We just got this from our friend Mathieu Crepel who’s currently in Alaska shooting for Absinthe: CanAlaska, the gold search.

“Alaska is always the ultimate pilgrimage and the last chance to get shots for your part. But more than just this it’s a true experience against yourself and nature that you have to respect even more than everywhere else to enjoy it at its most., This year is even more so because we decided to explore a new zone where no one ever rode before. No comfy heli-skiing lodge, no hot showers, no toilets but the woods… just our little motor homes parked on the side of the road., In these conditions you learn to live for the group not just for yourself. When you’re out in an untouched territory all that really matters is to get back at the camp safe at the end of the day. We took the first days quite easy to understand the snowpack try to find the good spots and make a game plan. And then the party started! Every morning you have that knot in your stomach, knowing you’ll have to face those huge mountains and glaciers, that fear that keeps you safe, but also makes everything so much more enjoyable and at the end of each run you just have that incredible feeling that can’t compare to anything else., Then you have a few bad weather days where the pressure fades a little bit and you know you’re not gona risk you life for a while and can enjoy the wilderness of Alaska., Chasing bald-eagles, fishing or at least trying, disk golfing, bbqs by the beach…, We’ve been here for 3 weeks and didn’t really think about when leaving! I guess summer and surfing will have to wait a bit more…”

- Mathieu.

Also check Mathieu’s website and his facebook page.

Mission Accomplished – Vans Hi Standard series successfully brought some style to European snow resorts. Paying homage to the roots of the brand, Vans introduced a new concept in ‘competitive’ snowboarding for 2013. Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of Vans’ first snowboard boots, the Hi Standard series aimed to bring the fun and style back to competition. Events took place in major European snowboard resorts throughout March and April, and featured an original big air format and rail jam. Riders were judged on individual style, creativity and ‘self-expression’, whilst to keep it clean, rotations over 720 were not permitted.

More than 200 riders, old and young, boys and girls, amateurs and seasoned pros, were battling for Van Doren Dollars in France, Austria and Scotland. The judging criteria strictly focused on style, variety and creativity – and of course, fun factor; having a good session together, enjoying a BBQ and celebrating the true spirit of snowboarding is all that counted over these few days.

The Vans Hi-Standard kicked off on March 12th in front of the infamous restaurant ‘L’Altiport’ in Les Arcs. During this round, the French riders could get their hands on 2,000 EUR cash for tricks, bringing out their best with style.

Moving on to Austria’s hotspot of snowboarding culture, Zillertal, the second stop of the series was a prime example of the “off the wall” spirit, with a perfect balance of competition and camaraderie, interspersed with some great riding.
With the resort having supported the sport at its best, there could not be a better location to host this event than the Vans Penken Park. Local support from those riding, watching or simple soaking up the atmosphere, was fantastic.

The morning of the 23rd of March kicked off with the big air and soon one rider stood out of the crowd: Austrian hero Herby Thaler, whose smooth methods are unequalled within the scene, pocketed some Van Doren cash straight away. His performance was closely followed by Gabor Abonyi and local shred heads Rudi Kröll und Friedl Kolar, who threw in some impressive one footed tricks. After lunch the bank of Vans reopened over at the rail set for another jam session. This provided the perfect opportunity for Betty, the only girl in the competition to really tackle the rail section, unleashing smooth b/s boardslides on the handrail with style.

Flo Heim walked away with the days biggest stash of cash, whilst 15year old Rowan Coultan achieved the title of „Rookie of the Day“. Finishing off with a tasty Californian BBQ and live act MC Henry Jackson performing at Grillhof Alm it was crystal clear that everyone there had a great time!

The last stop of the Hi Standard series took place in Scotland’s beautiful Cairngorm Mountains, on April 6th. The local park crew had created a truly epic set-up, perfectly for a comp of very high standards. More than 50 riders signed up, with the youngest being only 8 years old! Scottish locals Jamie Trinder and Danny McCormick were killing it, while 10year old Will Gilmore impressed the crowds with his no fear approach.

Overall 9,000EUR was awarded to the snowboarders who performed with style, rather than spinning to win, but also the best tricks and rail jam riders were also rewarded for their moves, and not to mention the worst bail!
For the 2012/13 winter season one can say that Vans accomplished it’s mission; the newly created Vans Hi Standard series successfully brought back some style to European snow resorts.
Visit www.facebook.com/VansEurope/events for more information and pics.

And also check out the Vans Hi Standard video edits:

From France
From Austria
From Scotland

All our previous posts on the Vans Hi Standard Series on this tag.

Danny Kass rocking the new Skullcandy Navigator.

This month, Skullcandy is officially launching the new Navigator headphones. The Navigators are a smaller take on last year’s well-received Roc Nation (Jay Z’s label) Aviators and a truly perfect balance of performance and style. So let’s take a closer look at this bad boy.

Yes, spring is officially here and most of us are already switching to summer mode. This, added to the recent launch of Skullcandy’s brand new baby, made it obvious that the Navigator is the new ‘Product of the Week’. But first of all, let’s speak about Skullcandy, for those who’d still have their products to discover – you never know…

Founded in 2003 by Rick Alden in Park City, Skullcandy has been pushing the boundaries of how we listen to music on the go, and especially on a board, whether it’s on concrete or snow. Now the company is registered on the Nasdaq, the most dynamic stock market in the world. This fact only, make Skullcandy a brand part from the rest, being at the crossing of two industries that are close to our (and your) heart: action sports and music.

Kazu Kokubo, also part of the Skullcandy snow team.

Ok, that being said, let’s take a closer look on the product itself. These days we use headphones so ubiquitously that they can be as much of a style statement as the trainer brand you are loyal to – and the Navigators are here to earn your headspace. The highly researched ergonomic design means that, put simply, they are designed to be put on, and to stay on. You don’t even have to take them off to take a phone call, as the Navigators have that all-important built in Mic3 technology, allowing you to change volume, talk to your friends and pause tracks at the touch of a button.

The Navigator in white.

Like all new Skullcandy headphones, they are designed with the company signature’s ‘Supreme Sound’ – created by Skullcandy’s very own Golden Ear, Director of Electrical & Acoustical Engineering, Dr. Tetsuro Oishi – attacking bass, diamond clear vocals and crisp high ends are integral to the Navigators. They have been designed to sound great across all genres, so whether you want to listen to bass driven dubstep, heavy rock or uplifting folk, they have it covered.

The Navigators hold so much bespoke technology inside them that it seems impossible that it could all fit into such a compact size – barely the size of a pair of sunglasses when folded. The highlight being the finely tuned 40 mm REX40™ driver, custom designed by Skullcandy to deliver extremely smooth sound with near-zero distortion.

The 40 mm REX40™ driver, custom designed by Skullcandy.

To be complete on the subject, check the presentation video that Skullcandy posted to launch the Navigator.

In short, the Navigator have it all – comfort, modern dynamic style and awesome sound. Trust them to steer your course, whether you’re trotting the globe or just on your way to work and want some great headphones to listen to your tunes on. Quality audio performance, with distortion-free deep bass response at high volumes. Cool design emulates Aviator sunglasses, includes inline microphone and remote for phone calls and controlling playback. The detachable cable is also something to notice, and make it, for less than 100€, one of most stylish piece of gear you could rock this summer.

On top of these product specifications, you can also go further and find out more on the Navigator facebook app.

Also visit skullcandy.com, or join facebook.com/skullcandy or on Twitter @skullcandy.

Finally, check this tag to see our recent Product of the Week reviews.

If you’re selected through the famous game of rock, paper, scissors you have to perform a trick first. All other participants have to repeat the trick. If you can’t stomp the trick you’ll get a letter of the word “shred”. The person to be the last without the full word “shred” will win. The entire snowpark will be our playground.

Important: Everyone offering a ride to Kaunertal on our website by Thursday, 25th of April, will enter a prize draw to win 2 x 2 day passes for the Kaunertal Glacier!

Registration starts at 10.30am at the go-shred tent next to the park lift.

Prize-giving and after party including a freestyle battle at 9pm in the Piffalm!

http://go-shred.com/events/286 

More behind the scenes footage with the last bonus edit made by Advita for the first edition of The Overall that took place in Les Diablerets last December featuring VonZipper, Nixon and Advita in an ultimate battle for victory.

Advita Team : Fred Couderc, Kuba Dytkowski, Mizhael Ståhlberg and Stepan Rokos.

Check all the Overall videos on this tag.

The first edition of the LM Spring Fighter – TTR 3star – took place in Les Menuires, France, here’s the full report.

The winner Enzo Nilo, Cab 9.

For this first edition in Les Menuires, Pony Up events, from Pyrenees mountains with his famous Poney Session came to Alps with his staff: Greg Poissonnier as speaker, Fred Egli as official photographer, Kim Multimedias as video production, dj Skillz as official dj, Dekaudio as sound engineer, and all the staff organizers.
The day 1 started with stormy conditions ! Despite the near blizzard conditions, riders were able check out the bigair, and test the jump.
With the sun on day 2, riders showed off their best skills and tricks. But 2 riders impressed both crowd and judges : french rider Enzo Nilo with these switch back 9, cab 10, doble back flip, front10, front 9, back 9,switch back rodeo and more ! And how about Alessandro Boyens ,with his massive style and these cab9, cab 10, cab 12, double corked back ! The vegetable lover JJ Roux complete yet another podium, congrats to him too!

Marc Grossgasteiger, Front 7.

Place and dates: Les Menuires (french alps – “les 3 vallées”: le plus grand domaine skiable du monde) – 30 & 31 march
Riders: 22 snowboarders, 5 nationalities were represented: ITA, UK, GER, FIN, FRA.

Results:
1-enzo NILO (fra)
2-alessandro BOYENS (ger)
3-JJ ROUX (fra)
4-raphael ROUX (fra)
5-felix CADIOU (fra)
6-marc GROSSGASTEIGER (ita)
7-benno PLANK (ita)

The podium.

An event supported by Les Menuires, Dakine, Von Zipper, Sevabel, Opel , ESF, Virgin radio.

Also check the dedicated website.

All photos from Fred Egli/Poney Up.

You’re female? You’re into snowboarding? Then head over to Kitzsteinhorn/Austria this weekend for the unique opportunity to ride with Cheryl Maas! And don’t forget to sign up in advance!

The Snow keeps dumping and we’re actually not so sure if April really means springtime anymore. What it for sure does mean is snow and this makes us stoked to still be riding. If you are, what you really should do is grab a couple girl friends and head over to Kitzsteinhorn, Austria on the 13th of April for a great day of riding with one of the worlds top female snowboarders, none less than Cheryl Maas. 

Volcom, Nitro and Kitzsteinhorn have teamed up to provide 20 lucky snowboarders with free lunch and Cheryl Maas as their private coach for a day on the mountain. Just sign up, show up and be ready to shred. 

Schedule:
10:00am – Meeting at Easy Park
10:30-12:00 – Coaching
12:00-13:00 – Lunch break
13:00-14:30 – Coaching

Remember, there’s a limited amount of spots so sign up now via email at office@kitzsteinhorn.at 

We’ll see you soon!

Max Gschwindt. Photo: Sebi Madlener/QParks

Even if spring keeps knocking on our doors, there’s no way we’ll put our twin tips to rest yet! Instead, we started a neat spring session with a bunch of shredheads, making sure that our media crew was covered with tons of sweet footage. The impressive result can be marveled at in the video edit and the bursting gallery!

Majestically covered with a touch of fresh snow, the MINI Snowpark Feldberg sparkled in the glow of the morning sun on this fine day in March. Idyllic in a way – if there hadn’t been park designer Kristof Heidmann & Co, who only seem to be shaping the park everyday anew out of one objective, and one objective only – to engage in a massive shred session and to destroy the park by every trick in the book! Well, that’s an intention we really dig, so we simply couldn’t wait to give the shape crew a hand on this smoking bluebird day. Sport Bohny Team Rider Marco Volz was also on the same page, so he grabbed Dimas Lauinger, Benedikt Baur, Gabriel Spalek, Max Gschwindt and their boards and headed straight for the best park in the Schwarzwald. For hours, both the park and our media crew were bombarded with a firework of sick jibs and spectacular spins. Even after their hundredth run, none of the riders showed the least sign of exhaustion – must be due to the fresh Schwarzwald air or something! What did show, however, were brightly grinning shredheads who simply couldn’t wait to hit the next run.

Kristoff Heidmann. Photo: Sebi Madlener/QParks

Local Marco Volz is especially stoked about the versatile setup that Kristof and his guys have conjured up into the slopes of the Feldberg – so we’ve grabbed him for a little interview at the end of the session:

Hi Marco! You’re up at the MINI Snowpark Feldberg on almost any weekend – how do you like this year’s setup? What do you think about the new MINI obstacles and the Bohny Wallride?
Yeah, I try to spend as much time as possible in the park, as long as my studies still allow me to do so. This year’s setup is just awesome and the jib line can compete with any other line in the Alps! Like every year, Kristof and his guys are doing an outstanding job, always giving it 100%. Many of the new MINI obstacles as well as the Bohny Wallride have been customized by Schneestern especially for the MINI Snowpark Feldberg – if that’s not more than enough reasons to shred as often as possible at the MINI Snowpark Feldberg!

What’s so special about the MINI Snowpark?
Even though you don’t see a lot of the guys during the (way too long!) summer time, at the season opening, it always feels like you’ve just spent the last Sunday shredding together. But to get away from all this emotional touchy-feely talk, the park is sick and has something in store for everyone! Additionally, the park has had the best kickers I’ve ever jumped in the Schwarzwald!

Together with the shape crew, you’ve made quite a few edits in this season – can we soon expect a spring edit?
We’ve been quite productive during the season and we’re definitely working on a spring edit! Here you get a little overview of the park in moving pictures – as well as the promised and upcoming spring edit!

Dimas Lauinger. Photo: Sebi Madlener/QParks

Well, do you feel the urge to pack your gear and head straight for the MINI Snowpark Feldberg? No?! Then maybe you should have a look at the impressive gallery, into which we’ve put the best snowboard shots of the day! Whoever’s still not motivated then should definitely watch the spectacular snowboard edit – and you’ll never wanna go home again!

For more information on the MINI Snowpark Feldberg, visit our park website or follow us on the MINI Snowpark Feldberg Facebook Fanpage.

The DC Shred Days are back in Meribel Mottaret to illuminate the Area 43 park for 3 days of shred and parties with the DC All Star team.

From the 3rd till the 5th of April 2013, the aprk will be open to the public every day from 12pm till 7pm, so you’ll get the chance to make some laps with you favorite riders. BBQ on the park too. Then After Ski in La Folie Douce, and Dj Parties at Dicks Tea Bar, and event a concert at Meribel Club Les St Peres. Get ready for 3 days of radness, and see you there!

And go like the DC Area 43 Mottaret Facebook page.

 Get ready for the 2013 European Peanut Butter and Rail Jam Championships on the Saturday 30th March, in Avoriaz, France!

The qualified riders from all around Europe in the four gang categories (15 and under, 16 and over, Girls, and Open) will brawl for the 8000€ prize money plus the 500€ Electric “Gooeyest move” prize.
On top of the mad rides and good times, there will be as always giveaways for all and some extra prizes from Volcom, Electric and Nitro!

Qualified riders only to compete in this event, but supporters and spectators are welcome!

For complete PBRJ tour info, video, photos, results:
pbrj.volcomeurope.com

SCHEDULE

Saturday, March 30:

10h: Riders check-in at the Piste Dromonts (center village in front of the tourism office)
12h00-15h00: Free BBQ
11h30: Qualification heats, live webcast
15h15: Finals, live webcast
16h15: Prize ceremony, live webcast
17h00: Après Ski in Avoriaz
21h-Late: After party in The Cavern, Morzine

Watch the teaser here. This year the event will be broadcasted live at this address.

Use the GO-SHRED platform to save gas money. Log onto www.go-shred.com to share or find a ride to the Euro PBRJ Championships.The Peanut Butter and Rail Jam is Volcom’s amateur snowboard contest series. The goal of the series is to give something back to the kids. (Beware of copies out there, this is the original!) Deviating from the established way of running snowboard contests, we came up with a fresh format. Instead of having three rails in a row, we put them side-by-side to create a rail zone. This boosts the energy level and fun nature of the contest because everyone is together, riding, hiking, and watching in a big group.

There are 4 divisions: Girls, 15 & under, 16 & over and Open. Winners from every division go home with loads of prizes while the Open division winners receive prizes as well as cold hard cash. The contest runs in a jam format so there are no scheduled runs. You can hit each of the rails as many times as you want during your 20-minute heat. Judges only score tricks you land, so you don’t need to worry about falling. The event is absolutely free to enter, on a first come first served basis, and boasts tons of free prizes, free drinks, free food and Peanut Butter & Jam sandwiches! Also, Everyone who enters walks away with some prizes!