Moffat final wi14 pages

LA's S owboarding Bible

25 BEST NEW BOARDS OF2014

Gretchen Bleiler

SOCHI IN SIGHT

X Games Big Air: Brought to Higher Heights PG.48

table of CONTENTS

GRETCHEN BLEILER

S W A G

1 4 7 18 28 34 N I P O R D

D R A RICH N O D AVE

AFTERBANG

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who did what

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF chelsey moffat

PEAK Magazine is all about bringing you all of the ‘Bests’ L.A. has to offer. From the best slopes, parks, and peaks, to the best products, to the best people there are in the extreme sport today!

With al of our skilled team members here at Peak, you can garuntee that we will give you everything you need to know about the sport. We have hight ambitious team riders, all of the most experiences photographers, designers and creative minds hard at play everyday! We also promice to always have accurate snow reports, awards, event dates, and everything else you need to know. We had a great year last year adn we here at Peak are all looking forward to another fantastic year! We always love having everyone send in there pictures and tagging us on all of your favorite social media spots! Stay tuned for the next issue on the 2014 Winter X-Games in Aspen, CO, as well as the 2014 Winter Olympics being held in Sochi this year! Should be a great year, looking forward to the year!

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EXECUTIVE EDITOR brooke sinton SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR rachel elizabeth SENIOR EDITORS sharon salem COPY CHIEF cody diodato RESEARCH EDITOR kelsey mclean ART DIRECTOR morgan gurule DIGITAL DESIGNERS jaccinda moffat CREATIVE DIRECTOR donnie robert VIDEO PRODUCER ange sudnet PHOTOGRAPHER trevor neeley ASSOCIATE EDITORS cory allan CONTRIBUTING WRITERS neely surmeier SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER darion gibbs CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS frank james COPY EDITORS denise lynn WRITERS tanner james

editor’ s LETTER

I

have a list of short and long-term goals I want to accomplish. I’ve listed things from travel to as many places as I can to run in a color run. I also have a list that says: be a good friend, be a better listener, take the dog for longer walks, call family more often, always write thank you notes, etc. Year after year though, come New Year’s I never have any resolutions. Since I have made it a habit to have an ongoing list of goals to accomplish, the hype behind New Year’s resolutions seems a bit silly to me.

Goals should be something that we practice day in and day out throughout the year, not something we consider at the beginning of each year. There is so much pressure with the advent of the new year -- to change, to be better, to be something more, to lose three pounds, etc. It’s a laundry list of improvements that can leave you exhausted. Instead, broaden your perspective and think about long-term goals that will enrich your daily life -things that you realistically conquer.

In this issue we set out to find passionate riders who have goals that they conquer every day of the year. From the men and women who make up the Olympic team, to the riders who get out there and ride each day they can; we

found plenty of inspiration for this issue. Professional rider Gretchen Bleiler talks about her horrific accident that led to a great recovery and getting her to the Olympics. In this issue you will find the coolest places to ride, all the best gear to ride with, and all the pros that are setting the sights for 2014!

So, with that, read on and I hope that when you put this copy down, you’ll feel inspired to conquer your goals each and every day! Cheers!

CHELSEY RAE MOFFAT Editor-in-Chief

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pubs 1st tracks

FIRST people TRACKS TRAVELS kill for the first run of the day on fresh powder

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F

rom Whistler/Blackcomb to the Mountains of Colorado, these are the resorts you need to be at this winter. Other than just hitting the Cali slople, get out the suitcases and plan a trip to the best resorts in the U.S. We have found to most quaint little ski town in North America, nestled in the cleavage of the Durango Mountain Resort, better known to locals as Purgatory Mountain. Here they have a kick ass park, lushious amouts of (real) powder, and all the chillest spots to grab a cold one between runs. Get out there and explore Purgatory, the most devilish of resorts the spirits are firey while the snow is ice cold!

Anyone that is an avid shredder would tell you that there is nothing better than waking up early in the morning and getting to the mountain in time to be get the first tracks. The only thing eaqually as refreshing, the beer you’re going to enjoy at the bottom with some friends in the sunshine. Living in California is great becuase we get to go to the mountain and basically have a bluebird day EVERYday. We have the best of all worlds here in this fine state, we can wake up any given day and decide if we want to go to the mountains, the beach or the desert. Not many other

states can say the same! We have been blessed with the most BADASS of all things awesome!

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Butte, CO

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Also all of the mountians here have fun events going on all year around, there is alpine slides, mazes, concerts,hiking, mountain biking, zip lines and much more fun to enjoy during the summer as well as winter! Also you can make reservatioins to have parties at the resorts for wedding ceremonies, birthdays or any kind of celebration that you would like to experience out in teh California wilderness!

Ros sla

C. , B. nd

From winter to spring and summer to fall, you can have the most fun that you have ever had right here in your very own state! THere are so many things to do and places to see that you will never get bored!

We love getting out and exploring all the beautiful places that California has to offer! So get out there and experience your beautiful state and see all that it has to offer you and your friends!

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RESORTS NEAR LOS ANGELES

Our team here at Peak Mag has traveled all across the California peaks in order to find you the best of the best in the area! Although there are many more, we have brought you the top six near the Los Angeles area. You can travel to any of these places and guarantee a great weekend getaway or just a day playing hookie from work or school!

Picture yourself, calling in sick, driving up to your favorite local mountain for the day.

The second you park, you jump out of the car, put your boots on, grab your board and hit the lift. The moment your board hits the soft powder, you get it, that mountain HIGH. You start gliding across the smooth white snow through some trees, back onto the trail, and you get to the half pipe...you know what time it is, it’s time to DROP IN and have the time of your life, then repeat all day long!

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Designed for agressive all terrain freestyle rippers. 3D Bamboo binding platforms and organic torsion boxes transfer power control and energy from your bindings directly to your edges and stiffen your board at your feet for stomped landings and critical terain control.

Transfer spines offer precise responce and big pop. The board of choice for Mervin experiMENTALIST Apostolos Karabotos and Jason Robinson.

The Slayblade has bagged awards and dominated the all-mountain freestyle snowboard category for 4 years now. This year is sees it’s first major redesign.

NOW with full Hybritech construction and all-new Precision Lifted Baseline pop and energy, the all new Slayblade is set to lead riders into the next level of all terrain freestyle creativity.

Carbon Highlights are the biggest bonus, shaving serious weight while making the board more playful and lively from tip to tail. Available with the precision of camber or the rocker-infused freedom of Flying V, it’s a perfect match for aspiring pros or just riders who thrive on a little friendly competition.

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The Highlife UL showcases our potent Popwalls sidewall technology that combines our urethane Slimewalls with our carbon Pop Rods for the max and enhanced response. The Highlife UL also features our Hybrid All Mountain shape boasting a loose and playful rocker profile in the tip, and the grippy stability of camber under foot and through the tail.

The Forum Manual Snowboard is one of the best boards for the price, offering excellent control for a beginner and great ability to a more advanced boarder. With a flex rating of three, this board allows for the extra pop one needs when surfing the parks and hills.

Danny Kass is an American hero and has one hot mid wide banana! Danny spent years riding super taco’s all over the world and polished his banana to perfection, in an environment where carrying a fast line through the flat bottom is the difference between victory and defeat adn controlled pop off te lip is the difference between progression and the hospital.

pubs 2. Jackson Hole, Wyo.

3. Squaw Valley, Calif.

1. Whistler/Blackcomb, British Columbia, Canada 1. The nightlife at Whistler/Blackcomb is nearly as extensive as the mountain itself. Live music and DJs (both resident and visiting) provide a wide range of music from house and dance music to 80’s and soul. Multiple sushi houses serve up a variety of sake, while clubs like Buffalo Bill’s offer huge dance floors, nightly DJs, pool tables and big-screen TVs to celebrate a perfect day on the mountain. And the pedestrian-friendly village also means no driving will mar your night of celebration.

2. Population-wise, Jackson Hole isn’t a large town, but as far as nightlife goes, JHole is a sprawling metropolis with a range of options for off-mountain activities. Fill up on Italian food at the Osteria, then pull up a stool at the Mangy Moose Restaurant and Saloon at the mountain base, where locals and visitors imbibe in craft beer and hearty grub. Or, for a more modern experience, check out a live indie band at the Pink Garter Theatre in downtown Jackson, and the bar-hop along the main streets till last call — or the last shuttle back to your hotel.

4. Mount Bachelor, Ore.

3. Squaw Valley appeals to snow-lovers who boast a wide variety of beverage tastes. Oenophiles can snag a choice bottle at the Uncorked Wine Bar and Shop, or head to the bar at Plumpjack Café, which offers a “mystery” wine flight for $15, while the Auld Dubliner provides an Irish pub setting with live music, whiskey and beer. Or pull up a stool at Bar One, the centerpiece of Olympic House, the resort’s default après spot, recently renovated with a new fireplace, expansive bar and intoxicating mountain views.

4. The mountain itself only has a few places to snag an après beer, but the town of Bend is less than 30 minutes away, and it’s practically overflowing with hedonistic options. Aptly known as one of the best craft beer scenes in the country, you can visit over a dozen microbreweries, from well-known establishments like Deschutes to local favorites like Boneyard and Crux Fermentation Project — locally-organized beer tours by bus and “pub cycles” make it easy to navigate the options. And those with a craving for the talents of a crafty mixologist can find legions of options at places like Velvet and Level 2 Bend Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge.

5. Telluride, Colo.

5. Strong $5 cocktails and a historic setting make the saloon at the New Sheridan Hotel an ideal venue for post-mountain unwinding. At the Village, The Tomboy Tavern is located in front of the Village Express lift, providing skiers their choice of 32 local drafts, along with menu options like the schnitzel sandwich and truffle fries. The complimentary San Sophia Gondola connects the downtown venues to the Mountain Village, allowing patrons to hop between venues.

6. The largest mountain in Tahoe keeps its mega-status alive by offering one of the biggest party atmospheres in the basin, starting with the nightly happy “hour” at 9,000 feet. Located at the top of the Heavenly Gondola, Tamarack Lodge hosts Unbuckle at Tamarack, which offers live DJs, half-price drinks and the Heavenly Angels wearing strategically-placed bits of fur dancing on platforms with a gorgeous mountain backdrop. Not enough for you? Heavenly is currently converting a snowcat into a mobile party, complete with DJ platform and Kicker Audio speaker system. And, when the mountain itself closes, ride down the gondola and hit one — or several — of South Tahoe’s casinos.

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6. Heavenly, Calif.

swag + 1. Nixon Watch. Cannon.

Gunmetal. $150.

2. Dakine. Heli Pro Backpack. $90.

3. Burton. Hot Chick. $445.

4. Oakley. Maroon Jacket. $245.

5. OLWR. Snowboard Pants. $275.

6. Jawbone. Jambox. Black. $200.

7. Burton. Malavita Boot. Gold. $325.

8. Oakley. Airwave. $600.

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9. Burton. Women’s Shine. $465.

10. Burton. Leopard Boots. $275.

11. Dakine. Heli Pro 20L. $85.

12. Nikita. Women’s skinny’s. $185.

13. Nixon. Spur. Black Crystal. $350.

14. Burton. Tribal Gloves. $55.

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GRET CHEN

BLEI

LER SOCHI IN SIGHT the inside look at this pro-snowboarders recovery.

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“THE GIRLS ARE THE DREAM TEAM”

H

er pursuit of perfection simply had to be steered in another direction, rechanneled into the offices of numerous doctors and countless hours of physical therapy.

U.S. Olympic snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler was staring at the most significant challenge of her life, regaining full vision after a freak training accident on a trampoline resulted in a broken right eye socket, a fractured nose and concussion. This occurred in June 2012, more than six years after Bleiler stood on the podium at the Olympics in Turin, Italy, with a silver medal around her neck.

Suddenly, an Olympic bid in Sochi, Russia, was secondary to her ability to see.

“Honestly, it was such a bad accident,that I wasn’t even thinking about snowboarding,” Bleiler said. “I wasn’t thinking about the Olympics, I was just thinking about getting better and physically feeling better, being able to see again.”The affable Bleiler, 32, a magazine cover model with her own clothing line, has been sharing her story of continuing recovery since the accident. In fact, there is a compelling video on YouTube about the process, via Muscle Milk’s home page, including her experimental work with physical therapist Brad Jones of b Project in Carlsbad.

On this particular occasion, she was talking with a handful of reporters

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in Park City, Utah, months before the final series of Olympic qualifiers. Bleiler revealed that her vision was still not quite the same as it was before the accident.“My vision is different from what it once was,” she said.

“It’s not the same … [but] it’s not holding me back any longer. When I had my accident before I had my surgery, my surgeon told me there was a possibility I would have double vision for the rest of my life with my upglance.

“And I still have double vision with my upglance. It’s so subtle, but just tilting my head a little bit up will fix the problem.”

Even before the accident, making her third Olympic team was never going to be an effortless assignment because of the deep reservoir of talent among the female riders in the United States.

“The girls are the Dream Team,” said Mike Jankowski, the U.S Olympic head halfpipe coach, in 2010. That statement still holds true four years later. At the Vancouver Games, she was one of the goldmedal favorites but finished 11th. The gold medal went to an Australian, Torah Bright, but silver and bronze went to American snowboarders, Hannah Teter and Kelly Clark. Clark, who turned 30 in July, already secured a trip to Sochi by winning the second Olympic qualifier, the U.S. Grand Prix at Copper Mountain Resort in Colorado.

This will be her fourth trip to the Olympics; she won halfpipe gold at the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City.

The women and men — as well as the free skiers — are competing at the third qualifier, in Breckenridge, Colo. The

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journey to Sochi for Bleiler, who was third in the standings before Breckenridge, got a bit more complicated when she failed to advance out of qualifying on Wednesday.

Finals are Saturday.

There are three guaranteed Olympic slots for the female snowboarders and possibly one more, depending on several factors.

Observers said that conditions were challenging during qualifying runs at Breckenridge because of snow falling throughout the day.

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Richard Avedon: A Po

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ortrait of an Artist Fahey Klein presents a major retrospective of the photographers work.

By Kely Smith

Versace Advertisement WINTER 2014 PEAK MAGAZINE 29

W

hat do Jean Genet, Jimmy Durante, Brigitte Bardot, Georgia O’Keeffe, Jacques Cousteau, Andy Warhol, and Lena Horne have in common? They were a few of the many personalities caught on film by photographer Richard Avedon. For more than fifty years, Richard Avedon’s portraits have filled the pages of the country’s finest magazines. His stark imagery and brilliant insight into his subjects’ characters has made him one of the premier American portrait photographers.

opportunities to meet and photograph celebrities from a broad range of disciplines.

Avedon’s ability to present personal views of public figures, who were otherwise distant and inaccessible, was immediately recognized by the public and the celebrities themselves. Many sought out Avedon for their most public images. His artistic style brought a sense of

movement which brings a sense of spontaneity to the images. Often containing only a portion of the person being photographed, the images seem intimate in their imperfection. While many photographers are interested in either catching a moment in time or preparing a formal image, Avedon has found a way to do both.

with non-celebrities. The brutal reality of the lives of the insane was a bold contrast to his other work.

Years later he would again drift from his celebrity portraits with a series of studio images of drifters, carnival workers, and working class Americans.

Throughout the 1960s Avedon continued to work for Harper’s Bazaar and in 1974 he collaborated with James Baldwin on the book Nothing Personal. Having met in New York in 1943, Baldwin and Avedon were friends and collaborators for more than thirty years. For all of the 1970s and 1980s Avedon continued working for Vogue magazine, where

Born in Beyond his work in he would take some of the New York in 1923, Richard sophistication and authority the magazine industry, most famous portraits of the Avedon dropped out of to the portraits. More than Avedon has collaborated decades. In 1992 he became high school and joined anything, it is Avedon’s the first staff photographer the Merchant Marine’s ability to set his subjects at on a number of books of portraits. In 1959 he worked for The New Yorker, and photographic section. Upon ease that helps him create with Truman Capote on two years later the Whitney his return in 1944, he found true, intimate, and lasting a book that documented Museum brought together a job as a photographer in photographs. some of the most famous fifty years of his work in a department store. Within

Throughout his career and important people of the retrospective, “Richard two years he had been Avedon has maintained the century. Observations Avedon: Evidence”. He was “found” by an art director included images of Buster voted one of the ten greatest at Harper’s Bazaar and was a unique style all his Keaton, Gloria Vanderbilt, photographers in the world producing work for them as own. Famous for their Pablo Picasso, Dr. J. Robert by Popular Photography well as Vogue, Look, and a minimalism, Avedon Oppenheimer, Frank Lloyd magazine, and in 1989 number of other magazines. portraits are often well lit and in front of white Wright, and Mae West. received an honorary During the early years, backdrops. When printed, Around this same time he doctorate from the Royal Avedon made his living the images regularly contain began a series of images of College of Art in London. primarily through work in patients in mental hospitals. Today, his pictures continue advertising. His real passion, the dark outline of the film in which the image Replacing the controlled to bring us a closer, more however, was the portrait environment of the studio intimate view of the great and its ability to express the was framed. Within the minimalism of his empty with that of the hospital and the famous. essence of its subject. studio, Avedon’s subjects he was able to recreate the

As Avedon’s move freely, and it is this genius of his other portraits Avedon died on October 1st, 2004. notoriety grew, so did the

“All photographs are accurate.

None of them is the truth.”

–Richard Avedon

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John Ford

Jacky 32 PEAK MAGAZINE WINTER 2014

Andy Warhol

Penelope Tree

Twiggy

Nastassja Kinski Twiggy

Twiggy

Marella Agnelli

RA.

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Afterbang

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get out and explore.