The Cover of All Covers!


I'm very pleased to announce my latest cover, SNOWBOARDER Magazine's 2011 Photo Annual.  In the photo world this is kind of the cover of all covers.  I couldn't be happier right now.  This shot was taken in March 2010 at my cabin in Silverton, the Bonnie Belle.  Such a stress free, fun trip!  We had easily one of the (at least for me) best days of the year shredding, the shooting was epic, and we even got a few noboard laps in on the side.  Easily one of the best trips of last season.  Thanks to Scotty for hitting this rock that he actually didn't want to hit (Could have been his boot), and thanks to Huggy for finding a nice spot for it in Volume 23!

So a little back story that goes along with this.  If you've ever hung out with Scotty Arnold you know its usually filled with non stop laughter, whether its the things spewing out of his mouth or something that he does or maybe even doesn't do.  Well on the last night of the trip, he failed to keep an eye on his boots the night before while drying near the wood stove. The room starting getting super smokey...in a bad way, like I had never seen before.  Something was up.  By the time we found the problem Scotty's boot was toast, literally.  The next day he wasn't even sure if he was going to be able to ride.  We convinced him a little duct tape should do the trick.  So Scotty bagged his foot in a grocery bag, and then pried the deformed boot onto his foot.  Fully taped up, he was locked in and ready for the last day of our trip.  So glad in the end it all worked out.  Would have been such a bummer to have not gotten this shot.  I think Scotty will agree.



Winter Day 1

Winter came in with vengence this year.  I've been hearing the reports from Cali to Washington to Utah and so on over the past few days of some serious snowfall.  Yesterday I headed up to Loveland Basin with Nic Drago, Madison Ellsworth and Mike Casanova to see if the reports were true here in Colorado.  About half way up to the Eisenhower Tunnel the snow became nuclear.  Its was straight up pounding and it didn't stop all day.  It was hard riding the chair at Loveland looking down at all the pristine snow covered slopes that appeared more like February than October.  For the limited terrain that was open we found pow slashes, trees to bash, mini airs, and even a few rail features in the early-season park.  After double digit laps at Loveland we railed back to Breck because our homie Austin Julik-Heine had alerted us that we was in the process of setting up a jib over a river, and we should come shred and shoot it.  It turned out to be a really cool feature and we all ended up walking away with bangers.  Sometimes I have a hard time coming around to Winter.  It usually hits so early up here in Summit County and I'm always wanting a little bit more summer, or even fall for that matter.  After yesterday, I'm 100% stoked and Ready!  Bring it on....

A huge thanks goes out to John Sellers and Dustin Schaefer at Loveland for taking care of us!

















ANTPM

ANTPM or America's Next Top Pro Model put on by SNOWBOARDER Magazine on Mt. Hood's Palmer Snowfield just wrapped up, well it did 10 days ago and I'm just getting around to putting this up.  A fun week of snowboarding, Cobra Dogs, swimming, BBQin, skatin, long nights at Charlie's and a couple of Snack Attacks too.  Truly a fun week and I already look forward to next year.  Here's a couple random picks from Govy to the Glacier....


Flying into PDX takes you very close to Mt. Hood.  Arial view of what was to come.


Clouds....


Wing....


Oregon Hills


Cobra Dogs.  A Government Camp staple...



The first on hill event was the high ollie.  Keegan Valika won with this 5'2" Ollie.


Generator



The second contest was best jib.  Joe Sexton tore it up and won.  This is not Joe.  This is Chris Grenier.



Huggy.  AKA "Salsa Davis Jr."



The third even was spin to win.  Clancy spun and won.  Seen here.


The new logo



Laura Austin said this photo sucked.  Well Laura I think its sick so there.  Chris Grenier again.



T-Bird, AKA Bean Fartin from France mid Snack Attack!



Who says if you live in Bear you can't ride pipe?  Bradshaw proving the masses wrong.


Who says you can't shoot fisheye from the opposite side of the pipe?  Dodds proving them wrong too.


Colorado Black Eagle.  Very rare in Oregon.



Chillin on the Glacier is sick.  Just drink lots of water and use lots of sunscreen.  I paid the price hard.



The final on hill event is the Chinese Downhill.  Lots of fun to watch thats for sure.



The final event was the silent auction for Charity.  The pros put their boards and what ever else to entice campers and who ever to bid on their stuff.  Bradshaw started what could be considered a somewhat "fishy" charity called the Hell's Anglers (It helps supports fish habit in southern California he claims), and was under the assumption that if he won the auction he could donate to the charity of his choice, The Hell's Anglers.  So he put 4 boards, some boots, hoodies, etc on the line and won, however it was the overall winner who got to choose the charity not just the winner of the silent auction.  Sorry Bradshaw, maybe next year.   



Campers chowin down...


The remnants.



More remnants of dinner.



I really like this shot.  Just sayin'



High Cascade drying rack.



Pros and one lucky camper.



Sad Huggy



Not Kobe Bryant



Charlie's closing Party.  L2R.  Frank Sinacho, Snack Daddy, Bean Fartin



On the last day I headed out to Trillium lake.  Just what I needed to numb the pain from the closing party.



Dan Marino in his element


Superpark 14

Its that time of the year again.  Yes Superpark.  Hard to believe that this event is now 14 years old.  And yet it still does not get old.  Lago spotted here blasting on the hip.  Th features include a slue of step downs, ranging from about 40' to 80'.  A 100'+ gap, a tranny pool contraption with hips, jumps over hips and 1/4 pipes to 1/4 pipe linkage, rhythm section, another 80' step up and a 30' 1/4 pipe.  Its going to be a good week.  Stay tuned for more or log on to Snowboarder Magazine for daily updates.

Edit, edit and edit some more

Well its that time of the year for most snow photogs.  Time to edit the years pics down to the bangers and doctor em up for the magazines.  Came across this little self portrait I took on one of my many trips to the midwest.  Its funny what you find yourself doing in the down time between shots.  This is one of those moments passing the time.

Women in Wonderland

I got the call in the middle of my Sims shoot to head down to Silverton to link up with a Roxy/DC all girls crew consisting of Robin Van Gyn, Raewyn Reid and Erin Comstock.  Amber Stackhouse was there to film, and Heikki Sorsa came along too for support.  Super fun crew!  Its been awhile since I've been able to focus on the women's side of snowboarding and I must say I was impressed.  It was great to mix it up and I couldn't have asked for a better crew to end my season with.  Well, I have Superpark in Mammoth and then thats it for me, but essentially this was my last trip of the year.  Time to head back to Summit County, get my edit on, and relax a bit!

This coyote was curious what we were doing in his zone.  Luckily he didn't front too hard. 

Cool Boarders 2010

Idaho is a wrap.  After sessioning one of the bigger jumps I've seen hit in person, our trip into the Idaho BC is done.  This jump measured somewhere in the ball park of 80+' in length with a similar or longer drop.  I felt that the angle shown here makes the jump look a little bit smaller than that but at the same time it really worked so I went with it.  This is Lago's first hit, where after he stopped yelling and screaming in a state of pure excitement he said something to the effect of, "that was the most amazing thing I've ever done.....that was some cool boarders shit."  A pretty strong statement consider he just took home the bronze medal in the HP at the Vancouver Olympics a mere month ago.  After this he stomped two B/S 360's and we were out.  Such a good way to end the trip.  A huge thanks to Cory Smith at Smith Optics for putting us up at Smiley Creek Lodge.  I will greatly miss the home cooked meals, country hospitality, and general good vibes of this amazing place.  Until next time.....

Lago, flying like an eagle....



"That was some Cool Boarders shit!"

U Da Ho

Actually its pronounced Idaho.  Made it to the lovely land of potatoes in one piece and am glad to be back in this neck of the woods after not making it up last season.  Cory Smith has some big things going in his backyard zone of Smiley Creek, but don't think you can just roll up here.  The zone is on private property and without the proper credentials you could get messed up quick!  Trespasser's beware!

This is not a line you want to cross if your not invited.

Cabin 5 is treating me good so far.

Robot Food was here.  Well actually Pierre Wikberg and Eddie Wall are in the crew and working on content for their new website www.videohypershred.com.  Keep checking in as it should go live any day now.  Its gonna be sick...

Just put it on my Master Charge card.

Tunnel Vision

The rafters

Lago is the shit.  Congrats to the best damn bronze medalist I know.  USA!!!

CB

Made a quick pit stop in the Crested Butte region of Colorado before heading out to Idaho.  Otterstrom said he had the inside track to some new zones in the area, and the weather looked good.  So we made the call and B-lined it over for a quick one and a half day mission.  I have to say it has been a few years since I have been to Crested Butte, and it is as sick or sicker than I remember.  Its kinda like a mini Jackson.  Also very similar to Aspen, but without all the bullshit.  The mountain is for real, and the backcountry is just as for real if not much realer.  Not sure that's a word, but it's a dope spot to say the least.  Lots of pillows, cliffs, big lines, and even some kicker zones all in the mix.  One interesting thing too is the fact that they are really feeling the recession here.  No one can find work so everyone is moving out of town.  This in turn has made property extremely cheap.  I found a 3 bedroom, 3 bath, two car garage condo for $175,000.  That is unheard of in Colorado, and on top of it, in a mountain town.  I mean that is cheaper than Denver.  Makes me wonder if I could pull off living here.  Hmmmmm.....

Otterstrom hiking to the goods.....


The locals have a real good thing going out here.  10+ acres with this sick Airsteam trailer.  Not a bad way to kick it in the BC if you ask me.

Home Sweet Home

I've been hunkered down at home the last few days wrapping up some work for Vail Resorts.  It has been beautiful weather and I have been able to get a lot done just getting out for a few hours each morning.  Yesterday was especially early.  Up at 5am.  The reward was watching the moon set while the sun came up on the Ten Mile Range.  Needless to say, the shot I needed came together well with these conditions.  Below is a photo of Steve Fisher in the Freeway Halfpipe from later that same morning.  Next Stop Utah, then Idaho.  Until next time...

The Land of Enchantment

After a few days at home in Summit County, I'm back on the road in the American Southwest.  Home was a good refresh.  The snow really turned on and was able to get out for a couple of pretty fun pow days.  I also linked up with E-Tree from the magazine (Snowboarder) for a resort shoot at Copper Mountain with Erich Dummer, Madison Ellsworth, Brett Esser and Eric Willet.  It was a fun day and Willet is an absolute destroyer.  Park kid only, you might ask?  Well it was my first time watching him shred pow and the kid has skills for sure.  Monday I got up early and headed down to Monarch and with over 40" reported in the last few days it made for an epic day of soul shredding.  Yeah, I went solo and I coudn't complain in the least bit.  It was so good!  I might add that out of the 40" reported over the last few days 17" were reported overnight.  It was a much needed day to say the least.  At about noon and after 20+ laps I peaced out and headed south to meet back up with Erich Dummer and Madison Ellsworth at an undisclosed location in the American Southwest.  Feet upon feet of snow have fallen here in the last week and it is without a doubt a record year for this region.  Monday afternoon proved to be a little too hairy to make anything happen, considering it was dumping and avalanches were everywhere within sight.  We awoke to a bluebird clear sky Tuesday and got after it.  We were able to set up two features, the second one taking a few hours longer than expected, but I think it'll be worth it.  Wednesday should be good if all goes as planned.  Stay tuned for an update tomorrow or the next day....


The sond feature we set up today.  We didn't think it was gonna take 6 hours to build but we stuck it out and I think is going to shoot amazing.  
The crew after a very long day.  Beer anybody?

Probably the best hotel room I've stayed in ever.  Aside from maybe a suite or two.  Sauna included.

Isn't it February?

I'm pretty sure it is February but it sure doesn't seem like it.  I've been able to log about 20 days that I would consider a shooting day so far.  Maybe 25 if I stretch it.  I usually log that before the new years, but something is different this year.  Its like everything is working against me.  It has been a hell of a year so far with near death accidents, avalanches, deep snows, no snow, rain, epic...ly long road trips to nowhere, and the list goes on and on.  Bjorn Leines seen here looks back up to see what went wrong, only to see that he's lucky.  Lucky to be able to look back up the hill at all (2 feet further and he would have made tranny I might add).  So does anyone know when things are going to improve this year?  I'd love to put it in my calendar for future reference.  On the flip side I could be stuck in the rut of an office job or even worse no job at all.  All in all life is good, and sometimes a quick reflection of where I am and what I'm actually doing is all it takes to put your head back in the right place.  I'm already looking forward to tomorrow!  Something tells me its gonna be sick...

TNF

I would like to thanks The North Face for a great couple of days of shredding and shooting at Silverton Mountain, CO.  I had a blast riding with Mark Carter, Johan Olofsson and the entire crew!  We even landed the heli at my cabin for for a quick lunch.  Not bad at all.  I will now be enjoying a few down days at home before I start a two day shoot for Vail Resorts.  Stay tuned....

Brain Farm and WY

Going out with the Brain Farm dudes is a crazy experience to say the least. Watching filmer Gabe langlois zip out over a canyon 100' off the ground was pretty intense, let alone the riding of Travis Rice, Mark Carter and Kyle Calncy. But Gabe (along with the entire crew) is a true pro and it didn't even seem to faze him a bit. I can't wait to see the shots he got this day. You know they're gonna be sick!

The twilight Zone...AKA...The yellowstone Club

Legends past, present and future. Carter, Rice, Warren Miller, Justin Timberlake, Scott Schmidt from left to right. Thats what the Yellowstone Club is all about though. Well sorta, but you sure do feel kind of special just hanging around there. I mean the first person we met when we arrived at the "Warren Miller" Lodge at the Yellowstone Club was indeed Warren Miller. It was weird for sure, but so dope at the same time. And talk shit if you want, this man changed the face of "snow sports". Believe me when I say we (the industry as a whole) probably wouldn't be making and basing our winters around making snowboard/ski movies if this man hadn't done what he did for so long. Seriously things would be way different and I have much respect for him. And to have Scott Schmidt guide us around the mountain was a little unreal. I mean he also changed snow sports forever. I mean do you remember the iconic black and yellow North Face suit he was famous for wearing dropping 100' cliffs in back in the early 90's? Straight up amazing, and again much respect. Or maybe it was the insanely meticulous customer service, complimentary what ever you want or whole mountain to yourself mentality of this place. With sick terrain I might ad too. Either way this was probably one of the raddest two and a half days of my life and I will definitely be back sooner than later. If you ever have a chance to, visit this place, DO NOT turn it down. You will forever regret it. Probably the biggest challenge you will face is re-adjusting to normal life after you leave.