Get Real

This is allegedly the best time of year for winter enthusiasts; the extreme games have just ended and the world is nearing the destination on the “Road to Sochi”. Snowboarding, along with winter-biathlon, has the spotlight fixed upon itself and we are about to see more corks flying through the air than at a Nate Bozung New Year’s party. This is sure to be a highly entertaining couple of weeks in Russia…well at least for the masses.

This weekend, many of snowboarding’s most recognizable (and least recognizable, yet just as important) figures will be in the state of Washington instead of Sochi to be a part of The Legendary Banked Slalom. The general public, who perceive neon green claw marks and boot grabs to be representative of “real” snowboarding, might not understand why so many riders would choose to attend an event that celebrates the simple act of making turns down a mountain; an art that seems foreign to many these days. However, the LBS is more than just a few timed turns. It is about industry folk, up-and-comers and living legends competing (and having fun) side by side, showcasing the very soul of snowboarding without arbitrary judgment of the event or some rigged internet voting system. Just the rider, a slew of berms and the clock, which is especially refreshing in an Olympic year where, as usual, the games are mired in controversy and corruption (again, Terje was right).

While some events, like the Baker Banked, have been around for what seems like forever, lately it seems like banked slalom events have been popping up all over the country, even on the grassroots level. It is reassuring to see the next generation of riders, pro, am and grom, getting excited about these events. Beyond the slaloms, it is nice to see events like the Vans Hi-Standard Series “Style is Everything” competition that was held a couple weeks ago at Brighton, where style is recognized and rewarded. The cries from people grumbling (sometimes excitedly) that these snowboard-only events are part of what is “killing” snowboarding are bizarre and ironic, after all, these events seem to be making snowboarding stronger on multiple fronts. On one end, the “aging” population of snowboarders is stoked to be able to compete right next to someone less than half their age. The other, is that these events are instilling what snowboarding was meant to be about in the future generations of riders.  

By all means, this is was not written with the intention to take anything away from the high level of skill and giant balls it takes to pop twenty-plus feet out of a monster pipe, or go all out on the (apparently sketchy) slopestyle course. There are even some riders (Thank you, Sage and Danny!) who are bringing a little soul back into those events. The intent is to remind folks that there is, and always has been, MUCH more to snowboarding than the world gets to see every four years. So, if you already know this, I hope you can appreciate the article and pass it on to a friend in need.

Here's just a small taste of what these rad events are like:
Mt. Baker Legendary Banked Slalom 2013 from Lib Tech on Vimeo.

Five Things Not To Say to Someone Missing a Powder Day

In light of me having to be at work today, I created this list real quick. These are based off of things people have actually said to me or asked me...

Five Things Not To Say to Someone Missing a Powder Day

1) Boy, you must be excited about all this new snow!

While I am happy that the storm might be helping the water shed, it’s not helping the scowl on my face every time someone asks me this.  

2) There will always be another storm…

This is true. However, given the recent patterns developing in our winter weather (thanks a lot Fukushima) we have to take advantage of every inch of pow!

3) At least you’ll get to go up when it’s sunny tomorrow!

Nope. Not a consolation. Anyone who has ever ridden a storm day that just pukes refills all day knows that it simply can’t be replicated.

4) Well it’s good you’re getting _________ done today.

Yes, getting stuff done is good. However, while most things will wait until tomorrow… fluffy pow will not.

5) Can’t you just appreciate the fun your friends are posting to Instagram/Facebook?

I am stoked for my friends getting pitted… but if anything I avoid social media like the plague until the day is over. Talk about salt in the wound.

Clever Title Here

There has been plenty of commentary about the NY Times article, written by a skier, preaching that the math and economics of the snowboard industry prove that the "sport" is in trouble. However, after being part of one of the most raucous, high energy and just plain fun shred premiers that I have been to in a while, I felt like I had to offer my two irrelevant pennies. Snowboarding is okay thriving. Some might call that a stretch after going through a couple poor to mediocre winters and having major brands in snowboarding struggle to just stay in business. As the infamous Burritos and Snow once said to me (I'm paraphrasing) There's one, blank check, floating from company to company in the industry; and if anyone ever cashes it, everyone's screwed.

I really think we're alright though. 

I feel like the Absinthe premiere was a microcosm of where snowboarding is right now. Everything about the night was right; speaking with Justin Hostynek before the movie and feeling his passion about what he does, almost nonstop loud cheers, clapping, foot stomping, whistling and general chaos come from the crowd during each and every part, having Mike LeBlanc describe himself as impressed by aforementioned chaos during the film, and then to have everyone get together as friends for an after party (unfortunately, I couldn't make it to that part). The passion and stoke were utterly palpable and genuine. It was so cool to see everyone get so stoked for their fellow riders and friends. 

That last part leads into one of the more awesome parts of the industry right now; the crews. Lick The Cat and The Under Dawgs are holding it down with a bunch of Utah locals. Right now, The Yawgoons are proof that you don't need expansive mountain ranges in your backyard to have fun snowboarding and make noise on an industry wide level. All these kids are having loads of fun, while also making some of the most difficult parts of it look really easy. There are so many other crews, mini crews and individuals out there that are killing it as well; the ones I mention above are just some of my favorites right now.  

Like it or not, business is important to every industry. Business has the ability to potentially make or break an industry; both it's image and monetarily. If the wrong people get behind the wheel of some of the bigger businesses of "core" industries it can take less than a matter of months for the domino effect to set in and that company is blacklisted by the core kids, fair or not. Suddenly, that blank check becomes more and more valuable. That does happen, and it sucks. However, it also gives rise to people who don't want to accept and conform. Take Dinosaurs Will Die for example. I could try to sum up why  they're awesome, but just go read the Hump Day that Sean Genovese did for Yobeat, I'm borderline rambling here. However, it doesn't have to be a snowboarding company to help out the snowboarding industry. Look at places like Cobra Dogs and Spedelli's. Snowboarders hiring snowboarders, snowboarders helping snowboarders. The food is really good too. 

So I guess what I'm trying to say here, is that if you ignore the numbers of snowboard sales at Sports Authority and actually take a look at what makes the industry, the industry, it's in pretty good hands and generally going in the right direction. Will it stay that way permanently? Time will tell...