If a picture is worth a thousand words, surely a washed out digital polaroid of a rider’s eye view of the rockstar life you wish you were living has got to be worth a quick butchers. If you fancy stalking some famous dudes, you could do worse than to download yourself  the instagram and see them the way their iPhone sees them (other handsets are available). You could even stalk us @onboardmag while you’re at it.

Everybody imagines that their heroes live in a rose tinted world of free flowing beers and bottomless pillows, which is fortunate since nobody can resist the temptation to insta-age their life with filters, blurs and borders until it looks like you’re back in the 60s, and snowboarders are no different. What’s that you say? It’s waist deep in junk out there on the internets, possibly more than you can manage to wade through whilst waiting for a gondola, however nifty you are with the Google. Well have no fear, we’re here to help lighten the load. We’ve compiled a who’s who of snowboarders stroking their egos with the knowledge we’d rather procrastinate in their virtual company than with the real people sat around us, so you don’t have to do the legwork yourselves. Phew.

10. Kicking things off is Jamie Anderson at number ten, setting the standard pretty high for vast snowscapes and fluffy pillows we all want to get stuck into. But frankly we don’t need to know what beetroot dinner you’re eating or what colour tea you’re drinking. In fact if it weren’t for the  delicious selfies and lady-yoga shots peppered between the all the self help slogans and your dietary requirements, you wouldn’t have gotten anywhere near this list. And we know you live by Lake Tahoe, we don’t need to see the view again. I’m wondering now if this should have been a ‘top 9′ instead…

@JME_ANDERSON

9. In at 9 is the affable Gigi Rüf, an Austrian unfamiliar with this end of any competition. ‘Shred Dad’ is still keeping it real in between his trophy collecting trips in far off fluffy places as well as producing his own planks to do it on. This guy knows his way around an instafeed, mixing life on the hill with artwork, landmarks, and his mates standing by adverts of themselves on busses. What Gigi lacks in rock and roll he makes up for in stoke, which it’s immediately clear his kiddies have inherited.

@GIGIRUEF

8. Next at 8 is Kevin Pearce, the second coolest Kevin of the week. That dude’s grin must have a lot to do with why he has 9931 followers lapping up his every instamove. As our man on the ground in the FRENDS house, he’s pretty handy with the camera. After hard months of rehab pics it’s great to see some riding creeping back into this guy’s feed.

@KEVINPEARCE

7. Number 7 is Frank April, whose online persona is just what you’d expect from someone who in real life spends his days gliding down handrails like a boss and his nights necking Grand Marnier. His feed is a one stop shop for gnarly places to sleep, beer bongs on wakeboards and empty booze collections. The man’s got plenty of rockstar in him and mayhem around him – get your glimpse here.

@FRANKAPRIL

6. The top Kevin of the internet is Kevin Bäckström, our 6th Favourite instasnapper. A healthy portion of his 15,000 followers are swedish girls who seem to like nothing better than to scrawl his initials on their perfectly hemispherical buttocks in order to qualify his status as Scandinavia’s favourite rebel son to hate. In between tattoos, parties, and moody portraits, there’s snaps of lines and from events as well as plenty of reminders of his initials.

@KEVINBACKSTROM

5. Shaun White is like Marmite in whatever he does, and it’s no different here at number 5 in our oh so crucial list. No doubt he’ll be devastated with most likely his worst result of the new WST year. Those of you outraged by what he choses to dress himself in each day will get no end of amusement here, where bare chests, hawaiian shirts and cravats are just the start of it. If dog beauty pageants are more your thing or you want to know what he’ll look like in 25 years time before your man crush goes head over heels for him, you’ll be well catered for. And If you can’t remember what Lake Tahoe looks like since Jamie last reminded us, he’s got that covered too. 

@SHAUNWHITE

4. Mark Landvik is actually quite good at taking pictures which, combined with being privvy to some banger action most every time he goes riding bags him spot number 4. Silhouettes, tilt shift, double frames, you name the settings and Landvik’s all over them. If it’s too long since you were last out there getting after it, let Landvik lend you a glimpse from his drop in for you to dream a line down. Cats have been winning the internet since before it was dial-up, and mark’s is one ridiculously hairy feline. Shaun’s bulldog’s never had a chance.

@MARKLANDVIK

3. Eric Jackson takes home the bronze medal today, albeit with a little help from his friends. It’ll not surprise anyone that the man who apparently never stays still has done a few things recently that might blow your mind. Luckily for us, he had the good grace to share the stoke from along the way. He’s got fish on hooks, ridiculous lines and heaving barrels up in his page there, and a beard to be proud of too.

@EJACKSHREDS

2. Second place goes to the man with the most pets and guns in the industry, Scotty Lago. Man’s got style for days in the pipe, and he’s none too shabby behind the camera either. Also, his was the only page with a horse’s head mask, always a winner. What more could you want?

@SCOTTYLAGO

1. The biggest of the instadogs of snowboarding right now is Xavier De Le Rue. It was always going to be tough for anyone to compete considering what the Frenchman’s been up to. Then he went and dropped the ‘waterslide with a penguin’. There was no looking back from that really, was there? Big lines, big hair, and big animals are a winning combination even in real life, and right here they’re all that mattered. Hats off to you Xavier, we wish we could’ve been there.

@XAVIERDELERUE

The final installment of the Nike Snowboarding Project is live. Directed by Absinthe’s Justin Hostynek, this lo-fi, pow heavy part features Nicolas Müller, Gigi Rüf, Danny Kass and Eric Jackson and will make you want to ride your snowboard. We hit up Gigi and Danny for some chat…

GIGI RÜF

Gigi Rüf. Photo: Cole Barash

You’ve had a long relationship with Absinthe films. How did that relationship begin?

I have know Brusti as a photographer for many years, before he switched to a film camera and became part of Absinthe Films with Justin Hostynek. That was in the year 2001 when I filmed one day in Laax with Nicolas Müller. Absinthe helped many European riders to get recognition.

And what is it about Absinthe’s movies and methods that makes you want to come back for more each year?

As you propose the history that encompasses us and I must say it’s an evolved group dynamic with the same sort of vision to go about an experience.

A big part of chapter 3′s aesthetic is the lo-fi, analogue feel of the edit. How would you explain the virtues of this kind of moviemaking to a kid who’s been accustomed to seeing cineflex, 1000fps phantom cam, ultra crisp HD footage?

I would suggest to look at it the way you perceive it. It is black and white, so love it or hate it.

In the edit, you’re riding with Nico, Danny and Eric. How’s the dynamic between you when you’re riding and shooting?

That’s easy because together we have the best time possible. We know that we are some lucky fishes. So there really is not one dull moment.

For you, where do those dudes sit in your all-time list of awesome snowboarders?

High fivers no doubt.

Not only do you usually lock down a heavy absinthe part each year, you also usually produce an equally heavy part in your homies the Pirates films. Plus now you have things like this Chapter 3, and the X Games Real Snow Backcountry… we want to know: do you have an identical twin or two? How the hell do you manage to be so productive?

I probably take this snowboarding thing way too seriously.

As if you didn’t have enough to keep you occupied, last year you started your own snowboard brand, Slash. What made you want to go there?

Must be some sort of thrill that I get by constructiveness.

How has year one gone for Slash? And do you have plans you can share for year two already?

My focuses are within the four boards, refining each boards ingredients for distinct character that could divide the most relevant genres of snowboarding.

Finally, resorts are set to open imminently. Where is the first place you’ll go snowboarding this season, and do you have an idea of how this winter will pan out for you?

Well I spend the joy of the seasons splendor sucking in that clean fresh air while playing in the snow with my kids, riding my home mountain, drinking tea and eating cookies for now.

DANNY KASS

Danny Kass. Photo: Frode Sandbech

You’ve only just begun your relationship with Absinthe films. How did that come about, and what was your impression of the crew and their movies before you filmed with them?

I have always watched Absinthe videos not just for there epic camerawork but the riders and terrain they focused on. I loosely made a plan with Brusti at ISPO and once getting on a trip with Justin for the Nike project it was on. I spent most of my winter bouncing around the Austria and Switzerland with Brusti.

As we asked Gigi, how do you explain analogue filming to a kid raised on a diet of ultra crisp HD? 

It’s the complete opposite feel to something with extreme slow-mo and over set up tricks. It’s about riding in the storm and catching the shot while enjoying the ride. When I watch I can feel the trip as I’m there that moment. It’s a real movie when you shoot all year and get to see the shots put together with no replays or second trys.

In this edit it’s you, Gigi, Nico and EJack. How was that for you?

We had such an amazing crew. It’s rad cause everyone has there own style but everybody sees stuff differently. Eric is always flying off of something that turns out to be so fun. Shredding with Gigi is like going to a punk show on hill with so much good energy you know something nuts is going to happen.

For you, where do those dudes sit in your all-time list of awesome snowboarders?

For filming videos and riding backcountry/resorts they are at the top of my list. They have a style of riding that is the blood of snowboarding. Nicolas has a way of painting the slope and finding every bump and shoot to air off of.

From what you said hooking up with Absinthe happened pretty late last year. Would you be stoked to hook up with them to film this coming season? Is it already on the cards?

Yeah, I am excited to film more with them. Gonna be doing a few projects but after last season I look forward to more trips with those guys.

When we interviewed Louie Vito a while back he said you told him to ‘ride the contest train as long as you can – there’s plenty of time to film after’. Are you now at the stage where you’re wanting to devote less of your energies to competing and more to filming stuff like you did with Absinthe?

I have done a lot in the contest circuits and still enjoy riding parks and pipes. I feel like there’s a lot of arenas of snowboarding. For me right now I can dedicate more time to learning and progressing my filming side. As a snowboarder we are always chasing the storm and I would like to keep riding wherever that snow falls.

Finally, where are you going to go snowboarding next?

Mammoth mountain, CA. Come get some, the mountain’s open.

Watch some bangers from Gigi Rüf’s 8mm camera and get hyped for the final backcountry instalment of the Nike Snowboarding Project, dropping December 11.

The third and final chapter of Nike’s Snowboarding Project is set to drop on December 11, features Gigi Rüf, Danny Kass, Nicolas Müller and Eric Jackson sending it in the backcountry, is produced by Absinthe’s Justin Hostynek, and this bonus edit focussed on stuff shot on Gigi’s 8mm film camera will get you pumped for the full, lo-fi experience…

Here’s the Swoosh chat: For the backcountry chapter, Justin Hostynek and crew took things back to basics. In this bonus video, Nicolas Muller, Gigi Ruf and Danny Kass spend are captured on Super 8 film, and take some time to reflect on the changing landscape of the video world. Stay tuned for the premiere of the full edit on 11.12.12

Go behind the scenes with Absinthe as their crew of Danny Kass, Gigi Rüf and Eric Jackson hit up Arlberg, get some goods, and encounter a shouty Austrian man.

Danny Kass stepped up last season shooting his inaugural part with Absinthe Films. Kass met up with Eric Jackson and Gigi Ruf in Gigi’s hometown of Arlberg Austria. The crew set out on a mission to lock down some shots and succeeded in finding awesome features including an epic jump location. A mini War breaks out between the film crew and the locals over who gets to hit the jump—Gigi, the most un-confrontational rider in snowboarding, keeps the peace.

Have yourselves a first look at footage for the Swoosh’s three-part team video project, cunningly titled The Nike Snowboarding Project. Wallop!

Before we start waxing lyrical about Nike’s video project, look out for Peetu’s backside air towards the end of this. DOUBLE WALLOP!

Nike, it’s fair to say, are not short of a bob or two and have assembled one of the finer, all-round-ripping-from-street-to-backcountry-to-contests-to-pipe kinda teams on the planet. Look at the names, just LOOK at them. They’ve also enlisted the help of three of snowboarding’s finest filmmaking lensemen to produce three short films – Joe Carlino, Brad Kremer and Justin Hostynek – and this here is the teaser for them. A mish mash of heavy riding and dicking around that, like the team, looks like it’ll have all aspects of the shred covered.

Each filmer hooked up with a particular crew of riders and the results will be released over the coming weeks. Here’s the deets and dropping dates:

16.10.2012 – A short film by Joe Carlino. Featuring the riding of Johnnie Paxson, Jess Kimura, Halldor Helgason, Justin Bennee and Jed Anderson.

13.11.2012 – A short film by Brad Kremer. Featuring the riding of Sage Kotsenburg, Louie Vito, Gjermund Braaten, Jamie Nicholls, Danny Kass, Ethan Morgan, Jan Scherrer, Peetu Piiroinen and Austin Smith.

11.12.2012 – A short film by Justin Hostynek. Featuring the riding of Gigi Ruf, Nicolas Muller, Danny Kass and Eric Jackson.

Check out the latest at NikeSnowboarding.com/getlacedup

Peep the teaser for Blauvelt’s new 2-year project that’s set to drop in 2013. With an all-star cast backing up Jake’s mercurial shred chops, this is gonna be one for the ages.

Hold up, hold up. Things are about to get nasty. Jake Blauvelt is mid-way through shooting a two-year project that’ll feature Blauvelt’s own mindbending natural terrain freestyle, plus the unquestionable talent of buddies like Terje, John and Eric Jackson, Kazu Kokubo and more. All shot in crystal clear RED and Cineflex, this is gonna make your lid flip. Tasty.

The road’s still not stopping and neither are the brothers Jackson as they continue their continent-long roadtrip. Still in Mexico, the boys hook up with Bruce Irons and Coco Nogales for a bit of heavy barrel hunting.

Here it is, the new Absinthe movie teaser. Resonance “brings shred fans deep into Absinthe’s world of powder and powerful riding”.

Featured riders: Eric Jackson, Gigi Rüf, Nicolas Müller, Bode Merrill, Lucas Debari, Blair Habenicht, Scotty Lago, Sylvain Bourbousson, Mat Schaer, Brandon Cocard, Danny Kass, Manuel Diaz

Available in your local snowboard shop and selected theatres soon, and available on iTunes on 25 September 2012.

Here’s the full list of European Resonance tour dates.

Disclaimer: No snowboarding in this clip, but plenty of good surfing and a lot of the awesome time the Jackson bros were having in Mexico.

John and Eric Jackson are still in Mexico, giving back to some of the locals by providing shoes and food in an underprivileged area of town. Their mystery friend Panchito bids farewell, before the brother’s paddle out into some double overhead surf at Pascuales.

All other episodes here.

The brothers Jackson are still not stopping “till the road does”, and so this 8th installment sees them hit up Baja, pick up a hobo, get stuck, score a decent swell, and crack a shit pipe.