Last week, yours truly Onboard Magazine travelled to the Austrian valley of Montafon for an all-new event concept called Nike Snake & Hammers. Nike and the Montafon had conjured up a banked slalom cum slopestyle course that was open to everyone who felt like a few fast turns, slow spins, and slushy transitions. The aim was to snake down course as fast as possible while dropping their best „hammers“ along the way. The course was a combination of numerous turns and banks, the park included a stairset, side by side kicker setup, big bowl, a gap through a snow tunnel to a straight rail, a creative halfpipe and a small hip. In our humble opinion, it was the laid-back park design that made the event stand out, as punters, media, and pros alike were eager to get their edges dug into the banked turns and snake pipe walls.

Stephan Maurer on course! Photo: Cyril Müller

Despite the challenging weather on the first three days (snowfalls and high fog) the vibe was outstanding, as the course was as inviting and fun to ride as it gets. On the day of the finals the sun came out, many pros and legends alike turned up and made for an unforgettable day on the mountain. Nike pros like Peetu Piiroinen, Jamie Nicholls, Kevin Backström and Spencer O’Brien were joined by an illustre crew of riders like David Bertschinger Karg, Enzo Nilo, Stephan Maurer, Nico Droz, David Benedek and Steve Gruber.

Peetu Piiroinen is attracted to big kickers. Phto: Cyril Müller

When the judging was complete on the day of the finals, Christian Haller (SUI) showed he had the best mix of balance, speed and tricks winning him a share of the $10,000 prize purse. With a race time of 01:25,10, frontside lipslide on the gap downrail, frontside 720 tailgrab off the kicker and many other tricks he claimed a deserved win. Spencer O’Brien won the women’s contest by snaking down the course with her well documented power and style with the best hammer award going to Jamie Nicholls who threw a perfectly stomped backside 1080 off the kicker.

Snake & Hammers winner Christian Haller coming out of the tunnel of doom. Photo: Cyril Müller

MEN
1. Christian Haller / SUI 2. Stephan Maurer / SUI 3. Peetu Piiroinen / FIN

WOMEN
1. Spencer O’Brien / CAN 2. Nicola Thost / GER 3. Aline Bock / GER

BEST HAMMER: Jamie Nicholls / ENG

Further information about the contest and the complete ranking are published on www.snakeandhammers.com.

A bird’s eye view of the park. Photo: Cyril Müller

Sebi Geiger’s back with another of his Different Direction webisodes. This time him and Thomas Feuerstein hit up Bad Gastein with the aim of hitting only natural features.

“We built just one little jump,” says Sebi, “and the rest was built by nature. With our guestrider Thomas Feurstein we traveled to Bad Gastein for 4 days to film this edit. Hope you like it!”

facebook.com/sebigeiger 
sebigeiger.com
nise.at

Now go and check out Day by Day chapter 1.

Riders:Thomas “Fuego” Feurstein, Lisa Filzmoser, Nicholas Wolken, Stephan Maurer René Schnöller and Alvaro Vogel
Filmed by: Martin Potocnik, Neil Mowbray and Pirmin Juffinger
Additional cameras: Richard Prendergast
Edited by: Richard Prendergast
Produced by: Alvaro Vogel
Special thanks: Car Danchi Crew, Catskiing Canada, Monashee, FWA, Revelstoke, Val Senales – F-tech,
Sponsors: Burton, Nitro, Volcom, Drake, Northwave, Fanatic, Oakley, Thirthytwo, Etnies, Spy, Planet-Sport and Apo
Cover Picture: Rudi Whylidal
Rider: Thomas Feurstein
Check out: truecolorfilms.com
Follow us on: facebook.com/truecolorfilms
Or on Instagram: truecolorfilms

Riders in this edit: Stephan Maurer, Nicholas Wolken, Alvaro Vogel, Rene Schnöller, Thomas “Fuego” Feurstein

We caught up with Nicholas Wolken, ”son of an Australian nurse and an American ski bum who got stuck in a small Swiss village while traveling Europe”, who is part of the True Color Films crew and had an exceptional season. 

Can you tell in your own words what the project Day by Day is about? 

It’s basically about a bunch of friends who love snowboarding, traveling and searching for the best snow and terrain.

You make solid appearances in all four parts. How come your season was that productive? Why did things work out that well?

I just had so much fun and felt the urge to ride deep snow. That and my snowsurf powboard from Fanatic gave me a lot of inspiration. [laughs]

Which trip stood out for you during production of Day by Day?

Each in it’s own way, I like riding steep and deep so Canada was super fun in that sense. Then Japan for the unreal snow quality and cultural experience. This year was my first heli trip in Norway (Tamok), and riding long fast lines like the ones we did there was a big dream come true for me, so I was super happy about that, too.

What other True Color Films rider did you enjoy spending time with most?

I like spending time with all my buddies from True Color, but I was definitely really happy to get to ride with my longtime friends Mu (Stephan Maurer) and Alvaro (Vogel) in Japan. The coolest thing is meeting all these awesome people on the way like Antti, Janne, Ille and Timo who brought me to Norway or all our car danchi buddies in japan!

And what’s coming up for Nicholas Wolken in the season 12/13?

I hope to ride as much powder as I can with my buddies, but its going to be hard to top [laughs]. My biggest dream is to ride Alaska, so I hope I can find a way to get there…

True Color Films is a group of individuals with years of experience in snowboard culture. It is a non-profit film production based on the vision of all its members: riders, photographers, filmmakers and friends. True Color Films is an open-minded film crew that gathers together all the

www.truecolorfilms.com

Check out the facts:

Movie premiere at Leokino, Anichstrasse 36

Doors open at 8:30 P.M.

Movie starts at 9:30 P.M.

Entrance 6 €

After party at Studio 21, Karmelitergasse 21 with DJ JUWEE – WAX WRECKAZ

Doors open 10 P.M.

Entrance with film ticket : 2 €

Without film ticket: 3 €

The new Teammovie from the austrian label LOVE. Featuring: Marc Swoboda, Seppi Scholler, Markus Keller, Dominik Wagner, Gulli Gudmunddson, Kurt Rubik, Senad Grosic, Thomas Feurstein, Clemens Schattschneider and Matevz Pristavec.

Have yourselves a gander at the teaser for all-Euro film crew True Color Films latest project, Day By Day. Maurer on that Fish… ooof!

The new teaser for True Color Films just dropped and it’s looking good. In one word? Powder. Featuring the riding of Stephan Maurer, Nicholas Wolken, Thomas Feuerstein, Rene Schnöller, Lisa Filzmoser, Christoph Weber and Alvaro Vogel the movie’s set to drop in autumn, so keep a look out for more news closer to the time.

Finally, a new Nitro Roadwarriors edit dropped, once again featuring Nitro Snowboards’ upcoming shred force. This season is all about the epic snowfalls in the Alps at the beginning of the season.

Riders:
Tobi Strauss
Benny Urban
Dominik Wagner
Basti Rittig
Max Horn
Aluan Ricciardi
Michael Macho
Thomas Hörhager
Steve Krijbolder
Thomas Feurstein

More news from the Kitzsteinhorn…

Boys and Girls, attention please! Grab your snowboards, come to the Snowpark Kitzsteinhorn and show the camera your best trick! Nitro and Moreboards call for the photo contest “Best Shots” in the Snowpark Kitzsteinhorn! There is exclusive stuff to win from Nitro & Moreboards, as well as a guaranteed memorable three-day trip with the Nitro Road Warriors team! The snowboard pros Thomas Feuerstein and Peter König explain how you can participate in the Snowpark Kitzsteinhorn “Best Shots” contest.

No matter which obstacle you choose, kickers, rails or boxes – come to the Snowpark Kitzsteinhorn until the 31st of January, shoot a photo of your best trick, let the Facebook community vote for it and win:

1. Prize: A Complete Nitro Gear set consisting of a brandnew Nitroboard, including a Raiden binding and Nitro Boots
2. Prize: A Nitro Outerwear set consisting of jacket and pants
3. Prize: A Nitro Raiden bindings

SPECIAL PRICE: The most creative and unusual shot will be selected by our judges and win a 3-day trip with the Nitro Road Warriors team. The journey leads either to a street trip or a park shooting.

PARTICIPATION BEST SHOT:

1. Come to the Snowpark Kitzsteinhorn until the 31st of January 2012
2. Pick an obstacle – no matter which: kicker, rail or box and show your fattest trick.
3. Let your dudes take a photo of your trick.
4. Send it to bestshots@qparks.com – enter your name and photo title.
5. On 01.02.2012, you will find an App on the Snowpark Kitzsteinhorn Facebook Page where your pictures are added for the voting.
6. Now it’s up to your friends and acquaintances to vote for your picture, because even among all voters fat goodies are raffled.
7. On 15.02.2012, the voting ends and the winners will be announced!

Be creative! We are looking forward to seeing your pictures and wish you terrible fun at the Snowpark Kitzsteinhorn!

You will find all information on www.snowpark.kitzsteinhorn.com!

Featured riders: Manuel Bernert, Felix Georgii, Christian Geiger, Simon Pircher, Tom Tramnitz, Julia Baumgartner, Berni Kraxner, Stefan Falkeis, Macho Much, Flo Achenrainer, Sebi Geiger, Thomas Feurstein, Mario Wanger