- Hotbox

High 5ives! with Eve Northmore

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 08:36:00 -0400

Born and raised in Bracebridge, Ontario, Eve Northmore loves snowboarding more than the average soul. Back in 2006 she started the Women's Snowboard Federation and since then she's been planning events and hosting snowboard clinics and demo's across Canada. This month we teamed up with Eve to find out her High 5ives!

Why did you start the Women's Snowboard Federation:
1. To build a community of female riders.
2. To provide camps & coaching that I wish I had when I was a young girl wanting to learn fancy snowboard moves.
3. To be able to ride with my friends all the time and meet new buddies to ride with.
4. To provide training & guidance to girls who want to coach, judge or work on the events side of things.
5. To have a job doing what I loved.

Tips for planning a snowboard event:
1. Theres No I in Teamwork:
Build a super sweet team of babes. If you can have extra volunteer hands then bring them on board too. Don't understaff if you can help it.
2. Location, Location, Location:
The resort needs to fit your events needs, have great staff and have the resources to do what your event requires. They are your other super sweet team.
3. Communicate:
Be super clear what you expect from the resort, their staff and your staff. Never assume if you don't mention it they will just know what you want and need. Repeat written details in person or over the phone to ensure everything is clear.
4. Overplan:
Cross your T's, dot your I's and have a backup plan for the worst. Also plan in advance, an event put together last minute will be rushed and sloppy.
5. Market the Bejesus Out of It:
Pool your resources of locals, shop staff, resort staff, online influencers, social media friends and industry pals to help spread the word. The more time you give yourself, then the more time you have to market your event properly.

Reasons to take part in women's specific events:
1. It's fun
2. It's affordable
3. You get sponsor goodies
4. You progress
5. You meet other local riders

Your favourite places to snowboard?
1. Mount St. Louis Moonstone: It has the best park, best buds and some of my best days. It was also the first resort we worked with and their team is always super supportive.
2. Blue Mountain: Another awesome park, it has perfect proximity to amenities and after riding good times. Also all my friends are all there now and nothing beats sunny spring laps.
3. Revelstoke: I live here now and will for sure get in trouble for putting it 3rd. In snow, sledding and freeride terrain, it 100% can't be beat…ever. It's majestic, glorious and undercrowded. We also just got a couple rails at the bottom, if we get a full blown park, my mind will probably explode.
4. Lake Louise: It has a perfect mix of awesome mountain riding, powder days and one of the best parks in Canada. It's also sunny a lot, which is a bonus.
5. Hidden Valley: You can't not love the first place you learned to ride. I also have an unnatural attachment to anything close to home. You don't need anything fancy to have a good time with buds and beers!

Best perks of the job:
1. Our Crew! I love them & have awesome memories with some of my best friends and have learned something from each one of them. They work really hard, unselfishly for a common goal.
2. Travel. Lots of resorts and so many road trips!
3. Learning is Power. I have met so many great people, learned so much from them, opened exciting new doors of opportunity and developed a well rounded perspective of all aspects of the industry.
4. Seeing Progression: It's a great feeling seeing our campers progress and get stoked on something they didn't think they could do.
5. Riding. Generally I work more than I ride, but it has definitely kept me on the hill more than a 9-5.

Eve of the Women's Snowboard Federation

The WSF crew getting ready for the ROXY Ride Day at Blue Mountain, Ont.

Eve and the WSF crew enjoy the view after a long day of work at Lake Louise

High 5ives! with Jenna Blasman

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 09:24:00 -0500

Coming out of Kitchener, Ontario, Jenna Blasman’s been one rider to watch for while now. Constantly landing on podiums, her latest win was at the Billabong Flaunt It at Big White earlier this month. We recently caught up with Jenna to discover why she first started snowboarding and to see which riders she admires most.

Favourite places to snowboard in Ontario:
1.The streets (when I have time)
2. Chicopee Ski Club
3. Blue Mountain
4. Mount St. Louis Moonstone
5. The Jones' (my neighbours) backyard

Reason to compete:
1. Challenging your skills and consistency
2. Travel and explore the world
3. Competing opens the door for opportunities such as exposure
4. Meeting new people
5. Making some money

Riders you admire:
1. My brother Josh: he's taught me so much about the sport and can seem to hit foreign features without a thought of fear in mind.
2. Spencer O’Brien: her genuine dedication to expanding, supporting and pushing women's snowboarding has always inspired me on and off the hill. Not to mention her level of determination and hard work.
3. Jamie Anderson: her infamous natural style really inspires me to keep it gangst to say the least.
4. Halldor Helgason: he just does what he loves and really doesn't give a :)
5. All my buddies that shred completely for the stoke factor. Goon Squad, Lost Boys and the B.O.O.H crew.

Top five snowboard goals:
1. Fun, fun, fun
2. Progress and gain consistency on big booters
3. Explore every country I compete in, if I have time
4. Keep having fun and when it feels like I'm not then I shall simply stop, breathe, and start a riot
5. Spread the shred love.

Reasons you first started snowboarding:
1. To have fun with my brothers, sister and neighbours
2. I loved the encouraging and challenging atmosphere
3. The feeling of landing a new trick that you worked so hard to land was empowering
4. LOVE. Snowboarding was/is freedom + creativity which = the great escape
5. Did I mention fun?

Sponsors: Billabong, VonZipper, Gnu, Sanction Skate & Snow

Frontside 540 in Colorado

Gap lipslide at Big White

National Team Tuesdays with Molly Milligan

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 11:22:00 -0500

For our final National Team Tuesdays feature we caught up with Molly Milligan. Hailing from the Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Molly moved to Whistler after high school and since then has made her mark as a slopestyle rider. This week she reveals the perks to being on the National Development Team and what she’d like to accomplish most in snowboarding.

Age: 30
Number of years snowboarding: 12
Current Residence: Whistler BC
Sponsors: Powderroom International, Orbis Engineering, NRE, MACA and Sport North, Deton Cho Corp

1. What do you remember most about your first day snowboarding?
It was in Kimberly with my cousin and they'd gotten about 40cm's the night before. I figured out how to link turns pretty quickly (they weren't pretty), got stuck in the snow a lot, and tried hitting a few jumps (shocking) and landed hard enough on my ass. I peed myself a little.

2. When did you decide to start taking snowboarding seriously?
When I didn't know what I wanted to do in college/university. I barely knew how to snowboard but being sponsored was a pretty cool thing to aspire to at the time.

3. What are some of the perks to being on the team?
There isn't a budget for the Development team but I do get advice and guidance from the coaches and access to a nutritionist, trainer, ect., when possible.

4. Where will you be traveling to this winter?
I managed to break my ankle a few weeks ago, which throws a wrench into the plans for the next few months. So it's looking like I'll be heading to exotic Courtenay, BC to hang with the parents and work on getting better. I'm hopeful I'll be back in action to ride hard all spring here in Whistler, then summer and fall will include the Blackcomb Glacier, New Zealand and Austria combo.

5. Where’s the best place snowboarding has taken you?
Honestly, after all these years traveling, it's still Whistler. I moved here after high school, didn't know anyone in this town, but fell hard for the lifestyle here. It's a playground for people of all ages, and I have met some amazing people along the way. Second to that would have to be my three-day trip hanging out in Verona, Italy after riding in Austria last fall. I love food and fashion and art so I was in heaven.

6. What’s the biggest sacrifice you’ve made in order to snowboard?
Hurting my body, not having a solid income, and relationships. In that order. My boyfriend is my snowboard; he's not so bad.

7. What are your five essential travel items?
(a) a packed mini travel kit with all the necessary items for the plane so I'm looking/feeling as rested and refreshed as possible on those long-haul flights.
(b) Good headphones because airplanes are loud and little crappy ear buds don't cut it.
(c) I'm working on a food kit (coconut oil, essential seasonings, etc) for those multi-week trips. I love to cook and hate buying expensive items that I can't finish in one trip.
(d) laptop
(e) iPhone

8. What's the one thing you'd like to accomplish most in snowboarding?
I just want to be as good as I can. Wherever that takes me, I'll be happy.

Molly at the Billabong Flaunt It at Blue Mountain last month. She placed 3rd in the slopestyle contest and
2nd in the rail jam.

National Team Tuesdays with Brooke Voigt

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 05:19:00 -0500

Born and raised in Fort McMurray, Alta., Brooke Voigt has been making her mark in snowboarding for several years. Moving away from home at age 15 to be closer to the mountains has seemed to work in her favour. Currently, as a member of the national snowboard team, Brooke is one of Canada’s top slopestyle contenders.

Age: 19
Number of years snowboarding: 11
Sponsors: Sandbox, Thirtytwo, Dragon, PomPom
Career Highlights: 2nd World Cup 2012

1. What do you remember most about your first day snowboarding? Not much, I don’t think I made it too far.

2. When did you decide to start taking snowboarding seriously? Never. I’m having fun progressing and being healthy that’s why I am where I am. If things get to serious I’m not having fun and I’m not riding well.

3. What are some of the perks to being on the team? I don’t have to travel around to random ridiculous resorts by myself and have to stay with friends of friends of friends. Free physio and a free phone plan. Access to the World Athlete Centre in Whistler.

4. Where will you be traveling to this winter? Well I’ve been to Colorado a lot and will be going back there in a few weeks time. I am currently in Whistler. We went to Quebec for World Champs which was damn cold. I just came back from Pennsylvania (why I was snowboarding in Pennsylvania, I’m still not sure myself… it’s more known for Heinz ketchup than its snowboarding). I intend on going to the World Cups in Czech and Spain so that should be pretty cool. And then probably Whistler and New Zealand in the summer.

5. Where’s the best place snowboarding has taken you? Probably Alaska or Colorado on the snowboard side of things. I guess you could say snowboarding has taken me to Whistler, it just doesn’t really feel that way because I’m here a lot, but I do like it. Austria has been my favourite country that I’ve visited for the off mountain lifestyle.

6. What’s the biggest sacrifice you’ve made in order to snowboard? Probably moving out when I was 15 to be closer to the mountains and my coach. Although it was pretty awesome, I missed home sometimes. Some people thought my parents were insane to let me do that, apparently not (thanks mom & dad).

7. What are your five essential travel items? My old burgundy hoodie, headphones x2 for the plane, way too many snowboard socks, a strange amount of tank tops considering its always winter where I am and two helmets because I dispose of my helmet as soon as I’ve clunk my head a little just to be safe.

8. What's the one thing you'd like to accomplish most in snowboarding? I keep changing my mind, mostly I just want to be a well respected rider.

Brooke stomps a Frontside 3 at Keystone, Colorado, just one of the many resorts she's visited this season.

National Team Tuesdays with Alex Duckworth

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 11:09:00 -0500

Alex Duckworth

Age: 25
Number of years snowboarding: 15
Current Residence: Whistler, BC
Sponsors: Billabong, Oakley, Giro, Rossignol, Dakine, Handpresso
Career Highlights:
•2x Senior National Champion, 2007 & 2010
• Bronze Medalist, FIS World Cup, 2010
• Gold Medalist, Canada Games, 2007
• 5th Place, US Grand Prix, 2008 & 2009
• Alternate, 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games

1. What do you remember most about your first day snowboarding? A surplus of heelside turns. Forget carving. I was convinced I'd be sticking to my heelside edge for eternity.

2. When did you decide to start taking snowboarding seriously? Probably years later when I decided to give up "falling leaf" and actually test out my toe side edge. It's amazing the opportunities that come along with linking your turns. Park riding came next and the rest is history.

3. What are some of the perks to being on the team? Free university and a free cell phone plan from Bell. Sarah Conrad calculated what the phone plan has saved her over her career – some twenty odd thousand dollars!

4. Where will you be traveling to this winter? Looking forward to collecting elite status miles this year in Utah, Colorado, Switzerland, Russia, Spain and New Zealand. If I'm not in Air Canada's red carpet lounge next year, I'm going on strike.

5. Where’s the best place snowboarding has taken you? Barcelona.

6. What’s the biggest sacrifice you’ve made in order to snowboard? BOYS, duh. Girl can't get a date no more.

7. What are your five essential travel items? I love that (ie: party dress, curling iron, etc) were the examples given. I'm more on the All-Bran keeping it regular program.

8. What's the one thing you'd like to accomplish most in snowboarding? A long and healthy career filled with pals, fun and continued snow, please.

National Team Tuesdays with Gillian Andrewshenko

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:49:00 -0500

Our national team Tuesdays feature returns this week with Winnipeg’s own Gillian Andrewshenko. After spending a few seasons in Banff, she made the move out to Whistler where she currently resides. As a member of the Canada Snowboard national development slopestyle team, keep your eyes out for Gillian as she travels the contest circuit this season.

Age: 25
Number of years snowboarding: 11
Current Residence: Whistler B.C.
Sponsors: Powder Room, Endeavor, Vans, Empire, IS Eyewear, Flux, Air Hole
Career Highlights: Video segments in Too Hard and Let’s Make Better Mistakes Tomorrow, Overall winner 2011/ 12 You Look Good Series, Whistler pow days with my pals.

1. What do you remember most about your first day snowboarding? It was at a toboggan hill in Winnipeg. I immediately adopted this weird gorilla stance, dragging my backhand on the snow to balance myself. I was brutes.

2. When did you decide to start taking snowboarding seriously? In 2007, after a couple years of university I realized that my competitive snowboarding biological clock was ticking so I moved out to Banff and then on to Whistler competing and filming. Each year ever since has been better than the last so I’m sticking with it.

3. What are some of the perks to being on the team? The people are awesome, athletes and IST alike, this year I’ll be traveling to many new and exciting places, Bell hooks us up with a great cell phone plan, and I get to work out at the amazing Canadian Sport Centre Pacific facility in Whistler.

4. Where will you be traveling to this winter? Colorado, Russia, Czech Republic, Spain, and several other North American destinations.

5. Where’s the best place snowboarding has taken you? On a trip: New Zealand. It's such a beautiful country, but overall snowboarding prompted my western drift and relocation in Whistler, which I think is one of the most amazing places in the world.

6. What’s the biggest sacrifice you’ve made in order to snowboard? Giving up my university scholarships and putting my studies on hiatus. I’m slowing getting back into it now though thanks to the world of correspondence. Oh and snowboard boys, they don’t like snowboard girls.

7. What are your five essential travel items? An array of nail polish, macbook/external hard drive, Starbucks partner card, textbooks and my lucky snowboard socks.

8. What's the one thing you'd like to accomplish most in snowboarding? At the end of the day I’d like to have a career (contest results, video parts, editorial photos, etc.) and industry personality that the snowboard community and most importantly myself will look back on, respect and be proud of.

Roxy Ride Days kicks off in Ontario

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 22:06:00 -0500

The ROXY Ride Days national tour began with a sold out event at Blue Mountain, Ontario on January 19. The event was capped at 60 riders to ensure a comfortable coach-to-camper ratio which made this, according to the local snowboard oracles , arguable the largest collection of female snowboarders to come out for an all-girl event (boys, save the date).

Demo boards were out, music was turned up and the Women's Snowboard Federation (WSF) ensured everyone was progressing. ROXY Canada team rider Samm Denena, who had a strong finish at the FIS slopestyle the day before in Stoneham, was also there to push the campers.

Rounding out the day was a special guest appearance from ROXY global team rider Erin Comstock who recently celebrated 10 years with the company. Girls were lined up for half an hour to get an autograph, and perhaps a lock of hair, from this snowboard legend. What made Erin even more legendary is that she flew from the west coast on a red eye, drove right to the mountain and coached all day, then immediately flew to another snowboard trip. What a pro!

The day was also special for a much larger reason: it was the one year anniversary of Sarah Burke's passing. Blue Mountain was her old stomping grounds (with Midland, the town where she grew up, not far away) it seemed most fitting that there would be such a large group of girls on snow, progressing, laughing and supporting each other. Celebrating Sarah indeed. The camp ended with a game of R.O.X.Y. (much like a game of S.K.A.T.E.).

Congratulations to Dayna Pinkey (Jump Jam Winner), Logan Sager, Bailey McDonald and Cali Sossia (Jib Jam, Small, Medium and Large Feature Winners).

The next ROXY Ride Day is at Mont Avila, near Montreal, on February 23. Grouse Mountain (March 16) and Lake Louise (March 30) follow.
Please visit roxy.com/RoxyRideDays for information and to register.

High 5ives! with Marie-Andrée Racine Gagnon

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 12:55:00 -0500

intro

Favourite Quebec resorts:
1. Mont Lac-Vert: my home mountain. I’ve got such a sick crew to ride with there. We love to go night riding then go hit up Le Saint-Bernard.
2. Stoneham: I like the sous-bois tree runs.
3. Massif de la Petite Riviere: that’s where you go to ride pow in Quebec.
4. Valinouet: also a good mountain to ride pow but slightly smaller.
5. Mont Avila: They have good park at Avila and are one of the only mountains in Quebec to still have big jumps.

Winter plans:
1. I just went on a rail trip to Quebec with the Roxy team. It was -30 the whole time we were there.
2. Filming for the Roxy movie.
3. Lots of backcountry, sledding and touring.
4. Some more rail trips around Canada and the States
5. Riding Whistler & Mount Seymour while I’m at home

Best places you've gone snowboarding
1. Whistler: where I live now
2. Alaska, Anchorage
3. California: Bear Mountain and Snow Summit
4. Spain
5. Quebec: it keeps getting me to go home so I can go visit my friends and family at the same time

Best snowboard video parts:
1. Marie France-Roy in Rome's Any Means
2. Jess Kimura in Think Thank's Right Brain, Left Brain
3. Travis Rice in That’s It That’s All
4. Andreas Wigg in Mack Dawg's Follow Me Around

5. LNP in Any Means

National Team Tuesdays with Laurie Blouin

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 11:19:00 -0500

As one of the youngest members of the Canada Snowboard Development team, 16-year Laurie Blouin of Stoneham, Quebec is one rider to watch for in the coming years. She’s already represented Canada at Snow Crown and the FIS Junior World Championships and this winter she’ll be continuing to follow the contest circuit. This week Laurie reveals what she’d like to accomplish most in snowboarding and what her must-have travel items are.

Age: 16
Number of years snowboarding: 11
Current Residence: Stoneham ,Quebec
Sponsors: O’Neill, Rome SDS , Oakley , Sandbox and Universe Boardshop

1. What do you remember most about your first day snowboarding? When I did my first box, I was really stoked to stomp it.

2. When did you decide to start taking snowboarding seriously? When I did my first contest I won and I though wow! Maybe I could win more competitions, so I start training and entering more contests.

3. What are some of the perks to being on the team?It helps me stand out and perform more.

4. Where will you be traveling to this winter? I will travel to Colorado , B.C. and Calgary. I don’t know all my destinations yet but I will travel a lot.

5. Where’s the best place snowboarding has taken you? Colorado, it’s so awesome. The mountains are so beautiful and the parks there are so amazing. There's big jumps and so many different rails.

6. What are your five essential travel items? First , the most important thing is my snowboard. Second: clothing . Third: laptop and cell phone . Fourth: flat iron and the last thing is my Ipad mini.

7. What's the one thing you'd like to accomplish most in snowboarding? Stomp all my ticks that I practice on the trampoline with my coach Max Henault . Finally, just ride for fun and do what I love the most: snowboard.

National Team Tuesdays with Audrey Mcmaniman

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 13:39:00 -0500

Audrey McManiman

Age: 17
Number of years snowboarding: 7 years
Current Residence: Saint-Ambroise-de-Kildare or Quebec City for studies and training.
Sponsors: Burton, Anon, Universe Boardshop.
Career highlights: 1st First Winter Youth Olympic Games, 1st Snowcrown in junior halfpipe, 2nd Snowcrown in junior slopestyle, 11th World Junior Championship.

1. What do you remember most about your first day snowboarding? I remember falling down like any good beginner but my first day was in my backyard the day after Christmas riding my cousin's old snowboard. After that, I spent all the days that I could at Val Saint-Côme, where I learned most of what I know now about snowboarding.

2. When did you decide to start taking snowboarding seriously? When I was 14, I decided to join a nine-week freestyle program at my home mountain. At the end of the season, the instructor asked me if I wanted to be coached more seriously for competitions. The year after, I was on the Quebec team.

3. What are some of the perks to being on the national team? This is my first year on the team so I don’t know yet what it’s all about, but I think just being on the team and being able to train with very good riders is one of the best perks .The gear from Under Armour is also one of the benefits.

4. Where will you be traveling to this winter? I’ll be in Colorado after Christmas, and then I’ll travel all across Canada and maybe to Turkey for the Junior World Championships.

5. Where’s the best place snowboarding has taken you? Every place has something different but the best place until now was Austria for the Youth Olympic Game. I liked the Olympic spirit that they had in the beautiful town of Innsbruck and I never rode so much fresh pow. I also had some of the best hot chocolate drinks ever.

6. What’s the biggest sacrifice you’ve made in order to snowboard? Well, I miss a lot of school during the season and even if the choice between snowboarding and school isn’t always difficult, I think studies are still important. I also had to learn English, even if now many people still make fun of my French accent.

7. What are your five essential travel items? Ipod, laptop, snowboard movies or films, my so-called “sac magique” (thermal bag with gel) and running shoes.

8. What's the one thing you'd like to accomplish most in snowboarding? I want to go far as I can for sure, but I have a lot of snowboard dreams that I always think about, like going to the Olympics, the X Games and maybe having a backcountry career after that. I think I am on a good path now and I’ll keep working hard every day in order to reach those goals.

National Team Tuesdays with Jenna Blasman

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 11:17:00 -0500

Kitchener, Ontario’s Jenna Blasman first got her start in the local contest circuit sweeping podiums across the province. From there she went on to win the overall women’s title for the 2012 Canadian Shield series. Now as a national team member, Jenna reveals the perks to being on the team and where she'll be traveling to compete this season.

Age: 19
Number of years snowboarding: 7
Current Residence: Kitchener, Ontario
Sponsors: My family, Billabong, VonZipper, Gnu, Sanction Skate & Snow
Career Highlights: Experiencing different cultures and landscapes through snowboarding and making the 2012/ 2013 National Slopestyle Team

1. What do you remember most about your first day snowboarding? Complete fun. My brothers, sister, neighbours and I started off with those plastic boards that look like mini surf boards with a string attached to hold onto. We took tumbles galore but the challenge of just gliding down the hill had us going for hours. This made the transition to boarding with real boards and bindings effortless.

2. When did you decide to start taking snowboarding seriously? After I partially tore my ACL a couple years ago. I begun to understand the amount of effort it would take to maintain good health but that was only the beginning. When I finally fully tore my ACL, I felt like I got hit by a bus. You really learn to appreciate your health when you find yourself restricted to the couch for a couple months. But I think my perspective on the sport changed most with the introduction to all the different support systems, perks, expectations and financial impacts that have come with joining the National Team this year. Being an amateur with minimal funding is a love hate situation.

3. What are some of the perks to being on the team? I think the biggest perk is the experience in itself. From all the personal training programs, monitoring systems, training camps, physiotherapy assessments and expectations, I am learning how external services/support can really impact your performance. I do have to admit that the Bell Athlete Program is pretty helpful.

4. Where will you be traveling to this winter to compete? Spain, Russia, Czech, New Zealand, Colorado and Nevada.

5. Where’s the best place snowboarding has taken you? I have fallen in love with about every place I go, I can't just choose one. I recently returned home from enjoying a week of paradise in El Zonte, El Salvador with the Canadian Shield crew. The culture there is so raw and real. They have pet iguanas and parrots and casual caves with bats on the beach. I love exploring. Tahoe was so sunny and beautiful, same with Colorado. Area 51 (Keystone) has got to be my favourite place to shred. New Zealand was golden too. The mountains were so majestic, it didn't feel real. What I love most about traveling to these mountain towns is that almost everyone, even strangers are so down to earth and friendly -there's no grumpy, selfish city slickers around to challenge your mood- alleluia!

6. What’s the biggest sacrifice you’ve made in order to snowboard? I've learned that sacrifice of relationships will be continuous with this lifestyle. It's hard to be so distant from your family and relatives especially when the reason seems sort of selfish. So I dedicate all my accomplishments to my friends and family. But this distance also reveals the strong relationships between the friends and family that genuinely understand, accept and support my absence.

7. What are your five essential travel items? MacBook, family photos, iPod, books, combat boots.

8. What's the one thing you'd like to accomplish most in snowboarding? I've always wanted just to be able to travel and snowboard without financial help from my family. I want to do it on my own and I think with all the work I'm putting in to this season, this goal may be accomplished soon. I've also always wanted to share my experience with younger riders once I am done competing. I think I'd make a great coach.

Front board at Snow Park, New Zealand

Frontside 540 at Snow Park, New Zealand

Nose press, 180 out at Snow Park, New Zealand

National Team Tuesdays with Samm Denena

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:32:00 -0500

At only 18 years old, Orillia, Ontario’s Samm Denena is one of the younger members of the National Slopestyle team, but she’s been a strong contender on the contest circuit for several seasons. In this week’s edition of Team Tuesdays, find out how Samm got her start in snowboarding and where she’ll be traveling to this season.

Number of years snowboarding: 6
Current Residence: Orillia, Ontario
Sponsors: Roxy, Detour bars, Nibs, Kahuna surf shop
Career Highlights: Being on the national team

1. What do you remember most about your first day snowboarding? I went on a school trip in grade 7 and the instructor gave me a blue sticker, which meant I couldn't go into the park. So I snuck into the park, hit a rail in front of him and fell on my face hahaha.

2. When did you decide to start taking snowboarding seriously? Around grade 9 when I joined Simple Snowboarding.

3. What are some of the perks to being on the team? Having free coaching, costs are cut down for all of our trips and getting to represent my country.

4. Where will you be traveling to this winter? Colorado, Quebec, Calgary, Russia, Switzerland, California, Spain and Turkey.

5. Where’s the best place snowboarding has taken you? New Zealand for sure, it’s the most beautiful country.

6. What’s the biggest sacrifice you’ve made in order to snowboard? I had to give up hockey, which was a big part of my life.

7. What are your five essential travel items? Computer, teddy bear, camera, hair products and my phone

8. What's the one thing you'd like to accomplish most in snowboarding? Make it to the 2014 Olympic Games in Russia by far

Samm at the 2012 Slopestyle LG/FIS World Cup contest at Stoneham, QC. Kraus photo.

National Team Tuesdays with Mercedes Nicoll

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 11:34:00 -0500

With the 2014 Winter Olympics just over a year away, Mercedes Nicoll is one rider to watch out for this winter. As a 2 time Olympian at the 2006 and 2010 games, Mercedes is Canada's top halfpipe contender. Find out what she remembers most about first day on snow and the biggest sacrifice she's made to get to where she is today.

Age: 28
Number of years snowboarding: 15
Current Residence: Whistler, BC
Sponsors: Whistler Blackcomb, Powder Room, Drake, Northwave, Pow, IS eyewear
Career Highlights: 6th 2010 Winter Olympic Games

1. What do you remember most about your first day snowboarding? Having trouble getting up. I struggled with that. I grew up skiing, you don't spend much time on your butt. I guess I just didn't get it.

2. When did you decide to start taking snowboarding seriously? My second year snowboarding. I quit competitive figure skating and slid into competitive snowboarding

3. What are some of the perks to being on the team? Free phone plan and government funding.

4. Where will you be traveling to this winter to compete? This season is a crazy one as it's the qualifying year for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. I'll be heading to Utah, Colorado, Quebec, Russia, Spain, New Zealand, that's all I know for now.

5. Where’s the best place snowboarding has taken you? Japan, who doesn't love it there?

6. What’s the biggest sacrifice you’ve made in order to snowboard? Missing lots of friend and family events. Most of the time I'm traveling but I know they understand.

7. What are your five essential travel items? My pillow, earplugs, computer, slippers and perfume.

8. What's the one thing you'd like to accomplish most in snowboarding? Once I'm done competing and shooting, I'd really like to give back to the snowboarding community, I do love coaching.

FROZEN IN TIME Part 4 - 20 Years of Female Shreds on Film

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 11:48:00 -0500

In the early days of snowboard films, riders such as Tina Basich, Tara Dakides, Cara-Beth Burnside and Barrett Christy first earned their onscreen turns in male dominated movies. Industry-leading films crews such as Mack Dawg Productions took a chance putting these ladies on the silver screen; it was these early efforts that have gone on to inspire a new generation of females to become filmmakers and put together all-girls crews that aren’t afraid to take matters into their own hands. In honour of the female snowboarders who have paved the way on and off the screen over the past two decades, here's a look at some of the most memorable female video parts and full-length films to date.

In the fourth and final part of this series, we explore the films and web series that have made a lasting impression in the past three seasons.

2010: The most talked about video female part easily became Jess Kimura's opener in Think Thank’s, Left Brain Right Brain.

2011: Lipstick Production’s, 5 More Minutes … Please?!
Opener: Aimee Fuller/Urska Pribosic
Closer: Margot Rozies/Tania Detomas
Connie Bleicer and Sophie Morawetz team up to direct and produce 5 More Minutes … Please?! Showcasing the strong European shred scene, Aimee Fuller’s opening segment is enough to entice anyone to bags their bags and book a flight over there. Julia Baumgartner, Lisa Filzmoser, Anne-Flore Marxer and Jenny Jones all slay the backcountry with ease. Meanwhile, Ana Rumiha mixes up her part with video part with some street skateboarding. Kjersti Buass, Enni Rukajarvi and Ursina Haller’s parts keep viewers assured that snowboarding’s future is safe in their hands. This year Lipstick Production’s released their second full-length film Eurotic.

P.S. Webisodes
Keeping up the digital times, Hana Beaman created her own websiode series, P.S. Rather than having a five minute video part to showcase her season, Hana gave viewers a firsthand look at her winter travels with her friends.

“The P.S. series came about because I really wanted to have more control and say over the product of my season. I had been getting into more and wanted more control over how I was portrayed as a snowboarder and as a woman as well. I felt there was an unused aspect of all the work that goes into a season of filming and wanted to take advantage of that. Kinda where the P.S. idea came from. Like, oh yeah p.s. we did all this too, in addition to just the small amount that was seen in most videos ... The best thing about the web series is that it has giving me a new creative outlet, as well as giving the freedom to ride with whomever I enjoy riding with, where I want to ride and putting out a product that we have control of. We make our own plans and crews (men or women) and that has made for some really fun times. There are a lot of amazing female riders out there and making the edits allows us to ride with some of them, which is awesome.” –Hana Beaman

National Team Tuesdays with Breanna Stangeland

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 12:13:00 -0500

At only 24 years old, Calgary’s Breanna Stangeland is making a name for herself in women’s slopestyle snowboarding. This winter she’ll be globetrotting to several events, stacking up contest points all while trying to earn a spot on Team Canada for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games. Get to know Breanna better in our second installment of National Team Tuesdays.

Age: 24
Number of years snowboarding: about 10
Current Residence: If I’m not traveling around, I'll be in Calgary
Sponsors: The Source, Smith
Career Highlights: 3rd World Cup Stoneham, 14th TTR World Championships, 1st Snow Crown

1. What do you remember most about your first day snowboarding? It was a night at COP in Calgary, and me and my friend Lindsay Mchugh rented snowboards and side slipped every run and just died so hard. Somehow we had so much fun.

2. When did you decide to start taking snowboarding seriously? I started to compete in halfpipe and slopestyle events around Canada and didn't do too bad. I decided to go to National Sports School in Calgary and thought I might as well make something of this snowboarding thing.

3. What are some of the perks to being on the team? The best perk is being able to travel around and snowboard with some of my favourite people. Having Chris Witwicki as my coach is also a bonus, he's not afraid to tell me when I'm looking ridiculous. The free cell phone plan from Bell is also amazing. Working to be on the team is worth it just for that.

4. Where will you be traveling to this winter? Right now I'm in Colorado and Ill be traveling around Canada and the United States for a bit then off the Europe. I'm mostly excited to go to Russia in February. I think it will be a huge culture shock. I am trying to learn basic words in Russian. It’s so hard to pronounce a language with backwards 3's and the Pi symbol.

5. Where’s the best place snowboarding has taken you? I've traveled around a lot but I always seem to miss Whistler the most. It may not be the best place but it sure is fun.

6. What’s the biggest sacrifice you’ve made in order to snowboard? I don't get to see my friends who don't snowboard very much, and I find it hard to be away from my family so often.

7. What are your five essential travel items? Snowboard, iPhone, nail polish, my fleece pink onesie pajamas with feet and my hair straightener

8. What's the one thing you'd like to accomplish most in snowboarding? I know this may sound predictable but getting to compete in the Olympics would be pretty amazing.

Breanna with a Switch front board in Keystone, Colorado

Front lip in the A51 park

FROZEN IN TIME Part 3 - 20 Years of Female Shreds on Film

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:47:00 -0500

2005: Misschief Films, As if!
Opener: Laura Hadar
Closer: Natasza Zurek
Focusing on the North American side of female snowboarding, Fabia Grüebler and Amber Stackhouse joined forces to start up Misscheif films. Offering a fresh, feel-good look at snowboarding As if! went on to inspire countless female crews. From the upbeat intro, to Alexis Waites’ Dirty Dancing homage and Leanne Pelosi horseback riding on a beach, this film showed the world that female snowboarders deserve more than fifteen minutes of fame.

“Fabia Grüebler and myself were both separately scheming for an all-girl project and then a mutual friend introduced us to each other. This all happened in the winter of 2003/04. We got together and the ideas started flowing and it all took off from there. The hardest part was the intense eight weeks of post production putting the season’s worth of footage together, and all of the organizing, decision making, and long hours that went into that. But that is also the best part. We had a really fun crew of people working on the projects, so it was all fun work. I think it’s one of the best things in life to have a passion and vision for something and to be able to see that come to life.” –Amber Stackhouse

In 2005, Priscilla Levac also starred in DC's MTN Lab video alongside Travis Rice, Devun Walsh, Travis Parker and Bjorn Leines.

2006: Misschief Films, Ro Sham Bo
Opener: Anne-Flore Marxer
Closer: Natasza Zurek
The Misscheif crew returns for round two with Ro Sham Bo featuring a full on synchronized song and dance intro. Switzerland’s Anne-Flore Marxer snags the opening part showing viewers she’s right at home in the mountains. Jacqui Berg and Spencer O’Brien make the trek to Thunder Bay, Ontario for a rail mission. Meanwhile, Annie Boulanger and Victoria Jealouse make riding the backcountry look effortless.

2007: Runway Films, La La Land
Opener: Erin Comstock
Closer: Hana Beaman
Studio 411 and Runway Films combine forces for their first film La La Land. Continuing the Misscheif trend, the top ladies in snowboarding come together to pack a season’s worth of highlights in 27 minutes. Anne-Flore Marxer, Leanne Pelosi and Marie-France Roy all put down solid parts. A young Spencer O’Brien proves she’s one to watch in the coming years and Tara Dakides shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

“Misschief was a lot of fun for sure. We had a lot of industry support back then. Fabia and Amber worked hard to have a voice for the females out there and it worked … I wanted to keep the flame lit so I started Runway Films with Jeff Keenan. Pretty much same rider crew, just kept the ball rolling as far as filming goes. Runway Films and Mack Dawg were the first two film companies to start using HVX cameras. The idea for Runway films was to have a high production value. We were just into showcasing some of the best female snowboarding in the world at the time.” –Leanne Pelosi

New Media Company, Float
Taking a different approach from the standard snowboard movie, Float follow a series of riders on eight trips around the world in documentary travel style. Silvia Mittermuller, Melissa Evans, Jamie Anderson, Meghan O’Brien and friends travel to Colorado, Japan, China, California and Hawaii for a quick surf session. Embracing new cultures on their numerous adventures, viewers get a close-up look at inside the world of women’s snowboarding. Float also offers a glimpse into the life of Barrett Christy. As one of snowboarding’s pioneers, Barrett says, “I owe a lot to snowboarding because it pretty much saved my life for the past 15 years. It’s something that I want to keep doing … I like filming a lot because it’s real snowboarding. It’s about the experience and not just about that one minute in time when you’re putting a run together.”

The same year, Marie-France Roy joined the boys in Rome's Any Means and Absinthe's Optimistic? featured Annie Boulanger.

2008: Runway Films, See What I See
Opener: Janna Meyen
Closer: Natasza Zurek
In 2008, Leanne Pelosi and Jeff Keenan team up again for Runway’s second full-length film. In See What I See, Janna Meyen proves why she’s one snowboarding leading ladies by dropping backcountry lines with ease. Gretchen Blelier makes riding Aspen’s halfpipe look like a work of art. Anne-Flore and friends travel to Russia to gettheir shred on. Meanwhile, over on the icy streets of Montreal, Raweyn Reid, Colleen Quigley and Leanne put their rail riding skills to the test at the Olympic stadium.

Roxy, Labor of Love
Labor of Love features Roxy riders Kjersti Buass, Torah Bright, Amber Stackhouse, Alexis Waite, Erin Comstock, Jess Cumming and the late Sarah Burke. Instead of focusing on specific rider segment, the film follows the ladies on their worldwide travels. From epic pillow lines in Japan to park laps in New Zealand and street spots in Scandinavia, Roxy proves why they’ve got one of the best snowboard teams in the business. Following the release of this film, Roxy went on to release several websiodes titled Roxy Refreshments.

Studio 411, Against the Grain: The Tara Dakides Story
In 2008, director Josh Landan released his documentary film Against the Grain profiling the life of Tara Dakides. Growing up in California, Tara was into skateboarding and punk rock and soon after discovered snowboarding. However, life wasn’t always easy for her. Her parent’s divorce had a huge impact on her as a child. But at age 16 things changed when she bought a one-way ticket at Mammoth and left town with only $300 her in pocket. Against the Grain shows the trials, tribulations and accomplishments Tara’s encountered over all the years. Narrated by Alecia “Pink” Moore, the film includes interviews from Tara’s friends and family members, alongside countless old photos and re-enactments proving her story is definitely one worth telling. In 2008 the film was awarded Best Documentary at the X Dance Film Festival.

2009: JMills ent., STANCE
Opener: Gretchen Bleiler
Closer: Raewyn Reid
Directed by Jeremy Miller and produced by Stan Evans, STANCE provides an inside look into the world of women’s snowboarding from the top riders in the game to the next wave of up and comers. Gretchen’s part offers a glimpse into her daily life from X Games contest runs to the simple pleasure of shredding pow. Hana Beaman and Jenny Jones earn their turns in the backcountry, while MFR takes us to the streets. Raweyn Reid’s closing part, filmed in only 28 days, showcases her well rounded riding skills.

“It was an incredible experience working on a project of that size with such a talented crew of both film makers and athletes alike.” –Jeremy Miller, JMills ENT.

Peep Show, self-titled
Opener: Marie Hucal
Closer: Jess Kimura
In 2009, June Bhongjan and Esthera Preda also teamed up to start making snowboard videos featuring themselves and their friends. With no budget, these ladies took to the streets with video cameras in hand to document their adventures showcasing a raw side of filmmaking. Rome rider Marie Hucal’s opening part combines street footage with park laps. Right away she reminds viewers just how much fun snowboarding can be without limiting yourself to groomed runs. The film also features Colleen Quigley, Desiree Melancon, Laurie Gauvin, Madison Blackley and Leanne Pelosi. Coming off one of her best seasons, Jess Kimura closes the show and leaves the snowboard world wanting to see more. Peep Show’s self-titled film was followed up by 2010’s Let’s Make Better Mistakes Tomorrow, 2011’s Winter Wars and countless webisodes.

“When June and I met, there were no all girl film projects that would portray the kind of snowboarding we were interested in. So we just thought that it would be fun to create something that would reflect our vision of snowboarding … After all these years, the biggest reward is the feeling that everything happened the way it was meant to happen.” –Esthera Preda

The same year, Leanne Pelosi filmed for Standard's Black Winter, Vera Janssen was the only girl to appear in Alterna Films Elektro and both Marie-France Roy and Annie Boulanger joined the cast of Absinthe's Neverland.

National Team Tuesdays with Spencer O’Brien

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 12:17:00 -0500

To kick off our new National Team Tuesdays feature check out Pro Slopestyle team rider Spencer O’Brien’s profile. Born and raised in B.C., Spencer's no stranger to the contest circuit. Earlier this year she was named the 2012 TTR Slopestyle World Champion. Read on as she reveals the best place snowboarding has taken her and the biggest sacrifice she’s had to make to stay in the game.

Age: 24
Number of years snowboarding: 13
Current Residence: North Vancouver, B.C.
Sponsors: Nike, Rockstar, Clast, Nixon, Whistler Blackcomb
Career Highlights: 2012 TTR Slopestyle World Champion, 2012 and 2009 Dew Cup Slopestyle Champion, 3 time X Games Medalist, 2nd place 2008 Baker Banked Slalom

1. What do you remember most about your first day snowboarding? Falling down. A lot. I was on a Shannon Dunn pro model that was way above my head so it didn't make the learning process very easy.

2. When did you decide to start taking snowboarding seriously? When I was 16 I really began to see the possibility of a future in snowboarding. I saw what girls like Leanne Pelosi, Janna Meyen, Torah Bright and Hana Beaman were doing and I wanted to be like them. I got my first agent and when I was 17 made the jump to the pro tour.

3. What are some of the perks to being on the team? It's nice that we're finally recognized now that we're an Olympic sport and I think it's a really beneficial program for the younger riders coming up. It opens up a lot of doors and the team provides a lot of things that I never had access to when I was an am. It's great to have access to trainers, physios and coaches on a regular basis.

4. Where will you be traveling to this winter to compete? I'll be in Colorado for Dew Tour and X Games, but I'll also be competing at home for the first time in a very long time. We have FIS World Champs at Stoneham in Quebec, the last time I competed there I was 12 and at my first junior nationals for GS and Halfpipe. I'll also be going to Russia for the Olympic preview World Cup and France for European X Games.

5. Where’s the best place snowboarding has taken you? Japan. I love it there and I can't wait to go back, it has such a unique and beautiful culture and the powder is insane.

6. What’s the biggest sacrifice you’ve made in order to snowboard? Friendships. It can be very hard to maintain good relationships when you travel almost all year long. I do my best though and I'm lucky to have great friends who always welcome me home with open arms.

7. What are your five essential travel items? iPhone, MacBook, Bruce, a good book and party shoes.

8. What's the one thing you'd like to accomplish most in snowboarding? Winning the Baker Banked Slalom is up there ha, as is winning X Games and learning to ride the backcountry. I guess that's three but dream big right?

Spencer's right at home riding the 2012 X Games course in Aspen. Scarth photo.

High 5ives! with Joanie Robichaud

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 11:05:00 -0500

Sights to see in La Belle Province:
1. Chez Ashton (poutine restaurant)
2. Le Chateau Frontenac
3. Downtown old Quebec City
4. Carnaval de Québec in January
5. The ice hotel from January 6 to March 25

Plans for the upcoming season:
1. Filming
2. Backcountry trip
3. Street trip
4. Contests
5. Take an avalanche course

Perks to riding for Roxy:
1. Good support
2. Fun girls on the team to ride with
3. Fun team projects (Wanderlust web episodes)
4. Nice outerwear collection
5. Good board technology

Favourite things about filming:
1. Creativity
2. Visit new places
3. Learn and try new tricks
4. Meet new people

Sponsors:
Roxy, Alternative 113 Board Shop

FROZEN IN TIME Part 2 - 20 Years of Female Shreds on Film

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500

2000: Tara Dakides and Anne Molin Kongsgaard star in Mack Dawg Production's Amp alongside Kier Dillon, Kurt Wastell and Marc Frank Montoya.

2001: VeeCo Films, Luminous Llama features the one and only Janna Meyen. Meanwhile, Tina Basich stars in Absinthe's Transcendence.

2002: Tara and Janna are back on the big screen in Mack Dawg Production's Pulse.

Hana Beaman joins Danny Kass and the crew in Grenade Gloves, Full Metal Edges.

"My first shots in a video were in the Grenade video, Full Metal Edges, in I believe 2002. After that it was kinda in and out in the Grenade videos like Smell the Glove and Night of the Living Shred until Misschief films RoShamBo." -Hana Beaman
Vera Janssen and Alexis Waite share a part in DFS Production's Declaration.

"My first video part came out 2002. We used to film 16mm back then. Our producer then went on to produce Fuel TV." -Vera Janssen

2003: Canada's own Victoria Jealouse stars in Absinthe's Saturation.


2004: Lauren Graham's Shot in the Dark marks Leanne Pelosi's film debut.

My first video part was in Shot in the Dark, shot and edited by Lauren Graham. That was a girls movie based out of Whistler prior to As If. -Leanne Pelosi

Over in Europe, Chunky Knit Productions releases their first film Dropstitch featuring Cheryl Maas, Silvia Mittermuller, Lisa Wiik, Tina Birbaum and Jenny Jones. As for their inspiration to start up the film project, Tina says, “It was up to girls to start something like that because no one else would. We had to do it.” Straight from the opening shots of Lisa Filzmoser sending it in the backcountry, it’s obvious these ladies deserve their spot in the limelight. Lisa Wiik and Kjresti Buaas’ shared part also doesn’t disappoint. As for Canada’s always humble Natasza Zurek, she closes the show proving she’s already on top of her game. In 2005, Chunky Knit went on to release their second film Standard, followed by 2006’s Last Winter.

What happened in Killington

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:19:00 -0500

You know it’s that time of the year again when you are so excited to go snowboarding that you just grab all your gear and speed walk to the lifts, gradually getting dressed and tying your boots in the lineup.

The rumor had been going around in Quebec that Killington Resort was now open and had 13 trails and two lifts open. Considering we hadn’t made it for opening day the week before, Claudia Biron, Myriam Frigon, Patricia Gauthier, and myself were now determined to mission out to Vermont for our first day of snowboarding of the season.

Sunday, 4 a.m.
My alarm clock goes off.
Pants, check. Boots, check. Board, check. Outerwear, goggles, wallet, check! The car is packed. I’m ready to go meet the crew. Let’s do this.

OH NO WAIT! My passport! Ugh, I need coffee.

9:30 a.m.
Are we there yet? Pit stop at a typical small gas station for some munchies and fuel. Everyone is really excited now as we are almost there. Our emotions cause us all to buy something random on impluse at the corner store. Mine is a disposable Kodak camera and my mission is to use it all in one day to tell the story of our adventures in the USA.

10:30 a.m.
Officially exit the Killington gondola and strap on for the first time in forever it seems.

From then on I lost track of any form of time or place. The sun was shining, the snow was soft. The snowpark was full of fun games to play with and there were always new side hits to discover all around the slopes.

When I saw the sun setting and the lift operators waiting for us to leave so they could close, I realized that the day had gone by too quickly. I would claim this day to be the best session of the season, but it’s only the first one.

The mountain on our arrival

Essentials. Getting ready on the way up.

Riding up the gondola

Pulling out our best tricks to impress the boys in the chairlift, duh!

Myriam, Laurie, Patricia, Claudia, Jé Pagé and L-P Dorval in the liftline

Myriam and Patricia on the chairlift

Beautiful sunset on the last run down

In the parking lot at the end of the day. Notorious BIG's "Juicy" and Chromeo's "j'ai claqué la porte" are pumping very loud

Back to the homeland after a long day. Quick stop at the infamous "Madrid" to see the dinosaurs and grab some dinner

FROZEN IN TIME Part 1 - 20 Years of Female Shreds on Film

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 11:40:00 -0500

1991: Mack Dawg Productions, Pocahontas starred Tina Basich, Heather Mills and Megan Pishke

1993: Mack Dawg Productions, Upping the Ante featured Circe Wallace and Shannon Haymes

In 1993, Canada's Robert Rodger also stared in Murray Siple's Season.

"The first video I was ever in was in Murray Sipples, Seasons. As far as the year I would have still been in high school, I was dating Devun at the time ... It was filmed at Seymour, I just had a couple shots/ Either way it was super exciting to be in a video. Murray's video's were always really cool and well respected so to get my start with such a great guy and amongst so many talented Canadian riders was an honour." -Roberta Rodger

1995: Mack Dawg Productions, The Melt Down Project included Wendy Powell and Tina Basich

1996: Mack Dawg's Stomping Ground featured its fair share of female riders including Cara-Beth Burnside, Marisa Stoller, Barrett Christy and Michelle Taggart

1997: Cara-Beth Burnside and Nicola both had shots in Simple Pleasures

Check back soon for Part 2 as we showcase women's video parts from the early 2000's.

Helen Schettini's Black Eye Bail

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 19:20:00 -0500

The 2013 Edition of Snowboard Canada Women's Annual is now available on newsstands, so hopefully you have had a chance to check out Helen Schettini's feature interview, Only The Strong Survive. After taking a look at her epic shiner in the portrait photos we recieved to accompany her interview it only made sense to track down the footage of the insane bail that is responsible for this look that Helen rocked for a few weeks last season. Natalie Langmann kindly sent over Helen's recap of this faithful day, so check out the story and video below...

A Tale of One Black Eye

Author: Helen Schettini as told to Natalie Langmann

That day nothing went right. It was mid January, and it was frigidly cold, but it was a beautiful day, one of the first sunny good days, and it just snowed a bunch, so Mikee Pederson and I met at 6:30 at the Seagrams’ parking lot. Since our filmer showed up late, Mikee and I jumped ahead because we wanted to get to this morning zone before the rest of the crews did, so we could get everything set up and just sort of claim it. We raced up there, got the stuff sorted out, patted it down and just waited, and our filmer never showed up (turns out he had a busted sled).

Andrew Burns was nice enough to film us, so Mikee and I started hitting our features a couple times. Nothing really worked out. I was almost over mine. I was like, “Oh well, I will just go again,” and so I go, and I landed in the uphill of my old bomb hole and smashed my face with my knee. I was kind of disorientated, but I didn’t blackout. Mikee started losing his mind, so obviously, I was freaking out too because I couldn’t see what it looked like, and it was all bloody. It was only 10:30 am, and I didn’t want anyone to come back with me. Even though Seagrams isn’t that far, it’s still far, and, well, you shouldn’t be sledding on your own; it’s just not smart. Mikee was saying he would come with me, but I didn’t want him to waste his day, so I kind of just hung out for a few hours. Besides it was a nice, sunny, mellow day; why not? But by 1:30, I was like, “OK, I should really go down; I might need stitches. This is my face; I should sort this out.”

I convinced them that I am good to go, which is totally my fault. About half way down the trail my belt blows in my sled. I had recently given my spare one to Paul (Watt), our other filmer, so I hadn’t bought a new one or he hadn’t given me one yet, and I had no spare. At that point, I had a blown belt, my eye was bleeding, and it was 1:30, 2pm. The next person came at 4pm, so I’ve been sitting there for two hours, just bleeding. I just felt like crying. Thankfully, these nice slednecks came along and put one of their spare belts in my sled, and I rode out to the hospital. At that point my knee had ballooned out. I was more worried about my knee because by the end I could barely walk, but it turned out totally fine – I just sprained it. I got home from the hospital at 9:30pm. That was a long day...but in the end I got some good pictures.

High 5ives! with Genny Ross

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 09:55:00 -0400

Haliburton, Ontario’s Genny Ross is one rider who’s been making a name for herself in the local contest circuit for the past few years. Now living in Vancouver, this is one name you’re going to hear a lot more of. Don’t be surprised to find Genny sessioning street spots and sweeping podiums on Canada’s West Coast this winter. Here's her High 5ives!

Five favourite snowboard spots:
1. North Star, CA.
2. Mammoth, CA.
3. Whistler, B.C.
4. Seymour, B.C.
5. Quebec City - so many rail spots.

Must-have travel items:
1. Iphone: does it all
2. Wool socks/extra snowboard socks
3. Burts Bees lip chap: chapped lips is the worst
4. Hot sauce: I put it on everything I eat, and some restaurants don't have the good stuff.
5. A good Book

Riders to keep an eye on:
1. Alice Gorton
2. Kea Mowat
3. Chloe Woodroffe
4. Jenna Blasman
5. Natalie Allport

Ontario sights to see:
1. Haliburton or any part of the Muskoka in the summer
2. Canada's Wonderland during Fearfest, so fun.
3. Ottawa Canal at night during the winter, bring your skates.
4. Algonquin Park: awesome hikes
5. Kensington Market in Toronto, yummy food and cool shops

Why you first started snowboarding:
1. When I was 8, I went to Snow Valley to go tubing with my family, and saw snowboarding for my first time and thought it was the coolest thing I've ever seen.
2. Snowboard Race team in high school meant we got to miss a lot of school
3. Matt Langlis and Jon Martin, the older boarder kids from my home town, who were a major influence
4. It's awesome and fun
5. You get to ride all day with your friends and challenge yourself

Sponsors: Niche Snowboards, Nikita Outerwear, Top of the World

Mike Trudeau photo. Ottawa, ON.

High 5ives! with Taylor Godber

Fri, 06 Jul 2012 11:09:00 -0400

Billabong and K2 team rider Taylor Godber is one of the lucky snowboarders who calls Whistler home. Over the past few seasons, she’s been making her mark in the backcountry. In the off-season, you’ll find her teaching yoga classes and escaping to Tofino for surf sessions. We recently caught up with Taylor to find out her High 5ives!

Tofino sights to see
1. Surf sunset sessions at Long Beach
2. Florencia Beach
3. Whale watching and boat expeditions
4. Float plane or helicopter view of the island
5. Boat access hot springs

Best things about backcountry riding
1. Powder
2. Endless terrain
3. To scare yourself and constantly be humbled
4. Creativity
5. Long days with amazing friends

Off-snow activities
1. Yoga
2. Surfing
3. Gym
4. Cooking
5. Playing guitar

Perks to Whistler living
1. Fresh air and delicious tap water
2. Pow
3. Farmers Market
4. Valley Trail, hikes, and lakes
5. Always something going on at night; shows, dj’s, dance parties, and festivals

Favourite snowboard films
1. Robot Food's Afterlame
2. Mack Dawg's Chulksmack
3. Shakedown
4. Technical Difficulties
5. Transworld’s In Color

Sponsors: Billabong, K2, Electric Visuals, The Circle, Skullcandy, Beaverwax

High 5ives! with Natalie Allport

Mon, 04 Jun 2012 08:26:00 -0400

Ottawa's own Natalie Allport just finished one of her best seasons. As a member of slopestyle development team, she traveled to Spain to compete in the Junior World Championships where she came in 9th place. Also, spending her winter in Collingwood training with the Simple Snowboarding crew, she had an impressive showing on the Canadian contest circuit. In her first SBC interview, Natalie reveals her favourite Eastern resorts to ride and who her shred heroes are. Here’s her High 5ives!

Ottawa sights to see:
1. Parliament Hill
2. Byward Market
3. Gatineau Park
4. The canal ... mmm beavertails.
5. Outdoor festivals (Bluesfest, Winterlude, Tulip festival, etc.)

Favourite Eastern resorts:
1. Mont Tremblant, QC: Spring park days at Tremblant always end up being the best days ever. The village has a super cool vibe and après is really fun.
2. Mount St Louis Moonstone, ON: MSLM was my home resort this season and the home base of the Simple Snowboarding team. The Outback park is where it’s at and there’s a lift just for the park, so you can see all your friends stomping new tricks and cheer them on.
3. Blue Mountain, ON: Fun on Ontario pow days. Lot’s of runs and the rail lines are fun for learning new tricks.
4. Mont Avila, QC: Once you’ve been to Avila you’ll ask yourself, who knew you could layer so many tall tees? As long as you avoid the skiers in the landings, the rail lines are pretty fun.
5. Edelweiss, QC: Only 30 minutes from Ottawa, Edelweiss has the best jumps out of the local resorts. My brother and I like to head up on week nights and meet up with friends for some park laps under the lights.

Go To Tricks:
1. Euro grabs and Methods are super fun out of pole jams
2. Front or back 3 out (of rails)
3. Front and back 3’s
4. Back 5
5. Back lip

Off-snow Activities:
1. Wakeboarding and wake surfing
2. Trampoline
3. Biking
4. Hanging out at the cottage
5. Movies

Shred Hero’s:
1. Cheryl Maas
2. Anne-Flore Marxer
3. Kimmy Fasani
4. Mads Jonsson
5. Marie-France Roy

Sponsors: Billabong, Ride, Skullcandy, Arnette, Top of the World, Simple Snowboarding

Chilling in Spain for Junior World's.

Spring boarding in Whistler. Nicholas Dubeau photo.

High 5ives! with Breanna Stangeland

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:06:00 -0400

Coming straight out of Calgary, Breanna Stangeland is one rider to keep an eye on. Competing on the contest circuit, Breanna can be found toping podiums all across the country. This national slopestyle team members breaks down the perks on being on the team, what her favourite contest are, and who she wishes she could really share a chairlift with. Here’s her High 5ives!

Best Alberta shred shots:
1. C.O.P
2. Lake Louise
3. Internet Mountain by Bragg Creek
4. Millennium skate park in Calgary when it’s covered in snow
5. All the awesome rails they have around Calgary

National slopestyle team perks:
1. You get to travel around with your friends. I had the best time hanging with the team this year.
2. You get a free cell phone with a free cell plan. Amazing
3. You get a lot of free physio, as well as a trainer to help with recovery
4. I got the AAP funding this year, which helped out so much with traveling.
5. They help organize most of your trips and have training camps with awesome coaches.

Celebrities you’d like to share a chairlift with:
1. Zac Efron for obvious reasons, mostly his great acting talent
2. Danny McBride because I have a feeling he could make me laugh
3. Taylor Swift so she could sing her country tunes
4. Morgan Freeman so he could narrate what’s going on, in his classic soothing voice
5. Bill Murray simply for the fact he is the greatest celebrity to ever live.

Five favourite contests:
1. Billabong Flaunt It’s are always a guaranteed good time. It's jam format so there's no pressure and you get free lunch.
2. The Canadian Burton Open is one of my favorites because it’s back at C.O.P, my old home hill. It's fun to go back to Calgary to ride and my family always comes out to watch as well.
3. I know everyone is against the FIS stuff right now but it’s hard to not like the World Cup contests. The prize money is pretty awesome.
4. Any rail jams. I love doing those. Rail's are my favourite thing so when it's just those, I'm a happy camper.
5. The TTR World Championship's was definitely one of the most challenging courses I've ever ridden. But it made every other course this year after seem small. Also, you get to hang out in Norway.

Summer plans:
1. Go on lots of camping trips
2. Ride the Blackcomb glacier
3. Go home to Calgary and go to the stampede
4. Get tanned (haha, yeah right)
5. Go to New Zealand in August

Sponsors: Forum, Special Blend, Smith, The Source

High 5ives! with Quincy Korte-King

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Quincy Korte-King is a ball of energy. I first met her two years ago at the Camp of Champions, where I got to witness first hand that not only does she kill it on snow but she can also tear it up on a mini ramp. Always down for a good time, you’ll likely find Quincy in the announcer’s booth at events like the Burton Canadian Open after she’s completed her runs. Aside from summer glacier shredding, Qunicy’s getting her studies on at Stratton Mountain School, following in the steps of Alexis Waite, Ellery Hollingsworth, Louie Vito and Danny Davis. Look out for Quincy as she continues to compete in both halfpipe and slopestyle events on an international level (ex: the 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria). At 16 years young, she’s already a force to be reckoned with. -Aimee Maiatico

Why you first started snowboarding:
1. The obvious cool factor.
2. Being different from my family history of ski racers.
3. One plank is better than two
4. That little voice inside my five-year-old head telling me to ask Santa for a snowboard
5. Being a parkrat was clearly my calling early on

Highlights from the Winter Youth Olympic Games:
1. Meeting kids from all over the world that are in the same boat as me, except they're on track to become things like professional lugers and ski jumpers
2. Schnitzel and Milka chocolate all the time
3. European pow days
4. Meeting people by connecting your special USB sticks (aka Yogging, who knew there was such a thing?)
5. Being part of team Canada

Perks to attending Stratton Mountain School:
1. Snowboarding every day
2. Super cooperative and supportive teachers
3. Riding with the SMS crew
4. Greatest coaches ever
5. Special treatment for being the Canadian

Snowboard goals:
1. Have fun
2. Stay safe
3. Turn heads
4. Travel lots
5. Go sledding

Shred heroes:
1. Nicolas Muller
2. Marie-France Roy
3. Tara Dakides
4. Terje Haakonsen
5. Jess Kimura

Sponsors: Oakley, K2 Snowboards, Slaysh, Elm Company, Stratton Mountain School

Food for Thought: Power Snacks to Fuel the Day

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 14:45:00 -0500

99% of health and fitness articles will tell you that the healthiest eating schedules consist of 5-6 small meals a day, all spaced 2-3 hours apart. A snowboarder’s day tends make the 5-6 small meals a day very challenging. It is a lifestyle that can involve long days far from a kitchen and at times nowhere to even purchase food. This is why it is so important to have healthy snacks to provide your body with enough energy to make it to
the next more substantial meal. To keep your hunger at bay and your energy revved up, here are a few quick throw together snacks and recipes to keep in your pocket for the chairlift or while you wait for the light in the backcountry.

Homemade Granola Bars

Shopping List:
3 1/2 tbsp. almond butter
3 tbsp. all natural honey
2 tbsp. molasses OR 3 tbsp. of 100% maple syrup
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tbsp. brown sugar
1 cup puffed wheat
1/2 cup dried fruit (cranberries, blueberries, cerries, apricots)
2 cups large rolled oats (not quick-cook oats)
1/4 dried coconut
1/4 cup raw almonds
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tsp. cinnamon

How To:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line 8 inch square pan with sheet of parchment paper.
Ensure that the parchment paper hangs over the pan about 1/2-1 inch.

2. In a small pot, at a medium temperature heat-up almond butter, honey, molasses/
maple syrup, vanilla and brown sugar until all ingredients are melted and combined.

3. In a large mixing bowl combine puffed wheat, rolled oats, coconut, almonds, sesame
seeds, cashews, and cinnamon.

4. Spread out mixture onto a large cooking sheet. Bake in oven on middle rack for 5-7
minutes, until oats are slightly brown.

5. Transfer back into the large bowl and add dried fruit, chocolate chips, and wet
mixture. Mix well until everything is combined.

6. Move mixture onto parchment lined pan and evenly press it down.

7. Back for 20-25 minutes.

8. Cut bars immediately after taking out of oven. Do so by, pressing a sharp knife or
butter knife down. Do not slide the knife just press it down into desired sections.

9. Once the bars are completely cooled down, wrap them seperately and place into an
air-tight container.

High 5ives! with Jen McGoldrick

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

There’s much truth to the old saying, “Find a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life.” Or atleast it won’t feel like work. BC’s own Jen McGoldrick has been riding for better part of 16 years and currently holds down more shred jobs than seems humanly possible. Based in Whistler and the North Shore Mountains, Jen's current resume includes: Head Coach for Rugged Riders’ Untracked camps, Freestyle coach for ParaSnowboard National Team member Zach Beaumount, Head Coach for Camp of Champion’s Mini Shred program, plus a contributor to the Whistler Parks blog. If that wasn't enough, she's also a member of the Rip Curl snowboard team and is a FIS/IJC Certified Snowboard Judge. Before all this, Jen worked her way up in the snowboard world, clocking countless hours as park staff for both Cypress and Whistler. Here’s her High 5ives!

Perks to Whistler living:
1. Living five minutes away from the gondola.
2. Backyard access to backcountry terrain.
3. Riding from mid-November to the end of July.
4. Summer life. Riding bikes on the valley trail, skateboarding and swimming at the lakes.
5. Locals discount, mate.

On being a coach:
1. Stoke is contagious; I’m just as stoked as the campers when they learn new tricks.
2. I’m always demonstrating and breaking down different tricks so it keeps things fresh and helps me develop my own riding.
3. I have fun everyday. My ‘job’ is more fun than most people’s vacations.
4. Getting paid to ride Camp Of Champions is pretty awesome.
5. Board meetings

Reasons to attend Rugged Rider's events:
1. Dance parties.
2. Girls have more fun. Truth.
3. Coaches will push you to try different things and learn new tricks.
4. Meet new friends to ride with.
5. Everyone loves free stuff!

On riding her Rip Curl:
1. Product: Rip Curl makes so many different technical products that look good too. It’s cool to see the process that goes into developing pieces from mountain ware, goggles and clothing to watches and wetsuits. Product testing and giving riders feedback is always fun. Just picked up my 2013 samples, stoked!
2. People: The other team riders, everyone at head office and the shop staff are all awesome people who love to shred.
3. Progression: I’m stoked to be part of an established brand that continues to grow.
4. Participation: I’m really excited to have Rip Curl as a returning sponsor of my freeride camp, Rugged Riders Untracked.
5. Party: I love to surf and make an annual trip to check out the Rip Curl Stew surf comp in Tofino. The surfing and parties get better every year.

Best surf spots:
1. Cox Bay, Tofino
2. Piha, New Zealand
3. Oceanside, California
4. Indian Beach, Oregon
5. Ambelside, West Vancouver

Sponsors: RipCurl, Salomon Snowboards, Cypress Mountain, Second Wave

Just your typical day in the office. Andrew Strain photo.

All work and all play. Andrew Strain photo.

Yeah, this is definately better than most people's vacation. Tood Easterbrook photo.

MFR Talks Pro Models and Progression Sessions

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:02:00 -0500

We caught up with Marie-France Roy at SIA this past week in Denver, Colorado for a little video chat. She gave us a sneak peak at her new signature collection from Oakley, including her outerwear and goggles available for the 2012/13 winter season.

She also let us in on some exciting news that she will be a coach at the up-coming Oakley Progession Sessions Camp, with its first Canadian stop at Le Massif. Check out MFR herself describing what the camps all about, including all the sweet gear participants get hooked-up with!

Food For Thought: $ave money with grab and go lunches

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:37:00 -0500

Give your wallet a break without indulging in the “ketchup tomato soup”, the crackers and jam, or the only affordable lunch option, a piece of pizza that will not give you enough energy to make it through the day. The trick tip to being nice to your bank account and fueling your body with healthy food is planning ahead. Below are 4 recipes that you’ll need less than 60 minutes to put together 6-24 lunches. At $5 or less a lunch and the “grab and go” convenience, no more need to shell out $15 at the cafeteria for meals.

Black Bean Burritos

*As tortillas generally come in 8 packs below is the recipe for 16 wraps. Divide the
prescribed measurements for 8 wraps and add an extra 1/2 for 24 wraps.

16 Black Bean Burritos

Shopping List:
1 small bag of brown rice or wild rice (enough to yield 8 cups prepared)
6 cans of black beans
4 large or 6 medium bell peppers (green, yellow, or red)
1 large red onion
16 wraps (whole wheat preferably)
1 jar of salsa
1 small block of mozzarella (part skim milk)
*Add any extra vegetables if you like.

How to:
1. Cook rice according to directions on box. You are going to need a 1/2 cup of rice for each wrap
so adjust your cooking measurements for 8 cups of rice.
2. Slice 4 bell peppers. Green peppers are usually the cheapest.
3. Slice 1 large red onion.
4. Cook peppers and onion until they are tender in a large skillet with 1 tbsp of Olive Oil.
Put aside to chill.
5. Empty 6 regular sized cans of black beans into a strainer and rinse them off until the
water under the strainer runs clear.
6. If you would like to add cheese to the wraps, grate 1 cup of part skim-milk cheese.
7. Lay wraps out on counter.
8. What goes in the wraps:
-1/2 cup cooked brown or wild rice
- equally distribute peppers and onions
- equally distribute black beans (3/4 cup -1 cup)
-sprinkle with cheese
-1 tbsp of salsa

How to roll it:
9. Move all the ingredients onto 1/2 of the wrap, right to the edge. On the other sides leave 1
inch empty.
10. Fold the wrap over and tuck the “empty” sides inwards.
11. Roll the wrap tightly to the other side.
12. Wrap in plastic and toss in the freezer.
Re-heat in microwave in cafeteria/lodge at mountain.

Chicken and Veggie Wraps

*As tortillas generally come in 8 packs below is the recipe for 16 wraps. Divide the
prescribed measurements for 8 wraps by 2 and add an extra 1/2 for 24 wraps.

8 Chicken and Veggie Wraps

Shopping List:
8 chicken breasts (boneless skinless)
or
8 regular sized cans of chickpeas (garbonzo beans) for an even more affordable,
convenient, and vegetarian option.
4 large or 6 medium bell peppers (green, yellow, or red)
1 large red onions
2 medium or 1 large zucchini
1 bag of spinach
1 small shaker of Greek Spice
1 small container of hummus (flavored or plain)
*Add any extra vegetables if you like.

How to:
1. Slice chicken breast into slices of chunks. Cook in on a medium heat in skillet with 1
tbsp of olive oil until chicken is cooked through.
2. Slice peppers, zucchini, and onions and in separate skillet cook until all are tender.
Add spinach 3 minutes into cooking other veggies.
3. Lay wraps out on counter.
4. Spread hummus onto middle of the wraps.
5. Equally divide veggies and chicken onto wraps.
6. Sprinkle with Greek Spice.

How to roll it:
7. Move all the ingredients onto 1/2 of the wrap, right to the edge. On the sides leave 1
inch empty.
8. Fold the wrap over and tuck the “empty” sides inwards.
9. Roll the wrap tightly to the other side.
10. Wrap in plastic and toss in the freezer.
Re-heat in microwave in cafeteria/lodge at mountain.

Breakfast Bagel

*As a bag of bagels usually yields 6 bagels the recipe below is for 12 bagels. Divide the
prescribed measurements for 6 bagels by 2 and add an extra 1/2 for 18 bagels.

12 Breakfast Bagels

Shopping List:
2 packages of whole wheat bagels (12 total)
1 dozen eggs
600g of deli sliced ham or turkey
350g block of cheese (mozzarella, part skim milk cheese)
1 small tub of light garlic and onion cream cheese ( or any other savory flavor)
*Add any veggies if you like. Suggestions: bell peppers and/or onions.

How to:
1. Slice bagels in half if not already sliced.
2. Scramble or fry eggs with 1 tbsp or olive oil or butter.
3. Put one slice of cheese on bagel.
4. Equally distribute egg and meat onto bagels.
5. Cook veggies as described in above recipes and distribute on bagels.
6. Put tops on bagels, wrap in saran-wrap, and put in the freezer.
Re-heat in microwave in cafeteria/lodge at mountain.

Tuna and whole wheat rice cakes

*Per serving.
Shopping List:
1 small can of Flaked Light Tuna (plain or flavored)
2 Whole Wheat Rice Cakes
celery
carrots
Substitute the rice cakes with healthy crackers instead
Crackers (Raincoast Crisps)= 36/package= 6/lunch
OR
-Any whole wheat whole grain crackers

How to:
1. One small can of Tuna with peel of top.
2. Ziplock bag with 2 Rice Cakes or 6 crakers.
3. Ziplock bag with 2 large chopped carrots and/or 2 celery sticks chopped.

Still hungry?
Add a single serving instant chicken noodle soup or miso soup to your lunch.

Just add water hearty soups with whole wheat crackers

Shopping List:
hearty dried soups; split pea, lentils and curry etc.
whole wheat whole grain crackers

How to:
1. Transfer dried soup from container to a ziplock bag. On hill use a coffee cup to make
your soup.
2. 6 crackers in a ziplock bag.

Take It From Taylor: Keeping up on pow days

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:53:00 -0500

Winter is upon us. The snow is consistently falling and the snow meters are increasing by the day. Few experiences can match the magic of riding in an open bowl, through the trees, jumping off a cliff into waist deep snow, dropping a pillow line with fresh untouched powder blowing in your face on a 60-90cm west coast pow day. As blissful and amazing as these days can be, they are unfortunately coupled with burning and fatigued legs. Here are some exercises to prepare you for the deep days, the peak to creeks, and to keep you riding open to close. Don’t get left behind and don’t punch out early.

The key areas to work on are as follows:

Upper leg muscles (hamstrings (biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus) and quadriceps) Strong legs mean a decrease in the likelihood of tendon and ligament injury. By strengthening your hamstrings you assist your ACL to stabilize your knees.

Snowboard Relation: ACL/MCL/PCL injury, need I say more? As snowboarders we tend to develop much stronger quads in comparison to hamstrings. According to a study in the American Journal of Sports Medicine, athletes with equally strong quads and hamstrings went injury-free for the entire 12 month follow-up period they were monitored for.

Lower leg (gastrocnemius and soleus) The gastrocnemius and soleus are what make up your calf muscle. They are responsible for ankle extension thus are involved in squats or jumping movements.

Snowboard Relation: Initiating and performing a turn (edge to edge). You use your ankles snowboarding on any terrain in any conditions.

Core (rectus abdominis, external and internal obliques, transverse abdominis, erector spinae, multifudus, and quadratus lumborum) Your core supports and stabilizes your spine. It works with your lower back and hips allowing you to rotate your body with more power. They are huge contributor to your overall balance.

Snowboard Relation: -The core muscles allow you to stay standing, to prevent falling, and to maintain balance on your feet.

Glutes and hips (gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus) Your gluteus maximus (aka. butt muscle) works anytime you raise your leg to the side, rotate your leg so that your foot is pointing outward, or move your hips forward. It is the major muscle that is responsible for allowing you to stand up from a sitting position.

Snowboard Relation: Strong hip flexors are important for bringing your legs upwards when popping an ollie. Your ‘butt muscles’ are necessary to bring you from a squatting position to standing.

*When choosing your weight for these exercises use the following gauge; it should be challenging 1/2 way through each set and you should feel a burn in the targeted muscles. Your last 2-3 repetitions should be challenging. You should be able to complete the prescribed amount of repetitions without losing form. Up the weight if you do not feel a burn and lower the weight if you are having trouble staying in the appropriate positioning.

Complete each exercise for the prescribed amount of repetitions (how many times you do each exercise in a row) and then move on to the next exercise. Once you have completed 1 set of all of the exercises, repeat 2 more times, for a total for 3 times through the whole routine.

Swiss-Ball Hip Raise and Leg Curl

What it works: Glutes and Hamstrings

How to:

-Lie on your back on a mat on the floor with your lower legs and heels on a Swiss ball.

-Your feet should be pointed upwards.

-Place your arms at your sides or out to your sides with you elbows slightly bent.

-Push your hips up so that your body forms a straight line from your shoulders to your knees.

-Pull your heels towards you by rolling the ball as close to your butt as possible. Hold for 2 seconds.

-Slowly roll back to the start position, while keeping your body in a straight line.

-Lower your hips back to the floor.

-10 repetitions.

To make it more challenging:

-Once you can preform this exercise easily, try doing it with one leg on the ball and the other leg with a knee bent hovering off the ground.

Swiss-Ball Spike

What it works: Core and hip flexion.

How to:

-Start off in a push-up position with your shins and tops of your feet on a Swiss ball.

-Your shoulders should be directly over your hands, with your fingers pointed forwards, and your hands shoulder width apart.

-Engage your stomach muscles.

-While keeping your legs and back straight roll the ball toward your body by raising your hips as high as possible. Hold for 2 seconds.

-Roll the ball back to the beginning position.

-10 repetitions.

Goblet Squat

What it works: Quadriceps

How to:

-Stand with your feet spread slightly wider than your shoulder-width distance.

-Engage your stomach muscles and do not let your lower back round throughout the exercise.

-With both of your hands hold a dumbbell vertically up against your chest.

-Keep your elbows tucked in and pointing towards the floor throughout the entire exercise.

-Lower your body just past the height of a chair (as pictured above). The tops of your thighs should be just lower or parallel to the floor. Hold for 2 seconds.

-Push through your legs and feet to return to the starting position.

-Try to keep your weight in your heels instead of your toes during the exercise.

To make it more challenging:

-Jump as high as you can after you have reached the bottom of your squat.

-Land and return to the bottom of your squat in slow and controlled manor.

-30 repetitions.

Plank

What it works: Core stability.

What it does: This exercise will help stabilize your spine which is responsible for lower-back health.

How to:
-Start off in a pushup position with your forearms on the ground and your hands clasped
together. Your shoulders should be directly over your elbows.

-Lower or raise your midsection until it forms a perfectly straight line from your
shoulders to your ankles.

-Flex your stomach muscles, glutes, and legs as tightly as possible.

-Remember to breathe!

-Hold for 60 seconds.

Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise

What it works: Calf muscles (soleus and gastrocnemius)

How to: Part I

-Stand tall with the ball of your right foot on a large plate weight and your heel on the
ground. Hold on to dumbbell with your right hand and place your left hand on a wall or a
piece of sturdy equipment for balance.

-Tuck your left foot behind your right ankle.

-Stand tall and keep your stomach muscles engaged during the exercise.

-Lift your right heel as high as you can.

-Hold for 2 seconds.

-Slowly lower your heel back to the ground.

-15 Repetitions per foot.

Part II

-Bend your supporting leg at the knee with the ball of your right foot on a large plate
weight and your heel on the ground. Hold on to dumbbell with your right hand and place
your left hand on a wall or a piece of sturdy equipment for balance.

-Tuck your left foot behind your right ankle.

-Keep your stomach muscles engaged during the exercise.

-Lift your right heel as high as you can.

-Hold for 2 seconds.

-Slowly lower your heel back to the ground.

-15 Repetitions per foot.

Bicycle (Elbow-to Knee Crunch)

What is works:
-Trunk ﬂexion and rotational exercise. It works your olbiques and rectus abdominis.

How to:
-Lie on your back on a mat with your ﬁngertips behind your ears, your knees bend and
your feet ﬂat on the ground.

-Lift your head and torso 45 degrees off of the ﬂoor. Keep your neck in the same
position as it was when you were lying on the ﬂoor.

-Bring feet off of the ﬂoor until your legs form a 90 degree angle. Your shins should be
parallel to the ﬂoor with your knees directly above your hips.

-Twist your shoulders, head, and torso towards the right as you bring your right knee to
touch your left elbow. At the same time extend your left leg.

-Come back to starting position and repeat on the other side.

-10 Repetitions per side.

Make it harder:
-Do the exercise more slowly and/or add ankle weights.

Side Lunge

What it works: Quadriceps and Calves.

How to:
-Start with a dumbbell in each hand, your arms at your sides, your palms facing your
sides, and your feet pointed forward.

-Lift your right leg and take a large step to the right, while pushing your hips backward
and slowly lower your body by lowering your hips and bending your right knee.

-Keep your left foot ﬂat on the ﬂoor throughout the exercise.

-Bend forward at your hips to touch the dumbbells to the ﬂoor.

-When you lean forward make sure to keep both feet ﬂat on the ﬂoor.

-Do not round your back. Only lower as far as you can while keeping a slightly armed
spine.

-Hold for 2 seconds.

-Return to the starting position and switch sides.

-10 repetitions per side.

Single-Arm Dumbbell Swing

What it works: Quadriceps, calves, shoulders, and hamstrings.

How to:
-With your right arm hold a dumbbell with an overhand grip in front of you at your waist.

-With your legs a little wider than shoulder width apart squat down until your thighs are
parallel to the ﬂoor.

-Make sure to keep your core engaged throughout the entire exercise.

-Push your hips back when you squat and be sure to maintain a slightly arched back
when in the squatting position. Keep your arm that is holding the weight straight.

-As you squat down bring the dumbbell between your legs with straight arm. Let the
dumbbell swing behind your a little.

-Thrust your hips forward as you stand tall.

-Swing the dumbbell up to chest height as your straighten your knees.

-Swing the dumbbell back below and behind your as you squat down and bring it back
to chest height as you stand tall.

-15 repetitions per arm.

IMPORTANT: It is necessary to consult a physician prior to completing any of the
following exercises if you are recovering from an injury, injured, or brand new to
exercise to ensure that you are allowed to complete a weight training program. There
are always risks with any kind of exercising or sport so please complete at your own
risk.

Taylor Godber is currently in the process of becoming a certified personal trainer and is also working towards a diploma in nutrition, specializing in sports and fitness.

High 5ives! with Helen Schettini

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Born and raised in Kamloops, BC, Helen Schettini first started snowboarding at Sun Peaks. Now residing in Whistler, she spends her days riding the backcountry. We recently caught up with Helen to find out who her shred heroes are, and to discover the perks of being on the Yes team. Here’s her High 5ives!

Best things about the backcountry
1. Being in the middle of the mountains with your friends
2. Fresh tracks all day long
3. Sledding
4. No lineups
5. The scenery

Whistler sights to see
1. Peak-2-Peak
2. Crystal Chair Hit Run
3. Sunday Nights at The Beagle with Wes Makepeace, Jay Greenway and Mark Bannock
4. Whistler Backcountry
5. Dusty's

Perks to being part of the YES team
1. Being part of a rider owned company
2. Riding with legends
3. Learning from the best
4. Premiere season
5. Every time I say "YES" I think of snowboarding

Shred heroes
1. Nicolas Muller
2. Kevin Sansalone
3. Annie Boulanger
4. Rube Goldberg
5. Terje Haakonsen

Dream snowboard destinations
1. Japan
2. Alaska
3. Chile
4. Norway
5. Russia

Sponsors: Billabong, YES, Vivo, Electric, Circa, Cariboo, The Circle

Yes, Helen does have an awesome job

And Yes, this is Helen's sweet sled

Frozen In Time: Ad's From The Past

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Welcome to the final part of our Frozen In Time series. From signature products, to former pro teams and legendary brands, join us for another trip down snowboarding's memory lane as we look back at ad's from the past.

1998
Prom: Leading the way for ladies outerwear since the early 90's, Prom was backed by a solid team featuring Sky Rondenet, Tina Basich and Shannon Dunn.

2000
Sims: In the early 2000's, the Sims women's pro team was at the top of their game. Just take a look at their countless contest bibs, medals and trophy's below.

2001
Chorus: Leave it the team at Chorus to come up with this creative artwork offering a sneak peak into the life of the one and only Janna Meyen.

Velvet: At the forefront of the optical game, Velvet came out of the gates strong with their female pro team consisting of Roberta Rodger, Janna Meyen, Shannon Dunn and Cara-Beth Burnside. All four ladies went on to be game-changers in the world of women's snowboarding.

Billabong: In 2001, Tara Dakides' joins the ranks of the Billabong team featuring the likes of Kevin Jones, Kale Stephens and Risto Scott.

2008
B By Burton: Always a true innovator of women's products, B by Burton's outerwear line features extra attention to detail and added flair.

Ride: 2008 was also the year that Priscilla Levac's coveted zebra print collection hit store shelves.

2009
Roxy: Torah Bright's collection continues to offer functional and fashionable outerwear to female shreds.

2010
Oakley: Over at camp Oakley, Gretchen Bleiler continues to dominate the shred world while wearing her signature series outerwear and goggles.

Food For Thought: How to Eat Healthy on a Budget in Shred Town

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:01:00 -0500

The most frequent statement I hear when discussing eating healthy in a mountain town is, “it is too expensive to do!” Luckily that is far from the truth and to prove it I have put together five staple shredder on a budget meals with options to pack them with a nutritional punch that won't break the bank. With simple instructions that any grade 2 child could follow, it's time to improve your diet. The alterations to your standard meals may take you 5-10 more minutes max and they may cost you an extra $5-$10 a week. Think of it as an investment of your time and money towards your health, energy, wellness, performance, and in turn happiness. The healthier you are the more you can snowboard and what better reason to make a few tiny changes.

Eat This Not That:

Mr.Noodles vs. Thai Kitchen Noodles w/ Veggies and Egg

Why the change-up: I prefer to use Thai Kitchen noodles instead of the popular Mr.Noodle or Ichiban brands as there is half the salt and a much lower level of saturated fat. Garlic has been considered to be a herbal “wonder drug”; some of its benefits include, preventing and treating the common cold and the common flu. Ginger has been shown to calm an upset stomach, to be a good antioxidant, and an anti-inflammatory.

How to: Follow the directions on the back of the package. When water has come to a boil add frozen or fresh vegetables and crack a whole egg into the water. Ideas to throw in the pot; peas, corn, bok choy, spinach, bell peppers, bean sprouts, carrots, celery, and cabbage. I also like to add in some fresh garlic and ginger.

Grilled Cheese vs. Turkey Cheese and Veggie Grilled Sandwich

Why the change-up:

The bread: White bread is as useful in the nutritional department as sliding sideways on a rail with sharpened edges. White bread came about when someone found a way to make it softer and to some, better tasting. The way they do this is by taking away the two parts of the grain that have the most nutritional value; the germ and the bran. You are then left with straight up starch. This starch flies through your digestive system and makes you hungry right away. By substituting whole grain bread you are increasing your fiber intake. Fiber makes you feel more full, which means less pit stops in the lodge and more runs.

The spread: I am fond of using olive oil, Olivina or an olive oil-based product instead of the conventional margarine. Margarine contains almost zero nutritional value. Using the previously mentioned alternative is another opportunity to up the ante, and substitute something else that will help your engine run as efficiently as possible.

The cheese: By spending a negligible bit more money initially, you can save more in the long run with this one. Go for sharper cheese instead of the standard cheapest marbled cheddar. A little goes a long way with this cheese, as it is so strong in taste You won't need to use as much. Reach for the white as a substitute for the yellow. This alternative eliminates the added color that companies put into the cheddar, which is very artificial and therefore not so good for you.

The veggies and meat: Add some sliced spinach, tomato, avocado, bell peppers, and/or onions to sneak in some serious nutrition. Use thinly sliced turkey to add protein to your meal.

For the vegetarian: Spread some humous inside the sandwich to add protein.

How to: Exactly the same as any grilled cheese sandwich, with all the extras added.

Kraft Dinner vs. Kraft Dinner with Spinach, Tuna, and Rose Sauce

Why the change-up: To be brutally honest, Kraft Dinner is not good for you. Plain and simple. Neither are the whole wheat or veggie pasta versions. However, I am not going to fight this battle as we all seem to love it. So here is a way to make the evil pasta slightly more nutritious.

How to: Once the pasta is cooked and drained stir in two big handfuls of raw spinach and a can of tuna. Keep the heat at a low temperature while you stir in the butter, milk, and cheese. Then add a can of stewed tomatoes with as little or as much of the tomato juice as you like. Feel free to make any other veggies an addition to this meal.

Cereal vs. Fruit and Nut Porridge

Why the change-up: The cheapest cereal is usually sugar based and has a meager amount of nutritional value. A bowl of this to start the day and your tummy will be rumbling before you have hit lunch time. In contrast, a warm bowl of porridge contains a healthy supply of carbohydrates (complex carbohydrates) that provide a slow release of energy throughout the morning.

How to: Go for the oatmeal in the plain bulk bags, it is cheaper. Don't worry, all the sweetness that is found in the pre-packaged serving sizes will be made up for with tastier and healthier substitutions. Make the oatmeal as directed on the bag. To spice it up add thawed frozen fruit, fresh fruit, or dried fruit (ex. bananas, blueberries, strawberries, mango, coconut, raspberries and/or apple slices), sprinkle some nuts on top (ex.slivered almonds, walnuts, brazil nuts, cashews, and/or peanuts), some cinnamon and a couple drops of all natural vanilla extract. If you are still craving some further sweetness to your oatmeal adding some honey will do the trick.

Chef Boyardee vs. Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

Why the change-up: Generally speaking products that come pre-packaged in a can are not as healthy when compared to those cooked fresh. Case in point, pasta with meat sauce is veritably simple to make and truthfully easy on the wallet!

The noodle: Not only is pasta genuinely effortless to cook, there is a vast selection of noodle forms and sizes to choose from. First off, remove plain white conventional pasta from the list. The nutritional value of bleached pasta is comparable to bleached bread. Here are some healthier alternatives to add more flavor to your pasta and more health benefits; soba, buckwheat, whole grain, egg-white (yolkless), quinoa, spelt, rice, jerusalem artichoke, and kamut. All of the pastas I listed come in bows, spaghetti noodles, penne etc.

The sauce: For ease, start off with a tomato sauce in a jar. Look for a sauce with no additives. A good indication of a healthy label is as follows; a young child should be able to read all the ingredients without a problem. With your sauce selected add as many vegetables to it as your heart and body desires. Here are some suggestions; spinach, broccoli, bell peppers, yams, onions, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, celery, carrots, kale, zucchini or eggplant.

The meat: Go for extra extra lean ground turkey or beef. Organic if it fits your budget. Always go for the meat with the least amount of fat. Animal fat is a fat to be avoided as much as possible.

For the vegetarian: Add some chopped up tofu in lieu of the meat, or a can of chickpeas or black beans.

How to: Cook the pasta as indicated on the packaging. Brown the meat and cook the veggies in a frying pan. I like to add in lots of fresh garlic and some extra herbs; basil and oregano. Add the pasta sauce once the meat is cooked and the veggies are almost done. Sprinkle a little cheese on top.

Taylor Godber is currently in the process of becoming a certified personal trainer and is also working towards a diploma in nutrition, specializing in sports and fitness.

Breckenridge Dew Tour: Pipe & Slope Finals

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Breckenridge, CO: Saturday morning literally started bright and early with women's slope semi finals. I had so much fun shooting photos because everyone was killing it and it was so beautiful out. Nineteen women competed and only 5 advance to the finals to join last years Dew Cup winner Jamie Anderson. Top qualifier Charlotte Van Giles from Holland spun a huge Backside 7 on the second jump, while 2nd place qualifier Enni Rukajarvi from Finland spun a 270 off the rail with Back to Back 5's and Back to Back 3's on the jumps.

1	Charlotte Van Gils	90.50
2	Enni Rukajärvi	89.33
3	Sarka Pancochova	86.67
4	Spencer O'Brien	85.17
5	Rebecca Torr	79.00
6	Stefi Luxton	77.67
7	Sina Candrian	75.17
8	Silvia Mittermueller	74.83

Breckenridge had a copious amount of people come to watch the Halfpipe finals, which consisted of six women and 12 men. Riders were going huge and even with the sun going down and the light making it impossible to get a good photo, everyone rode impressive. Kelly Clark came out on top with her always impressive huge Front 10. Louie Vito threw 3 doubles in a row including a Backside Double 12, while Shaun White went higher than my camera could capture.

1	Shaun White	95.00
2	Louie Vito	92.75
3	Iouri Podlachikov	90.00
4	Christian Haller	88.00
5	Kohei Kudo	86.00
6	Matt Ladley	84.00
7	Steve Fisher	79.75
8	Keito Kumazaki	55.75
9	Kazuhiro Kokubo	47.75
10	Scott Lago	40.00
11	Luke Mitrani	24.25
12	Danny Davis	18.25

Breckenridge Dew Tour: Semi Finals

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 23:21:00 -0500

Breckenridge, CO: Friday was probably the most event filled day of the week, starting with women's halfpipe semi finals followed by mens pipe and slope semi finals.

In women's pipe the top five riders will advance to finals to compete along with last years Dew Cup winner Kelly Clark. On the mens side of things, the top ten riders from will advance to finals to compete along with last years winner Steve Fisher, and Dew Cup winner Louie Vito.

Breckenridge Dew Tour: Slope Qualifiers

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:26:00 -0500

Breckenridge, CO: Yesterday’s snowboard slopestyle qualifiers consisted of 23 women and 56 men. The top eight women and top three men from each heat, plus the next top four scores all advance to tomorrow’s semi finals.

Zach Stone's run consisted of a Switch Blunt 270, Cab 270 on the top two rails, a Switch Backside 5, Front 10, Front Blunt 450 out on the speed feature, and a Cab 5 to Backside 10. Zach and Charles Reid were the top Canadians, each placing third place in their heat.

It's hard to say what went down for the ladies because I was competing as well. However, Kjersti Buaas’ winning run featured a Backside 360 Indy, Frontside 360 Stalefish, Crail and a Backside 180 melon. Needless to say everyone was killing it and the top eight women all threw down. The results are listed below. Check back soon for more Dew Tour coverage.

SNB SLOPESTYLE MEN OPEN QUALIFIER 1
1    Ulrik Badertscher    91.17
2    Ian Thorley    82.33
3    Zach Stone    80.33
4    Antoine Truchon    78.83
5    Gjermund Braaten    78.67
6    Dash Kamp    76.00
7    Tor Lundström    75.50
8    Patrick Burgener    74.00

SNB SLOPESTYLE MEN OPEN QUALIFIER 2
1    Seppe Smits    87.00
2    Justin Morgan    85.17
3    Charles Reid    76.83
4    Chris Tierney    76.17
5    Ville Uotila    70.67
6    Mark Hoyt    69.83
7    Kai Wiggins    68.17
8    Kyle Mack    67.67

SNB SLOPESTYLE WOMEN QUALIFIER
1    Kjersti Østgaard Buaas    87.83
2    Silvia Mittermueller    85.67
3    Sina Candrian    83.50
4    Joanna Dzierzawski    81.17
5    Sarka Pancochova    79.67
6    Stefi Luxton    79.00
7    Celia Miller    71.50
8    Julianne Brackett    68.8

Mikkel Bang

Seppe Smits

Nick Poohachoff

4th place qualifier Joanna Dzierawski and myself

Breckenridge Dew Tour: Pipe Qualifiers

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Breckenridge, CO: While it seems as though North America has been lacking in the white stuff, the first day of Dew Tour qualifiers started off with a good three inches of fresh snow.

Women's snowboard halfpipe qualifiers began the process with 25 ladies, in which eight are advancing to semi finals.

On the men's side there's a total of 51 competitors. Roger Kleivdal was the first person to throw a double putting him in second, while Christian Haller was going huge to earn himself the top spot. The top three men from each heat along with the next top four results combined will advance to semi-finals.

For a full list of results head here.

SNB SUPERPIPE WOMEN QUALIFIER
1	Xuetong Cai	96.75
2	Haruna Matsumoto	94.75
3	Maddy Schaffrick	93.00
4	Rebecca Sinclair	78.00
5	Sarah Conrad (CAN)	76.00
6	Arielle Gold	74.25
7	Sarka Pancochova	72.50
8	Holly Crawford	70.25

SNB SUPERPIPE MEN OPEN QUALIFIER 1
1	Christian Haller	94.75
2	Roger Kleivdal	91.75
3	Keito Kumazaki	75.50
4	Nils Mindnich	72.75

SNB SUPERPIPE MEN OPEN QUALIFIER 2
1	Nathan Johnstone	84.50
2	Kohei Kudo	79.50
3	Arthur Longo	79.00
4	Fredrik Austbo	76.50
5	Benji Farrow	74.75
6	Ayumu Hirano	73.00

Breckenridge's 22' Superpipe

Rebecca Sinclair

Nils Mindnich with the sickest method ever

Ontario's own Anthony Wolf

Christian Haller

Take It From Taylor: Stretching After Riding

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 10:53:00 -0500

A typical after-riding agenda consists of a stop on the way home for a coffee at
the local hang out or a beer at the apres spot of choice. Regardless of what
liquid poison you pick this is typically followed by walking into the house and grabbing
a bite to eat, getting changed out of wet gear and the classic Facebook chat,
TV watching, nap time or getting ready for work. To be honest, if you have
even made it that far versus passing out in all your gear on the couch then
kudos to you. As rushed or lazy as you may be there is something that is
missing in this ‘day in the life’ of the shredder that reaps many benefits,
one of which may prevent you from being confined to the couch all day
instead of slashing the pow. This tedious task is the ever-avoided, stretch.
As great as it might feel to stretch and the benefits of it are numerous, it
seems to be forgotten or consciously pushed to the side. Unless you are a
devoted yogi we all seem to avoid these actions. Stretching actually requires
a little bit of motivation. Yes that’s right, you actually have to do the
exercises and hold them for the prescribed time. So here are some reasons
to get ‘your a$$ up’ and follow through with an after riding stretching
regime:

1. Improves range of motion (ROM)
2. Increases muscle control
3. Increases muscle strength
4. Relaxes and balances tension in muscles

Plain and simple, stretching = elongated muscles = more power and movement =
prevention against tendon and muscle damage.

This entire stretching session will take a meer 15 minutes, so no excuses. Get down to business.

(CAUTION: Always ease into stretches gradually instead of making sudden
movements, to decrease probability of injury.)

Piriformis Stretch

Why it’s good: Stretches your lateral rotators of the hip. These are the
muscles that you use to initiate spins while snowboarding.

How to:

1.Lie on your back with your left leg bent (with your left foot right under
your knee) and your right foot on your left knee (your right knee and foot
should be make your shin parallel to the floor).

2. Slightly lift your left leg off of the floor. Clasp your hand around your left
hamstring.

3. Gently pull your left leg towards your chest, while keeping your right foot
rested on your left leg. Stop when you start to feel a stretch.

4. Hold for 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

5. Slowly lower your left leg back to the floor and repeat on the opposite
side.

Cat-Cow Stretch

Why it’s good: Stretches your lower back and also assists to realign your
spine and pelvis.

How to:

1.On your hands and knees in a table top position. Make sure that your
hands are shoulder width apart and fingers are pointed forwards.

2. Engage your core muscles (abs).

3. In a slow controlled movement begin to round your back as high as you
can, while breathing in. Let your head drop and tuck your pelvis under.

4. Hold for 10-15 seconds.

5. While breathing out un-round your back allowing your pelvis to move
towards the floor while raising your head.

6. Hold for 10-15 seconds.

7. Repeat both movements back to back 5-10 times

Seated Hamstring Stretch

How to:

1. Sit on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you.

2. With your toes flexed (pointing the ceiling).

3. With a flat back and your arms at your sides and tilt at your chest towards
your legs.

4. Hold for 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

5. Reach your arms out towards your toes, you may now round your back.

6. Use a resistance band or towel to help pull yourself closer to your legs.

7. Hold for 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

8. When releasing out of the stretch always move slowly.

Lying (prone) Quadricep Stretch

How to:

1. Lie on your stomach on the floor, with your forehead on the ground,
and with one your left arm extended forward.

2. Bring your right foot to your right hand, by bending at the knee.

3. Gently bring your right foot towards your bum until you feel a stretch.

4. Hold for 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

5. Repeat on the left side.

Standing Shoulder Stretch

Why it’s good:This stretch assists improving posture, by opening your
chest and is a great simple shoulder stretch.

How to:

1. Standing or sitting bring bring your left hand behind your head and rest it
behind your neck.

2.With your right hand grab your left elbow and gently push you elbow
down, thus pushing your left hand further down your back, until you feel
stretch.

3. Hold for 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

4. Repeat on other side.

Upward Dog

Why it’s good: Stretches your hip flexor and psoas(iliopsoas). This stretch
also targets your abdominals. These muscles pull your knee bone upward.
The iliopsoa is the only muscle to attach the spine to the leg.

How to:

1. This stretch is a yoga posture that will assist and stretching your entire
front side of your body.

2.Lie on your stomach on the floor with your just under your shoulders. YOur
elbows should right against your ribs.

3.Push your chest off of the ground, through your hands until your arms are
completely straight ( do not lock your elbows).

4.Keeping your legs rooted to the ground, gently push your pelvis into the
floor.

5.You should feel a stretch through your abs, your hip flexors as well as your
iliopsoas.

6. Hold for 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

Standing Calf and Achilles Tendon Stretch

Why it’s good: Stretches your calves and achilles tendons.

How to:

1. Standing in a lunge; right foot in front of your left foot, with both toes
facing forward. If it helps you with stability put your hands in front of you on
a wall at about shoulder height. Make sure to keep your back straight. Your
front foot should be roughly 1ft away from the wall.

2. With your leading knee bent just above you foot, never any further over.
Straighten your back leg with your heel on the floor. Lunge deeper. This will
stretch your calve.

3.Hold for 30 seconds - 1 minute

4.Staying in the same position, slowly and slightly bend your leg that is
straight. You should feel an immediate stretch in your achilles tendon.

5.Hold for 30 seconds- 1 minute.

6.Repeat steps 1-5 on the other leg.

*Be very careful as to not overstretch your achilles tendon. Tendons are not
as flexible in comparison to muscles. Over stretching your tendon can cause
them to tear or lock into a new length. So be gentle!

IT Band Stretch- Standing Cross Legged Toe-Touch

Why it’s good: Tight IT bands are a common source of knee and hip
pain.

How to:

1. Stand tall with your right foot crossed over your left foot. You feet should
be just a little bit less than shoulder width apart.

2. Bend at the waist and with straight arms reach for your toes.

3. Try to keep your legs as straight as possible. (Do not lock your knees
though, always keep a very slight bend at them).

4. Hold for 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

5. Repeat with your left foot crossed over your right foot.

Neck Stretch- Lateral Neck Flexion Stretch

How to:

1.This stretch can be done either sitting or standing. Sit tall or stand tall.
Engage your core.

2. Place your left hand palm just above your right ear.

3. Gently tilt your left ear towards your left shoulder, while keeping your
gaze forwards.

4. Use your left hand to carefully assist the movement.

5. Hold for 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

6. Repeat on the other side.

Taylor Godber is currently in the process of becoming a certified personal trainer and is also working towards a diploma in nutrition, specializing in sports and fitness.

Frozen In Time: 2010-2012

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Over the past several seasons, countless female pro model products have been released. Combining fashion and function with fun coloured prints, here's a look back some highlights from the past two years.

2010
Anon eyes Hannah Teter and releases her custom Figment goggles

Celtek gives Cheryl Maas her very own Maas Appeal glove

Bern keeps Priscilla Levac protected with her pro model Muse helmet

“We feel super lucky to be able to work with a rider like Priscilla, who has a ton of integrity, who has backed us and promotes safety for female riders.” –Bern’s Josh Walker

Billabong teams up with Jamie Anderson to present the Peace jacket

“Jamie Anderson's Billabong outerwear line is perfect for girls who are still keeping it G. They're the only snow pants I can wear that aren't two sizes too big but still give me room to move and have some decent bum sag.” –Jenna Blasman

Marie-France Roy Floats her way to the top thanks to her signature Oakley jacket

Party Pelosi teams up with K2 for the Airdu snowboard

Vans continues to kick out the jams with Hana Beaman’s custom boots

“I've ridden for Vans since the start of my career, so when they offered me a signature boot I was uber excited. I had worked with them on the High Standard for a few years but having a signature colorway allowed me to have a bit more control over the look of the boot. With this first pair I wanted to go a bit crazier, it's inspired from a D&G dress. I still love that boot, it's on my fireplace mantel". –Hana Beaman

Australia’s own Torah Bright gets outfitted head to toe with her Roxy Bright Collection consisting of an Eminence snowboard, plus a signature suit and goggles

2011
Annie Boulanger continues to work with Nike on their Zoom Baxa boot

Capix sets Chanelle Sladics up with a Pro Model Dynasty Ltd helmet

K2 unveils Gretchen Bleiler’s Ltd GB Pop snowboard, while Oakley outfits her with her very own Tiers jacket

Kjersti Buaas become the latest Roxy lady to receive pro model outerwear

Tara Dakides returns to her roots with Sessions by releasing her signature outerwear collection

Dakine releases Leanne Pelosi 70’s inspired Girls Team Heli Pro pack. Yes, there are matching gloves.

“One of the most exciting things that ever happened to me was when my sponsors asked me if I wanted a signature pro model. With all my pro models, I usually try and come up with some sort of overlying theme or inspiration idea that can overlap for all the products. For example, last year I was really into the 70's theme, so my Dakine backpack was a yellow paisley pack with black felt … It's a really fun process to be involved with but it definitely requires making sure you have your ear to the ground with regards to trends because at the end of the day, the company expects your designs to sell.” –Leanne Pelosi

Over at Billabong, Anne-Flore Marxer releases her watercolour printed jacket

The Electric ladies Jamie Anderson and Cheryl Maas release their first Rider Inspired Design Series goggles

2012
Marie-France Roy gets decked out head to toe in pro model gear thanks to Oakley, Rome and 32

“It’s such an honor to get to have your own piece and work with designers on ideas and graphics and even functional stuff. I never thought I would ever get the opportunity to do something like this so I’m really thankful to the companies that gave me that opportunity. It’s different with every brand ... Sometimes we do it by email, which is a bit harder to communicate and share ideas but amazing stuff came out of it, like the [Rome] bindings, board and the mitt, and the 32 Lashed boots. Sometimes you get to pick a colour from their palette, sometimes you just throw general ideas and they will sketch something to meet your ideas and their needs as far of fitting in the market and sales. I learned a lot that I didn’t know about the whole sales side of the products.

The Rome Lo-Fi board is one of my favourites because I’ve pushed for this idea for years. Rome came out with the Live Nude Girls Artifact a few years ago in the men’s line and it was a very aggressive and successful board. For years, I fought with designers to have girls’ boards that were more aggressive. Like its always mainly abstract girlish designs on women’s boards and I always wanted something more aggressive and loud because there are a lot of badass girls out there and we don’t only love flowers and butterfly graphics. So they finally agreed to recreate the girl version of the Live Nude Girls and I think its super funny. I hope some girls will be as stoked on it as I am.” –Marie-France Roy

Cheryl Maas has her own signature colourway in the Vans Hi-Standard boots

Last but not least, Annie Boulanger continues to take on the backcountry with her Dakine Heli Pack

High 5ives! with Esthera Preda

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

As a director, editor, filmer and rider in the Peep Show films, Esthera Preda simply loves snowboarding. Living like a gypsy all winter long, Esthera and her crew travel the globe with snowboards in hand documenting their experiences. We recently caught up with her to find out her High 5ives!

Best things about making a snowboard movie:
1. All the aspects of the gypsy traveling life that comes with it
2. Putting yourself into crazy situations that would most likely not happen if you weren't making a snowboard video
3. Meeting new people and new talents
4. Getting to witness progression
5. Seeing the final product at the end of the year and the feeling of accomplishment that accompanies it

Plans for this season:
1. Go on filming journeys
2. Explore new places, as far away as possible
3. Make music
4. Read books
5. Get my degree

Favourite shred spots:
1. My backyard in Québec
2. Bear Mountain
3. The junkyard at flattop, AK
4. The double line in Portage, AK
5. Salt Lake's rail gardens

Upcoming riders to look out for:
1. Corinne Pasela
2. Brendon Hupp
3. Chris Larson
4. Danyale Patterson
5. Chris Brewster

Shred soundtrack:
1. Leonard Cohen - A Bunch of Lonesome Heroes
2. Donovan - Atlantis
3. Brian Jonestown Massacre - B.S.A
4. Daniel Johnston - Walking the cow
5. Terry Jacks - Pumpkin Eater

Sponsors:
Laxavala Headwear, Skullcandy, Alternative 113

Keeping it classy at Mt. Hood

Esthera and Matt at Grizzly Gulch

Gus Engle and Este hanging in AK

Lusts for Life: Spencer O'Brien

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 20:19:00 -0500

Spencer O'Brien's prized possessions and must-haves.

Foreign food Chocolate mostly. Tim Tams from New Zealand, chocolate bars from Norway and Switzerland. If I could bring back cheese and meat I would—damn Canadian customs.

Souvenir I actually just got a silver ring in Wanaka, New Zealand. It’s shaped like a bow. I used to buy a piece of jewellery every time I went somewhere new—but I stopped. I’m going to start again, it’s a great way to remember the places you’ve been.

Carry-on essentials My iPhone. Music, movies, games. It’s a good way to pass the time.

All-time airline food Business class food is 100 times better than economy. Lufthansa gives you these all time truffles at the end of the meal. I sound like a total douche saying that…I really don’t fly business that often, twice in my whole life.

Luggage My Nike duffle and board bag. I run the same kit for pretty much every trip because I’m almost always gone for longer than two weeks.

Travel essentials A good book and my foam roller.

Morning fuel I change it up. Grapefruit, yogurt, soft boiled eggs and oatmeal are all frequented.

Sporting equipment My Nike Free Trainers. Awesome training equipment is a major perk to being on the Nike team.

Gym kit Nike Free Trainers, Nike Legend training tights, Nike Indy sports bra, Nike Motion tank top and my iPod nano.

Wheels A 2009 Mazda 3.

Local eats Les Faux Bourgeois on Fraser and Twelth in Vancouver. Everything is amazing there but I usually take the salmon or the steak.

Foodie indulgence I am a total foodie, my biggest indulgence would just be trying new restaurants. That and the Food Network, it’s my favourite channel.

Drink I don’t drink, but when I did it was Rippon Vineyards Riseling or Leffe beer. These days it’s ginger beer or San Pellegrino.

Condiment Mustard. Grainy.

Websites Facebook.com. Isn’t it everyone’s? I also like BBC and a few fashion blogs.

Magazine reads Bon Appetit, Women’s Health.

App Nike Training Club is the best app ever and it’s free. Such good workouts, I use it whenever I need to change it up and get my butt kicked.

Snowboard pants pocket Lip balm, credit cards, id, seasons passes, ipod, phone, granola bar.

Sun protection I use Skoah Dewlux SPF 30 face cream and if the weathers harsh I’ll put on a layer of Skoah Face Balm to protect my skin. If it’s sunny I’ll add an extra layer of Neutrogena sun screen SPF 55. I’ve always got Skoah lip dip or Burt’s Bee’s chap stick in my pocket.

Bathroom counter Jewellery box and beauty products. Mostly skin care products from Skoah.

Bedside table A good book and a photo of my cat Spike.

Artist Ben Tour. My boyfriend got me a print from his series “Electric Orphans” and I love it. It’s hanging in our bedroom.

Shopping One of a Few in Gastown and Cook Works on Broadway. I love to shop for clothes, shoes and kitchen gadgets.

Bargain hunting I’m bad at sale shopping unless I’m with Leanne Pelosi. She’s the bargain master.

Last purchase Possum-fur fingerless gloves because it’s freezing in New Zealand.

Recent gift My dad bought me an orchid plant a few months ago.

Treasured possessions My baby blanket and a necklace that my Mom made me.

Hall of Famers: Annie Boulanger

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 09:00:00 -0500

In the 2012 Snowboard Canada Women's Annual we listed the ten women who changed the face of women's snowboarding. There's a little of these girls in all of us—fighting to prove themselves, making a comeback after injury and raising the standards of women's riding. This is by no means the be-all, end-all exclusive group of women; and we couldn't fit all their great quotes in the magazine, so here's what Annie Boulanger had to say about snowboarding and her contribution.

Years Pro
10

Career Milestones
First place U.S. Open Quarterpipe, 2001; first place U.S. Open Slopestyle, 2002; filming with Alterna and the Gathering; Misschief films: Lalaland and RoShamBo; filming with Absinthe for five years: Optomistic, Ready, Neverland, NowHere; 2010 Transworld Rider of the Year and Video Part of the Year; Snowboarder 2010 Women's Rider of the Year; second place 2011 Snowboarder of the Year.

Known For
Boulanger will forever be known for having the balls to tell her sponsors she was quitting contests and making the step to ride solely in the backcountry—an audacious and precedent-setting move at the time. It's in the wild mountains where she continues to out-roop most dudes on her sled and film with Absinthe in Alaska. Boulanger literally jumped in the heli the moment Victoria Jealouse opted out, proving that Canadian women aren’t scared to stomp big mountain terrain.

Sponsors
Nike Snowboarding, 2007-present; Salomon, 1998-present; Anon, 2002-present; Dakine, 2007-present; Empire, 2007-present; Whistler Blackcomb, 2006-present. Previous: Billabong, 1999-2007.

On ignoring the naysayers
"When I gave up traveling for park contests to stay in Whistler to learn to ride the mountain and the backcountry, not one of my sponsors or mags really wanted shots of girls in the backcountry; they said they would not be able to market me. People thought I was washed out; they thought that riding powder was easy. I felt like no one really understood how hard it was—just snowmobiling took me so long to learn. And now every company is sending their girls to the backcountry to get some shots. That’s funny, I think. It changed so fast, opportunities are everywhere now."

On working with Absinthe
"Going to Alaska with Absinthe had been a dream of mine for a long time. The first time was so scary and so amazing: I was new on the crew and a girl. The entire Absinthe crew was in Haines, hanging out and filming for one month. There was lot's to learn on how to fit in for sure, but the guys were really cool."

On still proving others wrong
"Even today I still feel like I have to prove myself when I go out with a new gang. It really feels like they really want you to blow it and that they think you can't snowboard. Maybe that's just my insecurity, not sure, but most guys have never gone out with a girl in the backcountry, so they think it will suck, so you have to prove them wrong. I think that the guys who have the most confidence in themselves are the guys who can handle riding with a girl."

Hall of Famers: Natasza Zurek

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 09:00:00 -0500

Hall of Famers: Leanne Pelosi

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:00:00 -0500

In the 2012 Snowboard Canada Women's Annual we listed the ten women who changed the face of women's snowboarding. There's a little of these girls in all of us—fighting to prove themselves, making a comeback after injury and raising the standards of women's riding. This is by no means the be-all, end-all exclusive group of women; and we couldn't fit all their great quotes in the magazine, so here's what Leanne Pelosi had to say about snowboarding and her contribution.

Years Pro
7

Career Milestones
U.S. Open Overall Champion, 2005; seven video parts, including Misschief Films (As If, RoShamBo), Runway Films (La La Land, See What I See) Standard Films (Black Winter, The Storming, TB20); six nominations and four TWS Awards (two Reader's Choice, Rider of the Year, Rookie of the Year nominations for 2011, Video part of the Year, 2009 Reader's Choice); Snowboarder Rider of the Year; riding in Alaska with the Standard crew.

Legacy
After winning roughly 25 rail contests in a row, Pelosi went on to conquer slopestyle and won the US Open Overall. It was all ditched when she had a hand in Misschief and Runway Films came into fruition, which, in turn, has led to her backcountry pursuits with a creative riding style for Standard Films.

Sponsors
Currently K2, Airblaster, Dragon, Dakine, Whistler/Blackcomb, Lifetime. Previously for Redbull, Monster, Bonfire and Thirtytwo.

On encouraging other women to ride
"I would like to think that I encouraged more Canadian girls to get on the hill and snowboard, mostly through past projects like Runway Films and MGT Snowboard Camp. The snowboard community is like family, you have to feed the little ones to foster their growth. My best example would be Raewyn Reid. She came through MGT years ago, then progressed to Runway Films, and this past year I had the pleasure of filming with her in Standard Films' TB20. But really, snowboarding is selfish. I need to do more for the sport, and I will. Just not sure what that is yet."

On mastering the backcountry
"I think that as a professional snowboarder being successful in the backcountry has got to be the pinnacle of one's career. Because it's not about how good you are on your snowboard; that's a given. It's all about learning about Mother Nature and the mountains, which are alive and will swallow you up at any given time."

On her most memorable moment
"The most memorable moment was winning a Volvo V50 at the U.S. Open. It was between Torah Bright and I, and there was no way in hell that I thought I was going to beat her out in the Overall standings. My mom came to cheer me on as I won the Inaugural Rail Jam, got second in Slopestyle and a 16th place or something in Halfpipe."

On what advice she'd give to riders wanting to be pro
"With the accessibility of the Internet these days, you can have your pick of the contest route or the film route, which makes the whole progression of our sport really exciting. There is no right way to achieving the status of being pro—just focus on what exactly drives you to be better, whether its seeing yourself on the top of a podium, or hitting the streets in search of the perfect rail, or just riding down the mountain and hitting a cliff. Passion fuels awesomeness."

Hall of Famers: Maelle Ricker

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 09:01:00 -0500

Years Pro
12+

Career Milestones
Bringing home the first gold medal for Canada at the 2010 Olympics, two X Games gold medals for boardercross, and five years of gold duct-tape from the Legendary Mt. Baker Banked Slalom.

Known For
The moment Maelle crossed the finish line at the 2010 Olympics–bringing home the first gold for any Canadian female–was proof enough that she really is the fastest, strongest girl in the world of snowboarding. Look at her finish times at the LBBS, and recognize how she’s not only the fastest chick, she’s also always placing in the top three for men.

Sponsors
Burton since she was 16; Oxess Snowboards for the last two years; Oakley since she was 17; Whistler/Blackcomb for over a decade.

On mentally preparing for an Olympic win
"The biggest mental battle that I had to overcome would have to be my two qualifying runs at the 2010 Games: I fell on the first run and had to put down a good second run to make finals. I put so much pressure on myself at that very moment because I didn’t want to let down my family, friends, coaches, support team, sponsors, ultimately my country–never in my life have my legs been so shaky."

On her early days
"Growing up, I rode with my brother most of the time. We were part of a club that Ben Wainwright and Andrew Murphy coached, and I felt like another rider, not a girl rider. Natasza Zurek and I did a lot of contests together back then. Tara Teigen mentored us, took the two quiet under her wing, and kept us in line."

On what's changed, and what hasn't
"Everyone is going bigger, faster, and doing better tricks. Riding with friends on a pow day was and still is the priority and that’s never going to change."

On her career
"I worked hard, so I got what I put in. Sometimes I felt like I really wanted a certain board or deserved more money/recognition, but most of the time I felt pretty happy to be getting what I was getting. I’ve been able to make a living off racing SBX and play outside for a living. It’s a rare job, and sometimes I feel guilty for the lifestyle I have."

On the future
"I want to do more splitboarding/freeriding and keep racing boardercross."

Frozen In Time: 2005-2009

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

In part three of our Frozen In Time series, we take a look back at some of most significant pro model products from 2005 to 2009. From the Burton G-Twin to Hana Beaman's custom Grenade gloves, read on to hear what the pro's had to stay about their signature pieces.

2006
Vans continues to supply Tara Dakides with pro model boots

Priscilla Levac teams up with Ride for her signature outerwear series, meanwhile Drake releases her custom bindings

2007
Billabong gets down to Business with Tara's signature jacket

Santa Cruz unveils Silvia Mittermuller’s Silvia #2 snowboard

“It was awesome to have my own board. It’s an honour that especially as a girl only few get. I was stoked for sure. My second board was more of a design play, [with a] scratched skateboard touch to it since I try my luck with skateboarding too. The scratches were my initials, S and M through tail and nose … I’m stoked I had a chance to have my own board. I kept some for later in life. Once I’m done riding competitively I might go back to riding my very own board.” -Silvia Mittermüller

The nice folks at Nitro give Janna Meyen her very own pro model board

2008
Dragon drops the Leanne Pelosi DXS goggles

Kendra Starr gets her shred on with her signature Option snowboard

Shred superheroes Nataza Zurek and Anne-Flore Marxer unveil the Burton G-Twin. Zurek had the custom 150 cm length, while Anne-Flore rode the 156 cm

“Having the GTwin pro model on Burton was very exciting and felt like I was on top of my game in snowboarding. It was the culmination of my career and represented all the days of riding and hard work I had put in for over 10 years. I was very involved in it's development from creating the concept, to designing the specs, to choosing graphics, and in every way it was an expression of me.” -Natasza Zurek

Tara Dakides’ Omatic Super snowboard hits retail shops

Annie Boulanger continues to ride Salomon’s Ivy snowboard

2009
Bern unveils the Lindsey Jacobellis Berkeley helmet

Oakley sets Gretchen Bleiler up with her signature Stockholm goggles and Ravishing sunglasses

Hana Beaman keeps her paws warm thanks to her signature Grenade gloves

“It was pretty rad to get a glove with Grenade, they are totally open to ideas no matter how crazy they may have seemed. They tried to keep it fun and fresh. I basically picked one of the gloves I liked best and we did a special colourway for my signature. As far as gloves go, personally I like to keep it pretty simple and clean looking, and I love leather.” –Hana Beaman

Artec snowboards releases Laura Hadar’s pro model

Over at camp Nitro, Cheryl Maas’ signature snowboard is unveiled

“Nitro was the first brand to give me a pro model and I was super stoked. This is something I have always wanted. It is nice to make a product that fits your riding and that looks good in your eyes and you can get creative with ... All the brands are good to work with. They give me the freedom to come up with ideas and colours I like and then they work it out together with me to the final product. As well they let me fit it all together (board, boots, gloves, goggle) because it is a bit of fashion. All the artists I work with at the brands are good to communicate with and know how to put my thoughts to a drawing. Sometimes I draw things myself first and than they fine-tune it to something amazing.” –Cheryl Maas

Jenny Jones continues competing while riding the Salomon Lily snowboard

Whistler Opening Day 2011

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:07:00 -0500

The wait is finally over, Whistler opened for the winter season on Friday November 18, 2011. A storm arrived on Wednesday night, dumping snow right down to the valley and getting everyone stoked for the inaugural day of shred.

With high avalanche danger and the early season snowpack, most riders took advantage of groomed runs and the opening day park set up. The Whistler Parks crew had nine jibs set up, unveiling one of the new ASP round bar’s and the recycled Black Chair tower.

The forecast is looking good for Blackcomb’s opening day on Thursday with 144cm set to arrive by this Wednesday. Welcome to winter in Whistler.

This was the 6:30am scene at the occupy WhistlerBlackomb movement.

Brittney Davis warmed up with an opening day back lip.

Cody Wilson checked out the new ASP round bar.

Park riders are happy to help recycle the old Black Chair tower.

Hall of Famers: Marie-France Roy

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:02:00 -0500

In the 2012 Snowboard Canada Women's Annual we listed the ten women who changed the face of women's snowboarding. There's a little of these girls in all of us—fighting to prove themselves, making a comeback after injury and raising the standards of women's riding. This is by no means the be-all, end-all exclusive group of women; and we couldn't fit all their great quotes in the magazine, so here's what Marie-France Roy had to say about snowboarding and her contribution.

Years Pro
Hasn’t had a real job since 2005.

Career Milestones
Six Transworld Awards, including three in 2010 alone: Rider, Reader's Choice and Video Part of the Year; multiple Snowboarder awards; continuous filming with Rome: Any Means, No Correct Way, and The Shred Remains; filming with Absinthe: Neverland, and NowHere.

Legacy
Throwing down one of her signature truck-driver 7s is a sight to behold, but MFR has always been going way bigger and throwing down much more difficult tricks at contests where other girls would go for the safe and secure approach. She earned herself legit street cred by filming with the Rome crew, then trading city features for Mother Nature and landing giant backcountry jumps with Absinthe—all the while with a perma-grin from cheek to cheek.

Sponsors
Rome, Oakley Redbull, 32, Etnies, Axis, Cilla, Kicker, Whistler/Blackcomb, Pom Pom

On maintaining the stoke
"The biggest thing for me to overcome over the last few years is how to deal with pressure and learning to say no to certain things. I never ever thought I would ever get tired of snowboarding, but after a while I felt a bit burnt out—not only because of the traveling and all that, but because I realized that I’m into so many other things in life. Also, after two years of not touching a street rail after my injury, I gave myself the challenge to hit them again this year just to see how I would do. That was tough at first for sure."

On the heart of the sport
"It’s weird now to see everybody at contests with their coaches, and sometimes I feel that contests have become a lot more serious. But I like how there is still soul shredding out there; the fun you have out on a pow day with your friends will never change."

On support from sponsors
"Redbull offered me a sled to help me out and get into more backcountry riding, which was huge. The Rome guys had me filming with them in the backcountry right from the start even when I had never even been sledding. Oakley made all these backcountry trips happen with amazing guides like Shin Campos, and I got ride amazing terrain all over the place. Its like everyone had my back fully; I didn’t even have to convince or beg for anybody to let me do this, they were handing me out the opportunities. I have been so lucky."