Method Mag Issue 18.2

R E A L

S N O W B O A R D I N G

18.2

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To reflect the level of riding and power that Travis Rice is known for, the Falcor combines materials with multiple densities into the baseplate and highback taking advantage of each materials strengths and characteristics. The result is a ride that is forgiving where you need flex, and responsive where you want connection.

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PHOTO: E-STON E L O C AT I O N : U TA H TRICK: GQ-ING

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PHOTO: OLI GAG NON L O C AT I O N : H O K K A I D O T R I C K : B S 1 8 0 JA PA N

Slasher in Saas Fee

P H O T O : A H R I E L P OV I C H

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ABOUT THE COVER PHOTO AND TEXT BY JEROME TANON Sparrow Knox riding Kula is one of the many incredible memories from our crazy trip in Kyrgyzstan. I rented this horse from a nearby mountain farm, with gestures and two words of Russian, for 2 euros. I kept it the whole day, went galloping on the trails, living the real central Asian dream. Who needs sleds when you can have a horse? I wish to never sled again. I was shooting on horseback, literally changing angles on my horse.

The boys were riding a spot next to this small road and couldn’t resist taking turns riding “Kula”, which means “brown.” That’s when Sparrow totally revealed himself as a modern Mowgli, bare-chested, Afghan hat, Indian blood, and his characteristic, overwhelming positive energy. Sparrow is a beast, an incredibly nice beast.

From a hell of an adventure in Kyrgyzstan, Goodbye Horses: The Road to Ambush. Feature inside P H O T O : J E R O M E TA N O N

I

’ve been pretty down on the state of media, particularly snowboard media, of late. Among other things, the current climate has created a cascading shit-river (R.I.P. Lahey) of uninspired content from a growing number of outlets in the race for 24/7 viewer attention, a deluge that was mostly contained online but has begun its flow into print. It’s a product of what The Guardian journalist Paul Lewis calls “the attention economy.” It’s a cyclical mess in snowboard magazine context: the sheer ridiculousness of the volume of content expected (with stagnant buys and far smaller staffs) leads to this increasing emphasis on quantity over quality, an incessant piling of bullshit into the void, nonsensical superlatives heralding every piece, and most of all, a lack of originality that’s become incredibly pervasive.

I saw a cover earlier this year that was almost identical in trick, style and setting to what must be dozens of covers by now, on snowboard magazines large and small across the globe. It was a glaring reminder of how formulaic, and lazy, so much of the

EDITOR: Mike Goodwin michael@methodmag.com SENIOR EDITOR: Chris McAlpine chriso@methodmag.com ART DIRECTOR: Maciej Przężak PWEE3000.com ASSOCIATE EDITORS “THE WILLS”: Will Radula-Scott will@method.tv William Sleigh william@method.tv CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Blotto, Fabian Bodet, Jaccos Boss, Roby Bragotto, Diggles, Raphael Fortin, Oli Gagnon, Matt Georges, Ben Girardi, Matyas Gross, Tom Haraden, Viktor Hjartarson, Erik Hoffman, Howzee, Dan Kiwior, Theo Muse, Johnny O’Connor, Evgeny Pavlov, Felix Pirker, Bob Plumb, Andrew Sergeant, Shymonkey, E-Stone, Jerome Tanon, Florian Trattner, Mike Yoshida, Silvano Zeiter CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Roby Bragotto, Andrew Brewer, Diggles, PJ Gustafsson Sparrow Knox, Niels Schack, Tim Schiphorst

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industry has become. It was one of those, “Really?” moments, like catching your friend humping the crease between couch cushions. “Fuck yeah, dude. There’s our cover shot. Who cares if we’ve seen this shot hundreds of times before. THAT’S a cover!” So, in reciprication - with a cover that’s sure to draw the ire of plenty of humorless purists - we gave the pendulum a hard swing in the other direction. Because it’s funny. Because we want to hear some noise cut through the status quo. Because it’s snowboarding.

Let’s be clear - I’m not saying that Method stands entirely outside the aforementioned complaints. Yet, in an industry whose castration is well under way, Method remains a largely lawless sanctuary where unfiltered opinion and unorthodox inclinations still reign. In that spirit, feel free to write in and tell us how much better you would have done.

To infallible self-assurance, - MG

PUBLISHER: Method Media Ltd CEO: Chris McAlpine CTO: Steve Dowle FINANCE DIRECTOR: Steve Dowle

ADVERTISING: Chris McAlpine chriso@methodmag.com Skype: chrisomcalpine +46 729 338 556 DISTRIBUTION: Steve Dowle steve@methodmag.com PRINTERS: AJSP printing services Vilnius, Lithuania DISTRIBUTION: NS Distribution Gabrovo, 5300 Bulgaria

METHOD MEDIA LTD Method Media Pantiles Chambers 85 High St Royal Tunbridge Wells TN1 1XP England Tel:(+44) (0) 871-218-9978 Copyright 2017 Method Media Ltd. No liability is accepted for the accuracy of the information contained herein, nor are any guarantees given by the magazine. Copyright worldwide of original material is held by Method Media Ltd and permission must be obtained for any use, transmission, storage or reproduction. Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily shared by the publisher. Method Media Ltd assumes no responsibility for the loss or damage of unsolicited material. Thanks for choosing Method Mag. We sure hope you like it!

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The dude Benny Milam gettin’ both mitts dirty. Double-tail boner 900 on Mt Hood.

PHOTO: ANDREW SERGEANT

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Double boardslide, in a couple ways. Peep Ivika’s full part in The Uninvited!

P H O T O : J E R O M E TA N O N

5 social trends driving you crazy - Instagram 24/7 - “Did you see that post on Facebook…?”

- Everything gluten free - Those awkward handshakes / fist bumps - Europeans concerning themselves too much with American politics 5 favorite women rippers of all time - Jess Kimura - Maria Thomsen - Alexa McCarty - Desiree Melancon - Veroniqi Hanssen 5 things pseudo-vegans say - “Can I get some more mayo with my fries?”

- “Do you like my new leather bag?”

- “What, I can’t wear makeup that has been tested on animals and call myself vegan?”

- “I love cheese!”

- When Instagram bio says, “Vegan since...”

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5 people you’d invite to a dinner party - I’d invite the Uninvited 5 bad habits - Argue with everything - Always wanting to be right - Doing too many boardslides - Doing too many down rails - Chips in bed 5 admirable qualities of the United States - Whole Foods - Great snowboarding scene - Vegan Ben and Jerry’s - Brighton - People actually filming street instead of getting stuck in resorts 5 things you miss about home in Estonia - My family and friends - Black bread - Grandma’s jam on my oatmeal - Not getting kicked out at spots - Ice rink setups

5 ways to kill time in an airport - Read a book - Send a million Snapchats to your friends - Post a lot on your IG story to make sure your followers think that you’re such an adventurer - Drink overpriced coffee - Get some sleep 5 convenient lies - “I’m fine” - “I’ll be there in 5 min.”

- “I’m busy” - “Sorry, my phone was on silent” - “It’s too icy” 5 last words - The Uninvited - Vans - Union - DinosaursWillDie - Postland

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ID x HC BRANDON COCARD

Photo: E-Stone

W W W. D E E L U X E . C O M

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Age

Years in SLC

Years of school completed

Pairs of shoes with holes in them

Bills currently in your wallet

Times you cut your hair this year

Space left on your hard drive

The Wizard of SLC lipslidin’ over the rainbow

Books read this year

PHOTO: BOB PLUM B

Books started and not finished this year

Percentage of time friends call you Alex vs. Littlest

Perfect nap length

Karaoke songs you have on lock

Passes pulled

Songs on your iTunes

Most people you’ve ever lived with

Vinyl records in your collection

Largest bet you’ve wagered

And the classic… What’s the proper spliff ratio?

Cobra dogs served

Cobra dogs consumed

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Questions w/ Sam Nelson, European Marketing Manager, and Tristan Queen, President and Co-founder

F

or those who don’t know, give us a little breakdown on what Arcade Belts is all about and why you’re better than your average leather belt?

Arcade started in Tahoe a while back and is your new favorite pant/trouser life-hack. It all started because we genuinely felt the belt options available were low-quality, outdated and did not perform well for our lifestyle, so we set out to build the product we wanted to use. Our focus has stayed true to the vision of developing belts that provide a better fit, more performance, amazing comfort and the right amount of flexibility to move with you. By reinventing this seemingly simple piece of equipment to be more useful, we were able to create a belt that can go everywhere and anywhere without letting you or your pants down. Everyone should probably have a leather belt in their closet, but that doesn’t mean it should be your travel, snow, skate, everyday life belt. That would be like wearing leather pants every day - it’s just not a good idea.

Snowboarders are notorious for letting their pants ride pretty low. Are you looking to change that?

Ha, maybe that has some truth to it… Didn’t Shaun White try to change that with the super tight pants thing? To be honest, we just want to provide a product that works better than anything you’ve had in this category before, so maybe in that regard we think we will change some people’s style. But really we’ve just set out to create the most comfortable and versatile belt that isn’t just ideal for the mountains but also for everyday life. The response has been great, and it’s a part of your kit that is often overlooked so we’re pretty sure we’re on to something.

Where is your product available? What’s the best way for someone to get hold of a belt?

We’re now in many good snow stores across Europe, so hunt us out. This is out first proper winter this side of the pond and we have solid placement in most countries. Laax jedi Lucas Baume is repping, MC motormouth Henry Jackson is on board and we’re linking up with a few more riders over the coming season. For a full choice you can always head to www.arcadebelts.com and see the whole collection.

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We should be getting dealers on the site soon, too.

What sort of R&D process goes into a new belt design? Can you run us through the different types of belts in the range and what they’re good for?

R&D never stops! Since we build all of our products from the ground up, we have our eye on all the little details to make sure we are making the best possible product at all times. We’re almost 10 years in now, so we have enough experience to know all the components, materials and processes that usually go into a belt. We take all of those and look for lighter, stronger or more sustainable alternatives and build our belts from there.

A large part of our process is based on both consumer and retailer feedback as well as our athlete and ambassador team.

The best testing and feedback you could ever get comes from people who live the lifestyle the product is intended for, people who are really hard on their equipment. If you want to know where your product is going to fail, just send it out for a season with someone gnarly.

As far as specific products, the most appropriate for the hill is the Adventure belt. We truly do have a belt for any activity and any occasion, all serving a slightly different function and aesthetic but our theme remains the flex and adjustment you get with every belt. Some of our belts are more heavy duty, some are meant to make you look fresh at your buddy’s wedding. And yes, we do suspenders and have a youth division in the works as well.

We were pretty hyped to team up and produce two collabs of your Adventure Belt! What makes them special, and how can people get one?

Likewise! This was a fun one, especially the faux leather patch we achieved for the Method Movie 2 belt. That’s going to be super limited so do whatever you can to get one. There may be a few left over from the Method Movie 2 tour that will pop up on the Method merch site, and we’ll probably run another giveaway soon on @arcadebeltseurope, as we held a few belts back. The classic box logo was a no brainer - keep it simple and true to Method. It’s fair to say we’re really pleased with how they’ve both turned out and to be part of the Method legacy in this way.

12.11.2017 23:25

@romesnowboards

THE A R T I FA C T

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Anytime on snow is a chance to get a clip. From backyard jibs, to sidehits to the burliest rail in town, there’s an undeniable push to get the shot. The team favorite Artifact is built for exactly that. Whether it’s Ozzy Henning front boarding a big drop in Japan or Jeff Hopkins lapping the Brighton park, the positive cambered Artifact locks in on rails and has enough snap to ride away from deep landings. First tries, epic battles and everything in-between, nothing beats getting clipped up.

12.11.2017 23:23

Tim Bouvette getting his creep on P H O T O : JA CC O S B O S S

What is East to West? Where are you based?

East to West is made up of a crew of riders from around the globe. I’m from Quebec, Canada. I grew up in a small village called Saint-Angèle, between Quebec City and Montreal.

I had the idea of this project four years ago while I was traveling to different resorts - Bear Mountain, Whistler, places in the Alps, etc. I was trying to find people as motivated as I was to have a full video part each year. We all know that filming a PHOTO: RAPHAEL FORTI N video part takes a lot of teamwork, so I found some guys from the U.S., Canada and Europe who were down with the project. Now, we are on our third project and we like filming together. The vibe is good.

Can you explain the name of your latest movie?

“Se On Mita On” translates to, “It is What it is” in Finnish.

You’re a rider/filmer/photographer/editor all-in-one production, right? Or did you have some designated filmers and photographers to assist this time around?

I have some people helping me out: a photographer, filmer and color grading artist. I’m mainly a rider, but I like to decide the angle of my video part, too. Being able to choose the spot you want to ride, the tricks, camera angle and video editing, it’s like a complete creation for me and I really enjoy it. Other main riders in the movie film a lot, and continue to get better at it, too, guys like Drayden Gardner, Jed Sky and more.

Who would you say has the standout part this year?

It’s hard to say. Guys have different styles in the movie, so it’s difficult to compare. I’m really stoked for Jed Sky’s part.

Filming full movies across multiple countries ain’t easy.

What’s the biggest challenge?

Filming in a country you’ve never been to before is really sick because you discover new places, a new culture, and you meet new people. But it’s less productive because you end up wasting

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time searching for spots. When we film in Canada and the U.S., close to where we are from, we always know a lot of spots and we almost always plan the spots we’re going to film the night before.

One of the worst situations was when we sent a winch to our hotel in Helsinki. The winch arrived at our hotel a day before us and it was a huge box in the middle of the lobby. The guys from the hotel weren’t super stoked!

Is there a North 2 South edition on the horizon? Where would you like to go to shoot that?

Haha, we think about many destinations, like Russia and Japan!

But it always depends on the amount of snow.

Who helps to make it all happen? Shoutouts?

Shoutout to all the riders, first and foremost. This movie is made of teamwork. I had the idea for this project, but without all the guys, it’s nothing. Shoutout to all our family and friends who are supporting us and to all the snowboard companies that are supporting the riders. Most importantly, thanks to all those riders from older generations who inspire us to make this happen, from older movies like Lame, to VG, Deja Vu and a lot more.

Riders: Drayden Gardner, Jed Sky, Tim Bouvette, River Richer, Simon Martel, Jaccos Boss, Jonat Ste Marie, Francis Olivier Jutras

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Questions w/ marketing director Josh Frank

Founder, Brent Evans, with long time girlfriend Aisling Carroll

Ok, let’s start with a brief history of Carve 4 Cancer, it’s beginnings and current goals?

Carve 4 Cancer was first envisioned by our founder, Brent Evans, back in 2010. Brent was 26 at the time when he was first being treated for stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. He swore if he survived his battle with cancer he was going to give back in the most badass way he could imagine, a ski and snowboard festival complete with live music, a rail jam and a party on the mountain. Brent won his battle with cancer, kept his word and created the first Carve for Cancer event in 2013. The event was a huge success. From there, Brent and the Carve Team continued to grow the event year after year, expanding the model and connecting with thousands across the northeast.

In 2015, Carve for Cancer Inc. became an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit which was a goal of Brent’s as his fundraiser continued to progress each year. Sadly, in February of 2016 Brent’s cancer returned and in July of 2017 he passed away due to complications from the disease. It was a crushing blow to all who knew him. Fortunately, Brent left behind a team of inspired and dedicated volunteers who are committed to continuing Carve 4 Cancer’s mission to shred cancer. In addition to the team’s commitment to funding cancer research, the non-profit is also launching new initiatives in 2018 to directly benefit those affected by cancers.

Give us a sense of who Brent was and what he stood for.

Where do you even start? The kid had over 1,000 people at his wake. I mean, who can you say that at the ripe age of 33 has created that sort of impact? Brent was one vivacious dude who always wanted to help. He had an absolutely magnetic personality and you couldn’t help but be drawn in. Whether he was in a chair receiving chemotherapy or at a Phish tailgate, he only wanted positive people and positive vibes around him. He was the type of person who didn’t have time to be unhappy and would do almost anything to be with friends, especially on the mountain. Brent didn’t miss a season out on his snowboard until the winter of 2017. The Carve 4 Cancer festival speaks to some of the things he loved the most in life, like being on the mountain, live music, and being in good company by partying with friends and family. Brent always wanted to create waves and he did in every way possible. Carve 4 Cancer was Brent’s way to create an impact and we plan on continuing to make those waves for him.

On February 3, 2018 you will be holding a massive party at Blue Mountain in Pennsylvania. Tell us a bit about the event and what attendees can expect.

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This year’s festival at Blue Mountain is going to be incredible! We have already locked in some stellar musical acts like Dean Ween Group, Lawrence, Mr. Green, Sophistafunk and many others to round out the lineup. These acts will split out across multiple stages during the full day festival. Tito’s Vodka and Yards Brewing, two of our major sponsors, will be dishing out beverages all day long with a portion of the revenue benefitting the cause and for the second year in a row, Milwaukee Tool will be back on the mountain with us showing off their latest and greatest as our headline sponsor. We have an impressive vendor village where guests can check out the latest gear, demo snowboards, or pick up some unique swag.

Other great sponsors including K2, Gilson, Loaded, Snow Vibes, Luke Shades, Wahoo’s Tacos, Till I Die, and many more have contributed to our raffle which will have thousands of dollars worth of prizes up for grabs. All concerts at Carve 4 Cancer are 100% free of charge and a percentage of all lift tickets sold on Feb 3 will go to our cause.

Is there somewhere our readers who cannot attend the event can donate to your cause if they’d like?

Absolutely! Visit us at www.carve4cancer.com/donate. Otherwise check out our other events at www.carve4cancer.com/ events/, or sign up to volunteer when we come to your town www.carve4cancer.com/volunteer-form/ Can you tell us a bit about how the money raised is applied in cancer research?

We try to find the best and most promising doctors and researchers to make the greatest impact with our funds. In 2016, we began a partnership with Dr. Andrei Shustov and University of Washington, Medicine Advancement, where our donations have earned us membership in their Turner Society.

Dr. Shustov is Associate Professor, Division of Hematology at UW Medicine, and Associate Member of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. He is doing groundbreaking work and regularly provides us with research updates. As a result of the research and clinical trials from Dr. Shustov and his colleagues, 4 new drugs were approved by the US Food and Drug administration for T-Cell Lymphomas. Now that brings the mission home for us!

In addition to funding research we are also launching the Live Like Brent Foundation, a direct contribution program to benefit individuals who are in need of financial support related to medical and living costs due to their cancer treatments. This program is set to launch in early 2018.

(Full version continued on Methodmag.com)

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took it seriously and planned a huge demolition party that was open to the public! Ha! It was just crazy! People 10 Years of Sane!. Holy shit! How and from all over the city were coming over where did this journey begin? and to destroy this house. Michi Schatz Everything began in Innsbrooklyn. got locked in the bathroom and someAll of us were young, hyped as fuck one smashed the wall so he could get to send it and just wanted to go shred out again. People even broke down the and turn up man. The OG members of balcony somehow! Don’t know how the crew met in a huge flat where 10 people were living on Maria Theresien- that happened but it really happened! straße. We were mostly partying there, Besides the demolition action, we also showed our new movie that night. making bullshit, dating girls and just (SANESATION) But after a little while having a good time. Besides that we someone broke something and shut were snowboarding and trying to kill it on the mountain! We began hanging down the electricity and we couldn’t even show the whole movie. The next together almost everyday and started day the landlord saw this huge mess to form our gang. We were all huge fans of Forum at that time and thought and started freaking out! He called his lawyer and sent us a letter. In the end that it would be cool to have a brand we cleaned the house in three days like that! We began to make our own shirts, beanies, hoodies and so on. After and it was all good again! some time we got bigger and bigger P H O T O : F L O R I A N T R AT T N E R What strikes you as most noticeably and added new members. different about snowboarding today

Who chose the name “Sane” and why? compared to when Sane! began?

Actually Tobi got the idea while he was Back in the day snowboarding was more a lifestyle thing. It was about parwatching The Simpsons. The Flanders tying until six in the morning, waking family had to chill in the psychiatric up at 10 and shredding with all your ward and the Simpsons went there homies. All in all, just having a good to visit them. All of the Simpsons got time. Nowadays snowboarding is more a little tag stuck on their breast with “Sane” written on it. It was kind of like about being an athlete and getting first their ticket to get back out of the ward. at a competition. The Olympics pushed Tobi thought everyone found us insane snowboarding in another direction. because of that what we are doing, but We’re not saying that it’s negative, but it’s definitely different. We try to keep for us it’s Sane! the lifestyle thing alive, though. For

For those with a short attention span, example, at rail contests, when some of us are in the final we ask straight away please describe Sane! in five words.

Outstanding, wild, loyal, insane, family. if everyone is down for split money. For us it’s not about who gets first, second

There is a lot that falls under the Sane! or third – we just want to have a heavy session and have fun! title - movies, a snow park, a clothing line… Can you give a quick rundown of IBK must have a special place in your everything?

We’ve always tried to do everything we heart. How important has the community of Innsbruck been to the life can, in every way. Of course we were of the crew/brand? just snowboarders, but we wanted to send it. First we started our own cloth- For sure Innsbruck is the capital of snowboarding in Europe and that’s ing brand. Two years after our founding we got the chance to have our own had its effect on us. First of all, Adi Rauscher, the owner of the legendpark in Rinn. We started to build our The Don in action! Michi Schatz 50-50 ary X-Double shop pushed us a lot. own rails and obstacles DIY style. The PHOTO: FELIX PI RKER Thanks for that, Adi! Also, Innsbruck is park has been running since that day!

And of course every snowboard crew a student city and that has a big influneeds a movie. We’ve tried to make a ence on snowboarding in general. To movie every year and it’s worked out be honest, the community here is just pretty well! sick! And that’s what brought us all

together! Without Innsbruck and the Do you have a favorite crew story from community there would be no Sane over the years?

Gang. Innsbrooklyn love!

Some of us were living in a house at

Mentlberg seven years ago. One day 10 years from now, you will all be… the landlord came over to tell us we Having kids, living in nice houses, still had to move out because the house was shredding some nice pow and laughtoo old and he wanted to start a new ing about the sick times we had! chapter with it. We asked if it would be OK if we had one last party there and Final shout-out? maybe smash some windows because Innsbruck, X-Double, all our friends, the place was so old already. He was snowboarding, SaneRinnJibPark , Free bird Max Glatzl weed, liquor, life, women, and of P H O T O : F E L I X P I R K E R like, “For sure, as long as the house is not burning down, it’s all good boys!” course, Method!

He actually meant that as a joke but we Questions w/ Michi Schatz

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Arbor_2

p : s e a n b l ac k

mark carter arbor snowboards team video

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on the clovis snowboard + cypress bindings

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H P

In the first season of East Bound & Down, When Kenny Powers boldly told Principal Cutler, “I play real sports, not trying to be the best at exercising,” in response to Cutler’s declaration about the rigors of triathalon training, we thought we’d heard the best sports quote there’d ever be. The copy accompanying the new Modern Athlete collaboration from Corey Smith and Airblaster has us rethinking that assertion. ”Sports rule. And by sports, I mean vaping. And that type of shit. What real athletes do.” We’ll let you be the judge.

Here at Method, we believe a subjective world is a more interesting world. Make no bones about it. Rigid definitions don’t make anything more fun. In that spirit, we raise a glass, to the liberating quality of subjectivity, to the loosening denotation of the Modern Athlete!

One of the pieces in the collection, the Modern Athlete Ninja Suit

The Modern Athlete collection is available at myairblaster.com and the world’s best board shops

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HALLDOR PRO

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Come one, come all! Indulge in the fantastic, the dazzling, the salaciously sexy global blockbuster, Victor on Ice! VDLR SHOT IN CHAMONIX BY FABIAN BODET

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eikki Sorsa catching air off a large cornice drop with a backside 720, poised for a perfect landing in frothy New Zealand snow conditions at a place called Methven. Our annual Southern Hemisphere missions with the Burton Team during the mid-2000s were filled with these “doors off� sessions, following talented mofos doing their thing down below, picking them up at the bottom and doing it all over again. These are some of the best memories I have in life, hanging with the likes of Heikki, Nicolas, Freddie and Gigi, getting work and play done in a truly special part of the world called Nzed.

- Blotto

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13.11.2017 00:44

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13.11.2017 00:45 10/2/17 4:31 PM

“LEAN BACK! (Fat Joe voice) It’s a cold world, and dis is ice.”

Ted heatin’ up with a gap to double boardslide in SLC. PHOTO: OLI GAG NON

FULL ZOOM 18.2.indd 38

13.11.2017 00:46

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13.11.2017 00:49

50 gap 50 at the legendary Plymouth State University

PHOTO: RAPHAEL FORTI N

P H O T O : J O H N N Y O ’C O N N O R

From where does your blood run?

My name is Jed. I’m from New Hampshire. Been living for 21 years.

What’s in your blood?

Riding with my friends and boardin’… That’s mostly what I live for. I also enjoy making the world a better place when I can.

What makes your blood run cold?

Global climate change.

Blood on my hands…

I sent in this interview a day late…

Got any bad blood?

I don’t get why or how people are so dependent and addicted to Who are your blood brothers?

Instagram. There are people who get offended when you don’t OG Pat’s Peak crew. Duh. Shouts to the k-unit. East2West. All the follow them back or some bullshit! It’s not anything personal Plymouth homies, ever. And many more… Very grateful for all - Instagram is irrelevant to friendship. I don’t see how people the friends I’ve made, especially through snowboarding. think otherwise.

What gets your blood pumping?

Hill bombs, metal, or a good game of chess.

If you were bleeding out, what would be your last mission?

Bet I’d be tryna R.I.P. Worst bloodshed?

Knocked my noggin’ a few times.

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Who keeps the blood flowing?

Shouts to mom and dad. They are number one. Shouts to all the homies who are down to snowboard all the time and keep the passion alive - that shit’s sick. And of course shouts to O’Neill and Arbor for helping me out!

Written in blood…

“If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space. – unknown” – Ryan Paul

13.11.2017 00:50

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13.11.2017 00:51

FS nosepress in some light conditions PHOTO: SHYMON KEY

P H O T O : M AT YA S G R O S S

From where does your blood run?

I’m Tomáš Císař, or Cisi, and I am 21 years old. Born and living in Stará Boleslav, Czech Republic.

What’s in your blood?

In the summer I spend most of my time in Prague, skateboarding at Stalin Plaza with my homies, drinking beers, smoking green and having a good time. In the winter I am snowboarding and that’s what I’m most hyped on.

Who are your blood brothers?

Everyone involved with KillDeath snowboards, and the homies from Prague.

What gets your blood pumping?

Trap music gets me hyped, and if there are beers and green involved, my blood is pumping at 120%.

If you were bleeding out, what would be your last mission?

Before I bled out, I would eat hot wings.

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Worst bloodshed?

Broke my collarbone twice.

What makes your blood run cold?

That moment when I am stoned and have to run to catch a bus.

Blood on my hands…

Police control starts with me.

Got any bad blood?

I don’t care about the bullshit. Life is good.

Who keeps the blood flowing?

Shout out to KillDeath snowboards, Electric CZ and Corner Boardshop.

Written in blood…

Thanks Method Mag for the Fresh Meat and big thanks to my family!

13.11.2017 00:52

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13.11.2017 00:53

Pic: Patrick Steiner | Blue Tomato Teamrider: Mario Käppeli

I smoke rocks Joe Rogan!

PHOTO:TOM HARADEN

Keep an eye out for a new part from this wild card, dropping in December on MethodMag.com P H O T O : DA N K I W I O R

From where does your blood run?

Matt Coughlin (Turdlord), from Windham, Maine. 26 years old, currently located in Salt Lake City, Utah.

What’s in your blood?

Snow, snowboarding, skateboarding, videography, art and VHS tapes.

Who are your blood brothers?

The Nightmare boys, Brendan Sullivan, Kyle Nienhouse and Zeach Ahrens.

Worst bloodshed?

Broken femur skateboarding.

What makes your blood run cold?

Some street spots but it’s good to feel alive.

Blood on my hands…

I try to keep my hands clean.

Got any bad blood?

The death of my dear friend Stu Wozniak. R.I.P.

What gets your blood pumping?

The Bonezone at Brighton Resort. I am there every day.

Who keeps the blood flowing?

Nightmare snowboards, ThirtyTwo, Brighton Resort.

If you were bleeding out, what would be your last mission?

Never say Die.

Written in blood…

Be genuine, be yourself, be creative. @Turdlord

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13.11.2017 01:45

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07.11.17 15:03 13.11.2017 01:45

BS 180 to switch 50-50 on a dicey one PHOTO: HOWZEE

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13.11.2017 00:54

Russia is a massive country. So large that it sometimes seems like half the world’s population resides there. Considering that, plus the amount of snow the country receives, isn’t it a bit weird that we aren’t really familiar with Russian snowboarders outside of Artem and Denis Leontyev?

Artem’s visibility makes sense though. The dude has seemingly been everywhere, with a foot in everything: from the Adidas videos when Forest Bailey and Keegan Valaika visited Russia, to this year’s Beacon project with Louif and Tommy Gesme. Last winter, he filmed a full part for Postland, a video part for the Stairmasters video competition, and guided the Beacon crew through Russia, all the while struggling with an injury that kept him in bed for two months. He’s been on Postland’s radar for years. He’s just got this energy and optimism that allow him to get away with doing so many projects in one winter, while maintaining a steady job at home. He’s stealthy, no doubt, yet somehow jams the radar.

A true marvel.

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13.11.2017 00:55

50-50 into the stairs, as seen in Postland’s new flick, LOOSE. P H O T O : E VG E N Y PAV L OV

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13.11.2017 00:55

Would you volunteer to live in the first Mars colony?

Volunteer?! Hell, I’m pretty much in a DIY astronaut training program! I’ve been gobbling up as much science knowledge as I can in the hope of getting an engineering degree someday.

Also, I play snowboardings and spin around in wheely-chairs until I puke as my physical training. I figure at this rate, I should be getting a call from SpaceX or NASA any day now.

to shut it down with some boiling hot science action. They always seem to get mad at that and ask something like, “But how can you not believe in aliens when the universe is so vast?!” It’s not that I don’t believe in extraterrestrial life, I just don’t believe what YOU are saying because you have either shitty or no evidence. The possibility of us finding it (aliens or whatever) is much more likely and exciting than it finding us.

Also, I don’t believe any government is competent or incentivized enough to hide something like that from us. Do you really think our mark-ass bitch of a president could, or would, keep something like that a secret? Nah. That shit would be on Twitter and he would claim to have made the discovery himself.

more you want to do it and vice-versa.

That’s true no matter how old you are!

Perhaps I can be a bad role model with a good message. Not the educator America wants, but the one it deserves!

Ricky, of Trailer Park Boys fame, once said, “You don’t own space, NAYSAAA owns space.” While NASA doesn’t “own” space, and owns gradually less as space budgets plummet, what do you believe mankind would discover first should we dump our defense budgets into space exploration?

A lot of people say that those first coloFunny you should mention that! That’s nists wouldn’t make it back, but I bet I actually how I pronounce NASA ever could “Matt Damon” my way home. I’m since I first heard that line! But holy hell, determined, resourceful, and handsome. if we had the defense budget for space I got this. Plus, once I get back I get to exploration?! So much shit... If I had to play the, “Oh yeah? Well I was the first place money on it, I’d say the first major fucking person to go to Mars and back!” discovery to come of that would have How many more years before space card. Like if someone is trying to diss something to do with asteroid mining. A exploration is deemed necessary for me, or telling me I have to obey “traffic lot of resources for future space projects survival in public discussion, and not laws.” could be yanked out of asteroids. Returnjust a fanciful wonder of nerds? ing some of these resources to Earth It’s hard to say! People like Bill Nye and What hairstyle, would you surmise, Neil DeGrasse-Tyson are pretty killer ad- could also be quite profitable. My guess looks best in space? is that we would go full throttle on vocates for space and scientific literacy.

I don’t know, I’m not a very fashion-y asteroid development while simultaneIt’s really neat how many people have guy. However, I did recently cut my ously sending more and more advanced sort of “come out” as being interested hair into a mullet-mohawk combo probes to search for microbial life and in science due to their work. I’d love platter. Maybe I can set the trend? My hospitable conditions on other planets to see those people stay inspired, keep gut instinct tells me whatever the hot space-hairstyle is will involve coordinat- learning and dig deeper. That way we, as in the solar system. ing it with your space pubes. I’m already a society, will be able to comprehend all The other planets are just so damn far there! Business in the front, party in the the benefits of space exploration. Then, away and it’s going to be so hard to find perhaps, it will get the political and back. what we’re looking for on them. I think cultural attention it deserves. that since there are a shit-load of nearMaybe that’s my calling! I’ll do a show Is there one space or alien “conspiracy” like drunk history except, drunk science. earth objects (asteroids) for us to anal you are particularly interested in, or an Or punk rock Bill Nye, ha! I feel like, tra- probe and so many benefits to be gained ditionally, kids are encouraged by adults from tapping those asses, we would event where you’re convinced there is probably discover something mind to take interest in education. But think more to the publicly-accepted story? blowing as a result of that before we do I’m actually a bit of a party pooper when about it - kids don’t want to do what the same on another planet. adults encourage them to do. The less it comes to space conspiracy theories.

When people share theirs with me I tend you’re supposed to do something the

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12.11.2017 22:49

Some extraterrestrial shit.

One-footer over the legendary Baker gap PHOTOS: E-STON E

On some other planet shit, where in the hell did you get the idea to one-foot the Baker Road Gap? It was my first film trip devoted to riding powder! I was with Andrew Burns, Dash and Kix Kamp, and a bunch of other DDay guys. We found our way to Mt. Baker and had the chance to hit the road gap. I was at the top of it, about to shoot a hot dook in my pants when Burns tells me, “Y’know, I don’t think anyone has ever sent a one-footer on this thing.” I wasn’t sure if it was true but I think the force was telling me I had to do it. So, I did!

Nico from D-Day mentioned that you just jumped in his van as he was heading out for the winter last year to clear his mind of some shit. What made you tag along?

I had been through some real tough shit in the years leading up to last winter.

It got to the point where Hot Dogs and Hand Rails was going to be a make-orbreak for my season. It was either win some money there or move back to Detroit, go back to school, and slow down a bit. I ended up getting knocked the fuck out and taken to the hospital by para-

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medics. I came back to in the ambulance his motto. He had it tattooed on him and thought, “Fuck. Well, I guess that’s it. actually.

I tried my best but it looks like this is the What’s up for this year? Where are you end of the road.” based, why do you like being there, and how do you want to spend your time Nico was at Bear that day and had seen the next few months? everything. I hadn’t met him yet but Same thing we do every night Pinky, he came to see me in the hospital and told me, in a nutshell, that he wanted to try to take over the world! I just want help me travel and stay snowboarding. I to keep doing what I’m doing: scare doubt he knew it at the time, but he had the shit out of myself, snowboard on as much weird shit as possible. I’m in rescued me at the very last second!

Portland, Oregon at the moment. I just recently moved here. I’m very excited to This is a sensitive one, but if you don’t mind, can you talk a bit about how los- keep exploring the Pacific Northwest, ing your father effected your outlook on keep riding powder and shit! If any of life, and your pursuits, like snowboard- the major cities up here get snow this winter, holy shit, that’d be so much fun! ing?

It really fucked me up. I had just turned Existential one: Why do you snow21 and I was the closest of kin. I was board? the one legally responsible for picking It’s like science and art had a love child! up all the pieces. I had to deal with Through trial and error you build a a lot of heavy shit and ended up in a mental hospital. He’s still in my dreams library of shit you can do, then you get to take all that knowledge and ask every night and I wake up convinced yourself, “What happens if I try to do this he faked his own death and is in deep on that?” You get to apply what you’ve hiding. Luckily he was the best father learned to the world around you and a kid could ever ask for and I believe find new uses for everything. It’s like he prepared me for this. I got through it and continue to pursue my interests physical hacking! no matter what. No excuses. That was

12.11.2017 22:50

Hey Charles, congrats on the ender in Arbor’s “Cosa Nostra.”

It was a heavy part!

Thanks man. Yeah, pretty stoked on how it came out.

And tell us what happened at the World Premiere in Venice?

The world premiere went down in Venice this past September and all I can say is wow! Man, it was the sickest premier I have ever been to. Over 1,000 people showed up! No one had seen the movie until that night so that made it cool and unique! I was pretty stoked I got the ender and then straight after the movie finished I got added to the Arbor Pro team (as well as Eric Leon!), which I totally didn’t expect. We definitely partied very hard that night and I actually ended up forgetting the custom board that Arbor made for me down at the Arbor Venice office!

But it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for you has it? You’ve had some pretty gnarly injuries.

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Oh damn, injuries! I’ve definitely had a few of those in my career. I have had a few torn ACLs but the worst thing was three years ago when I almost lost one of my legs after a surgery that went bad. It was supposed to be a simple surgery but ended up being a nightmare. After the first surgery I could feel that something wasn’t quite right in my knee. Although the doctors were saying everything was fine, I knew it wasn’t.

I ended up getting a second opinion and it turned out that I was correct and my leg was super infected. I ended up having to get five more surgeries done in the next year to try and save my leg. Thank fuck it all worked out! I am all good now and my body and legs are fine. I am stoked!

Heavy. And did you think that snowboarding was done for you?

For sure there were a few times where I thought, “Am I going to be able to snowboard again?” A few doctors told me I should think about doing something else. But you know what,

13.11.2017 00:56

Cab 720 for Arbor’s Cosa Nostra PHOTO: BEN G I RARDI

it’s all in the mind and life is about feeling and it still feels good to snowboard. So I am going to keep doing what makes me feel good!

How did you spend your time during rehab?

So this year I took the summer off and finished my PPL (private pilot license) and bought myself a little bush plane! As I am writing this interview I am packing my bags to fly across Canada with it!

How good does it feel to be riding and filming again?

Honestly man, words can’t describe how good it feels to be able to do stuff I want to do again! Snowboard, hike, surf, you name it. It took about out a year and a half before I strapped a board onto my feet and it was the best feeling ever!

Are you planning to combine snowboarding and your passion for flying this season? It could open up a lot of unchar-

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tered terrain in the BC backcountry.

I definitely want to try to to combine my bush plane and snowboarding! Once I get to Whistler I am going to check out new zones for snowmobiling and check out lines and pillow fields. It can open up a bunch of new spots that have never been hit before. It’s so easy to scope spots from the air. I am so stoked for this winter man!

How many riders/boards can fit inside your plane?

My plane is a Cessna 172 and it fits three people with full gear (boards, bags, backcountry equipment), or four people with less gear. Going to be fun times!

Last words?

I definitely want to thank all my sponsors, family, friends, the snowboard industry and fans, the people I’ve met through traveling and snowboarding and have hopefully inspired!

13.11.2017 00:56

M18 MERCH 5454.indd 54

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13.11.2017 00:59

This picture could sum up the meaning of photography for me. A little glimmer of light on Monte Bianco. Contrasts, linearity, perfection. Maybe it’s the only picture I still might like after a while. Maybe.

MY PORTFOLIO 18.2

I was born in a little town close to the mountains in September of 1980; in 2000 I graduated college as a graphic designer and photographer. During those years I was able to study and work with analog systems and black and white prints. After my graduation, I took some photography and calligraphy courses. I’ve been working as a professional freelance photographer for more than eight years now, as senior photographer and editing manager for the main snowboard magazines in Italy, in addition to my current work with international titles and extreme sports-related brands.

I started as a skateboarder, but after four knee surgeries I had to quit and divert to a snowboard, which I still riding as much as I can. (Trying to avoid flat landings, as one should do!) Over the past five years, I’ve dedicated most of my time to riding and shooting backcountry. I also love to shoot any kind of action sports, always following my “reportage” style, a style I love and one which distinguishes my work.

I believe that photography is a silent and sophisticated form of sensibility, different for every one of us. I believe that a photo should be able to tell a story. I believe in the kind of stories that are fixed in your mind and can’t be erased. I also believe I have Peter Pan syndrome. And I still do believe in dreams, even in these hard times. Half hippie and half gipsy, and living in the Italian countryside when not traveling around the world, I live around the mountains as much as I can.

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13.11.2017 00:59

This photo, shot for a contest, has been named “The Avalanche.” I don’t really know the reason why, or maybe I do - maybe it was because all the snow that fell during that day in Courmayeur. It also could be because I didn’t see what was coming toward me, right behind Tom Klocker.

“Real” friends on a powder day.

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Back in the day, I used to have a personal motto: “There are no friends on a powder day.” But time proved me wrong. Over the years, I changed my mind about it and understood how fun it is to spend such days with friends who share the same love for the mountains. Furthermore, if those friends also happen to be some of the best athletes I know, I just have to tag along and learn something from them. And try my best to keep up… Because even a photographer has to snowboard, and I love to ride powder. It fills my lungs with oxygen, my heart with joy, frees my mind from every bad thought, and most of all, it reminds me how lucky I am to have a job that doesn’t feel like one. I guess, on powder days, this is the best job in the world.

13.11.2017 01:00

Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe, and yes, even if below its surface there’s a sea of floating lava, you can still find (slashy) powder. Ethan Morgan is living proof that even an Austrian can feel at home in southern Italy.

FS 900 FS 720

This place located in the Dolomiti is a place I can call “home.” It’s where I started to snowboard, and where I always find shelter when needed.

When I have the honor of shooting someone like Halldor Helgason in these familiar places, I feel like one of the luckiest guys on earth, especially because he really is extraterrestrial.

182 MY PORTFOLIO BRAGOTTO.indd 58

13.11.2017 01:00

Simon Gruber is one of the best friends I have. It’s a friendship that’s gotten tighter over the years. Together we’ve had some of the most absurd episodes I can remember, good or bad. He’s as silly as I am, the only difference is that he has an inhuman strength in his legs. You try to climb up there for more than five times! At 3,000 meters of altitude. And it was just 9 a.m. I’ve always wondered how he could do it. I think there is just one answer: passion.

CAB 540 FS 180

This picture made me understand how, with very little, you can obtain a lot. You just have to try to see things in a way that no one else can, do something that no one else would do, climb somewhere that others wouldn’t even take into consideration, or go down where no one’s been taught to go. Easy peasy, right? And the best part is that I took this shot while I was having so much fun, just like Halldor was.

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13.11.2017 01:00

WORDS: NIELS SCHACK AND SPARROW KNOX PHOTOS: JEROME TANON

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13.11.2017 01:07

Stills from the new movie, Goodbye Horses. Filmed by Rémy Barreyat

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13.11.2017 01:07

Toni Kerkela, hippy jump

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Horseback Jerome

13.11.2017 01:08

NIELS:

A

fter making Loose Change, the idea was to wait another year before making a second movie. But after the stress of production subsided and we did the movie tour, I felt like I couldn’t really go back to just snowboarding anymore; I had to do another project somehow, but I had no clue what that would be.

A month later, I had the chance to be an assistant teacher at my old high school teaching cinematography, and the whole class was working on a short film. They had done the scenario, screenplay, and worked with actors and no budget, which motivated me to do the same. While they were working on editing, I was starting to put my own story together. After I had completed the first version, I had to figure out who would want to film this project. A serious fiction in snowboarding hasn’t really been done, and I could only think of one person who would be down…Rémy Barreyat! He was with it in a second and we started bringing the rest of the team together.

Obviously, Sparrow Knox was in the crew, and Jerome Tanon was down to be the photographer. I mean, we were going to Kyrgyzstan… That’s all I had to say to convince him. Having secured those two, we were looking for the third rider. I thought of a couple of people and reached out to them and Toni Kerkela was the first to really be down to come. Then, he got hurt and blew up his intestines filming for Real Snow. But that man is, in fact, a wolverine, and a month later, he was stitched up and still down! We had our five-man crew!

So Kyrgyzstan… Why Kyrgyzstan? It sits on the edge of the Himalayas, has a staggering amount of horses, and after our last trip to Kazakhstan, we had a friend of a friend who was hyped to show us around. We booked all the tickets and were on our way February 1.

When we arrived we met up with Dmitry, our friend and tour guide, and went to the local market to buy some shovels and props for the costumes. Bishkek is the capital city and is full of amazing markets and street food. We don’t really have too much to say about it because we left fairly quickly for the city of Karakol, six hours east toward China and Kazakhstan.

We wanted to stop along the way at a sculpture park one hour out of Bishkek but some unfortunate events forced us to take a completely different route. Welcome to our real life Tarantino story. Instead of me trying to recall exactly what happened during this insane hour, and risk not doing the story justice, we will recount below the entry from Sparrow’s diary, written at the police station on the night of the “encounter.”

SPARROW: Bishkek to Karakol was a drive to remember! Let’s start from the top. I am driving, and the route is all set. Our local friend Dmitry is riding shotgun with the satellite navigation, with Niels, Jerome, Rémy and Toni in the back. Incredible landscapes (around us) with mountain views so good we decide to stop and shoot some photos, videos and take in the views of what is essentially the start of the Himalayas. Rémy is setting up for a shot when a black, banged-out car skids up, blocking us. The occupants go straight for the camera. The boys who stumble out of the car are fucked off moonshine and fuck knows what else.

Rémy grabs back his camera, and the Kyrgyz head straight for

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Dmitry. Over the passenger door, one of them head-butts him.

Remember, we are in Kyrgyzstan, and not on a snowy road heading up to Morzine for a week in a chalet. This is gnarly.

They might have guns, weapons, know locals who could kill us in a heartbeat if they wanted to… Who knows! We are all a little shaken up, but rush into the car and pick up Jerome, who’s been shooting photos a couple hundred meters down the road. He jumps in and we full-speed bounce the fuck out.

I am still driving, and in the rearview mirror we see a car racing toward us. Toni, in a reasonably calm manner, says, “They are coming.” They pull up side by side and cut in front, making us skid like crazy, nearly into a ditch. I narrowly weave around and keep heading toward the mountains. Is this actually happening?! The roads are getting increasingly narrow and snow-covered. We’ve lost the GPS signal and Dmitry is on the phone to the police, which is a bit pointless as we don’t have a clue where the fuck we are. They keep chasing us, continuously attempting to block us on the road by side barging our car, cutting in front, and doing pretty much anything they can to fuck with us. We’re all shitting ourselves at this point - in a car chase in a country we’ve been in for barely 12 hours, racing into the middle of nowhere, dodging horses in tiny villages and nearly skidding out of control too many times. We’ve pushed them off the side of the road so many times. Just like in the movies, we’d barge them into a snow pile, see a puff of snow as their car skids off the road, think we’re good, and 30 seconds later they are back on our tail.

The chase has been going for about twenty minutes by now.

Niels keeps saying, “Turn around! Turn around!” but I can’t find anywhere suitable. Intense! Suspense is building big time. They overtake us on a straight road and block us in with a heavy hand-break turn. All the boys in our car are yelling, “Reverse, reverse!” I reverse faster that ever before, yelling, “Duck!” to Niels who is sitting in the middle seat. We need to find a safe zone to turn back around and head toward the last town. The road is sketchy and narrow, there are potholes everywhere, and there are snow ditches on either side. I know we cannot let the car off the road! That would be game over!

I stop the car to turn around, but then, just like in the movies, again, the engine cuts out… On an automatic… I keep turning the key, but nothing is happening. “Click, click, click.” Nothing. You can feel the stress in the air as each second goes by.

Their car pulls to a stop no more than three meters from ours.

“Click, click, click.” The taller of the two immediately jumps out and heads straight for our driver door. “Lock the doors!” the group yells. I locked the windows accidentally. Rémy shouts from the back, “Shovel mode!”

Fuck me. This nutter opens the driver door and guess what falls to his feet? The bottom half to my blue backcountry shovel, on a golden platter for him to smash me with it. I jump straight out of the car and grab a massive metal shovel off one of the boys. And I’m yelling, again and again, at the top of my voice, “We don’t want to fight!” While I’m keeping him at a distance, Jerome comes out with a plastic snow shovel and smashes it very loudly on the ground trying to control the situation. It shatters into 1,000 pieces, naturally shushing us all. It’s quiet for a second, and then out of nowhere, the second guy swings for Jerome. Just milliseconds

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Toni, footloose pole-jam

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Sparrow Knox and crew Niels Schack, trunk to trunk wallie

Sparrow, back 180

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Sparrow ollie

before, I yell, “Yo! Watch your back!” Jerome ducks, missing a blow to the face by a couple centimeters. Fuck it. It’s go time.

I go full ham with the shovel, smashing the guy a good few times! This guy chills back, so I go to help Dmitry, who is holding one of them while Niels is laying into his face with his only working hand. It’s a crazy tussle and hard to see who is who, but at the last second I get a good view and smash this heavy-ass metal shovel into his back. Jerome has the car started at this point and is turning it around as we fight.

Rémy has already tried taking the keys from their car but had no luck. They have it on them.

With the shovel and team work, we have the upper hand, but once they see us running back into the car they begin throwing huge rocks straight at the front windshield. We are now taking turns hopping into a moving car at speed as these locals launch rocks with intent to kill. “Get in! Get in!” This is like the scene from The Darjeeling Limited when they’re running for the train and ditch their bags to make it.

Except we have these kids launching rocks at us and we are not willing to ditch the camera. We are so lucky none of the rocks smashed straight through, injuring someone. Cracks and dents cover the car! The mirrors are smashed, but we are all safe!

Back on the road, the god damn chase continues, this time with very pissed-off guys, with bruises all over, wanting far more than just the camera. They want to fuck us up! A few kilometers of pure carnage pass. You know, classic car chase stuff: barging cars, slamming on the breaks to avoid T-boning them, neck-on-neck, high-speed driving, forcing them off the

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road into ditches and snow banks and so on. We fly through small villages in seconds, honking the horn to gain as much attention as possible. Parents with their kids rush to the sides of the road to avoid the approaching danger. Horses scatter in all directions.

We are approaching another small village and see at least 50 horses crossing the road about 100 meters up from us. We slow down while honking constantly, trying to get them to move. We get so close that we find a gap and pass through the horses safely. The “Moonshine Murderers,” however, go straight through at least four horses, sending the animals flying over the windshield as they continue their charge straight toward us! I’ve never seen a horse upside down before and just saw a handful get swept off their feet and smashed to the ground in a matter of seconds. Shit is real.

We hear Toni from the back, “They’re getting closer.

They’re…” Boom! The car goes crunch and we shit a brick!

Just like that they have made the final move, full-speed ramming into the back of our van. Our boot is crunched inward by almost a meter. Their bumper drags along the ground as they rattle to a stop in the distance. We take one look back and get the fuck away from these lunatics as they scramble along the road for the loose parts of their car. A little bit of whiplash for everyone, a couple good scrapes, cuts and bruises, and one hell of a ride later, we pull away from The Moonshine Murderers!

And here we are, in this police station, exhausted, glad to be all in one piece, and hoping we can continue on our intended

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Toni K, no room for error

Pensive Niels

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Sparrow, method into the wall

journey this evening. The car isn’t too damaged except that we can’t open the trunk. Otherwise, we are still down for the five-hour drive to Karakol. It ends up taking so long for us to be able to leave because the police need us to identify the attackers if they catch them. Finally, at two in the morning, we convince them to let us go and if they ever find them, I agreed I would take the drive back with Dmitry.

NIELS: The whole drive to Karakol was made in complete, pitch-black darkness, while we took turns sleeping and driving. Finally we made it. When the morning light came over the mountain, we realized we were driving by this incredible lake, surrounded by enormous mountains. After all this, everybody seemed to be humbled by the whole adventure.

But damn, it hadn’t been even 24 hours yet!

Upon arriving in Karakol, we stopped at an inn called the Khan Hotel. It was one huge room with eight beds and beautiful tapestries on the wall. We all collapsed on the beds and didn’t awake until 1 p.m., when we decided to take the car up toward the mountain. It was a bluebird day, and halfway through the climb to the top, we stopped and climbed up this massive hill. All the anxieties and exhaustion completely disappeared. We were here, at the top of this hill, at 3,500 meters, looking at the enormous Karakol peak rising to 5,500 meters.

It was finally the start of the trip.

From then on, it was just a matter of following the scenario that I had first penned. It had to be loose since we didn’t

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know what we were going to see there. Every night Rémy and I would get together to propose the plan for the next day. Then we would all meet and see if everybody was down.

There was a real team spirit! Even though some of the things we would ask of them were strange, they trusted us. We managed to visit canyons, meet the owner of a brick farm (who invited us to his house for dinner with his wonderful family), went to a hospital when Sparrow’s chin needed a bunch of stitches, rode horses up a mountain, saw more horses than human beings, were blessed with the presence of one of the most charming and comforting women (the inn owner), ate some of the most incredible fusions of food, with garlic spices every night, and swam in a lake that was maybe three or four degrees celcius.

After leaving, the movie was only half completed, since we had to film the rest of the movie in Paris. However, those 15 days felt three times longer than the Loose Change trip, which was three months long! We were all exhausted, but blessed with the whole adventure, and excited that all we had come to accomplish was collected in these three hard drives, tucked away in our backpacks, heading home. Safe and sound. I think it took us all a week to settle from such a trip; to finally be able to continue our individual seasons in different places, always looking back with a smile, nodding our heads in acknowledgment of just how ridiculous the whole thing was.

Most of all, we were all glad to have been a part of it.

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FRIDGE

PHOTO: DIGG LES

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Gang in the hand-carved rhythm section P H O T O : V I K T O R H JA R TA R S O N

This photo doesn’t show it, but the Hverir geothermal area smells like shit…

PHOTO: DIGG LES

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hat do you get when you throw six pro snowboarders, two filmers and L’Arrogs in a van for 12 days in Iceland with a few hundred beers and a couple bottles of Black Death? LOBSTER CREAM WEEK! I’ve been to Iceland a total of five times, but always in November and December, when the days are three hours long and the temps rarely get above freezing. Getting to experience 20-hour days in Halldor and Eiki’s hometown with this crew was truly special.

A lot has already been said about Iceland. The country is immensely beautiful and the people are warm and welcoming, but I don’t know anywhere else in the world where your local am rider’s dad will take his son out of school for a week to show you around the backcountry.

Where a couple phone calls to random strangers will score you and your crew three racing snowmobiles to use for free. The hospitality of Icelandic people can’t be overstated; these people will do anything for a “friend.”

We ran out of gas on our down day in the middle of nowhere, and when I say nowhere, I mean we were 100 kilometers from the nearest man-made structure. We sent Frank Bourgeois with some Pakistani tourists and waited three hours in the cold. Note to readers; don’t run out of gas if your car runs on diesel. After watching some YouTube tutorials on how to prime the gas lines, we were back in business and sent it to the underground hot springs.

Side note: Sparrow Knox only has one setting - 11.

- Ryan Scardigli

Colin Wilson whips a FS 720 PHOTO: TH EO MUSE

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Frank Bourgeois getting the most of the view. BS 180 P H O T O :

V I K T O R H JA R TA R S O N

After a long day of drinking in the Icelandic wilderness theres nothing like a big homoerotic trip to the Grjótagjá cave for a soak with the boys.

PHOTO: TH EO MUSE

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The Goðafoss waterfall is where the vikings drowned their old gods and accepted christianity. A thousand years later, Halldor and Fridge pose for the cover of their new mixtape: Godkiller. Above, on the hip, Halldor cooks up a dash of madness known as the Meth Flip. Go peep the video…

A L B U M C OV E R : D I G G L E S H I P P H O T O : V I K T O R H JA R TA R S O N

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Proper backside blast from Sparrow Knox PHOTO: VI KTOR H JA R TA R S O N

The team that parties together, stays together. Look at how cozy Fridge looks. Â PHOTO: DIGG LES

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Frank B, BS rodeo 720 PHOTO: TH EO MUSE

Frontside poke from Fridge PHOTO: VI KTOR H JA R TA R S O N

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Eiki flips as Colin carves below  P H O T O : V I K T O R H JA R TA R S O N

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1718_H

Complete Your Set

NEW SHA PE!

lobstersnowboards.com

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07/11/2017 14:35 13.11.2017 01:13

The dream of many a teenager - going on tour. For some of us, the yearning doesn’t end with the onset of the second decade.

Or third. Death-bringers PJ Gustafsson and Andrew Brewer lend a pair of travel recommendations from their most recent tour of the Far East.

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Andrew Brewer half cab under the overpass PHOTO: AKI RA ONOZU KA

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PJ, Taka (Death Label owner), and Brewer

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Leisurely layback from Tatsuya Nagumo PHOTO: AKI RA ONOZU KA

A

fter being extreme, big-mountain riders and hiking to the top of Mt. Tanigawa - “The Devils Mountain” - in a complete storm, and getting our final avalanche party of the tour riding all the way down, it was time for us to go and visit the Penis Museum in Gunma that we had heard some stories about. One of the things we had heard was that the old woman who runs the place grabs all the visitors between the legs, and that by grabbing your genitals, she can tell you something about your sex life.

Since I’m a fan of weird shit, I must admit that I was pretty excited once we arrived. Finally! It was time to visit Japan’s only penis museum! The Penis Museum is located just outside of Shibukawa on the way up to Ikaho and at first glance it seems like just another old Japanese building on the side of the road. A quick peek around at the garden out back reveals it’s so much more…

Taka Okawa, Katsunori Ito, Brewer, and I were all first-time visitors to this sex shrine. Upon arrival, the creepy old lady who runs the show took us to the main room of the museum.

The walls and floors were covered in pornographic paintings, stone carvings, and wooden figures, and even though I believe I have seen a lot of weird stuff, I must say, I have never seen a sausage party to this extent in my life! HOLY FUCK! Anyway, the old lady began her speech in Japanese, so Brewer and I didn’t understand anything except for a couple of interesting things that Taka explained to us.

According to the old lady, we were obviously all there because

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of the troubles we were having in our sex lives. By her telling, we’d come to pray for the proper functioning of our private bits, and thankfully for us, her years of experience in such an industry allowed her to properly diagnose exactly what we needed to be praying for. HALLELUJAH! She started off by firmly grabbing Andrew’s crotch, and while getting a good feel, explaining to Andrew and the rest of us in Japanese something like, “American have small penis!” She then made her way to me and started grabbing my private areas and gave me a verdict: ”Big balls but come very quickly.”

With red faces, and our self-esteem a bit damaged, we continued on, laughing our way through the several small rooms filled with old Japanese paintings of couples doing the nasty in seemingly uncomfortable positions. Shelves full of wooden cock and vagina carvings and even taxidermy animals getting it on filled each room as we went along. We admired the kimonos adorned with sex positions, penis-shaped golf clubs, and more faces with nose-dicks than you could ever imagine.

It was truly a weird experience and perhaps the weirdest one during all my visits to Japan.

If you are into odd shit and would like a diagnosis of your reproductive ailments and a blow to your self-esteem, I suggest making your way to Gunma if you’re ever in the area and checking out this bizarre museum. It is perhaps the strangest 900 yen you will ever spend!

- PJ GUSTAFSSON

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PJ buries one

PHOTO: YUZI AZUMA

Brewer on that stalefish tip PHOTO: AKI RA ONOZU KA

This was my third time going to japan, however, my first with Death Label. I had never met PJ, Taka, or any of the other DL riders for that matter. We had an amazing time throughout the entire trip, but going to Tokyo the final night was definitely one of the highlights. First of all, I had no idea how much Taka despised the city. I suppose growing up there, around all the crowds, could be enough to push anyone away.

For the longest time I have wanted to go to the famous Robot Restaurant, in the heart of the city.

attraction. I believe the girl that greeted us was named Michelle and grew up in Michigan. Anyway, Taka found it hilarious that there were hardly any Japanese people and I thought for sure he was bummed that we had just spent 30,000 yen to get into this “show.” However, after sitting down and watching the show take place, I have never seen someone so happy and stoked to be where we were. PJ in his “sex” mask and all of us having the time of our lives - this trip to Japan was one for the books.

Walking in you are greeted by people who are everything but Japanese. It threw me off guard, but it was definitely a tourist

- ANDREW BREWER

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Carving in classic early 90s style, 1990

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A Q&A with Nitro co-founder and style god, Thomas Delago, reflecting on almost three decades of Nitro snowboards, how boardin’ has evolved and what we can expect moving forward.

PHOTOS: NITRO SNOWBOARDS

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First season bag photoshoot in Oberammergau with World Champion Petra MĂźssig, 1990

First trip to Japan with Petra MĂźssig in 1991

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Team Fun Snowboard Camp at Mt.Hood Summer 1990 with Nitro Pro Team and campers

We’ve seen a return of retro shapes, and Nitro has made a nice contribution to that. Can we expect you to follow it up, bringing back the full-body suits, and more importantly, the mullet? They say company image comes from the top down.

I think we have always had a soft spot for the unexpected and fun in our line, so who knows… But more seriously, I think it’s important to try and understand why people are attracted by the new and sometimes out of the norm shapes that have hit the market lately.

This is not so much about being weird, funky or retro, but about individualism and simplicity. Snowboarding is at a point where many things that are being done to “progress” the sport lead to more extremes – and drive snowboarding away from the crowd that just enjoys making turns down the hill. So, what’s sometimes understood as a retro trend of varied shapes, really just caters to the most fundamental need in all of us to make fun turns.

Of the 28 winters, can you remember one that was most impactful for you personally, or one that was particularly crucial for the brand?

That’s a hard one. It’s been such an amazing ride so far, but the early years were definitely the ones that were exciting personally. Jumping into the cold water to start a brand at 25 years old and realizing, “Wow, I’m actually riding boards I designed myself and I have a

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chance to live my dream.” From a business standpoint, the past few years were the most challenging, of course. Steering the ship through stormy waters only works if the crew is a tight knit group.

Knowing that they are more than that a true family - makes us tick.

of board they are riding or which clothes they are wearing.

Kind of a cliché one here, but do you have a favorite shape or a favorite board model over all these years?

I’ve ridden and liked most of our boards during this whole time, but probably the one I keep coming back to, and still In the film, you speak of a time when spend a lot of time fine-tuning year after it was not possible to be cool or uncool year, is that super versatile all-mountain in snowboarding. Individuals were shape we’re using for the Suprateam. To just snowboarders. Do you lament the advent of “cool guys” in snowboarding? me, it’s also still the biggest design chalI don’t mind “cool guys.” I guess what I’m lenge to develop and improve a shape that can do it all, from park to carving referring to is the fact that snowboardto powder. I just like the simplicity of ing became very exclusive in the ‘90s not having to worry about which board and 2000s. It’s funny, though - before to use… snowboarding really hit the masses in the late 1980s, it definitely was very Loosest (wildest) individual to ever exclusive. You really had to want to do grace the Nitro snowboards radar? this and overcome the problems with I don’t want to be unjust to anyone, but equipment, not being able to use lifts here’s a group of three that easily tie and so forth. After more and more for this honor: Max Plötzeneder, Fabien resorts opened to snowboarding, the Rohrer and Giacomo Kratter. Among all equipment became better, easier to the amazing people I’ve gotten to work use and more readily available. It was with, they definitely stand out when easy for everyone to start. Suddenly, it comes to partying and enjoying the snowboarding was a mass trend and snowboard pro lifestyle… not really exclusive anymore. The “better” or “seasoned” riders didn’t want to Can you describe a bit more the feeling identify themselves with the average Joe and his funny fleece hat and started you got when you heard about such a massive order request for Japan early to – unconsciously I suppose – define on in the brand’s journey? what’s cool and what’s not, down to Interestingly, we never completely riding style, clothing, brands and even the music they listened to. We need to be “blew up” in Japan. I think we have been lucky with our distributors being more inclusive and welcome everyone very responsible there, and probably to snowboarding, no matter what type

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More carving, 1993

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Last year as a Sims Pro Rider (spring of 1989), half a year before Nitro started

still are. Unlike some other brands, we grew steadily but healthily during the hype years, so when that market took a dive, we didn’t get hurt so much as we didn’t have a whole business model of financing and quantities based on that one single country. But it was quite interesting to experience the huge attention snowboarding received there in the 90s – along with a bunch of people that got into this business for the wrong reasons.

Can you share a funny story with us from the making of this 28 Winters documentary. Any outtake moments, perhaps?

The production actually went really smooth and I don’t recall any standout event there. I had a lot of fun during the shooting. I got to pull out all my old gear, magazines and memorabilia from even more than 28 winters. That alone was a fun trip into the past. But also, I enjoyed the on-snow shoots in Austria

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and Sweden. I usually get to ride with our riders a couple of times a year and with everyone during the Good Times Camp in the spring, but it’s been a while since I had the honor of shooting with them.

What’s the greatest lesson you have learned after all these years?

I think it’s the fact that you never stop learning. It’s tempting to say to one of our younger riders or engineers who comes up with an idea that he thinks is new, “Oh, we tried this 20 years ago and it didn’t work.” You need to stay openminded, learn from the past and keep trying new (or old) stuff.

Hindsight is 20/20, right? Here we go if you could go back to the first winter, would you change anything in your process or do anything differently?

I don’t think so. For sure we made mistakes that you would avoid from today’s perspective, but if you don’t fail occa-

sionally, you don’t learn and progress.

There is a lot of conjecture concerning the future of snowboarding. Care to throw your opinion in on what is necessary to bring back growth and more importantly, accessibility? Is it a greater emphasis on the simpler aspects and enjoyments, like you mentioned a bit in the film?

In many people’s minds, snowboarding is an “extreme” sport that happens mainly in the air. Unfortunately, many parents also see snowboarding like this.

We, as the industry and media, have of course done our share to build this image. Also, people who have snowboarded for maybe 15 or 20 years have stopped, saying, “This is not really my sport anymore.” We need to turn this development around and get people (back) into snowboarding.

We need to put more focus on the fun aspect of snowboarding rather than

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Array of prototypes during a test session at Mt. Hood, 1992

the “bigger, better, faster” of the past.

We need to produce videos that show riders simply having fun rather than doing the next scary move or riding the next exotic location. You want people to be stoked to go out and ride after watching the video. Riders and brands need to use their social media influence to show more in-resort riding that people can relate to, and it’s already happening. More grassroots activities from the brands are also key. On the product side, there are now more boards on the market that address, mainly, the fun riding aspect and don’t take themselves too seriously, and the commercial success of these new boards shows that this is a move in the right direction.

The most difficult challenge concerns our infrastructure. We are proud of the fact that snowboarding doesn’t need a lot of organizations, clubs and schools, but what we are now lacking is an easy

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way - especially for kids - to get into snowboarding. Many parents today want their kids to be active in sports somehow, but they want this activity to be somewhat organized and safe.

Ski clubs and schools exist everywhere, even hours away from the nearest mountains. Snowboarding has so far been unable to really integrate itself into this network that has existed for decades. It has rather tried to be different, better or “cooler,” with the effect that it has been more or less abandoned or excluded by those in charge of the clubs and schools. We need to take a humbler stance here and learn how to peacefully co-exist with skiing if we want to participate and offer snowboarding as a viable alternative for parents trying to find a fun activity for their kids.

developed a certain antipathy against everything ski and I see many skiers in my generation with the same kind of attitude. When I watch my kids now, they have no problem riding with their friends who are skiers. I think both snowboarders and skiers alike need to learn from our kids and be more openminded, so people are not put into a box by what they use to slide down the hill. A mixed group is fun, there is no “better” or “worse” way.

Finally, more brand managers and retailers need to go back to the roots and start building their customer base again. Everyone professionally involved with snowboarding needs to spend time on the mountain to understand the changing needs and – of course – have fun!

Like many Gen-X snowboarders, I used to be discriminated against by skiers, the ski industry and resorts. So I have

13.11.2017 21:56

Just last night I was on a Skype meeting with a client, sharing my computer screen with a large group of people, when I received an e-mail from Will Smith. Instantly the conversation stopped and everyone was going crazy about me knowing the legend, Will Smith. I do appreciate his rap skills but to be honest I’m way more impressed by his snowboarding and his drawing talent. Little note for the music fans: he is a just little white guy from the asshole of England - Leeds - where snow is made of dry plastic and mountains made of mud and grass.

Anyway, we were traveling together this winter in Moscow and Siberia and I noticed his little sketch book full of cool stuff and asked him if he was keen to draw and have fun on my photos for our annual Van’s book project called First Layer. We are both big fans of Lucas Beaufort’s works but we definitely wanted to avoid having a similar look/ style. So I first printed all the photos on a BW xerox (photocopy) to get a grainy D.I.Y. look and sent them to Will to play on. The only thing I told him was to do something very different than Lucas…

Stop singing, Will, and keep riding and drawing my man!

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I have worked with Matt for a few years now as a rider on the Vans First Layer projects and each year he has made a book of photos of our trips - lifestyle shots and shots of us guys riding. This year he kindly asked me if I wanted to do a collab with some of my art in the book.

Of course I was super down! I wasn’t nervous about doing it, but I didn’t want to bring the quality of Matt’s images down or take away from them with the art. I wanted my work to be a part of the image rather than something just stuck on the photo randomly.

He sent me some A4 size prints through the mail, but they arrived on my birthday and I was going to Amsterdam for a few days. So in the end, I had four days to complete it. I would have liked a little bit longer but maybe the pressure was good? I don’t think I left the house! I had help from my girlfriend on the idea front because there is only so much I could come up with in the length of time. She’s super creative so that helped me out. I sent something like 30 - 33 pages back for Matt and Bruno to choose from. For most of the prints there was only one copy, sometimes two, so I had to make sure I got them right. It was a really fun challenge! I am so stoked on how the book turned out and Matt did such a great job on the whole design and layout.

Thanks to him and Vans for making it happen!

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Photo: Oli Gagnon Rider: Mark Wilson Location: PetropavlovskKamchatsky, Russia Trick: Backlip

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Photo: Mike Yoshida Rider: Austin Sweetin Location: Kootenay, BC Trick: Send’er

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Photo: Evgeny Pavlov Rider: Artem Smolin Location: Saint Petersburg Trick: Boardslide

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Photo: Howzee Rider: Stephan Maurer Location: Laax Trick: the Upsidedown

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Photo: Howzee Rider: Leandro Eigensatz Location: Laax Trick: FS 360 scrape

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Photos: Oli Gagnon Rider: Sam Taxwood

Rider: Tommy Gesme

Rider: Phil Jacques

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Photo: Oli Gagnon Rider: Alek Østreng

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Photo: Erik Hoffman Rider: Forest Bailey Location: Mt. Baker Trick: Vintage cliff drop

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Photo: Howzee Rider: Max Buri Location: Grindelwald, Switzerland Trick: Layback

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13.11.2017 02:00

Stay high

P H O T O : S I LVA N O Z E I T E R

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Watch now on

METHODMAG.COM and REDBULL.TV

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R E A L

S N O W B O A R D I N G

18.2

UNION FALCOR BINDING COMPANY. MULTIPLE LAYERS OF INFLUENCE AVAILABLE IN:

ITALY/USA YR.13-DEDICATED

RELEASE DATE: FALL 2017

181 COVER OUTSIDE GLOBAL 5MM.indd Wszystkie strony

To reflect the level of riding and power that Travis Rice is known for, the Falcor combines materials with multiple densities into the baseplate and highback taking advantage of each materials strengths and characteristics. The result is a ride that is forgiving where you need flex, and responsive where you want connection.

INSTA:@UNIONBINDINGCO UNIONBINDINGCOMPANY.COM

12.11.2017 22:21