Eliel Hindert - Because I Mumble When I Talk

Coming up for Air /// Part III

2011-08-29T12:12:00.000-07:00

Over the past years I have discovered that striving for your dreams will only take you so far. It is only when you find passion and joy in that pursuit that things somehow fall into place.

When Anthony B called me asking if I wanted to go skiing I said ‘Yes’. When he asked me if I wanted to go skiing in his favorite old sled zone I said ‘Hell Yeah’. When he asked whether or not it would be cool if there were no longer sleds allowed and touring was the only access, thus making us the only people there I said ‘Let’s F’ing do it!’. When he asked if I wanted to do it all with Nimbus Independent, Julien Regnier, and for an article in one of my favorite ski magazines, well, I didn’t say anything for a moment, but my heart definitely skipped a beat or two.

One week later, and with 120 pounds of gear each, for our spines, legs, hips, and necks to labor over, our crew began a 20 kilometer tour into one of the few unfrequented areas around Whistler. Our goal, to ski some of the massive pillows that existed there while camped in a snow paradise for 10 days. And while it’s always nice to have a plan in mind, it’s often not the one Mother Nature opts for.

Julien still smiling at 14k into the tour

P// Self

While usually the issue in these situations stems from not enough snow, high freezing levels, or rain, we had a problem of a very different variety. Relentless precipitation that served to turn the landscape into one of the wildest paces I have ever seen. We were met with forty to sixty centimeters of snow everyday, for six days straight to be exact. The result was plenty of snow precariously perched and piled up to twenty feet above the cliffs upon which they rested. Bottomless enough to make forward momentum impossible except on the steepest of slopes, or sheer drops. While this may seem like a wet dream for anyone who makes the pursuit of snow they’re life, a better analogy would be to a drug overdose with no clinic for one hundred miles in any direction. Tents would cave, cook shelters collapse, absolutely nothing would dry, and without constant late night shoveling of the tent, asphyxiation became a very real issue.

One of the many, many, many pillow zones to be had

P// Self

But when the goods of all goods are only one hundred feet from your camp, it’s hard not to at least go out for a spin everyday. All too quickly the world became a wash of snow, below, overhead, in your face, and completely surrounding. The next few days were some of the deepest skiing I’ve ever encountered and with skiers who I’ve looked up to for as long as I can remember to boot. Eventually the call to leave was made on Day 6 as we’d just discovered a new zone of pillow madness. Not because of conditions, or group attitude, but because all the camera equipment had simply stopped working. Long days in the relentless snow had melded with cold nights in the tent to produce overly fogged lenses, frozen mechanical parts, and batteries that would respond to nothing short of a holistic resurrection. So leave we did, but stop we did not as we ventured to the Duffy Pass north of Whistler for the next four days where more pillows were discovered and dealt with accordingly. When it was all said and done, everyone was equal parts stoked, exhausted, and pleased with the results, perhaps a pinch of sore to toss in for good measure. Look forward to the Nimbus episode coming out this September, can’t wait to share the fun, and especially can’t wait to make it back to that magical place.

The rest of the season came sweeping forward as the snow scales once again fell in favor of Utah and I made my fifth trip back home for the season. Eighteen hours of driving, along with way too many cheesy puffs, and I found myself on the tails of a massive storm that had just left Utah and left spring sunshine in its wake.

Twin Peaks at Sunrise en route to an epic day at Wolverine

P// Self

Met up with Carston Oliver and company to shoot hits and lines that would usually scare the piss out of me, but having a good friend on the same level makes everything almost unreasonably comfortable.

Spines do exist in Utah despite popular belief

P// Carston Oliver

Spring pow and hometown homies, nothing better

P// Mike Schneider

“You’re gonna do that too aren’t you?” Cody Barnhill to me after Carston had just tossed a Cork 3 over a thirty-five foot cliff and into a less vertically inclined landing.

“Yup”

“Might make for a better photo if you just straight aired,” piped in Keith over the radio.

“Not gonna happen.”

Carston setting the pace for the day in Utah

F// Self

Final touches on an oversized booter while the sun plays hide and seek

P// Self

That pretty much sums up Carston and I when we go skiing. Unreasonably similar and irresponsible at the same time.

From those days it was back to Whis one final time, where I ‘d plan to transition back into spring shredding and park riding until June as things heated back up. But sure enough I was met with an email when I got home, asking if I wanted to go ski some powder this summer, and if I could speak Spanish. With all questions like this it’s best not to let you brain muddle up the situation with unruly things like logic, reason, responsibility, and financial constraints.

Chili anyone?

Coming up for Air /// Part II

2011-08-16T10:08:00.000-07:00

And inhale. Before you know what hit you’ll realize you’ve been trying to breathe, eat, and drink, nothing but snow for too many days to recall. Your body aches, fat reserves have been depleted, eating patterns digressed into something resembling that of a 5 year old sugar fiend, who’s only drive to eat arrives when there’s no more light to play. And while the smile remains, like any, and I do mean any, junkie on that glorious white stuff will tell you, the need for rest is all too real.

Taking it all in, and taking a quick breath

P// Adam Clark

The mid-season marker has grown to be something that has everything to do with skiing, and at the same time nothing at all. Located in the heart of downtown Denver, under the glow of fluorescent lights, pitter patter of notebook carrying entrepreneurs, and false smiles a used car salesman would be proud of, you’ll find SIA, the snow sports tradeshow for North America.

Hanging with the Surface boys of the US and Japanese variety at SIA

P// Mike Schneider

I could write ad infinium about the ups and down, rights and wrongs, and hilarious times that SIA has to offer. But instead, I’ll just leave it to the professionals with a little insight from the boys over at BroBomb.

Coming back to the real world of skiing, I found myself more excited and refreshed than a 10 year old at a water park. But all too quickly dreams to ride on the backs of snow cats, wings of helicopters, and all to the soundtrack of a two stroke engine slowly disparate just as fast as they came. One trip falls apart due to weather, another due to poor planning, and eventually entire companies can fall apart around you. The only thing that is certain is uncertainty here. But there are a few things you can always rely on more often then others. One being that you’ve still got two legs and a world of possibilities to let them run wild in.

So what to do? Run north and jet around Canada for a month with your best friends, stoking out, and freaking out people and places of all shapes and sizes. The medium for all this nonsense you ask? The Surface Canada Tour Part Deux of course. For five weeks binding screws were turned, free gear was tossed, plenty of new friends were made, and moustaches grew in alarmingly sketchy styles.

Underage, and under-rated. These Revelstoke young bucks are killing it!

P// Scott Titterington

Surface Tour Revelstoke Edition

F&E// Shayne Metos and Scott Titterington

Intermingling that with trips back to BC where some of the biggest storms began to pound the coast, and you’ve got a season in full swing once again. The calendar serves only to take up space on the wall, as responsibility once again falls to the wayside under the boot soles of amazing new zones, even better friends to ride them with.

Coupled all that up with a run back to Utah to compete in the Utah Shootout, a seven day photo competition in my home hills. To make things even better, Andrew Strain, and Jake Cohn from our Deep Winter team had shown up to compete. Icing on the cake came as the draft format of choosing teams commenced and luckily nobody knew who the hell we were so Strain was able to snatch both of us up, and reform Team Steamtrain for a round two.

Getting creative with STEAMTRAIN during the Shootout in the Alta backcountry

P// Andrew Strain

Over the next seven days later we had more fun, more dawn patrols, face shots, wild nights, classy appetizers, shots of crown, and amazing times than I could have imagined. The Kicker? We got awarded with 2nd place, and one thing I have to say on this subject is that absolutely nothing can top going out in something like this and killing it with you best friends. Then you hear it's snowing back in BC, so what do you do? Hit the road running. Well driving, running that far would be mildly ridiculous.

Back to pillow dreamland, Whistler, BC

P// Adam Clark

Whistler pillows at their best

F&E// Self

Then just when it feels as though things can’t get any better, and your standing on top of 1000 feet of untracked pillow lines, your phone rings. (Ring) Your with everyone you want to be with so who could it be? (riiing) Why is this damn thing on anyways? (riiing) Nothing could be as important as this here right now. (riiiing). While usually you would never pick up in this situation, you do, and to say you are glad you did becomes the understatement of the century.

(Riii-) “Hello Please?

(Continued in Part 3)

Coming up for Air /// Part I

2011-07-10T07:54:00.000-07:00

The act of forgetting is the best part about coming into a new season. You are able to fool yourself into thinking you left off well beyond your reality. Simply allowing fear to leave, instinct to take over, and that all too familiar cycle of ‘turn, turn, slash, drop’ to just fall back into place.

New season, blank canvas. Time to get paintin'

P// Adam Clark

This past season was no different, with La Nina taking all the hype, literature, and speculation surrounding her and simply backhanding it with a non-stop flurry of early, mid, and late season precip.

End of term finals were re-scheduled, papers were postponed, and doctors notes were forged; all in order to match up with the unruly nature of the winter season.

At this point reminiscing is kept strictly to photos, videos, and my own daily comments, which do the job of bringing me back to those moments in the simplest ways.

(DAY 17) Whistler Classic Pow Shred, VD gnar with Miz, Callum, and Nathe. Epic bonzo lap with former crew plus Leboe and Bibby. FUN!

-Exerpt from my Daily Journal

Day after day of hot lapping with friends new and old, quickly melds in my mind with sled missions, and filming sessions.

Dendrite Studios Winter 2011 Storm Season from Whistler Blackcomb on Vimeo.

Dendrite Studios 'Storm Season' edit. What a storm season it was

Before I know it I’m back in Utah and after 24 hours of straight driving, 0 sleep, managed to score 22 inches of fresh pow, and 1 pissed of Mom who realized I’d bypassed saying and hi and giving her a hug, as I raced up to Brighton to meet all the old friends and Surface crew.

The homies, very similar to a bag of skittles about to get dropped

P// Mike Brown

This tree broke three of my ribs two seasons ago, figured I owed it one

P// Mike Brown

A one-week trip home quickly turned into two and a half, as someone left the snow faucet running. Going dawn to dusk everyday, and shooting with the Surface boys and the perpetually stoked Adam Clark for the new catalog. Always some of the funnest days of my season as it’s no different from adventuring out around the local stomping grounds with your best friends.

Surface Catalogue 2011 from Adam Clark on Vimeo.

Surface Catalog Shoot edit, AC is the only person who can shoot a catalog and an edit at the same time

F&E// Adam Clark

Behind the scenes of making photos look extra sexy

P// Mike Schneider

If you want more than one, you've gotta work for it. Or through it

P// Mike Schneider

Going for the tree 'high-five', and feeling the love

P// Adam Clark

Coupled that with some time with on the Sweetgrass program around Alta and Brighton, where the endless young, middle-aged, and young at heart talent seem to be doubling every season I come back. Not to mention seeing those amazing friends you grow up with, start to break out and strive their own creative path wherever it may be. All you can do is toss out a high-five and a ‘hell yeah’ as you watch the potential run wild.

Vibes B (alternativevision) from Shayne Metos on Vimeo.

Grouphome December edit, look out for these boys killing it for some years to come

F&E// Shayne Metos

Onto the next one

P// Adam Clark

And so went the cycle for the first part of my season, running back and forth from Whistler to Utah, time after time, coffee after coffee. Living a double life for that wintery mistress, and loving every minute of it. Getting of taste of victory in my first comp since I was 14. This time in Whistler with Mr. Andrew Strain at the Deep Winter Photo Competition. We ripped, we roared, lughed, froze, and yelled. At the end of it all we walked out with a 3^rd place finish, but more importantly we walked out as a group of friends together. Team Strain. aka Steamtrain!

Team Andrew Strain Deep Winter Wrap Up from Ryan Regehr on Vimeo.

Behind the scenes of Deep Winter with STEAMTRAIN

F&E// Ryan Reger

Homies, lunch in caves, and snowball fights. Best comp ever

P// Andrew Strain

Yeah, pretty stoked, like really pretty uber f'ing stoked!

P// Andrew Strain

But as with all good things, realities of life have to be faced, trial and tribulations dealt with, and rolling with the punches is the name of the game. Now that I look back at it, the act of forgetting is always great, but it’s the act of learning that really defines us.

And the most important thing I learned this season?

“It’s only after everything goes wrong, that the real adventure can begin.”

- Yvon Chouinard

(Continued in Part II)

Coming Up for Air /// Intro

2011-05-07T14:47:00.000-07:00

In seed time to learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.

- William Blake

Recalling the winter season has become an annual tradition of sorts amongst nearly everyone I have met who calls this seasonal sport a passion. A time to take those daily recollections amongst friends and strangers alike, and extend them to an entire winter of trials, tribulations, and travesty. To look back with the 20/20 lens of hindsight and remember the fun times, failed attempts, and experiences you never thought would come about in your wildest dreams.

Day 1, stoked

P///Scotty Titterington

So here in a short medley of parts are those moments, remembered, pieced back together, enjoyed, and probably embellished. I make no guarentee that they will reach the present moment before life sweeps me away again, but that just goes with the territory of the vagabond I guess.

Day 100, not much has changed

P/// Self

Some call it a 'best of', others simply say it's gloating, but I'll be honest with myself and call it like I see it. That is, being swept up in everything and everyone that makes each and every Winter so amazing, and only having the rare fleeting moment to slow down and look back when all you really want to do is keep charging forward.

Splash to the Face

2010-11-08T12:47:00.000-08:00

Coming into the winter season, nearly everyone who makes the winter months the center of the rest of their year will tell you about the crushing emotions associated with the wait. The anticipation, anxiety, longing, and the endless attempts to ignore the whole thing in hopes that the season will just sneak up on us without realizing it.

The methods of coping are endless and well documented; the urban ice rink lurkers, the weather report addicts, the shred movie groupies, the a lil' too-early grass and rock shredders, and the notorious and often self-deceiving 'I don't care and it will come when it comes' folk.

I've been guilty of all of the above, and I'm sure I'll try a thousand more before my times up.

But once those first sights of snow finally do show up, it's something magical. A little click occurs in the brain and I feel like a different person, a complete person once again.

With that in mind I headed up these past few weeks to enjoy some early season turns outside of Squamish in the Diamond Head area. Dropping freezing levels and optimistic forecast checking prompted myself and a few hungry friends to hike through the mud, rain, and fog in hopes of finding a thin layer of snow to quench our thirst.

Old Skicks, Fresh Look, Fresh Precip

P///Aaron Schwartz

Strapping up and hoping for snow

P///Aaron Schwartz

A few hours, and several ponderings on what the hell we were doing here, we were greeted with the first sights of snow. A vision that was compounded more and more with each step until we arrived at the conclusion that 'holy shit winter is here!'

First steps, looking real artsy

P///Aaron Schwartz

Snow line, slap dem' skins on

P///Aaron Schwartz

Simply seeing those first fresh layers of snow on the ground, gave the feeling of a fresh start and a new year in myself. A new snowfall, you've ridden it before, but never this exact one. Hell maybe even a few of the flakes in this one have already found their way under your skis or into you face during another pow day of a season past. Then traveling the world via jet stream and gulf stream alike, only to make it right back here to play once again.

Jake-Cohn.com getting deep on day one

P///Aaron Schwartz

Shredding was accomplished, slashes were thrown, flips and spins stomped, pillows were popped, leg hair was lost, and blisters were gained. At the end of the day it was the same old fun, as if we'd never left. A quick splash of water to the face to wake us all up and offer a kind reminder of why we keep coming back.

First Backflip of the season!

P///Aaron Schwartz

Colin, already stacking that footy

P///Aaron Schwartz

Stoked, just stoked

P///Aaron Schwartz

Big thanks to Aaron Schwarz for all the photos, fresh doodles on the skis, and good times. I'll miss ya this season homie. This one's for you.

Splash to the Face from Eliel Saarinen on Vimeo.

The Twitching Monkey

2010-10-28T11:23:00.000-07:00

If you have a passion in life you know the feeling. If you're also hyper and have way too much energy then you really know the feeling.

That severe emotion that follows not the act of doing, but the act of not doing. That little bit of emptiness and unrest that comes from not being able to partake in whatever true joy you may find in your own life. It's a sensation that leaps and bounds around one's mind, startling in it's power to affect your actions, emotions, and overall view of the world.

For me it comes in the dead of summer, right when everyone is out enjoying the sun and bounding about in summer activities, I find myself with a little reverse seasonal mood disorder. No snow equals no ski, no ski equals way too much unfocused energy and a want for something that I know won't arrive for months and months.

Over the years of I've luckily found a way to mature in my dealings with this by well... being extremely immature. Genius right?

Monkey in action

Monkey reaction

Jumping, playing, climbing, slipping, sliding, flipping, spinning, surfing, skating, and a whole plethora of actions that keep me sane during the summer months. Usually this still translates into a vast excess of energy that keeps those around me either highly entertained or increasingly annoyed.

The 'monkey' as he is referred to by those who hang around with me the most, and getting swept up in any and every moment is what he does best. Whatever the consequence I have a good time letting that inner primate run wild in the summer and no matter the ends it always seems to bring a smile to face and a giggle to my voice.

Monkey see

Monkey do

So here's to you monkey, keeping my summer's sane, and stoke for life alive.

Selkirk Wilderness Catskiing

2010-05-18T17:46:00.000-07:00

So maybe I’ve been slacking on the ol’ blog a little bit. My reason? Nothing good really, but I’ve been busier than I ever thought possible during shred season and I couldn’t be happier. I could rattle off the events of the past few months, but that would be no fun, check out the vibrant images, colorful language, and moving pictures below to see what’s been up.

Making sure to spend any free time I have surrounded with awesome people, meet the Cambie House crew

I’ll kick things off with Dendrite’s, and my own, inaugural Cat Skiing trip.

Morning commute

The destination, Selkirk Cat Skiing located deep in the intricate system of dirt covered and furry animal littered heart of BC. Maxim Arsenault and Chris Turpin made up my car and after seven some odd hours of driving, a late night bowling trip to Revelstoke, star gazing inside the wrappers of A&W burgers (seriously try it), and 100k a dirt road driving while trying to heard elk and birds with a truck, we finally found ourselves in Meadow Creek, BC. I’d say look it up but this place is far from easy to find.

Maxim and Turpin checking out other galaxies courtesy of A&W

Every morning I was glued to the cat windows with too much excitement for my own good

I brought all my usual camping supplies and food expecting to get stashed in a side room of some distant log shed, but things panned out a little differently. Instead we were greeted with more delicious meals than I could believe, untracked pow as far as you dare to look, masseuses, yoga sessions, and even 4 o’ clock appetizers. Plush doesn’t even begin to cover it.

A far cry from the standard pasta and oatmeal

But all amenities aside, this place has the goods. We kicked things right off with deep pow, cascading pillow lines, and multi stage goodness.

Turpin and I pretty much played add on with pillow lines all week, crazy results

This trend continued for the next several days, with more stomps than I can even begin to recount. Spins, flips, drops, flaming trees, rope swings, road gaps, explosives, bloody faces, tweaked knees, and Selkirk tea sessions, all came into play but rather than go into too much detail, I’d say just watch the movie. Let’s just say it’s mo’ better than my writing.

Perspectives #9 - Selkirk Wilderness Skiing from Dendrite Studios on Vimeo.

Also for another perspective on the whole trip here's Dendrite's take on the whole experience. dendritestudios.com/2010/04/selkirk-wilderness-skiing/

All said and done now, but I can’t wait to get back up to this spot next season. Big thanks to all the guides putting up with our nonsense, and lodge crew for putting us all up and inflating our bellies well beyond the legal limit. Cheers boys and girls, cheers.

Powder Stoke! Yeah it makes me a bit crazy

Dendriite Studios

2010-03-15T23:18:00.000-07:00

Been filming all this season with a truly inspiring and talented group of people. They call themselves Dendrite Studios and simply put, they kill it.

They've been releasing a series of webisodes throughout the season called Perspectives. Call them lil' gems of visual delectibility...with some epic shredding tossed into the mix of course. This is all leading up to their full feature release coming this fall.

Between these shorts, the footy being stacked daily, and the lines I've been fortunate enough to witness in person, I can say with serious confidence that this flick is going to melt some faces, blow some minds, and maybe even ruin some lives. We can only hope.

Anyways without any further adue, here is the most recent clip featuring myself and Chris Turpin. Head over to www.dendritestudios.com to the rest of the optically delicious goodness.

Perspectives #6 - Ten Years from Dendrite Studios on Vimeo.

Riding the Ditch to Fernie

2010-03-02T11:58:00.000-08:00

Left Calgary after dark and started trying to get to Fernie as fast as possible for some freshies the next day. All was going well and we were enjoying the moon lit drive, until the road made a right and the truck...well the truck kept growing straight.

We killed a road sign

Two-hundred feet of plate ice, one road sign, and a roadside ditch later and we found ourselves kind of immobile.

Avy shovels, getting it done

The truck was fine and so were all it's inhabitants, so we started laughing, that was until we noticed about four or so crosses and various memorials in our impromptu ditch of death. Strain booked it up the road to try and wave off the flurry of 18-Wheelers barreling down the road and skidding right towards us in the ditch. All the while the rest of the crew was digging the truck out with images of massive semi's tipping over onto us, scary.

Not the friendliest site, in the ditch o' death

Finally the tow truck showed up, then the cops, and after convincing them that we weren't drunk and I wasn't an illegal alien we were on our way.

Getting the tow up and out

Free at last as the cops finally bail

Finally at Rob's place in Fernie at about 4am, going to try and scrape a few short hours of sleep before the resort opens. Peace

Remember, If you can't dodge it, RAM IT!

Four hours at the C.O.P. Killer

2010-03-02T11:09:00.000-08:00

Woke up, lost an hour to good ol' Mountain Standard time and found ourselves in the first and only stop outside of BC, welcome to Calgary. Lucky enough to be staying with the young buck Rob Heule in his intercity abode, and even luckier that Rob and his entire family can seriously cook. Breakfast of champions doesn't even begin to describe it.

Double checking to be sure their really is snow here

Sketchy crew ready for a day of shooting and knife fights

After a nice lil' breakfast I was shocked to learn that this flatland mecca has a ski hill, and what's even better? It's called COP! So we put our park faces on and drove through suburbia, as rob kept telling us that amidst all this cookie cutter beige houses was a shred hill. Sure enough he was right, and rising out of the sea of suburbs came a glorious strip of white goodness.

Crazy view from the top of the C.O.P.

Just hangin'

As far as parks go this place is fun as hell. Solid jumps and jibs, plus quick chairs make for hot laps all day. Got our jump on, jibbed whatever we could, and even had a fun ass hand-plant session, possibly my new favorite trick.

Handplants, so hot right now

So many follow-cams so little time

Rob even busted out his GoPro for a couple laps and we managed to catch some shreddage magic, enjoy.

Surface COP Slayer from rob heule on Vimeo.

Afterward we got to swing right into the city of Calgary and check out some sweet shops around town. Fresh Sports was first up to bat, and this place is sweet. Steve over there is a great guy and aside from having some sick product, they've also got some of the orginal Salomon 1080 prototypes posted up on the wall.

She even glows in the dark

Now it's back at Rob's place getting packed to head off to Fernie, icy roads ahead but I'm expecting good times.

I'll Kick You in the Horse

2010-02-23T09:39:00.000-08:00

Two days of Revi are said and done, and it’s up early once again to head off to Golden, BC this time. A blanket of fresh snow with more on the snow is something that almost always gets me stoked as can be. It just puts a minor damper on things when you have to drive over one of the gnarlier mountain passes in that storm.

Sick for shred, not for driving

Terrifying

Several white-knuckle hours later we roll into the parking lot of Kicking Horse to find an epic scene of pow as far as the eye can see.

Peanut, tour mascot, stoked to ride

Unfortunately we run into a slight snag when a paperwork technicality means we can’t demo at Kicking Horse. O yeah and tickets? Those are out the windows too. So what do five shred bums with ADD do? Buy tickets…nope. Wait for a phone call so we can demo…no sir. Drive as high as we can on the hill, start a barbeque, and build jumps off houses…YAHTZEE!

Joel Whalen, poppin' ones

Kind of like a hood ornament for a house

So jib we did and after too many hotdogs for our own good we headed back into town. I could talk about it but just peep the video from Revi and Golden, for a better idea. Courtesy of Jah Raven Creation.

Quick Cut - Surface Demo does Revy and Golden. from Jah Raven Creation on Vimeo.

Back in Golden we stopped by 180 Board Sports for a quick waxing session on all the skis. The boys there hooked us up with access to their shop, which just so happens to be inside of an old bank vault, epic I know.

The crew chillin' in the vault at 180

Wax on, wax off, chug coffee

After some 20 odd pairs of waxed skis, and more coffee and shred stories than we could believe, we were out the door and off to Calgary.

Revel in the Stoke

2010-02-10T20:00:00.000-08:00

Limping into Revelstoke at some time before midnight we found ourselves at our new temporary residence for the next few days. About a quarter of the way through the tour and still no hotels, count it! The residence belonged to Photo Strain’s aunt and uncle and let me just say I never though people so into taxidermy would be the nicest people on earth.

What better place to lift weight, than next to the dead bears? RAR!

The seven odd bear pelts on the wall were complimented with a nice warm fire and dinner, the wolf carcass splayed on the wall contrasted by the eerily similar dog walking around the house, and the countless antlers on the walls only went right along with the Revelstoke feel in the end.

The wolf beast mounted on the wall

The Shayne beast mounted on the floor

Woke up at the crack of whatever to find a nice little sprinkling of powy goodness on the world around us and quickly made our way to the hill. After meeting up with Surface shred dogs, Joel Whalen and Rob Heule, we made our way into the only building in the immediate area and made our way up the hill to enjoy our first demo free day of the tour.

Team Surface gondi ride

Joel Whalen 180'ing over the powder waterfall

Revelstoke as a place and as a mountain is simply dope as hell. Japan pillows under the chair go hand in hand with the cliffs, drops, and tree jibs as far as the eye can see. Nothing is really permanently closed and the pow is always in full effect so long as you know where to go. Even the cat tracks back to the lifts have some of the funnest wall hits and mini jumps along side of them to keep us ADD kids entertained.

Fresh drops for everybody!

After the fact, 50 feet down and one pillow tap in the middle

The following day the name of the game was demo, and demo we did. Tent was up at the top of the Gondola and the masses couldn’t have been happier. Having cliffs right next to the demo tent made for some good times as we were able to session em’ up in between tightening screws.

Back to work

50 feet from the demo tent, taking a lil' break

The highlight was definitely the kids out on the hill. Lil’ ripper not just ridings, but tearing the mountain a new one with skis twice their size. Revelstoke breeds epic so watch out. Next stop Golden!

Big thanks go to Strains Aunt and Uncle, everyone at RMR, as well as Jim Bay and his entire family for showing us around the hill, and having us for a great dinner. Can’t wait to come back.

Silverstars on the Horizon

2010-01-19T21:44:00.000-08:00

Gotta start this one with a big shout out to Surface homie Neil from Alberta. We met Neil while shredding around Apex. He then trekked right along to Big White on our coattails and hooked it up with power tools and saw horses, key to any demo. Now we’re at Silverstar and Neil might as well be part of the crew. In the parking lot with us as soon as we get there and ready to shred around for the day.

Neil, loving life and rocking out with Surface

No demo today so the shred was on and shred we did, in fact so much shred that just about zero photos or frames of footy were taken. Low light, snow coming from the skies, and cold cold weather. Soul shred is damn good, love it, live it, do it.

So much stoke on the New Life, get on it

All you really need to know about Silverstar is that the park is immaculate, the trees are pow filled, and the houses resemble gingerbread houses.

Mild sampling of the crazy colours of Silverstar

This was also the first stop we actually decided to assemble our BBQ grill. Some parts went unused and other were broken in the assembly process, but everything seems to work and nothing has blown up yet so I’m calling it a success.

Assembly required, this may be trouble

Leftover pieces, NBD

Final product, very worth it

Unfortunately Neil will be leaving us today due to a wallet and cell phone lots to Ullr. I have no doubt he’ll be back and ripping in no time, send it buddy.

Finished off the night with a visit to Attridge Ski and Board in Vernon (fun shop with shred sticks of both the single and double variety), a hot tub at Andrew Strains parents place (Shayne got his backpack stolen out of the truck, bummer), and finally a warm nights sleep in non other that one of my favorite places to ever be touched by snow, Revelstoke.

Big and White

2010-01-19T20:58:00.000-08:00

Off through Kelowna in the dark once again, destination, Big White. Bluebird morning was complimented all too well by the harmonica rendition of Piano Man by Andrew Strain with Shayne Metos playing a backup snoring machine.

Sing us a song, you're the piano man

Big White is defiantly something else, just as you think you’re on the mountain, the hill becomes a city in itself. We found a nice spot between all the shops, stops, and props to finally nestle down in for the day.

Nestled in tight but still looking fresh

Dark figures about to drop in off the ridge behind cliff chair

More stoke, more demos, and more shred were to be had by all. Took a couple laps with Mr. Strain and after a lap through the banger park we found ourselves on possibly the windiest ridge of our entire lives. Boards had to be tied down, shred sticks were flying through the air, and I’m pretty sure I saw at least one small child soaring through the sky.

Windy much?

Yup, definitely still blowing

Once we dropped off though we managed to find some real fun snow and cliffy-poppy zones to mess around in for the afternoon. Amped on the freshies two days after a storm, always a sign of a chill resort.

Sunny pow slashes, always the best

Once again we packed up late as our new homies rode their skis to the bitter end of the day, and then we were back to Kelowna.

Moustaches for all!

Shop of the day definitely goes to Venture Sports in Kelowna. Any shop can sell touring gear and skis but Venture has Alyn, the head honcho heading out for 6am tours before coming into work for the day. Also got some good knowledge on backcountry access in the area for future reference, those guys know their ISHT.

Last night in Kelowna and stocking full of candy and junk food are on the menu. I’m too excited for words right now.

Very excited, yes. Very tired, also yes

Apex is Spelled E-P-I-C

2010-01-14T17:24:00.000-08:00

Up early once again and the boys are already feeling exhausted with the schedule. Driving through the sunrise in the Okanogan always has a great vibe about it. Maybe it’s the massive lake, sprawling hills, or maybe just the fact that the towns have epic names like Peachland (delicious) and Summerland (kind of boring in winter).

Looking to be a very familiar scene

After a quick stop at Cambodian tire for some BBQ supplies, delicious brats, and some random thievery we were off to the winding road of Apex Mountain. The always knowledgeable Andrew Strain told us all about the Natives creating road blocks around the reserves as a silent protests, and we immediately became convinced that we going to be trapped in the mountains for weeks.

Looking too good, these needed to be shredded and shredded they were

Gettin' pumped for a day at Apex. SPORTS!

Luckily this never happened and we soon found ourselves in the bluebird pow that was Apex mountain.

Pulling right up to the hill, very literally

Quick laps to the ridge with sun and beauty on all sides

The riding was great, yes, the snow was awesome, true, but the people here are something else. Everyone was so excited that we were there and just stoked to get out and ride on something new and fun. By the end of the day I’m pretty sure everyone on the hill had ridden every ski at least once and all of our arms were just about as sore as our legs.

Everyone stoked to shred and our forearms getting sore

Looking back down the majestic mountain

Poppin' pillows

Made a quick stop by Pentagon Board Shop in Penticton, and aside from finding some coffee to keep us alive for the drive home we also ran into some awesome Ontario folk running the spot. Not to mention a sneaker wall that can’t be beat.

By the time we hit the road we had given out more bandanas, stickers, and stoke than we thought was possible and thankfully a hot dinner was waiting to meet our exhaustion back in Kelowna. In fact I’m off to eat that right now. See you in Big White.

Strain is hilariously tired

Big thanks to Jonathan and everyone at Apex, Neil from Alberta for just being awesome, the Orage boys for some new threads, and the entire Pottinger family for putting us up and putting up with our shred stank.

Fast Times at Grouse Mountain High

2010-01-14T16:44:00.000-08:00

So many skis to mount, so little time. Big thanks to everyone at North Shore Ski and Board for not only letting us demo out of the shop but also help out in mounting the entire fleet for the tour. Epic shop over there with some really great people, go check it out if you’re ever in Van.

Last of the mounts, so many screws to tighten

After a couple of skis had been demoed out and a couple homies had shown up, including Sir Andrew Napier (official title pending) of 4bi9, and Big Chuck D Grinell of Stigsby Enterprises, we made our way up the hill. Fun park day with some real clean setups all over the hill.

Decisions, decisions by Max B

Hold up…

Shayne’s Side of the Story:

I awoke in a hazy stupor to Eliel craning over me, aglow, basking in all the uncontrollable stoke his ADD can bring at 7 AM. Rain down on me all the fury the Ass Crack of Dawn can bring! 45 minutes later, enraged and intoxicated from last night’s party I left a slimy trail from my comfortable nook on the couch to Eliel’s Lumbering Dodge Ram. Immediately upon entering the vehicle I passed out awakening once again to Eliel demanding I help him apply a giant //SURFACE sticker to the side of the car while we got a bed cover for the ram. Eventually he gave up, (bad choice) and we moved onto Northshore Ski and Board (Holler!) to mount the skis.

Animal 4bi- Tees

So dirty, so good

Blacking out once again I awoke around two hours later to see Up Chuck Grinnell aka Casey Stigsby the 3^rd rummaging for snacks in and around the car, I think he found a pulled pork sandwich under Eliel’s seat which would make my day too (May or May Not be True).

Laying down the vinyl for the Surface-mobile

El was in hustle mode so I grabbed some sushi and we were off to SHRED grouse.

Breakfast of champs on the tailgate

Tram ride getting us above the clouds

The team was all time. Strain on the photo, Nasty (Andrew) Napier slaying all the rails no one else could, Max on the new lifes, and myself…uhh…there. (Sort of).

More animal tees. This time... KITTENS!

The weather was prime as was the snow. We slayed. See Pics for the explanation.

S-Slayage over the city (Napes)

Killer backdrop at Grouse, always mind blowing (Eliel)

Lean Back

New Lifes in the park and killin' it! (Max B)

Grouse is sick. End fragment/Shayne Blog Hi-Jack

…umm yeah. So now we’re on the road headed towards Apex and the deep snow that just got laid on them in the last system. Until then!

Whistler Days and Cinnamon Bear Nights

2010-01-13T23:03:00.000-08:00

Always feel all too fortunate to roll back into my home away from home, and have a great crew of friends to ride with and an epic set of storms lined up.

Pow shots, even in the gondi

Came back to find a nice blanket of fresh and plenty of good friends to ride with every day. Whis pow, whis pillow, whis, cliff, yatta yatta yatta. The real joy here always comes from finding those epic people to share those amazing places with. Whether it’s old friends like the Nuu Life Cinema and UBC homies or old heroes like Anthony Boronowski, it’s those people I get to share these times with that make this lifestyle so amazing.

Front Flip!

Shayne 'Sketchy Stache' Metos sending it

Alex Filler, going mondo method in Whistler BC

New Years came and blew through with good times around Whis village avoiding $100+ covers and raising as much hell as possible via late night snowball brawling, hot tub shinanigans, and general drink scamming.

Zero gravity tram ride with Jake Cohn, Alex Filler, Shayne Metos, and myself

Filler taking grease shots for the team

www.jake-cohn.com enjoying some dirty snacks

All the pow has been shralped and a new system is on the way but we’re off to Bellingham to meet up with Steve Anderson and smuggle a couple more Surface Skis goods across the border. Moustache tour tomorrow!

“What on earth do you need 17 pairs of Skis for?!”

2010-01-10T20:19:00.000-08:00

Beat the sun to the front door this morning, and made one last trip to Causwell for some massive Surface stickers and way too many lil’ ones to pass out along the Surface Canada Tour.

View out the front window of the car en route to Causewell (p:Shayne Metos)

The always stoked and always legendary Mike Schneider (p:Shayne Metos)

Have made this drive too many times now it seems, but it always keeps me on my toes. After some eight odd hours of the divine, diverse and delightful state that is Idaho we finally found snow. Oregon got even better with a massive snowstorm and about twenty plus cars in the ditch along the highway.

Favourite direction for sure

This is pretty much how Idaho looks from start to finish on the I-84

The mode o' transport and the all too necessary energy drinks

Finally hit the border around 4am and tried to explain to the border guards why two college students on vacation needed seventeen pairs of skis, a snowmobile, and way too much energy for that hour of the day. Thankfully they let us into the country after an hour or so of questioning, a full car search, and some general harsh words.

Crazy waters and weather outside Portland (p: Shayne Metos)

‘O Canada!’ Off to a bowl of poutine and a long days sleep. Night.

Midnight Prep

2010-01-06T02:56:00.000-08:00

If the journey is the reward than we’re looking at one hell of a good time. Been prepping all day for a departure back to Canada and getting ready to kick off the Surface Demo Tour Eh!? Throwin’ slashes and growing staches!

Made our final stop by Causwell at the base of the infinitely epic Big Cottonwood Canyon to pick up some goodies from Mike and the whole crew over at Surface.

Come check this place out, epic shop

So now with the car packed and our cheddar stacked, Shayne and I are ready to head north and start another epic journey.

Shayne with his stacks shortly before his car died at the bank, sick getaway

New Journey, New Reward

2010-01-05T01:03:00.001-08:00

I'm not 100% sure why I'm here, but I hope I can instill some knowledge, stories, and general good times on any and all people, small critters, and general individuals who stumble upon this lil' guy.

Enjoying life has its look

I personally am young and may have little to offer in the ways of deep insight into the world. but I hope that through these rantings and possible ravings we can take that trip as one and hopefully both attain that insight along the way.

P.S. I heart skiing, the mountians, and life in general. As such a lot of my posts might just be weighted towards those wonderful things and the people that exist around and within them. Enjoy