. If you want to listen to her jam, and then get kicked out of her hotel room, check out the audio recording on www.downdays.eu.

Sounds radical, I want hear you play! Thanks for the interview Emma, now let’s record some guitalele…

24

LOCATION: NORWEGIAN/POLISH THALAY SAGAR-EXPEDITION

PHOTO: DANIELE MOLINERIS

PRODUKT: THE FIRST TROLLVEGGEN SET UP IN GORE-TEX®

LOCATION: MONTE CAMPACCIO, LIVIGNO, ITALY

YEAR: 1983

PRODUCT: THE FIRST POLARTEC LYNGEN ALPHA100 VEST YEAR: 2015

In 1972 we believed product development should be driven by the extreme user.

We still do.

www.norrona.com

Welcome to nature

GEAR 26

Hardgoods Selection

Your purveyors of fun and protectors from harm, hardgoods can make your day more awesome and significantly safer, so it pays to choose wisely. Here are some prime examples that might float your boat.

ALPINA | BIG HORN

DECEMBER

Frameless design for maximum vision; Polarized QuattroVarioflex Multimirror Lens; Spherical lens adjusts to light automatically; Skid Grip & Comfort Frame for perfect fit.

UVEX | JAKK+ HELMET

Uvex octo+ automatic fit system; Ultra-light, high impact resistant thermoplastic; Draught-free ear pads for improved ambient sound; Vent system designed for perfect air circulation.

LINE | SIR FRANCIS BACON

130 Flex & 98 mm last; Alloy tech inserts & Ski/Hike mechanism; X-tra GRIP Rubber on Toe & Heel; Heat moldable I.D Liner.

Dimensions: 142-112-132 mm; Radius: 25 m @ 183 cm; Lengths: 167/175/183/191 cm; Weight: 1850 grams/ski @ 183 cm; 1 mm camber, large nose rocker & medium tail rocker.

DOWNDAYS

SEASON 15/16

MAGAZINE

DALBELLO | LUPO TI

Dimensions: 135-104-131 mm; Radius: 17.4 m @ 184 cm; Lengths: 178/184/190 cm; Weight: 1760 grams/ski @ 184 cm; Taper & Rocker on Tip & Tail.

FACTION | CANDIDE 3.0

MARKER | JESTER 16

Din Range: 6-16; Triple Pivot Elite Toe System; Inter-Pivot Heel Piece; Stainless Steel Adjustable AFD Plate.

ZIP-ON YOUR LIFE Whatever your plans are, choose the perfect volume for your activities. Zip-ons with a storage volume ranging from 8 to 50 Liter can be easily attached to ÂŽ the ABS Twinbag system with a zipper.

Even more possibilities through ABSÂŽ Compatible Partner.

W W W. A B S - A I R B A G. C O M

GEAR 28

Softgoods Selection

The key facets of softgoods you need to take into account are: breathability, water resistance, comfort and reliability. We’ve made a little selection that may tickle your fancy.

PEAK PERFORMANCE | HELI VERTICAL JACKET

DECEMBER

3-Layer GORE-TEX Pro C-knit fabric; Fixed Hood with BOA system & Cohaesive cord stoppers; Sleeve pocket for 2-way radios; Armpit ventilation and security pockets.

BLACK DIAMOND | PRO SHELL

3-Layer GORE-TEX Pro Shell with microgrid backer; Integrated Cohaesive cord-management; Extended two-way armpit zip vents; Brushed microsuede collar lining.

MAMMUT | ULTRALIGHT REMOVABLE AIRBAG BACKPACK

DOWNDAYS

SEASON 15/16

MAGAZINE

1,720g with, 1,410g without cartridge & airbag system; 20-liter volume designed for ski touring; Diagonal ski carrier & ice pick holder; Hydration-system compatible & removable back padding.

BLACK DIAMOND | PRO PANTS

3-Layer GORE-TEX Pro Shell with microgrid backer; PIEPS Pocket & integrated harness; Integrated RECCO technology; Boot-Access zippers for adjusting buckles.

SWEET PROTECTION | SUPERNAUT R PANTS

3-Layer GORE-TEX Pro & high bib construction; Reinforced with durable and cut resistant Superfabric; Transceiver pocket on bib & detachable suspenders; Full-length x-opening ventilation.

FOR

PRO FASHIONALS

PERFECT GEAR, MATCH AND STYLE uvex core rider and Freeride World Tour contestant Felix Wiemers rides the uvex JAKK PAKK featuring our vrevolutionary octo+ helmet technology.

uvex-sports.com

GALLERY

Top

Rider: Pierre ROUGEOT Photo: Kab Spot: Bozel, FRANCE

30

DOWNDAYS

SEASON 15/16

MAGAZINE

DECEMBER

Gallery

Bottom

Rider: John SPRIGGS Photo: Elliott BERNHAGEN Spot: Revelstoke/BC, CANADA

Rider: Lisa ZIMMERMANN Photo: Klaus POLZER Spot: Seiser Alm, ITALY

32

This page

Rider: Unknown SKIERS Photo: Mattias FREDRIKSSON Spot: Revelstoke/BC,

SWITZERLAND

SEASON 15/16

Opposite page

Rider: Piers SOLOMON Photo: Oskar ENANDER Spot: Engelberg,

DOWNDAYS

35

MAGAZINE

CANADA

This page

DOWNDAYS

SEASON 15/16

MAGAZINE

Rider: Tom GRANIER Photo: Pierre AUGIER Spot: Tartu, ESTONIA

36 Opposite page

Rider: Jeremy HEITZ Photo: Tero REPO

Spot: Zermatt, SWITZERLAND

39 Opposite page

Rider: John WARE Photo: Erik SEO Spot: Worcester/MA, USA This page

Rider: David WISE Photo: Christoph SCHÖCH

Spot: Suzuki Nine Knights/Livigno, ITALY Next double page

Rider: Lyndsey DYER Photo: Grant GUNDERSON Spot: Last Frontier Heliskiing/BC,

CANADA

40

41

MAKE TURNS NOT EXCUSES.

TEAM RIDER PADDY GRAHAM IN THE NEW EXILE JACKET AND CONSTRUCT PANTS.

Bogner, started in 1932 by Willy Bogner Sr., is one of the oldest ski brands still thriving today. While most don’t associate the German fashion brand with freeskiing, Bogner was hugely influential in what used to be called ”Extreme Skiing“, and is currently making a push into freeskiing with its new B-Tec Collection.

Riders: Sven KUEENLE & Bene MAYR

DECEMBER

Photo: Richard WALCH

Spot: Alaska, USA

ESSENTIALS 44

Bogner’s B-Tec Collection

DOWNDAYS

SEASON 15/16

MAGAZINE

H

ardly any brand in skiing can claim a history over 80 years old, and even less can claim a large involvement in ski filmmaking all the way back in 1966.

You may be surprised, but Bogner can claim both.

In the ’60s, what many now call freeskiing was called “extreme skiing”.

But regardless of the name, the sport that Willy Bogner Jr. (son of Senior) captured in his breakthrough 16mm movie Ski Fascination exhibited the same character and passion as modern-day freeskiing. A world-class skier himself, Willy Jr. is renowned for filming high-speed ski scenes in James Bond movies as well as filming and directing the genre-defining movies Fire and Ice (1986) and Fire, Ice & Dynamite (1990). Blending a Hollywood plot with crazy ski stunt sequences and epic powder runs, these and Willy’s later movies were heavily supported by the Bogner brand.

In recent years, Bogner has returned its focus towards powder skiing

and freeskiing by supporting Sven Kueenle and Bene Mayr on their adventures. This season they have further committed to this endeavour by releasing their B-Tec Line, an outerwear collection geared specifically for freeriders looking for absolute top-of-the-line functional gear. Through large investment in research, development and design, Bogner has created outerwear that is as technical as it comes, ready for any conditions that the mountain may throw at you.

With two jackets, the Cork and the Rail, as well as a pair of pants called Kicker, Bogner have made their intentions clear: they are aiming at freeskiers looking for the best-performing gear available. The B-Tec Line is made from 3-layer, four-way stretch material that is 20,000mm waterproof and breathable, allowing for maximum range of movement while staying warm and dry.

Bogner has also reduced the amount of seams in the B-Tec line, and all seams are taped to increase waterproofing.

The Cork is the warmer of the two jackets, with extra insulation—in the form of down—in the necessary areas. The whole line comes with all the extra bells and whistles you would expect from top-of-the-line outerwear, including ventilation, large and practical pockets, water repellent zippers and even reinforced padding on the shoulders for carrying skis. The Kicker pants even have extra insulation around the kidneys and Teflon reinforcements around the cuffs. Sitting in the upper price range of outerwear, Bogner went all out designing the B-Tec range specifically for those skiers who want uncompromised performance in all conditions.

The first reviews from Bene and Sven, who took the new high-tech gear for a test drive in Alaska, have been nothing but positive. Be sure to check out the photo feature on page 58 of Bene and Sven together with the Legs of Steel Crew, crushing Alaska on a monthlong trip to the big-mountain Valhalla.

Sven Kueenle

bogner.com

A

lthough the hype is bigger now than ever, so-called “low-tech” or “pin” bindings have been around for over 30 years, invented by then 22-year-old Fritz Barthel and produced by Dynafit. Fritz claims it was laziness that led him to develop frameless pin touring bindings, because he wanted to reduce weight. Now, as the popularity of free touring is skyrocketing, pin bindings are entering the mainstream freeride market with full force—because nobody wants to carry excess weight on the ascent.

With over three decades of experience developing pin bindings, Dynafit aren’t just pioneers of the design— they’re also striving for its continual improvement. Most recently, the Dynafit Radical 2 ST and Radical FT have been TÜV certified, making the 2 ST the lightest low-tech binding with ISO 13992 certification at just 599 grams!

This certification—thoroughly tested to German standards—analyzes the safety

and reliability of binding releases during descents. This makes the Radical 2 ST (DIN up to 10) and the Radical FT (DIN up to 12) as reliable and safe as any non-touring binding. With a low stack height and an extra-wide binding mount area, the Radical is designed for complete control on powdery descents, even on wide skis.

With the Beast 14 and Beast 16, which earned their TÜV seal last year, there is a binding for every skier in the Dynafit range. They are easy to use and light on the way up, safe and reliable on the way down: find out more at www.dynafit.com.

DDECEMBER

ESSENTIALS 46

Dynafit Radical 2

Pieps DPS Sport

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I

n an emergency, only one thing counts: unconditional reliability! This is the philosophy of Pieps, the Austrian company with over forty years of experience developing and manufacturing avalanche transceivers. That philosophy coupled with those credentials make Pieps a safety company that you can trust to the utmost. Working together with professional mountain guides, rescue teams and scientists, they continuously refine and develop their transceivers to make them easy to use even under stress and most importantly: reliable in all circumstances.

The Pieps DPS Sport is the allround transceiver that ticks all the boxes and comes with the improved Software Version 3.0. With a maximum circular range of 50 meters, three antennas enable exact fine search as well as direction and distance indication from the first detection. The DPS Sport also integrates a MARK function to support

multiple burial incidents, and the intelligent transmitter automatically switches antennas for optimum transmission.

With a display that is optimised for perfect readability in any lighting condition and one functional button, it is most definitely user-friendly.

The DPS Sport also has a unique self-check sequence when you turn it on, thoroughly assessing the transmission frequency, all antennas, amplifiers, processors and batteries. The new Software Version 3.0 integrates a handy and potentially lifesaving tool: the automatic revert from search to send. The transceiver can sense if someone gets buried while searching, and automatically switches back to send mode. It also supports the new iPROBE from Pieps.

When it comes to safety, only the best will do, and the Pieps DPS Sport covers all the bases for freeriders looking for the best. Find out more at www.pieps.com.

WE ARE SKIING.

GUS KENWORTHY

LANDING PODIUMS WOLDWIDE ON ATOMIC PUNX.

THE NEW ATOMIC PUNX KEEP UPDATED ON WWW.ATOMIC.COM

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KILIAN AMENDOLA CREATIVE 48

CREATIVE

UNTITLED 49 Kilian Amendola is a designer working at Adobe who lives between Lausanne and Basel in Switzerland.

MAGAZINE SEASON 15/16

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“I’ve worked with Inspired and Armada Skis for the past five years and see it as an opportunity to explore new techniques of 3D illustrations. I like to play with shapes and light, with a painting-like aspect. With this piece I was looking to create a sense of power and wildness, but also insecurity through shapes that suggest natural elements like glaciers, crevasses, avalanches, caves and waves.”

KILIAN AMENDOLA

www.kilianamendola.com

TALENT 50

Antti Ollila Born: 25 December 1994 in Rovaniemi, Finland Home Mountain: Ruka, Finland Hometown: Rovaniemi, Finland Hobbies: Skateboarding Sponsors: Faction, Oakley, Full Tilt, Tazza

Interview:

David MALACRIDA

Photo:

Stephan SUTTON

How was last season?

I had some really bad luck in some of the comps, but I was able put out three Hot Chocolate project webisodes which turned out even better than I expected. Then I did a filming trip with Faction and filmed an extra edit with some street and spring footy.

So I’m quite satisfied with my season.

What is your attitude towards competitions?

I’m not planning on quitting competing anytime soon, but you never know what’s going to happen. I wish they could mix the courses and formats a bit to keep it more interesting—slopestyle is super standardized nowadays. At times it sucks when the weather is shitty and nobody wants to ski, and the organizers still want to run the event.

Anyway, usually I have a good time when competing.

What’s your best memory so far?

Vars Tournament back in 2014 was an amazing time.

Also randomly checking my junk mail one day and finding my first X Games invitation was crazy.

And the worst memory?

I can’t really think about any really bad memories. I’ve have been on some bad trips and small setbacks, but nothing big. There’ve been many more good times.

How is the scene in Finland?

There are lots of kids shredding the park, killing it with style and creativity. Some are going to break into the competition scene really soon.

What is your goal in skiing?

Learn new things, have fun along the way, make my skiing look like my own, inspire kids…there’s a lot of things I want to do in the future, not one clear goal.

What are your plans for next season?

Continue filming the Hot Chocolate project webisodes.

Having Lauri Kivari back on the project after an ACL injury last season will be cool. I will also keep competing and filming with Faction.

Results: 2nd Vars Tournament – 2014 1st Finnish Open Slopestyle – 2013 1st SFR Tour Overall – 2012 2nd Red Bull Playstreets – 2011

JONAS HUNZIKER [ L A A X FRIENDS TEAM ]

TALENT 52

Carl Renvall Interview:

Mark VON ROY

How did you become the skier that you are today?

My love towards skiing in nature and my passion for freeriding is what makes me evolve as a skier. I have been very fortunate to grow up surrounded by the finest mountains of Switzerland.

More importantly, I have as much fun as possible every time I put on my skis.

What is your formula for competition success?

CARL RENVALL

I ski lines that I have a big chance of stomping. The most important thing for me is to forget that I am being compared, to just ski for myself and have fun.

How do you feel about competing in the FWT Qualifiers this season?

I can’t wait! The level in the FWQ is mental and I surely will have to push myself. I can’t wait to compete on some new faces.

What is your biggest dream?

I would love to get more into filming. My biggest dream is to have the opportunity to travel to new mountains and film skiing all over the world.

Any advice for young guns competing in the FJT?

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Competing is cool, but don’t ever forget to ski for the joy of skiing.

How do you prepare for comps?

Days before, I ski lots of real bad snow. Minutes before my run, I listen to really good music.

Who do you ski with the most?

I have been skiing with Robin Délèze for longer then I can remember. I think he simply rides on the same vibrations as me.

Photo:

Daniel ZANGERL

Born: 15 January 1997 in Verbier, Switzerland Hometown: Verbier, Switzerland Hobbies: many Sponsors: The North Face, K2, Julbo

Results: Overall Freeride Junior Tour (FJT) Champion 2014 & 2015 1st FJT Chamonix 2015 1st FJT Fieberbrunn 2015 1st FJT Chamonix 2014 1st FJT Fieberbrunn 2014

MIKA MERIKANTO

STEALTH MITT SUPER WARM • 3 IN ONE GLOVE • GREAT COMFORT • WATER RESISTANT

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MAGAZINE

FREESKI COMPETITIONS THOUGHT 54

THOUGHT 55

At great risk of exhuming an already flogged dead horse and whipping its carcass once more for good measure, here I am writing another article about competitive freeskiing. However, it’s not without reason that the topic keeps coming up: the contest scene is a complex ever-changing beast, so it is worth reflecting on occasionally to perhaps guide it in the right direction.

Yet Another Competition Thinkpiece emerges. And don’t even get me started on the continuing standardization of halfpipe, slopestyle and big air events, which is beginning to look eerily similar to what happened to “freestyle skiing” two decades ago as it was standardized into moguls, aerials and ski ballet (RIP).

Thankfully there are bright beacons of hope out there: competitors who don’t follow the flock and throw unique, unconventional tricks, and events that offer a different approach.

With both FIS and top-level non-FIS events either directly or indirectly promoting course standardization, it’s up to the rich patchwork of independent events—like the B&E Invitational, Total Fight, Creation Nation, Red Bull Playstreets, Suzuki Nine Knights, and backcountry-oriented events like Red Bull Linecatcher and the Swatch Skier’s Cup—to point in new directions. These unique events need our support if we want to prevent freeskiing from going the same way as aerials and moguls.

Some point to other action sports like skateboarding and surfing as examples that skiing might follow. Street League Skateboarding and the World Surf League offer their respective sports’ top competitors cohesive international tours with formats that foster creativity and allow room for veterans to compete alongside the young guns.

On the freeride side, the Freeride World Tour represents the best that skiing’s got as far as an international non-FIS tour is concerned. But freeskiing— slopestyle, halfpipe, BC freestyle, street,

all that jazz—has never had a league on this level.

So, imagine a “Freeskiing World Tour” (working title) with a different format at each event—slopestyle, halfpipe, backcountry freestyle, big mountain, street—and an overall champion determined at the end. It could link up existing events like B&E, Linecatcher and Nine Knights to create an international event tour—a competition venue showcasing the unique and unconventional in our sport, where the style masters who’ve retreated to the backcountry can go toe-to-toe with the top young competition heroes. (One failure of the current competition structure has been losing many of the sport’s best talents to filming.)

There’s no doubt that a tour like this would bring problems of its own— and one thing’s for sure, when it comes to competitions, you can’t please everybody. But given the current options on the board, freeskiing can definitely benefit from new contest ideas that challenge standardization, highlight creativity and provide a venue for its best and brightest to shine on an international level. And in the meantime, long live independent events like Linecatcher, the B&E Invitational and Suzuki Nine Knights—beacons of hope for a sport threatened by soulless governing bodies and standardized courses.

FREESKI COMPETITIONS

Mark VON ROY

MAGAZINE

t seems like every few years the landscape of competitive freeskiing changes. Tours and events come and go—the Honda Ski Tour, the Rev Tour, the Dew Tour, European X Games, city Big Airs, FIS World Cups, just to name a few— proving that in freeskiing competition, the only constant is change. Now the shaky FIS World Cup circuit has brought us nationally funded freeskiing teams, coaches, training, the whole nine yards of FIS organization, to vie for prominence with non-FIS events and tours like the X Games and the Association of Freeskiing Professionals (AFP).

As these competing interests continue to cause friction, competitors are torn between which pathway to be on, and it becomes increasingly more difficult to say definitively, “this skier was the best.”

The AFP gives out end-of-year overall titles for slopestyle, big air and halfpipe, yet isn’t a real World Tour in any sense—it’s more like a competition rating system that ranks other events, but puts on none of its own. It seems like the only thing that competition skiers care less about than the AFP is the FIS World Cup, which awards World Champion titles—even though most of the competitors might be at another competition (like the X Games) at the time. The only time the World Cups seem to matter more is before an Olympic year—isn’t that odd?

The end result is a big, hot, sticky mess in which events overlap with each other, titles compete, and no clear vision of a worldwide competitive circuit

Photo:

SEASON 15/16

I

Ethan STONE

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BRAINS 56

Snow!!!

An article about snow—a short one at that—is about as unusual as loud complaints about how fat skis don’t fit properly into gondolas. However, in contrast to ski transport annoyances, snow is the maiden with whom I have I had a decade-spanning love affair. Thus, I present a few superficial thoughts and ideas—about snow and her characteristics—which I have learned over the years and every skier can benefit from.

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SNOWPACK

Text: Stephan SKROBAR

How snow comes to be Wikipedia says, “Snow crystals form when a few molecules in tiny supercooled cloud droplets get together by chance to form an arrangement similar to that in an ice lattice and then freeze,” and is once again completely correct.

Snow consists of many tiny ice crystals with strong branches in the form of six-pointed wafers or star shapes. Snowflakes are not simply frozen water drops, but are built from a chain of physical processes. Can snowflakes also be five- or eight-pointed?

No. Are there any snowflakes that are identical? In all likelihood, the answer here is also: No. Are snow crystals in their original shape completely symmetrical and perfect? Yet again, the answer is no.

Snowpack, Nature’s Beautician This all becomes relevant to us when snow finally lies on the ground, benevolently covering all the imperfections and irregularities of our surroundings. Anyone that has ever let a snowflake land on their tongue knows that snow has various consistency that can change very quickly. But what other factors influence snow and what does that mean for us skiers?

Photo: Klaus POLZER

Humidity and temperature bind snow and set the snowpack. Depending on the extent of the moisture in the air and the temperature, snow can become faster or slower underfoot.

Wind also binds snow and firms it.

Wind can create slower snow when snow crystals break, creating sharp edges.

Gravity pulls both you and the snow downwards.

Snow is actually in a constantly changing state, even though it might usually seem to sit perfectly still, waiting until spring to disappear. There are on-going processes within the snowpack that continuously change the consistency of the snow. At the same time, snow is following the law of gravity and is always, slowly but surely, moving towards the valley. Rapid changes in the environment can transform a relatively safe face into a dangerous endeavour within a very short timeframe.

When is the snowpack dangerous?

Two things to note: Firstly, extreme variations in the snowpack are signs of danger: temperature variations, and more significantly, variations in consistency. These variations do not make a

homogenous snowpack—they make an overlay of many different layers with different density, consistency, binding strength, and so on. The more layers with significant variations, the more likely it is that some layers are not well-connected and could turn into sliding layers. Conditions that create such avalanche-prone snowpacks are found particularly often at the start of winter, where the difference in temperature between the air and the ground is large and there haven’t been many significant snowfalls.

If a slope is regularly skied during winter, sliding layers can be destroyed, reducing the chance of an avalanche.

This phenomenon only occurs when the area is skied heavily over a long period of time, and after every snowfall. In early winter, some slopes that are usually safer in mid-winter are far more avalanche prone because they simply have not been skied regularly.

The second extreme situation to take note of happens in late winter, when the sun starts to do its dirty work on the snowpack and ruin all the fun by making slopes dangerous. Late winter brings a stronger influence from the sun, and thus a greater variation in the snow quality of differently positioned slopes. You may find fine powder in shadowy north faces but be stuck in unstable wet elephant snot on sun-affected south slopes. These sunny spring faces don’t always become dangerous due to their layers, but rather simply to their melting, increasingly unstable entire mass—a freight train perched on the side of the mountain, waiting to be let loose. There are enough videos of wet slab avalanches completely annihilating chairlifts, roads and even entire villages.

Existing in a constant metamorphosis, that fair maiden we call snow remains an exciting beast that changes on a daily basis. To learn more about it, simply look at it, play in it, dig in it, research it and discover the different forms it takes for yourself. We all love the maiden snow, but we must never forget to respect her as well.

#BESUPERIOR

YOUR POWER IS UNLIMITED.

SVEN KUEENLE, German freeskier and CEPro, relies on CEP Ski Thermo Socks

THE INTELLIGENT SPORTSWEAR MEDICALLY BASED. ATHLETE DRIVEN. MADE BY MEDI. MADE IN GERMANY.

cepsports.com

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LOS VS AK FEATURE 58

LOS

VS

Steep, deep and an ultimate proving ground, the legendary mountains of Alaska have long tested the mettle of freeriding’s elite. European production powerhouse Legs of Steel finally scraped enough budget together to visit this big mountain mecca for a month while filming for their latest movie Passenger.

Photos:

AK

Pally LEARMOND

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LOS VS AK

FEATURE

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MAGAZINE

Alaska is big and badass. Every cliché that‘s been used to describe it is true, and then some. This was our first run of the day, on the super classic “Dirty Needle,” after the entire previous face had avalanched just as we landed to ski it. Shaken by the biggest slide we had ever seen – with a 7-meter crown in places – we flew over the ridge to a better aspect. I got to ski one of the biggest, most complex lines of my entire life, one I have often dreamt of late at night.

This descent elicited the full gamut of AK emotions: sheer terror to otherworldly ecstasy, all in the space of ten minutes. Not a bad way to start the day.

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Sam Smoothy

This trip was retribution for me. In 2008 I had a heavy incident in Alaska— the conditions weren’t ideal and I felt the pressure to perform. We landed on a huge cornice above a line I really wanted, but it wasn’t the right time to do it.

After three steps, the cornice gave way underneath me and I fell 400m down a super exposed slope. I thought I was going to die, and was really lucky to only compress a vertebra. The psychological impact was huge, and so returning to the place that once threatened my life with a dream team of individuals was amazing. The camaraderie and vibe within the group was perfect. This time my mind was much clearer. Skiing some of the most fun, scary, intimidating and challenging lines was indescribably rewarding on a very personal level.

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Sven Kueenle

FEATURE LOS VS AK MAGAZINE SEASON 15/16

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Bene Mayr

Fabian Lentsch

Skiing Alaska was easily one of the greatest experiences of my skiing career.

I have always dreamt of skiing there, and like they say, it was a dream come true. Pushing my limits as a skier in a totally different direction was a phenomenal experience. It opened my eyes to a whole new world of skiing and I want to return to explore that direction even further. It’s true what they say about Alaska: It’s wild! That’s a fact.

Truly untamed mountains with no civilization in sight. Everyone always says how long you have to wait – sometimes weeks – for a window of good weather.

That’s also a fact; sitting around, waiting to shred the line you have dreamt of for years can really mess with your mind. But it is oh so worth it once you get that line. The feeling doesn’t compare to anything else in skiing.

Strangely, this line wasn’t as awesome as it looks. We flew by that face a few days earlier and couldn’t believe what we had found. It wasn’t huge, but the shape couldn’t be more quintessentially AK. Unfortunately the weather didn’t allow us to go for it that day, but we managed to return a few days later. The season had already changed to spring and the weather was getting warmer.

Through the binoculars the snow still looked perfect, and our guide thought so too, but somehow I couldn’t get rid of a weird feeling. The first turn was perfectly awesome, but as soon as I hit those spines I realized that there was just a shallow sprinkling of powder on a pretty solid surface. I was really happy once I finally skied out of the line in one piece. The situation was sketchy and could have turned out really bad.

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FEATURE LOS VS AK MAGAZINE SEASON 15/16

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Thomas Hlawitschka

Tom Leitner

I had to cross my sluff in this line, right after my third turn. It didn’t look too bad and I was expecting it, but I underestimated it. From mega pow I hit ice, the sluff stole my balance and although I thought I could make it through, the pressure on my tail was too much, and the sluff took me with it. I knew when the cliff below me would come, and was able to position myself to catch the impact on my back. The carousel continued afterwards—I tumbled for over 20 seconds. After the cliff – which you could see from the heli base – the worst was behind me, except that I couldn’t breathe so I had to clear my mouth of snow multiple times while falling. I really had enormous luck, and after a break I was able to ski four more days in Alaska.

This was definitely one of the most intense moments of my career. This shot actually shows a short section of a face that was very long with countless blind drops, spines and an immense amount of snow. In the Alps and most other mountains, you ski with an exact plan that has specific features as markers, but often in Alaska this approach doesn’t work. You are constantly reacting to what is in front of you and dealing with the sluff behind you; there is no other option except for “go!” Interestingly, this doesn’t lead to complete chaos, but rather a strange clarity in your mind: you feel completely present and life is more real than it ever has been before.

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FEATURE LOS VS AK MAGAZINE

The terrain over there is simply unbelievable. Such steep faces covered in a massive amount of snow that forms crazy shapes due to the heavy storms. This was my first time in Alaska and I have never seen faces that steep or skied terrain like that. It’s kind of an emotional roller coaster because the weather can be really tricky. Ten down days in a row is a standard scenario and when launch day finally arrives, you have to be on point. Within ten minutes you could be dropping into the craziest line of your life and then you have to perform. At the top it is hard to contain the excitement, you just want to ride; and when you finally drop it is just pure enjoyment and you savor every second, from the first turn till the last. Straightlining at top speed out of the bottom of an AK line is easily the best feeling ever.

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Tobi Tritscher

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Carlos BLANCHARD ALBANIAN SKI ADVENTURE

Text & Photos:

FEATURE

The Accursed Mountains: An Albanian Odyssey

SEASON 15/16

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Described by locals as the ”Amphitheatre of the Gods“, the mountain range on the western Balkan Peninsula spanning Montenegro, Kosovo and Northern Albania is known as ”Bjeshkët e Namuna“ or the Accursed Mountains. With the most annual precipitation in all of Europe, much of which falls as snow, the Albanian Alps are a little-known wilderness crying out for exploration and adventure. But as photographer Carlos Blanchard discovered, the kind of adventure that greets you there isn’t always the one you had in mind…

MAGAZINE

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FEATURE 70 DOWNDAYS

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ALBANIAN SKI ADVENTURE

I

could tell you what I felt, give you the details, show you photos or maps, describe the things we saw and people we met—transfer as much as possible of our time there—but nothing will do this experience justice. When you have been somewhere truly special, it’s hard to come home and pretend

everything is normal again. Albania was one such place.

I’ve had this feeling before, but not like this. What other sensation comes in such an unexpected and priceless way?

Makes you feel the pure joy that comes from the utter fulfillment of an experience lived? In my eyes, this feeling is a huge part of why we do what we do—as

cliché as that may sound. But I cannot control nor predict when the experiences that trigger such emotions will happen. Perhaps that’s the beauty of them.

Regardless, since I’m writing for a ski magazine, let me try to convey our experience.

I jump into a car and head to a place that I know only by name: Albania,

to head out for what’s supposed to be a few days in the unknown mountains, searching for cabins surrounded by great terrain. Easy to write now, far more difficult to actually experience; a time with so much substance that it is hard to summarize.

Heavy sleeping bag: check. Food for a few days: check. Extra clothes: check. Camera equipment, stove, book, lights, batteries, safety gear, different hardwired equipment and more food, just in case: check! Everything has to find its place inside these huge backpacks. These items are essential for our continued existence, although we all have phases of hating them over the next few days as the weight becomes unbearable.

FEATURE

group has been researching through the remote lens of modern technology. What we see looks promising, despite the warm weather. On the first day of exploring, we reach our first small goals and realize that we need to gamble the rest of our time here on one card with an alpine base camp. Yeah, that’s exactly it!

Back down in the valley again after a careful look at the terrain and weather, we set our goals. Hopefully we are ready, physically and mentally, to accomplish them.

I guess you never know yourself completely in this life. In situations where your confidence is not 100% and your fears seem to surface more than usual, you see parts of yourself that you may have been vaguely aware of but

I am starting to realize the price you pay when heading out into the unknown. don’t really like to see. For me, this was one of those situations. I’ve followed an invitation to join a trip where the spirit of adventure and exploration is high.

That is exactly what attracted me in the first place, but I am starting to realize the price you pay when heading out into the unknown. But there is no more time to think—only to act. We quickly repack

Alfred, our friendly local contact, together with his wife Catherine—an extravagant lady from NewYork who somehow found her way to this remote area— have taken such good care of us that it is hard to leave the comfort of the valley floor to head into the mountains again, this time not only with heavy loads but, I begin to realize, with heavy plans as well.

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DOWNDAYS

get us to our starting point—which, somewhat paradoxically, takes a five-day journey just to arrive at. What is a starting point anyway? Anyhow, let’s not get sidetracked with philosophical distractions; you’re on the road with us, aren’t you? Coming along on a trip like this is no small task, so let’s keep moving!

Without time to think, although I’m realizing that everyone else on the trip apparently did have time—I just happen to have missed it—we head into the mountains that we’ve come to explore. It feels like spring, judging by the temperatures, as we look out at a totally unknown range of mountains where the possibilities are endless. We need to make ground as soon as possible to finally get a close-up view of the area our

MAGAZINE

ALBANIAN SKI ADVENTURE

a country that in my mind has not yet found a place. There are no preconceptions, no prejudices of any kind. It’s fresh and white out there, a page yet to be written, a whole new chapter in the master plan. It doesn’t really matter if it’s good or not. You should be ready for everything, right?

I’m not sure how ready I actually am. With all the little details of daily life keeping me busy, I hardly have any time to get into the mood for an adventure to the remote valleys of northern Albania. I don’t get a moment to stop and think if I am actually prepared for such an excursion, or ponder what I’m actually getting myself into. It’s too late for that now—the wheels of our car roll on, anxious to cover all the kilometers, eager to

FEATURE ALBANIAN SKI ADVENTURE MAGAZINE SEASON 15/16

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The start goes smoothly: a day to be enjoyed, with a certain calm in the air. I contemplate the landscape on the ascent, step by step, no thoughts about anything in particular. The challenging terrain keeps us busy while we try not to care about the weight on our shoulders.

As soon as we reach our goal, it will be over and events should begin to take on different dimensions.

After a day and a half hiking into the unknown, with warm temperatures and clear skies, imagine us reaching a pass that gives us a moment to rest and contemplate. A moment to think and look, to admire what our eyes gaze upon with the satisfaction of knowing that we have found something good. Well, now imagine that again, and again, and again, and make an effort to burn the image in your brain. Save it deep inside your image bank, because from now on and for the next six days, things are going to be very different.

The prevalent calm is still with us for the moment, with the feeling that we are almost there. We approach the group of huts that we’d hoped to find. The first mission: finding an appropriate one. We dig and dig, looking for a door hidden in

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the snow. A look inside: is there a stove?

No stove. Is there wood? Is it dry? It’s wet. Try again. Eventually we find a suitable hut, clear it out and establish our base camp. The heavy loads finally find rest on the floor of the cabin that will protect us from the elements.

Spirits are high and we even try to make a fire this first night, but real success eludes us. Making a fire unfortunately does not become part of our routine over the next few days. Would you rather be slightly warmer in a room full of noxious smoke, or be a little colder without a fire? Decision made: we remain cold.

The next morning, we open our eyes to what seems like the heart of a storm. We knew it was coming, so there are no surprises for now. Let it storm, and so it does. Later that day, the dimension of the storm starts to take different proportions; we have entered the clutches of the beast. Measuring the amount of new snow becomes a routine that breaks the boredom, helping us assess the risks developing during the storm that will remain after the bad weather has finally passed. Other than that, there is not much to do but keep

A look inside: is there a stove? No stove. Is there wood?

Is it dry? It’s wet. Try again.

horizontal and rest, read, eat and repeat the process.

Without much of a surprise, the second day starts in the same manner. It seems like this storm won’t be over as swiftly as we thought. Our measuring system tells us that almost 1.5 meters of fresh snow has fallen in the last 36 hours.

I guess that’s something to care about.

Not exactly desperate thoughts start to infiltrate our minds: five people stuck in a small cabin with limited amounts of food and gas. We need to think about what we can do to make our stay as long and as safe as possible. So here we are, with all our food on the table, the last time we will see it all together in one place. From now on we are splitting it up, with portions set for each of us: breakfast, a small midday snack and dinner. Again, this is easier said than done.

The third day delivers a heavy fog that seems to infiltrate the cabin and rest on our shoulders. It doesn’t let us out, forcing us to remain in our sleeping bags, the only warm place within a 20-kilometer radius, a fact that we won’t forget easily. These situations keep your mind on the mission at hand: staying as

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calm as possible while doing nothing inside this dark room, dry but cold. We start to feel comfortable in our temporary abode, although we would much rather be heading out in the mornings and coming back in the evenings after epic hikes and rides in the terrain we glimpsed three days ago. The wait continues.

Day four: the big white cloud around us is creeping into our heads, blocking out any thoughts besides how boring, almost exhausting, it is being stuck in this hut for another day. There is no way out, at least for now.

Day five: it has turned into a fight, a marathon. We haven’t done anything in the last five days except for a few short

hikes around the hut, although I find myself inside the sleeping bag most of the time. I learn to appreciate the behavior and attitudes of the group while listening to the sounds of the weather outside. The wind has been blowing hard almost constantly since the first night, bringing snow with it and moving it around our little dry haven. Sometimes the wind

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Following the hangover After some warm-up “When the Mountains Wild” is a of feelings after the big day of hikes next to the hut, the were Whiteroom Producaction, we head back to civilicrew heads out, opening a tions movie based on original idea of zation. After 20 km of hiking track as I observe the beauty an Mitch Tölderer. The through passes and valleys, of the line they slowly draw in movie combines and culture to crossing abandoned villages, the fresh snow. The hike takes action showcase the efforts, us to a bowl with many op- challenges and joy of river beds and fences, struggling through difficult snow tions, and faster than expect- the trip. ed, the guys start to shred the The crew consisted of conditions, we find ourselves Mitch Töldersurrounded by the warmth terrain we have been envi- riders er, Joi Hoffmann and and hospitality of the valley Klaus Zwirner as well sioning for the last five days. filmer and allfloor. It’s time for a rest, but Turns in the unknown. as around mountain man not for long. With an extraorFresh snow slashed into the Jakob Schweighofer. truly thankful dinary surge of motivation air for the first and last time I’m for all their efforts fueled by an optimistic weathon faces that have never felt during this threetrip to the er forecast, we head out the humans descend their slopes week mountains of Valbona next day to the zone we visitso fast. It feels like the moun- in northern Albania. ed when we first arrived, hoptains observe us, wondering ing to close the circle of our what we are doing and what time here, to complete our makes us feel the sense of reunfinished business that I—as ward so intensely. They don’t a photographer, not a rider— know that we will forever be wasn’t entirely aware of. thankful to them for this day A calm night inside our that brought us back to life tents, back in the comfort of after an eternity of white fog, our sleeping bags, delivers us a stunning blowing wind and ceaseless snowfall.

It is also the group that makes this sunrise and our second day of good a special day—the strong spirit shown weather, a second day of joy! We couldn’t by everyone, the patience, motivation, have asked for a better last day of the hard work, effort and finally the joy that trip. After a week out in the wild with just brings it all together at the end of the one day of riding, somehow the vibes are day. Then, as a reminder of where we still high, and strong enough to keep are—a place where the elements rule— pushing a little more. Once again we find Mother Nature once again closes her what we came here for, and taste the recurtains. Like a theater, our first and last wards before a successful retreat to the act comes to an end in the same way it safety and calm of the valley. This time started. We all hope we won’t have to our only intention is to pack, say goodwait another six days to take the stage bye, and wish a great future to this beautiful area and its habitants. again.

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sounds like avalanches being set off. I never got a real look at the terrain around us before the fog, clouds, snow and wind locked us indoors. I don’t know what lies above us; the thought is disconcerting.

Trying to pacify these thoughts, we say goodbye to the weather for another night of sleep, hoping that tomorrow will be the day. One last look outside: we fight with the door that doesn’t want to close properly, allowing little particles of snow to twirl around inside the hut. Our dreams of sunlight are sent out, at the mercy of the whims of the outside world.

Hopefully we get a positive response when we wake up in the morning.

On the sixth day, our hopes have been finally been fulfilled: it’s go time!

Winning the fight to open the door, we glimpse clear skies outside. Our master plan set in place a week ago, of entering this remote area with a storm incoming and hoping to finally get good weather, has actually worked out. We are here and there is no time to lose. We need to get moving.

A plan for the day is set and finally we move, hike, feel the fresh air and see the first light of a perfect, sunny day. We start to warm up while enjoying a coffee outside the cabin. My job of following, capturing and documenting is finally getting exciting. It feels like everyone has his mind’s eye on what lays ahead.

The view of the big terrain around us helps us stay positive that we will finally get what we were looking for. It won’t be easy, but hopefully the reward will be even greater than expected.

Trains, ice, skiing & junk food…

From Russia, with Love.

Text & Photos:

David Malacrida

The prolific online editor of downdays.eu, David Malacrida is a unique character; passionate, sociable, slightly quirky, enthusiastic and most definitely a talented photographer. But you can’t exactly call him daring. So it was somewhat surprising when last December, David casually announced that he was meeting the Life Steeze Media crew to shoot in the streets of Russia, the giant land to the east boasting some of the strangest behavior on Youtube—and an up-andcoming street skiing scene as well.

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t’s December 2nd, a Sunday night like any other, but a bit more depressing than usual—not just because Monday is approaching, but because of the lack of snow in the Alps. Alexander Golovkin from the Russian street skiing crew Life Steeze Media has just sent me a message, thanking me for sharing an early-season edit on the website. We talk about the winter, I congratulate him on his movie, and the idea of shooting together comes into the conversation. I check dates, availability, visas, planes and my own desires. By Tuesday morning, my flight is booked. The trip is planned for January 2-10, just one month from now.

I’m surprising myself: Russia, fuck!

A country that is in a diplomatic and political crisis with Europe, a country ruled by the despotic Vladimir, riding a bear shirtless with so much manliness that he’s become a gay icon. A country I feared during my childhood, raised by a mother

Red as the heart of Lenin who rests there, Nathalie’s blonde hairs, the colorless plains of Siberia.

But at this moment, only the urban spots, the freezing temperatures and a new adventure full of ocular opportunities enter my mind.

There’s also the current situation: the economic crisis due to sanctions from Europe following the Ukrainian affair, but also due to the drop in oil prices (about 40%) following the worldwide economic slowdown. The ruble lost about 60% of its value, recalling the darkest hours of the crisis of 1998. Even Apple Stores are closing, waiting for price adjustments. So it feels like I am joining my new friends as an enemy from the West.

With hardly filled paperwork and as a luggage orphan with a lost bag, I finally arrive at Alex’s beautiful station wagon at the Moscow airport. I thought I’d be king of the castle here with all my euros, but I soon learn that I’m a tourist in the care of

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The imposing skyscrapers of Moscow illuminate the night sky.

I’d feel like the pizza deliveryman hanging with Wall Street traders.

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scared of the Soviet bloc and by the wall that fell shortly after my birth. Full of phantoms and fantasies, this country has alternately attracted and scared travelers and intellectuals since before the time of Communism, from André Gide, who came back disappointed, to more recent adventurers in search of an exotic trans-Siberian experience. Russia certainly has much to offer, from the majestically colored towers of St. Basil the Blessed Cathedral, the Square that’s as

the elite. Alex is a lawyer when he’s not filming skiing; another guy from the crew is an engineer who works for the city of Moscow. Fortunately the ruble crashed—otherwise I’d feel like the pizza delivery boy hanging with Wall Street traders.

I discover that we are a 1.5 hour drive from Alex’s house, which for Moscow standards isn’t even that far way. The biggest city in Europe, with 12 million inhabitants and an area 25 times larger than Paris, Moscow’s innumerable suburbs are filled with huge buildings that seem decrepit to my European eyes: a dormitory town. Along the drive I look out the window, learning Russian words from the signs. I discover French brands like Leroy Merlin and Decathlon, their names contorted into Cyrillic. It reminds me of a saying: we are the same, but we do not understand.

Alexey Bogatyrev greases the drop rail in Nizhny Novgorod.

Sergey Golovushkin’s got two video angles and a crowd.

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Sporting a lot of layers under his shirt, Dima Makrushin battles -25°C temperatures as the sun sets over the river Oka in Nizhny Novgorod.

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Stretching a bungee is not easy.

Dima Makrushin gets some help.

Dima Makrushin on fire, gapping the first section of the quad kink.

We return home with frozen eyes but warmed minds.

ful reunion with my suitcase!

We leave at 7pm with an appointment at McDonald’s before driving 30 minutes to stop at another McDonald’s, then again at another one next to the gas station. The fourth will be in Nizhny Novgorod on arrival.

2:30am: exhaustion, back pain, stuffed into a crowded car. A guy waits for us outside a disgusting building, handing us the keys as if selling drugs. In the hallway it’s warm, but a smell of molten battery tightens my throat and burns my eyes. I have a stomachache, and the crumbling walls decorated with cut cables give me the creeps. The apartment is not quite modern and the Internet doesn’t really work, but it is big and clean. I start to think that appearances are deceptive in Russia, but Sergei points out, “It’s a rental, the apartments next to us are probably horrible.”

Dima comes back from the supermarket, there has been a fight with cops. Finally stereotypes. I want to see more!

Spot check and sleep at 4am, wake at 11am and where do we go? McDonald’s of course. Fortunately, the big mac is 1.20€ here. Russians love fast

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the first time the saying “It’s normal in Russia” echoes in my ears, and I am delighted.

The first good shots are bagged as we finish around 11pm. Later, I edit the photos as Alex edits video. An incredible professionalism sums up this Russian crew. We imagine them as their clothes and their gangster posturing might suggest, but they actually have the ethics and effectiveness of a humanitarian organization.

The next morning is sublime, with a late 10:30am wakeup to the news that my suitcase has arrived. After reversing them three times already, I really need to change my underwear. Having warm ski gear that can handle the -25° temperatures at our next destination is also a plus. Finally I get my flash, which promises to magnify the beauty of the next spots. A three-hour car ride ends in ten minutes of emotion on the verge of tears: what a beauti-

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Accompanied by fantastic rock radio programming, we roll through downtown Moscow.

Christmas decorations are still in place among the towering monuments, historic buildings and squares peppered with statues of Russia’s greats immortalized in stone. Returning to the concrete suburbs, Alex turns and slows in front of a dilapidated-looking building. There are many unlocked doors—it doesn’t really look secure, and I start getting concerned. Behind the last door is Alex’s apartment. It is amazingly beautiful, well-decorated, modern and comfortable. I am treated to tea and a good camp bed. Alex and his girlfriend give me a better welcome than I ever could if they’d visited me, and I feel a little ashamed of the doubts that I’d had.

The next day we meet at a spot the crew has hit earlier, and I begin to realize that everything takes time here. The city is so big. “We shoot in Moscow during New Year’s holidays, when the city empties and movement becomes possible,” Alex says. Two hours after we leave, four hours after I woke up, the session finally starts to get underway.

It rains and snows in succession before a combative sun fights its way through the clouds. With my luggage still lost, I’m wearing loaned ski boots and jeans, and without a flash I have limited possibilities and don’t get many shots. The session ends with poor action shots, but satisfying lifestyle.

We buy orange caviar and a few beers and return to Alex’s apartment, where I’m the only one who doesn’t speak Russian. Aside from Alex and his girlfriend, the others struggle with English, and communication is complicated. Nevertheless, we have a good evening trying to get to know each other, and that’s what’s important.

The second day starts with an even smaller rail, and ends with Dima’s tailpresses. I discover later that he kills it even harder on rollerblades in the summer. Curious people watch us, and everything is going perfectly well in this wonderful world. It sucks. Is this really what you want to find in Russia? As a tourist perhaps, but as a photographer you want people yelling, tears, action, fighting and trouble. That makes a lasting image. Look at the news. Expect a newscaster to talk about happiness? Well, there’s still hope, and hopefully some food in this nearby mall. The atmosphere is good; I taste a hot stuffed potato, a local fast food although Russians relish McDonald’s and other American filth. We eat at McDonald’s so often during the week that I think it must be a joke, but eventually conclude that freeskiers are the same everywhere in the world.

Fortunately I see the impressive buildings of Moscow rising in the night, and feel like a child in Sin City. I pray to get a picture of it, to capture it and the disquieting scenes that must take place here in the shadows. We cross a railway line before parking. Scenic buildings in the background, the spot is here. I am jubilant. The very friendly Russian photographer Maria lends me a flash and I prepare. We set up the feature and negotiate with the custodian. He asks us to leave, we stay. I see a pacemaker company advertised in the distance, and Alex mentions that he works as an engineer for that company. Trains are passing, honking, five meters away from the rail, while people regularly pass by toting groceries. Do they get mad? No, for

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The next day, our last in Nizhny Novgorod, looks like the public day at Suzuki Nine Knights. We are in the middle of the city, and again the crew has chosen the easiest spot. In France we wouldn’t even consider it. It’s not exactly photogenic, but the audience is here and for the first time, the communication too. Little girls are dancing while they watch us, and an audience of local fans take pictures in front of the spot they helped set up. I can finally say the few Russian words I’ve learnt; to old women I say “chouba” and old men “chapka”.

Nobody gives a fuck about us, and I conclude that Russia is much quieter than France, at least when it comes to urban skiing. On to the second spot: it’s 5pm and the setup is risky. It requires too much speed, and the bungee snaps as fifteen people pull it beyond its limits. It slightly injures Alex, but the psychological impact is powerful, so the end of the session is declared.

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Russia Area: Largest country in the world with 17,125,242 km2 Population: 146.5 million inhabitants in 2014 Economy: 2,118 billion Dollar gross domestic product in 2013—mainly from gas and oil exports Trivia: Home to the world’s largest McDonalds and America’s sworn enemy in Hollywood movies

food. Actually the whole world loves it, I guess freeskiers do, too.

Searching for spots, we find a famous one, a rail above the river Oka during sunset. It is superb, just superb and I have—perhaps for the first time—the feeling of being somewhere strange and new. We set up quickly and start to shoot in a damp -20° under factory lights as the sun ends its daily course. Everyone throws tricks on the rail, while a local throws his balls on it instead. I’m cold, I’m happy and this dude is feeling the pain.

We return to our temporary home with frozen eyes but warmed minds. To be honest, I do not participate much in discussions and community life. They speak Russian together. So I’m mainly dealing with my own thoughts, but once

Sketchy spot next to the Moscow train lines, but Sergey Golovushkin handles it no problem.

I’m in the car, sometimes I work up the courage to find out what the plan is.

Today it is bluebird and -27°. Everything takes time, and when it’s finally time to start, the sunset has almost arrived. Fortunately today’s spot is even more beautiful than yesterday’s, a hill overlooking one of Russia’s largest cities. I take some test shots and damn, this is going to work perfectly.

I run up and down the stairs to get warm, but soon I can’t feel my fingers anymore. I’m addicted to adrenaline; I’m euphoric but stressed at the same time and yell every time a rider drops. I finally get shots worthy of five stars, the maximum score that I give my photos. The trip is already a success.

We pack up, have a meal in a small hipster fast-food joint (yep, McDonald’s again) and embark on an eight-hour drive back. It is 5am when we finally fall asleep, only to wake six hours later. I spend the last day in Russia driving the streets, trying to give ideas to tired riders who no longer want to ski. Four hours for nothing and finally I admit that it’s over, that I won’t get another photo.

On Saturday morning I get on the plane, complete my notes and can’t wait to get home to write about this experience. I’d gone out on a limb, and been rewarded with great photos, new friends, and new impressions of a land that’s foreign and familiar all at once. As they say, fortune favors the bold.

Ghost rider Alexey Bogatyrev nails a long double kink high above Nizhny Novgorod.

Simply one of my favorite freeskiing shots out of all that I’ve taken. Thank you, Alexey!

LY N S E Y D Y E R Foto von: Lynsey Dyer

#BEAHERO

SPRAY 87

How to Burn Bridges The best advice no one ever gave me was ”Don’t be a dickhead!“ So here is a feeble attempt to show you how being a dickhead can be counterproductive; it’s more of an anecdote really. It’s the story of how one ”Professional Skier“ managed to negatively influence his own media exposure; it’s the story of a dude being a dickhead.

Text:

Mark VON ROY

Photo:

Adam CLARK

MAGAZINE

follows: before the final edit was released online, Steve cut a few more dickhead-dude crash shots into the video, just for good measure. And, at least until he proves he isn’t that big of a dickhead, his chances of being featured in this magazine are slim to none. That’s how you burn bridges, my friend.

Perhaps it simply wasn’t his day, week or month. Perhaps other factors came into play, but such egocentric insults are totally uncalled for and, as mentioned earlier, counterproductive. There is, however, a way to make it right: Middle-finger-fuck-you dude, if you are reading this, an apology will do…

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solution: “Hey man, I am sorry you didn’t get…” he started, but was immediately interrupted by middle-finger-dickhead: “No man, fuck you! Fuck you.” And the dickhead walked away.

A few things to note: This was no massive movie; it was an event recap with the photographers’ challenge at the forefront. Middle-finger-dude didn’t really land anything while Steve was filming with his crew. Sure, he was entitled to be pissed, but at himself — not at the filmer who labored for five days straight while he got to shred powder.

Anyhow, the result of the middlefinger-dickhead-fuck-you maneuver is as

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he story begins with one of the nicest, friendliest and most passionate filmers I have ever met—let’s call him Steve.

Involved in the scene for almost a decade, Steve is funny, talented, dedicated, sometimes a little scatterbrained, but generally well-liked by everyone that has the pleasure of meeting him. He never earned well—he filmed skiing because he was passionate about it.

A few winters ago, Steve was hired to film a snow photography competition where teams of skiers and photographers competed to create the best freeride images. Steve’s job was to document the different teams and make an event highlight video that portrayed the challenges and rewards of freeride photography. Each day he woke early to film with a different team, late into the night he would log and edit footage. The night before the awards ceremony Steve didn’t sleep as he worked on the video edit to be screened at the awards and later online.

Things were coming down to the wire, yet Steve exported the movie and delivered it just in time. The video showed the difficulties of capturing the perfect freeride shot and was well received by an applauding audience. “Success!” thought Steve, “They all loved it!”

All but one… Right after the screening, after a few thanks and praises, a fierce middle finger approached Steve and a so-called Professional Skier spat a vicious “Fuck you!” at Steve. After four days of filming and being awake for 35 hours straight, Steve’s feelings of elation and sense of accomplishment turned to confusion and insult.

Reflecting on what could have possibly pissed off this middle-finger dude (seriously, who uses the middle finger in earnest anyway?), Steve realized that the dude had only crash shots in the edit. Being the nice guy that he is, Steve wanted to resolve the situation; the edit hadn’t gone online yet, and he could replace the crash shots with some other action shots.

The following day Steve overheard middle-finger-dude talking trash: “That edit was so shit! That filmer is so unprofessional!” and so on. Taking it on the chin, Steve approached wanting to propose his

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88 Snowblower – An Oral History of Skiing

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SNOWBLOWER –SNOWBLOWER AN ORAL HISTORY OF SKIING

Ski movies work best when the athletes’ personalities percolate through their skiing and onto the film. Even so, the skiers we revere for their talent and vision often remain personal blanks, with little more than a quick face shot and maybe a cheesy voiceover to give us a glimpse of the real people behind the pro-skier personas. Longtime Level 1 Productions filmer, editor and jack-of-all-trades Freedle Coty is hoping to change that with his new online “oral histories” of the skiers he works with.

Text:

T

Ethan STONE

o call Freedle Coty a creative person would be quite the understatement.

For over a decade he has contributed his artistic vision to Level 1 Productions as a filmer, editor, and jack-of-all-trades as Level 1 grew from an amateur operation on the U.S. East Coast into the standard-bearer of freeski filmmaking that it is today. Though he’s never been one to toot his own horn, Coty has shaped many of the company’s unique stylistic and creative choices, choices have given Level 1 its unmistakable flavor and allergy to routine. If you’ve ever

thought, “Wow, that was a weird choice of edit/song/graphic/concept” while watching a Level 1 movie, there’s a good chance that that nugget of originality came from Coty. “I also get to pick the names of the movies,” he says—so we can thank him for Shanghai Six. Coty knows his art well enough to know its limitations. The big one, as far as ski filmmaking is concerned, is the problem of capturing personality to match the skiing action, and blending it into the cut so that the viewer might know a little more about who just did all

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“With video interviews it’s never an authentic experience, because as soon as you put a camera on somebody, they become self-conscious, and they’re going to change how they interact just because there’s a camera pointed at them.”

the crazy ski stunts, rather than just documenting the fact that the stunts were done (by some guy with skis on his feet and goggles covering half his face).

It’s a difficult line to walk: some ski filmmakers opt out altogether, producing pure “ski porn” flicks that focus solely on the skiing sequences, while others err on the side of excessive narration, contrived story lines or awkward voiceovers that end up detracting from the action instead of enhancing it.

It’s Coty’s job to represent the skiers he films to the public, and he wanted to tell more of their stories, showcasing the personalities of friends with whom he’s grown close while traversing the world in search of snow. “I saw gaps in how people’s personalities were represented in ski media,” he says. “There’s a lot more to these guys than what you see in the videos.”

blower interviews out, with Will Wesson, Sämi Ortlieb, Chris Logan, and Parker White, and Coty says he plans to publish more when he finds the time.

The “interviews” are really more like fireside conversations between old friends. Coty demonstrates a knack for asking the right questions, drawing entertaining stories and facts from his conversation partners. Since his job dictates that he spend months each year in closest quarters with the skiers he films, he knows his subjects well, and can get them to tell their stories without difficulty.

“These are just an extension of the conversations we normally have anyway,” says Coty. “It’s things that I hear on a regular basis from these guys.

And I wanted to deliver this to an audience, because it adds so much more to who they are.”

Coty thought that video, his tool of choice, didn’t seem like the right medium for the job of delving deeper.

“With video interviews it’s never an authentic experience, because as soon as you put a camera on somebody, they become self-conscious, and they’re going to change how they interact just because there’s a camera pointed at them,” he explains. “So I’ve never thought that was a very good way of telling stories.”

While working a seasonal job building log cabins in Montana, Coty spent a lot of time listening to podcasts, and the format intrigued him. “They’re this audio manifestation that’s begun to replace radio in a lot of ways,” he says.

“I wanted to find a way to connect it to skiing somehow.”

The result is Snowblower, the title that Coty has given to his online “oral histories,” long-format interviews with skiers that he’s begun posting on Soundcloud. There are currently four Snow-

“This side project is my way of giving back to skiing and the ski community,” he adds.

Thanks to Snowblower, now I know that Parker White was mistaken for a girl when he was a kid; that Sämi Ortlieb’s mom used skis to get to school back in the day; that Will Wesson has creative ways traveling the world on a shoestring budget. Each conversation sheds light on aspects of these wellknown skiers that their fans would never know existed otherwise.

There’s no doubt that Coty has picked a narrow niche for his side project, as the number of podcast-listening freeski fans with the patience for longform audio interviews is probably somewhat limited. But stories are for the telling, and for those who want to listen, Snowblower is sounding.

Tune in to the Snowblower podcasts at www.soundcloud.com/snowblows.

The Snowblower archive currently includes interviews with Will Wesson, Chris Logan, Sämi Ortleib and Parker White.

AVAILABLE AT OUR CERTIFIED HELI LINE RESELLERS. FIND COMPLETE DEALER LIST AT PEAKPERFORMANCE.COM

STASH 92 STUBAI GLACIER

The High-Alpine Powder of Stubai Glacier

Perched at the end of the Stubai Valley just outside of Innsbruck, the Stubai Glacier offers stunning views and seemingly limitless powder descents. A freerider’s paradise of high-alpine risk and reward, the glacier even has its own Powder Department to help you get to the goods safely.

Photo:

Andre SCHÖNHERR

Text:

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D

Ski Season: September till May Lifts: 26 Skiable Area: 500 Acres Pistes: 64 km Parks: 1

Ethan STONE

uring my first season in the Alps, I was given the unenviable task of maintaining the Stubai Glacier’s terrain park for three long months from January through March. I’ll tell you this: keeping a park in good shape in midwinter on a glacier at 3,000 meters elevation is no easy task. But when I wasn’t digging out rails from under meters of new snow, I discovered the plus side of spending all winter in the nearly boundless freeride potential of the Stubai Glacier.

While many freeriders of the surrounding area are well aware of its immense powder skiing potential, the vast majority of Stubai’s winter clientele are still tourists who stick to the pistes. This means that there are plenty of freeride lines for those who know where to find them—and more importantly, who know how to navigate the dangers of high-alpine glacial terrain.

To help freeriders make informed and safe choices while delving into Stubai Glacier’s extensive off-piste areas, the resort has established its own “Pow-

der Department” dedicated to low-risk, fun and informed access of its many powder stashes. A network of 12 mapped freeride runs, complete with downloadable GPS data, takes the guesswork out of on-hill navigation.You can scope your routes ahead of time and download the data on the Powder Department website, then re-evaluate conditions on the ground at one of the two Powder Department Checkpoints at the top stations of the Eisgrat and Gamsgarten gondolas, which offer the latest information on weather, snowfall and avalanche danger as well as route overviews.

The Powder Department additionally offers a wide variety of educational resources, from free SAAC basic avalanche courses to advanced avalanche courses, splitboard camps, and even a women’s-specific Kästle Ladies Days freeride camp at the end of January. There is also a search and rescue training area at the Gamsgarten where you can brush up on your transceiver skills before heading out.

Once equipped with the right information and skill sets, Stubai Glacier’s classic high-alpine powder slopes lay open to your exploration. The low-hanging fruit is the first to go on a powder day: drop off the ridge below the Wildspitz lift for a classic steep-skiing pitch back down to the Eisgrat station, or skirt the ridge to skier’s left for a wide-open glacial powder bowl—but beware, crevasses lurk in wait, and many of Stubai Glacier’s higher slopes are often wind-loaded and avalanche-prone.

If you’re quick, you can nab some great pow turns off the Daunscharte surface lift before it gets tracked out, then move down to the Rotadlkopf, where a series of bowls and wide couloirs can keep you busy all day.

Lower in elevation, the broad swathe of terrain between the Eisgrat II and Gamsgarten II gondolas offer a plethora of freeride options, with the added bonus of scoping your lines from the lift. Farther out, the options are nearly limitless on either side of the 10-kilometer-long “Wilde Grub’n” piste leading down to the base area, but navigate with care: the right lines are tricky to find, and a wrong turn can get you into big trouble. To truly explore Stubai Glacier’s full freeride potential, you’ll want to get a guide—the Powder Department will be able to point you in the right direction.

Needless to say, Stubai holds immense faceshot potential, and if you know where to look, you may find that elusive white room days or weeks after the last snowfall. Find out more about what the Stubai Glacier has on offer at www.powder-department.com.

Phil Casabon

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DESTINATION

Laax Freestyle Dreams Ethan STONE

LAAX

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Young Jossi Wells boosts the iconic halfpipe below the Crap Sogn Gion cable car station during the 2011 European Freeski Open. Photo: Klaus Polzer

Only four letters are necessary to say “freestyle” in the Swiss Alps: L-A-A-X. Not to be confused with the Los Angeles International Airport, or with that smoked salmon on your bagel—when you hear the word “Laax,” you should instead think of the resort that’s the beating heart of the winter freestyle scene in Switzerland—a place that’s enticed snowriders from across Europe and the world with its first-class parks, events, and unique vibe for three decades and counting.

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DESTINATION 95 Double teaming a perfect table top, Andri Ragettli and Jonas Hunziker grew up shredding the parks of Laax; and it shows.

Photo: Philipp Ruggli

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LAAX

Laax local legend Martin Horรกk greases one of the countless jib features peppered throughout the many terrain parks.

Photo: Philipp Ruggli

DESTINATION LAAX MAGAZINE SEASON 15/16

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iven its long history of involvement in freestyle, it’s little wonder that the Swiss resort of Laax has become an epicenter not just for snowboarders, but for their two-planked brethren as well.

“We’ve had a park for a long time,” says Roger Heid, Laax’s snowpark manager. “In 1985 we built the first halfpipe by hand. Another milestone was 1994, when we bought our first Pipe Dragon.”

Times have changed since then. Laax’s expansive snowpark operation now boasts a total of 89 obstacles spread across four parks, as well as two halfpipes (mini and super), a new pro jump line that’s got riders raving, and a 2-kilometer-long park run down the Curnius chairlift that will leave you gasping for air and stoked for another run.

Not to mention the two most significant open-entry freestyle events on European soil: the LAAX Open (formerly the Burton European Open) for the snowboarders, and the Laax European Open for skiers.

Laax puts enormous effort into its snowpark operation, and it shows. With sixteen shapers and three to four park-dedicated snowcats on the mountain every night, Laax’s setups are known for their consistency as well as their excellence. The resort has continued to invest in its snowpark operation, recently completing earthwork for its superpipe—which since last year has been the world’s longest—and its pro kicker line, which is now up to Olympic standards. We’re not sure exactly what that means, but one thing is for sure: those jumps are dope.

Laax’s dedicated crew makes all this happen despite terrain that isn’t optimal for parkbuilding.

The P60 run down the Curnius lift threads erratically through unpredictable terrain—sometimes it can feel like a mix between a terrain park and a skiercross course, but that’s just part of the fun.

The features are all dialed, and it’s way more fun than riding a park that’s got all its elements in a straight line.

“We’ve changed the location a lot of times,” says Heid. “Mostly the reason was snowmaking and earthmoving. We chose to do earthworks so we could save lots of snow for the pro line and the superpipe.”

“Sometimes we struggle with the terrain,” he continues. “We have pretty difficult terrain for parkbuilding. Everything is steep and rocky. The location is pretty important in making a shaper’s life easy or hard.”

Though the rough terrain makes the shapers’ work harder, it also makes the riding at Laax better. The mountain itself is a veritable playground for anyone looking to get creative outside the park—or just ski some first-class Swiss powder.

The terrain off Crap Sogn Gion is littered with playful natural features and good tree skiing, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg: with 495 skiable acres and 220km of pistes, the Flims-Laax-Falera network offers the largest interconnected ski resort in the canton of Graubünden. And with 70% of that area above 2000m, Laax is about as snow-secure as ski resorts come these days. They’ve even got a glacier, the Vorab, which allows for reliable mid-November openings, and a spring season that runs well into April.

1, 2, 3 and into the clouds; a perfect morning on the triple jump line.

Photo: Philipp Ruggli

Season: November till April Lifts: 29 Skiable acres: 495 Pistes: 220 km Parks: 4 (beginner through advanced) Website: laax.com

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Once you’ve worn yourself out trying to shralp all of that terrain, you get to experience the off-slope Laax experience, where the offerings are equally bountiful. Looking to polish up on your tricks? Check out the Freestyle Academy, a 1000m2 indoor facility with a big air ramp into a foam pit, Olympic-size trampolines, a skate mini-ramp and street area, and a bouldering wall to round things out. The Academy opens its doors daily for walk-in sessions throughout the season, and also offers organized programs like skate lessons, week-long winter camps, and even a class dedicated to learning how to flip.

Looking to wet your whistle after all that action? The Indy bar is a perfect spot for an après beer, while the club in the basement of the Rider’s Palace—a modern, hip hostel catering to young clientele—keeps the vibes (and the booze) flowing till the wee hours of the morning, with internationally known musical acts lighting up the stage.

When the party’s finally over, the Rider’s Palace offers accommodations to suit every budget, from a bunk bed in a shared room starting at 39 SFr. (€35) all the way to luxury suites for 215 SFr. (€196) per night. But if you’re more interested in first tracks than in last call, check out the Mountain Hostel Crap Sogn Gion, located in the signature cylindrical mountain station right above the terrain park at 2228 meters above sea level. You’ll pay a bit more for the on-slope accommodations (upwards of 100 SFr. per night), but the lift ticket is included, and the location is unbeatable.

So what’s Laax’s downside? In a nutshell: it’s in Switzerland, and the land of soaring peaks comes with prices to match. Day lift tickets run for a pricy 76 SFr. (€70), while a season pass weighs in at 1300 SFr. (€1190). But the innovative LAAX Plus online ticket shop also offers a system that’s designed to help guests find the best deals based on date and availability. Although the price at the register may still have you grimacing in dismay, the one-of-a-kind skiing experience you’ve invested in will turn that frown upside down in no time.

SCIENCE 98

One World After a summer of record temperatures and significant glacial melt, the issue of global warming is more pertinent than ever. But what can we do against it? In this globalising world, sustainability has become an evermore complex topic.

Text:

Klaus POLZER

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SUSTAINABILITY AND GLOBALISATION

L

et’s be honest: winter sports are not exactly a beacon of environmental friendliness. Even ski touring or cross-country skiing, without the use of lifts or snowmaking, are activities usually accessed only after significant fossil fuel-powered travel and require large amounts of gear. As a whole however, our passion plays an insignificant role on global climate change. If we try to keep our actions as sustainable as possible, we can continue following this passion with a clear conscience.

Easier said than done. Limiting our travel or adapting our mode of transport is a good start. Choosing ski areas that focus on sustainability can’t do any harm either. What else? One should not underestimate consumer behaviour. Modern ski equipment and clothing is highly technical and often uses complex materials that have varying environmental impacts during production. Renewable raw resources and recycled materials are ideal—not only because they save resources, but also because they use far less energy in production. One should also look for the bluesign® certificate that marks sustainable production processes.

One of the most important contributions to sustainability we can make is simply by using our gear for as long as possible. It’s worth investing in quality, not only from an environmental perspective, but also because you can enjoy your toys for longer. It’s better to use a top-of-the-line jacket for five winters or more than to use a budget jacket that loses its function—which probably wasn’t that great to begin with—within a few seasons, and which you then have to replace.

Quality products reduce environmental as well as financial waste.

Countless studies on the lifecycle of products have come to this conclusion: “the lifespan of a product is the easily the biggest factor that reduces our negative influence on the environment,” says Bernhard Kiehl, head of the Sustainability Program at Gore Fabrics.

“Which is why lifespan, product quality and efficiency are the pillars of our

product orientated environment program.”

These conclusions were drawn from a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment that Gore has spearheaded regarding different product categories like outdoor jackets and climbing shoes.

The Life Cycle Assessment looks at a product’s full footprint: from obtaining resources, through production, all the way to the dump or recycling plant. Reviewing everything from energy consumption to pollution, life cycle assessment is a standardized and internationally recognized method to determine the environmental effects of a product. The sum of all these effects is generally referred to as the ecological footprint.

So where do these products that facilitate our fun come from? China!

This is not necessarily a bad thing. Getting shipped halfway around globe actually only contributes a small part to the ecological footprint. It’s beneficial to have the entire production chain in one place, rather than spanning the globe for various manufacturing steps before delivering a finished product.

Far more important, however, is that every step of the process is completed with high ecological and social standards. What is the point of an end product completed in an exemplary European factory if the materials are sourced

from unregulated and exploitative lowwage countries? Many popular brands have realised this—in part due to economic pressure from responsible consumers—and now operate their own factories in countries like China that strive for far better social and environmental standards than other local factories.

“At our factories across the globe, as well as those of our partners, Gore expects operations to be governed by responsibility, integrity and compliance to the law,” Bernhard Kiehl insists.

“Not to mention adherence to our fundamental values.” At the Gore factory in Shenzen, China, for example, the same work and environmental protection rules of Germany are followed. The pioneering ISO-Norm 14001, which has a goal of effective environmental management, was also first implemented in this Chinese factory.

Complete sustainability in our globalised world is a complex goal that’s difficult to understand, and more so to achieve. Nevertheless, it’s worthwhile to keep in mind not only when getting new gear, but also when shredding through the woods. Skiing through designated nature reserves damages trees and disturbs wildlife, eventually leading to the construction of a new forestry road and more CO2 emissions! Yes, it is a complicated topic, but just remember: you behaviour has an impact on our environment. Knowing this is the first step in making a difference.

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CREW 100 LES CRAPULES

The Scoundrels: Les Crapules

Creation: 2010 Residence: The Grenoble area, France Ski Resort: Les 7 Laux, France Members: Pablo Schweizer, Tom Granier, Raphael Rossato, Boris Fichelson, Quentin Pelmont, Etienne Mérel Website: www.crapules.eu

"We always knew how to avoid waiting in queues by cheating our way into the VIP area," Boris reflects on this crew of talented pranksters on skis. They are Frenchies, haters, university graduates, skiers and entrepreneurs, but mostly, ”Les Crapules“ are just a solid crew of friends.

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A

pproximately a decade ago, they met randomly amidst the snowy hills of Les 7 Laux above Grenoble: a group of talented young skiers that soon realized they had far more in common than skiing alone. “Because we spent so much time skiing together, we ended up partying together as well,” reflects Étienne. What started off as a group of friends shredding together eventually turned into a crew producing videos that needed a name. After some deliberation they chose the name “Crapules”, French for scoundrels, as a fitting moniker for their posse.

Over time their skiing skills ripened, becoming “good enough to ensure that people didn’t find us ridiculous,” says Étienne. Through their videos and photos they tried to show their vision of skiing: always together, always with new stupid ideas, and always with the joy of skiing at the forefront.

By 2012, with regularly appearing hilarious webisodes and their first magazine exposure, Les Crapules had devel-

oped quite a reputation in France.

How’d they do it? “We share videos that make us laugh and that make other people laugh,” says Étienne.

“Les Crapules is a collective with a core composed of about ten people, but we are actually much larger,” explains Tom. “We are a big crew of friends. We ski together, drink beer together and go on trips together,” adds Étienne.

These days the crew is somewhat grown-up, having graduated from school and most with full-time jobs.

Their formerly constant flow of ski content has decreased, reduced to short edits and Instagram updates. But this is just the visible part of the Les Crapules iceberg.

They’ve turned from a crew of scoundrels into a crew of professionals: a cameraman, a banker, a web developer, a designer, a commercial agent, a real estate developer, a climate engineer, a sports instructor, a physiotherapist… and Tom Granier. “Tom didn’t really study, but we needed one like him,” says

Étienne, because Tom has stayed true to the crew’s name.

Through their diverse professions and various skills, the crew never stops being creative. Their goal as defined by Pablo is to “spread the good vibes” through their trips and projects. Last April they organized the “Crapule Session”, a rag-tag assemblage of fun jib features, friends and lots of beer. In the summer they travelled through Europe together, almost entirely for free thanks to decent partnerships. Now they’ve started their own clothing label, available on their website for anyone keen to represent their vibe.

Simply put, Les Crapules is a smart group of mates that won’t stop being creative together anytime soon.

They’re not just skiers, but entrepreneurs of happiness: a generation born with the need to create pulsing through their veins. They want to motivate others through their actions. According to Boris, Les Crapules is for “all those who love skiing, snowboarding, beer and living free.”

MAGAZINE

LES CRAPULES

Sindy THOMAS

CREW 101

Photos:

SEASON 15/16

David MALACRIDA

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INSIDER 102

The Mountain Guide Born in the flatlands of Finland, Ode Siivonen gravitated towards the steeps and heights found further south in places like Chamonix. Over many years, Ode turned his passion for mountains into a dream career that has carried him around the globe.

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ODE SIIVONEN

A

Mark VON ROY

ctive from the get-go, Ode Siivonen participated in countless sports during his youth. Snowboarding, skateboarding, skiing and climbing shaped him into a kid that couldn’t sit still.

During his early teens, Ode was drawn to the halfpipe near his home, a rarity in the early ’90s, and developed a huge passion for snowboarding. It was this passion that first led him to the looming peaks of the Alps.

“I first came to Chamonix when I was fifteen, and never really left,” Ode reflects. The scale of the Alps and the steep powder shredding they offer left a lasting impact on young Ode. At that point, he didn’t realize that one can make a career as a mountain guide, and sought to become a professional snowboarder instead. Ode competed at professional freestyle events for almost ten years, but when he realized that this path wasn’t going to support him financially forever, he changed tact and started down the long road to becoming a mountain guide.

Ode was initially hesitant. “It wasn’t an easy decision to make,” he says. “I was really into halfpipe, but it

Photo:

Johan WILDHAGEN

didn’t go so well with all the climbing and freeriding I also wanted to do.” After snapping his Achilles tendon a couple of times at the end of the ’90s and struggling to scrape together money from wherever he could find work, he made the decision to pursue mountaineering. “It was a logical continuation so that I could continue a life in the mountains.”

Over a number of years Ode completed the arduous journey of becoming an internationally licensed mountain guide. During this time he also picked up skiing again, since skis are both easier and safer when moving in high-alpine terrain. “I love skiing,” Ode says, but is quick to add, “But obviously I love snowboarding too.” After completing the required climbing certificates, Ode took part in the Swedish Mountain Guide School’s four-year education program to become a licensed mountain guide.

“It’s a full-time investment,” Ode says of mountain guide school. “First you have to get all your personal abilities to the level that’s required, then get into the school and somehow find the

money to finance all of the courses. It’s a big investment physically, mentally and financially.” But the reward – at least in Ode’s case – is huge. As a mountain guide he has travelled to Kashmir, Nepal, Kamchatka and even Antarctica—work trips no skier would ever complain about. When your job regularly involves shredding untouched powder faces and getting paid to go heliskiing, well, it seems you have succeeded at life.

However, it’s not a career for just anyone. “Being a mountain guide is not a job that you can do, unless you really, really want to do it,” Ode insists. “There is a lot of responsibility and it’s dangerous. It’s a full-on profession!” Mountain guides are responsible for safeguarding the lives of their clients as they nagivate intrinsically dangerous terrain.

It’s this part of the profession that Ode is the least fond of. “One of the difficult parts of the job is having to make safe, good decisions, but still deliver good experiences to clients when the conditions are difficult,” he says. “That can be pretty stressful!”

The life of a professional mountain guide is definitely not easy, but Ode seems to have it figured out, with a business that’s almost fully booked in both summer and winter. The hard work has definitely paid off. “I have experienced so many amazing things, met so many amazing people and travelled to many exotic places,” Ode says. “I am so fortunate to have this as my job. I am in a happy spot!”

To find out more, head to www.odesiivonen.com

Born: On the 3rd of February, 1976 in Lahti Finland Certification: UIAGM/ IFMGA Certified Mountain Guide Hobbies: Skiing, Snowboarding, Skydiving, Base Jumping, Nature, Books & Movies Sponsors: Sweet Protection, Petzl, Rossignol, Aclima, Oakley, Dakine

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HISTORY 104

The 3 Phils

Forgotten Legends

Phil I

Phil II

Phil III

Most of today’s young skiers will have no idea who you’re talking about when you mention the Three Phils.

That’s too bad, because these three Phils— Belanger, Larose, and Dion—played a huge role in the foundation of the modern twin tip era.

Photo: Felix RIOUX

3 PHILS

Text: Eric IBERG

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P

hil Belanger, Phil Larose and Phil Dion all hailed from the same region in Quebec, Canada. They came from alpine racing, mogul and aerial backgrounds, and in their mid-teens they started to search for something new to do in skiing. During the 1996-97 season they started to document their new tricks and grabs on video, later releasing a movie called Free Bob. This movie documents the birth of the freeski era in the Canadian Northeast, with bio and rodeo axis rotations that hadn’t been seen before, as well as switch 540s on non-twin tip mogul skis (made possible only by very icy jump lips).

The Phils started to get recognized by sponsors, with Dynastar Skis the first to jump on board, and made their first big impression in the interna-

tional ski scene when Belanger placed first in Slopestyle and second in Big Air at the 1999 US Freeskiing Open. The Phils earned appearances in that year’s Poor Boyz Productions and Teton Gravity Research films, and inked sponsorship deals with Phenix Clothing and Smith.

From 1999 to 2001, it was common to see a Phil on a major podium around the world, while they also became staples in all the major movie productions. In 2001—foreshadowing a trend to come in the industry—the three Phils decided to not work with the traditional ski film production companies and created their own project instead for the ski film Royalty, which costarred Candide Thovex, Mickeal Deschenaux, Eric Pollard and Evan Dy-

bvig. Enticed by the idea of using their own vision to create the platform in which people viewed their skiing, they went on to create their own film company, Pléhouse Films, which produced five highly regarded ski films from 2003 to 2007.

During this time the Phils’ popularity was at an all-time high. They even had a grab named after them, the Phil grab, a crossed-up safety grab, popular enough to be a trick option in Johnny Moseley’s Mad Trix video game. Passionate about skiing, but also about giving back to the community, the Phils started a ski camp called Camp Revolution at Mount Hood, Oregon with a few American Olympic mogul skiers. The camp, in operation from 2001 to 2003, was a great time for campers and coaches alike, and produced a lot of great shots for ski magazines and movies too, like Larose and Dion’s famous gap over the camp halfpipe in 2002.

In 2003, after gathering accolades including contest victories, numerous awards, and segments with all the major film companies, the three Phils received their biggest award yet: their ski sponsor signed them to a 3-year deal that gave each of them their own personal pro-model ski. Shortly afterward, the crew started to be plagued by injury: Belanger the knee and back, Larose the ankle, Dion the shoulders. They continued making movies as Plehouse Films till 2007.

After moving on from the super-pro period of their careers, the three Phils have continued to give back to the sport. Phil Belanger opened a ski shop in Quebec City called D-Structure that’s been running strong for a decade.

He also organizes the largest open slopestyle events in Quebec, runs D-Splash, a water ramp and trampoline camp in the summer, and judges at some major events like the X-Games.

Phil Larose also got into judging, and as of late has moved into coaching, working with the Ontarian Provincial Team last season. Phil Dion moved to France and became Dynastar Skis International Team Manager for a couple of years before returning to Quebec, where he manages a restaurant today.

Over the course of their careers, the Three Phils left a big mark on the sport, bringing fresh new styles to skiing at a crucial moment in its newschool revolution and expanding their influence through dedication and entrepreneurial spirit. On top of being very talented skiers, Phil Belanger, Phil Larose and Phil Dion are all really great people.

What they’ve done for our sport should make them not just forgotten legends, but remembered ones.

SEASON 15/16

MAGAZINE

Photo: Julien MAZARD

East German

Roy Kittler

DOWNDAYS

ROY KITTLER

Soul-Skier

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MAGAZINE

ROY KITTLER

Germany

SEASON 15/16

Spot: Engadin, SWITZERLAND

Lives in: Innsbruck, Austria Home Mountain: Zillertal, Austria Hobbies: Skating, surfing, wakeboarding Sponsors: Alpina, Line, Dakine

DOWNDAYS

Photo: Ruedi FLÜCK

Born: 21 September 1988 in Pirna, Saxony,

Klaus POLZER

irst appearing in the German-speaking freeski scene around 2005, Roy Kittler was a lanky kid from Saxony with a distinctive East-German accent who followed the Snowparktour throughout the Alps. His dad drove him to the contests, and the two appeared somehow out of place in those early days. Roy’s style was still developing, but he had astounding rail skills, and thus managed to win the most important junior event of the Eastern Alps.

A decade later, Roy Kittler has become one of the most well-rounded skiers in the Alps, cementing himself as an icon of European freeskiing in the process. Contests and events no longer interest Roy, except for the Suzuki Nine Knights, where every season he never fails to impress with his unique approach to skiing. His accent has grown a decent Tyrolean twang that doesn’t entirely conceal his eastern roots. More importantly, Roy has grown into a charismatic and entirely likable human being.

Roy Kittler transformed, as a skier and as a person, in a way that hardly

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PORTRAIT 107

anyone would have thought possible back in 2005. With an unquenchable enthusiasm for skiing—a sport that evidently has the power to develop people—Roy didn’t spend his formative years in the fresh air of mountains but in a fridge-like enclosure. Born and raised in Pirna of the Free State of Saxony, near the border of the Czech Republic, Roy first stood on skis in the Ore Mountains at age two.

When an indoor ski slope opened up in nearby Senftenberg, Roy discovered newschool skiing and he was instantly hooked. He built his own rails, spent every free moment practicing, and thanks to some pre-existing inline skating skills, he developed his rail game quickly.

In 2005 after his first real season in the Alps, Roy won the Snowparktour, an 11-stop slopestyle tour with events in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. The win came with a major perk: an invite to to the legendary Orage Masters at Mammoth and also to a big-air event in Taiwan, the Nokia Totally Board. Roy travelled to these events as a young kid with broken

He might not be a huge international star, but Roy Kittler is definitely one of the most respected skiers in the European scene. After a decade of skiing professionally in his own way, Roy can proudly reflect on a unique career.

SEASON 15/16

MAGAZINE

(top) Photo: Klaus POLZER Spot: Munich, GERMANY

DOWNDAYS

(bottom) Photo: Klaus POLZER

ROY KITTLER

Spot: Seiser Alm, ITALY

“For me it was always just about having fun while skiing.”

English, meeting the stars of the scene and experiencing the atmosphere and energy of the thriving international freeskiing movement. The hook had been set—as soon as he finished school and got his driver’s license, Roy moved to the Alps full time, moving from place to place in Switzerland before settling in Zillertal and finally Innsbruck, in the heart of the Alps, in 2010.

His alpine relocation gave Roy access to far better mountains, which shifted his skiing interests. Formerly a park and urban junkie, Roy made skiing in the backcountry his main focus.

He was one of the first Europeans to ride and land switch in powder, while developing into a well-rounded all-mountain skier. Though he continued to post impressive contest results, he preferred to focus his efforts on filming, where he could express his creativity on skis in whatever way he wished. He worked with a number of production companies—his segments with Aestivation between 2008 and 2011 were particularly impressive— and in 2011, he posted his biggest contest result yet: second place at the highly competitive European Open slopestyle in Laax.

Roy eventually quit competing in slopestyle, saying he didn’t want to follow the double-flip trend and preferred to spend his time filming. He’d already gained a wealth of experiences on the international scene, from being the first German-speaking rider at the US Open to invitations to the Candide Invitational and the Jon Olsson Invitational.

More recently, Roy has become a regular at Suzuki Nine Knights, where he blew the field away in 2014 with hugely creative transfers all over the megalithic castle structure.

Throughout a decade as a professional freeskier, Roy has seen many changes in the scene, particularly regarding the ways in which he was marketed. When he started freeskiing he was fascinated by movies like Happy Dayz, patiently waiting months for the new movies to come out, then running the VCR non-stop until the tape was worn out. After earning his own segments in the first big European freeski productions, Roy was on hand to experience the emergence of the webisode era, appearing a number of times in the pioneering Line Skis’ Traveling Circus webisodes. In 2014 and 2015 he produced his own webisode project, Winter Trash, a personal highlight for him.

“Experiencing all aspects of a film production in detail was super interesting, and I learned so much during that process,” Roy reflects. “The experience I gained from that project is something that will benefit me even after my freeski career has finished.”

That time may be approaching.

Roy is currently still supported by his long-term sponsors, but he is actively looking for new challenges. He says his shift in focus is partly due to changes in the ski industry in the past few years; his experience with Winter Trash showed that it’s become far more difficult for small productions to find support and compete with financially dominant larger production

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PERFECT MATCH

MAGAZINE

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005 1st Snowparktour Final, Lech (AUT); 1st Kaunertal Opening, Kaunertal (AUT); 1st Snowparktour Final, Leogang (AUT); 1st Kaunertal Opening, Kaunertal (AUT); 9th US Open Slopestyle, Copper Mtn. (USA); 1st Kaunertal Opening, Kaunertal (AUT); 2nd Engadinsnow Big Air, St. Moritz (SUI); 1st Kaunertal Opening, Kaunertal (AUT); 1st Red Bull 401, Hoch-Ybrig (SUI); 1st Kaunertal Opening, Kaunertal (AUT); 1st Polish Freeski Open, Zakopane (POL); 1st Glorify Bastards, Gerlos (AUT); 2nd European Freeski Open Slopestyle, Laax (SUI); MVP Award, Suzuki Nine Knights, Livigno (ITA); 1st Jib Contest, Suzuki Nine Knights, Livigno (ITA)

Some competition results:

ROY KITTLER

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Spot: Suzuki Nine Knights/Livigno, ITALY

SEASON 15/16

2007

Photo: Klaus POLZER

DOWNDAYS

Film appearances: “4th Chapter” – Pickings Fam “Aestivation” – Aestivation “Legacy” – Verse Production “Mad in France” – SVP “Roots” – Verse Production “Motivation” – Aestivation „Lifelong” – Aestivation „Line Travelling Circus” (Webisodes) “In Space” – JOB “Line Travelling Circus” (Webisodes) “Sartori” – JOB “Line Travelling Circus” (Webisodes) “Winter Trash” (Webisodes) “Winter Trash” (Webisodes)

Photo: Klaus POLZER

Spot: Sportgastein, AUSTRIA

companies in a scene that’s flooded with online content.

The democratisation of communication channels through social media has a darker side. “Many people these days just head up the mountain to generate Instagram posts for the next two days,” Roy says. “For some skiers, it seems that the actual skiing has become a secondary matter.”

In terms of raw talent, Roy could easily continue his career, but after a decade as a professional skier, he’s slowly getting tired of self-promotion. “For me it was always just about having fun while skiing,” he says. “Slowly it’s time to search for other goals, so that I can continue to focus on having fun.”

We think Roy’s still got a few more good segments in him, but even if we don’t see him on film much in the future, it’s good to know that he’ll be out there having fun. We’d like to thank Roy for the many years of entertainment, and we’re sure that our paths will continue to cross on snow.

110

PORTRAIT

VIBES 110 JP MEMORIAL MAGAZINE SEASON 15/16

DOWNDAYS

A

n analogue photo taken by Chris O’Connell of a huge textbook JP Auclair styled mute grab in the quarterpipe, while Julien Regnier films with a handy-cam. A photo that could have been taken over a decade ago, that captures so many things about skiing that we love: friends, quarter pipes, filming each other, hang time, mute grabs and of course JP. The annual JP Memorial

event in Riksgränsen brings fun and good times to the forefront, paying homage to an individual that brought fun and good times wherever he went.

We love you JP! www.thejpmemorial.com

VIBES 113 JP MEMORIAL Photo:

Chris O’CONNELL Rider:

Sebastian Per KARLSSON

Spot:

THE JP MEMORIAL, Riksgränsen, Sweden

APRÈS 114 DOWNDAYS

SEASON 15/16

MAGAZINE

TILL NEXT TIME…

Down the rabbit hole and into the abyss.

May the search for the white room be a resounding success.

Photo:

Oscar ENANDER Spot:

Rider:

Engelberg, SWITZERLAND

Chad SAYERS

R OYA L FA M I LY

RU LE TH E MO UN TA IN 2015 - 2016

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