SEE WHAT I SEE

There is nothing quite like waking up to 40 centimeters of fresh snow, but what are you supposed to do to get hyped for a day on the mountain when conditions are less than perfect? May I suggest Runway Films' See What I See. Yes, the guys' videos are sick, but as a girl I get extra inspired when I see what ladies like you and I are capable of.

See What I See is filled with progressive riding from 30 of snowboarding's top female shreds, and though it's impossible, all of them deserve a mention. Natasza Zurek earned closing part thanks to her ability to adapt to all kinds of terrain and to ride it all with style. Zurek's smooth spins in the park, stomped backcountry tricks and solid pillow lines make me proud to be part of women's snowboarding. Sunset 360 tail grab -need I say more? Calgary girl, Raewyn Reid's rookie part looks more like the work of a seasoned pro rather than that of an up-and-comer. Reid jokingly says "this might be dope," before she pops an on-the-spot-tail-stall, but all jokes aside, her part is dope. Other notable newbies include Robin Van Gyn and Meghann O'Brien. Speaking of seasoned pros, Janna Meyen's snowboarding and snowmobiling are insane. I always hear guys say that girls can't hold their own in the backcountry, I guess they haven't been out there with Meyen. Desiree Melancon's part adds the urban flavour that every well-rounded snowboard film needs. Japanese superstars Izume Amaike and Hiromi Takahashi may not be well known in North America, but their riding is top notch, props to them!

I love that Runway incorporated footage of the cultures the riders encountered. While the Runway film might not satisfy your desire for borscht, sushi or wiener schnitzel it will give you a taste of mountain life in Russia, Japan and Austria. If foreign countries and Super 8 camera shots aren't enough to dazzle the artiste in you then perhaps the awesome soundtrack complete with tunes from The Black Keys, Shout Out Louds and She & Him will do it for you.

The only bad thing I have to say about the film is that there isn't a lot of  variety in the jib sections. Yes, the pyramid urban jib is cool, and the rock jib too, but I could have done without the repetition of riders and tricks on those.  Go ahead and see what I see every morning while lacing up your boots. I guarantee you will be pumped to get out and strap in. —Sara Tollestrup