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Sending It with Sage: Postcard Sending It with Sage: Postcards from Fantasy Camp
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
After returning home from his annual pilgrimage to AK, Sage Cattabriga-Alosa gave us a glimpse inside Fantasy Camp. Located deep within the Neacola Mountains, Fantasy Camp served as TGR’s staging ground this spring. Whether nailing first descents or documenting them, the TGR crew kept busy filming for Way of Life. As we gear up for the film’s release, we’ll be filling you in on what went down in Alaska.
Words and Images by Sage Cattabriga-Alosa
Todd Ligar and Ian Mac look down on a nice little spine wall we dubbed NHL. The wall earned this name because lurking just under a thin dust of snow was a solid sheet of ice that stretched from wall to wall. It made for some exciting attempts at hanging on—and some hockey stops.
Ariel views like this allow for quickly spotting multiple zones. I often go back through my photos, looking for areas where lines and zones might have been hiding on the first look.
The Land of Ice—seeing glacial caps and massive glacial fields is quite a sight. It’s cool to see mountains being formed right before your eyes.
The ol' Look down.
Ian Mac speeds out of a massive line in an icy world. The challenge on lines like this is dealing with an exit plan. Large bergshrunds littered the bottom of this wall and the snow was firm underneath the top layer. Needless to say, control—and a plan—was critical to getting out safely.
House-size chunks of ice and snow make up this peeling glacier.
This looks like a calm perch, but the area below is loaded with spince walls that branch out in almost all directions. Here, Ian enjoys a moment of calm before the storm.
Tim Durtschi launches into a 360 off this natural spine flank. This was his first film line of the trip, and he came out of the gate hot!
Mountain views for days.
The glow of the sun reflects off the ocean in the distance.
Wind can be your enemy out in the alpine, turning glory pow into sastrugi moguls. Luckily, we found protected zones that held good snow through the end of our trip.
Tempting fruit.
A razorback.
Doug Brewer, a bush pilot, was the key to our success at Fantasy Camp. He flew us, our gear, our camp supplies, and fuel out in many different flights. In this photo, he is headed home after taking us on a recon flight in his Bush Hawk.
GPS helps, but helicopters are fly-by-sight aircrafts.
This is how we measure our time out in the helicopter. It keeps track of the amount of hours that we are pulling power, and how long we can fly.
Sammy Carlson flies out of the bottom of a fun line.
The production team hard at work. Dutch Simpson shoots third angle, picking up the action, and reaction as we roll up to the group at the end of each run. And Tim D, who mostly shoots his Sony Action Cam helps out.
Dana Flahr lays some smooth tracks while killing time before our next set up.
A zone that got away... always tons of options out there. And it feels good to have goals for the future. It looks like you could have a bit of fun with this one.
Ice . . .
Ice . . .
- Blog post
- 2 weeks ago
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Filming for The Co-Lab Filming for The Co-Lab
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
Hailing from Bozeman, Montana, The Bridger Brigade’s Axel Peterson has been hard at work filming an edit for The Co-Lab. He and his crew have been hard at work skiing film worthy lines with speed and aggression for quite a while now and he thinks it’s his time to shine. TGR caught up with him on his attempt at $100,000 and The Co-Lab glory.
TETON GRAVITY RESEARCH: What motivated you, besides the $100k, to enter The Co-Lab?
Axel Peterson: I have been creating ski edits for four years now at a somewhat underground level, and I thought this competition would be a good way to get our name out there and see how we stack up against everyone else.
TGR: What do you think the most important aspect is, in a winning edit? (Music, Athlete, Location..etc.)
AP: I think all play an important role in creating a quality and unique edit. Number one will be the athlete, not the 'Name', but rather the level of skiing. A nice mix of burly lines and stomped tricks will make for the most enjoyable edit to watch. Also, a mix of terrain such as pillows, gnarly lines, couloirs, natural features, etc. will be an important aspect for a winning edit. I'm a big fan of using lesser known music rather than mainstream songs for an edit. Personally, I love edits where I hear a song I've never heard. A good song will be important in setting the mood, pace, and overall feel of the edit.
TGR: What’s the biggest obstacle you came across in creating your edit?
AP: So far, the biggest obstacle has been timing. On numerous occasions we have been hiking perfect pow lines in the sun, and by the time we reach the top it is socked in and puking snow. So just getting unlucky with weather, and also me forgetting my memory cards for my camera (haha) have been the only issues that have cost us a few good shots.
TGR: Who are you most excited to see enter the Contest?
AP: Of course I'm stoked to see what the 'top dogs' come up with, but mostly I'm excited to see what the lesser know filmers and athletes create. It's awesome when an unknown team blows everyone's mind. It is going to be a high level of competition, and I can't wait to see every edit that is entered!
TGR: Who are you working with on the edit?
AP:I've been skiing every day this season with Randy Evans. It's been super fun filming with Randy this year and watching him push himself. He has really stepped it up this winter by stomping some technical lines and sweet tricks. We already have a few quality shots in the bag so far, and we will be working hard through the end of May to produce an edit that hopefully stacks up with the other entries. Randy just won the 'Ticket to Tailgate' competition, so we are heading to AK next week to stack some more shots! I have also been filming a lot this season with Steve Popovich. I know he is planning on submitting an edit, and I can't wait to see what he comes up with.
- Blog post
- 1 month ago
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Interview: Ralph Backstrom Interview: Ralph Backstrom
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:

Ralph Backtsrom is no stranger to the podium on the Freeride World Tour circuit. The overall title has eluded him till this year when he dropped into the infamous Bac de Rosses face with aggression and not only won the day, but the overall title as well. We caught up with him to get his take on his first ever world championship.
TGR: Ralph, after a few years of near misses, you’re the FWT World Champ. Has that set in yet? How does it feel?
Ralph Backstrom: It's been a long road of near misses, and yes, it has set in. I'm super stoked.
TGR: You dropped first and wound up staying on top. Tell me about your line choice. Also tell us how nerve-wracking it was to be in the hot seat for the entire competition.
RB: I knew I was going to be dropping first 2-3 days before the comp; just had a really strong feeling. The only thing was that I thought the skiers were going to be going first. When we heard that the snowboarders were going to go first, I knew I still had the 1st bib. It can be a bit nerve wracking going first, but most riders in AK prefer to go first, right? I had been in Verbier for 5 days or so before the comp and had picked a line out. After 2 bad line choices/falls in the prior comps, I picked the first line that spoke to me when I saw the face. Then, the night before the comp, I kept having these micro dreams/thoughts that parts of my line were too tight for the amount of slough that would be moving, and kept having trouble visualizing individual turns. So I woke up super tired, and the fog didn't help me feel any more awake. I definitely wasn't in a state to ride a technical line. I changed my line minutes before I left the judges tent to start hiking to something less technical and less exposed. It wasn't until I saw my score that I knew how good my run was. I had flown passed some features I'd planned to hit, so thought I'd be easy to beat. I definitely dodged some bullets sitting there at the bottom watching the others come down!
TGR: You were in third coming into the finals at Verbier. How did that affect your decision-making when you were picking your line?
RB: I try not to let stuff like overall points get into my head for decision making, so I just tried to pick something I knew I could stomp most of, with some bigger airs that were maybe questionable.
TGR: What was going through your head when you dropped into the Bec?
RB: I was so rushed before we dropped I didn't have time to think at all. A couple riders and myself were talking to Nicolas Hale-Woods on speaker phone about contingency plans if the fog didn't clear. It cleared right then, and he said, “forerunner in 2 minutes!” After he dropped, the starter said, “Ralph Backstrom 2 minutes! No, 1 minute!” I even forgot to put on my backpack up there.
TGR: The tour lasts all winter. What do you do to stay on your game when you aren’t competing?
RB: I try to stay in shape, have a good time riding, and stay healthy.
TGR: You’ve had some pretty awesome film segments. What drives you to compete in the Tour?
RB: Competition lines and film lines are pretty similar, and doing either of them is good practice for the other. I do think comp lines generally tend to be a little more difficult due to conditions, tracks, etc, and are therefore good preparation for filming. It's a good way to travel the world with cool people too.
TGR: What venue is your favorite one to compete at?
RB: Revelstoke, Mack Daddy Face.
TGR: After finally getting the overall title, are you planning on competing next year?
RB: That's hard to say at this point. The tour is great, but I think there are still a few things that could use some polishing, and you never know what other opportunities will come up...
TGR: What are you going to do with the rest of your winter?
RB: I'm in Laax right now for the GoPro Snow Camp, heading back to Tahoe in a few days for the Pain McShlonkey, then up to Alaska. - Blog post
- 2 months ago
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Cherry Picking – Points North Cherry Picking – Points North Heli “Buddy Love”, the Worm Glacier
- From: kimhavell
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Description:
Photo: Grant Kaye
Remote, bold, and mostly unknown, some of the dream, big mountain lines lie deep in Alaska's mountains and are accessible only by helicopter. Over the season, we will cherry pick the modern gems of ski descents from one of the greatest places on the planet for big mountain powder skiing: Alaska, The Dream Factory. It will be a display of mind-blowing, inspiring, and intense moments as we ask the heli-guides and owners to cherry pick a run from each of their permit areas. This is a look into what is possible by some of the best operators in the world and their talented guides, clients and athletes.
Buddy Love - Cherry Picking No. 2 - Points North Heli
The Worm Glacier is a Points North Heli (PNH) treasure. Sitting at the Southern entrance of the Chugach mountain range just north of Cordova, Alaska, the Worm zone offers a vast number of options off the peaks lining its valley. Terrain ranges from the 3,000ft warm-up run “Guilt Trip” to spines galore. The stand-out, however, is a peak named “Buddy Love” that, according to PNH Chef and tail guide Nathan Stone, “is undoubtedly the brains and beauty of the Worm Glacier. Flying in, if you can make it past the temptations viewed on approach, your eyes become fixated on this lone peak at the head of the valley.”
The prominent peak of Buddy Love is roughly 2800 vertical feet and a consistent 50-degree angle pitch. It is named after one of Cordova's most respected citizens and good friend of PNH, Bud Jansen, AKA “Buddy Love”. A third generation Inuit tribesmen, Bud is a central figure of the land-locked community. PNH photographer and friend Keoki Flagg explains, “Like most who were born and raised in Cordova, Buddy has made his living as a commercial fisherman. This giant of a man has a gentle, easy-going manner and he is engaged and committed to supporting any and all activities that help the community thrive.” Janson also owns the famous “Pro Shop” in Cordova, and the Worm Glacier and many of its runs are named in honor of him.
When Kent Kreitler put the first descent down Buddy Love it was pre-PNH as well as pre-most heli operations in AK. Kreitler was based off the Maritime Maid boat in Prince William Sound, close to the current Points North base. The first descent was documented in TGR’s film, “Harvest”. The segment opens with Kent charging from the top, airing over a rock outcropping, and then sending it to the bottom effortlessly in about eight turns.
Countless pros and film companies have visited the area over the years and superstar big mountain skier Wendy Fisher calls it the best heli run of her life. Pro snowboarders Mitch Toelder, Flo Orley and 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist Seth Wescott have also charged multiple routes off its face.
As Guide and Co-Owner, Jessica Sobolowski-Quinn shares, “Buddy Love used to be a peak I often skied with Kevin (Quinn – husband, guide, & co-owner). The landing zone is small and the adrenaline I would feel on the toe-in would stay with me for the first three turns skiing down. It’s exciting! Dropping onto the massive spine is intimidating, but as soon as you’re a quarter of the way down the run appears, the rollover fades away, and you are skiing a beautiful, consistently steep slope to the bottom.”
Sobolowski-Quinn adds, “It was a special moment when one of our guests, KC, skied it. She is a mom of three and in her forties. I was overcome with pride and awe. It's not often you see a lady just ripping the you-know-what out of a line like Buddy Love and doing it just for the sheer joy of doing it.”
Photo: Court Leve
PNH company man Stone describes the run:
“On the west aspect there are fluted spines, top to bottom. The apron is littered with gaping crevasses that catch your eye like an S.O.S distress signal from a pocket mirror. Due to its sun exposure, this aspect is rarely skied. But in the right conditions, it will be what you dream about.
Panning around to the northwest aspect, Buddy Love proper, is a beautiful A-framed layout. The tip of the peak is rarely landed on by helis as it occasionally can have wind scoured rock formations and a miniscule landing area; so about fifty percent of the landings are in the saddle just below the summit. This is where I set out for the quick climb to the top.
Once on the summit, as I double check my gear, the bass drum in my chest is increasing in velocity and depth. Peering over the tip of my board, the view is peppered rock and small cliffs scattered about the entrance. Beyond that, the only visual is the valley floor 3,000 feet below. Classic AK roll.
There are safe points. But if you are caught in the wrong area, it's taking you top to bottom in a hurry.
With a consistent 50-degree pitch, I have no problem finding the accelerator in the first turn. From there it offers several routes—my personal favorite being fall line. I work the mountain from right to left. A third of the way down, a distinct rib just calls for turns. Shedding snow forms rivers on both sides of me, and yet more concentrated on either side of the spine. I make a few surf-style turns, whipping the tail while scrubbing speed in the same motion. A smooth lip. Take off!
Airing a small cliff band, I am now in the gut. The belly of the beast. I have two choices at this point: wait out the slough train, or, my choice, hammer down, working left toward the shoulder, letting the snow fall away from me.
Getting to the bottom third, the thought of pointing to the finish line comes to mind. But keeping one step ahead, I lock onto the open seracs and depressions on the left side of the apron. All of the snow I've been avoiding is now catching me and its destination is the danger zone. Smashing the pedal to the floor, I exit right, just before the slough nips at my heels to pull me back fall line. Arms raised, yelling in ecstasy, I realize that I made it. And I rode it how I wanted.”
Be safe in the field, shop for all your avalanche saftey gear online at Backcountry.comPhotos by
- Blog post
- 2 months ago
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Eye Catchers: 10 Noteworthy Sn Eye Catchers: 10 Noteworthy Snowboard Products From SIA 2013
- From: ericodlin
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Description:
The SnowSports Industries America snow show just finished up in Denver, where attendees had the pleasure of scoping out all the latest and greatest goods from nearly every brand under the sun. At SIA, industry people from all over the world come get a look at next year’s gear and see what kind of new technology has been cooked up for our shredding pleasure. It’s quite the spectacle, and for gear gurus, it’s a little slice of heaven.
This year, there was an endless amount of new goodies to be found around every corner, but here is a list of 10 of the most interesting or innovative snowboarding products we came across.
Union Factory Travis Rice Signature Model
Union is on top of the binding game, and this pro model binder is proof. Building from the Charger and Atlas models, Union and Travis came up with the Factory. It features a beefed up highback, killer heel padding, an uber-cush’ ankle strap, and three-degree canting in the foot bed. This looks like a real powerhouse binding, matching superior comfort with next-level response.
Anon M2 Goggle
Quick change lenses are the latest tech from the goggle world, and Anon’s new M2 really stood out. The lens attaches to the outside of the frame via high-powered mini magnets for fast, on-the-fly lens swaps and convenient snow clearing. We saw a guy actually throw the lens into place. Anon tests the lense's ability to stay put with the same machine Burton uses to test its binding ratchet strength, so you need not worry about loosing a lens during a wreck. With a nice-fitting, mid-sized frame and tons of color way and tint options, the M2 definitely stands out.
Burton AK Freebird Jacket
This lightweight 3L GORE-TEX piece has a clean look and a cut built for shredding. A great feature unique to the Freebird jacket is that is has two mesh pockets on the inside designed to hold your splitboard skins when not in use. The legendary Dave Downing brought this jacket to our attention, pointing out the value of keeping your skins dry and warm for faster touring set ups. That means more laps, more pow, more fun.
Jones Aviator
This is the newest offing from Jones Snowboards. The Aviator is a cambered, directional, all-mountain banger, ideal for hard carving and getting jiggy with the whole mountain. Its 3D power camber has a light two-degree bevel at all four contact points, which gives a loose, less catchy feel to the time honored pop and control of camber. I’m willing to bet we see a bunch of Jones’ freestyle riders ripping on this deck next season.
Capita Black Snowboard Of Death
Don’t let the dark name scare you away from this amazing snowboard. Capita’s flagship model got a little re-designing for the upcoming season. By setting back the cam-rock and lengthening the shovel and tail, the B.S.O.D. is even more of a do-all freestyle/freeride deck. With its new profile, killer shape, and psychedelic graphics, this board is simply rad.
K2 Snowboarding Speedlink Touring Poles
Sure, they’re just poles. But, K2 has produced some of the finest splitboarding poles we’ve ever seen. With just one quick lock lever, they’ve reduced the collapsed length by 6 inches, making it only 13-inches long broken down. They’re small enough to fit into almost any pack with out sticking out the top. When you’ve reached your summit, you just flip the one-lock lever, and just kind of smash the pole straight down and it collapses all the way down in one motion. That’s smart.
Lib Tech Speedodeeps By Travis Rice
Lib’s got a new pow shape that looks like it’ll be soooooo much fun on those deep days. Designed with Travis, this twin features a short running length, a jumbo tip and tail, and BTX banana tech to make for one heck of a floating powpow machine. Available in 162, this replaces the infamous “banana hammock”, and will offer the user the option to turn their snowboard should they find themselves on non-powder type snow.
Jones 30L R.A.S. Ready Pack
Here’s a great example of a rider’s needs pushing design. This 30L pack comes ready to hold Snowpulse’s removable airbag system. That means you can use the pack with or without the airbag. Add an internal wire frame for support, color coded buckles for additional load options, and that it weighs only 6lbs 7oz with the R.A.S installed, and you have the recipe for a terrifically designed backcountry pack.
K2 Kwicker Split System
Remember clickers? Well, in case you forgot, K2 has brought them back for our backcountry pleasure. This system gives you a lighter set up, and quicker change over times than your traditional split kit. As A.J. from K2 explained, the boot/binding has been engineered to feel and flex just like a boot in a strap binding would move. With over two years of R&D, and many backcountry seekers not afraid to have a separate A/T set up, this could be the next big thing in splitboarding. In the words of A.J., “It’s the balls.”
DC Travis Rice Signature Boot
OK, we realize that we have included Travis Rice’s whole set up in this top 10 list. This was not intentional. It just goes to show that not only is he a fine shredder, but that he is pushing product design forward as well. DC’s redesigned Rice signautre boot is bomb proof. They put the upper boa dial back on the outside of the boot, got rid of the wrap design for the lower, designed the outsole with sledding in mind, and wrapped the whole toe box in ballistic Superfabric. The result is a boot that comes very close to being un-blow-up-able. It also comes stock with Remind insoles for happy feet. And Torstien just won the X Games big air wearing these. I think the proof is in the pudding.
Do you see a trend here? We are pleased to see that backcountry riding and splitboarding are the catalyst for most new ideas and designs this year. The demands of those two elements of snowboarding are bringing more fun new things to the table to further enhance our enjoyment of the mountains. Cheers to you, innovative shred engineers! Hope this gets everyone fired up to get out and do what we all love to do: RIDE! - Blog post
- 3 months ago
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Burton AK Freebird jacket Burton AK Freebird jacket
- From: ericodlin
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Description:Burton AK Freebird jacket
- 3 months ago
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Video: Blair Habenicht Powder Video: Blair Habenicht Powder Snowboarding In Alaska And Washington
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
Very few people get to hop on a heli once a year in Haines Alaska and ride the worlds most magical mountains. You either have to be extremely dedicated, rich or one of the best snow sliders in the world. Blair Habenicht is not rich. Blair's antics emulate his belated cousin, Northwest shred legend Scott Stamnes. Live life to the fullest, enjoy everyday, every minute, every second. When it's good, get after it. When it's dry - skate, when it's puking - snowboard, and when there's tubes - surf. Unfortunately, we can't show you Blair's triple S threat, but we can show you the snowboard portion of it. From AK to the Northwest, Blair and Absinthe Films gets after it.
Blair in Gaelic means “Boy in the Field” Haben is “to have” nicht means “nothing”
Boy In the fields has nothing.
Lib Tech believes this boy in the field actually has something.
Follow Blair on the Instagram - @blair_h
Edit - Eric BrandtBlair rides for Lib-Tech snowboards, made in the USA near Canada. Order one Now!
- Blog post
- 4 months ago
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Burton AK Sluff Fleece Revie Burton AK Sluff Fleece Review 1.jpeg
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:asian_armygirl.jpeg
- 4 months ago
- Views: 96
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Hi-fives with Andrew McLean af Hi-fives with Andrew McLean after discovering and skiing a rad chute in the Wrangell Mountains, AK photo by Jim Harris
- From: kimhavell
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Description:Hi-fives with Andrew McLean after discovering and skiing a rad chute in the Wrangell Mountains, AK photo by Jim Harris
- 4 months ago
- Views: 170
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Through The Lens Of Jim Harris Through The Lens Of Jim Harris
- From: kimhavell
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Description:
Chris Davenport skis a chute in Antarctica. Photo by Jim Harris.
“Through The Lens” is a regular column on TetonGravity.com that highlights the work of a photographer in the ski and snowboard industries. The series exists to celebrate the photographers who bring us extraordinary imagery, to get to know who they are, and to understand their process.
Jim Harris is a TGR success story. An athlete with an artistic eye and a photographer of great strength and perseverance, Jim hit the big time from an unlikely start. Through honest and thoughtful posts on the TGR web forums, Jim unwittingly developed a huge following and grabbed the attention of industry players. Proving himself time and time again in the field and at the computer, Jim has photographs, stories, and drawings featured across varied media spots, print and online, in the world of adventure sport. He is humble, adventurous, and bright, and gets things done.
Jim has been behind the lens for Sweetgrass Productions, Powderwhore Productions, Camp4Collective, First Ascent, Powder Magazine and more. From scaling 20,000-foot peaks in Bolivia to descending steep couloirs in Antarctica to negotiating a pack raft down Alaskan rivers, this motivated talent keeps at it as he proves that with heart and hard work, success will be a reality.
Jim’s sincere and straight-up approach resonates with his audiences. Follow his creative journeys as “GnarWhale” on TGR and as Perpetual Weekend online at his Blog, Facebook page, Instagram, and Twitter sites. www.perpetualweekend.com
Forrest McCarthy melts water at a ridge line campsite as a storm rolls in. Photo by Jim Harris.
The Start.
I was first interested in photography when I was a kid playing with this all-metal Nikormat that my dad had brought back from Japan a decade or two before I was born. I didn’t develop a twitchy shutter button finger until I was around 16 and started documenting the graffiti scene where I grew up. Looking back at those boxes of prints, I was pretty much just mechanically recording ephemeral art. A few years later I extracted myself from that scene by moving to Montana where I enrolled in Wildlife Biology and Fine Art courses. The blend of planning, creativity, daring, and community that made the street art scene compelling also runs through mountain culture. It didn’t take but a few weeks in Montana before I began pointing my camera at people on mountains.
Studying Wildlife Biology seemed like a good route to finding a job that combined adventure with critical thinking, plus I was good at plant and animal identification. An empirical science education has proved to be a good framework for learning about the world, even though I never took up wearing one of those flat-brim Smokey hats. The fine art courses were just for kicks, but I regret missing the memo that my university had a Photo Journalism school.
Andrew McLean skis the Chugach Mountains in Alaska. Photo by Jim Harris.
TGR.
While I’d been registered on TetonGravity.com’s message board for years, I rarely visited until I moved to the Wasatch Mountains in 2007 and discovered it offered a way to meet backcountry touring partners. Then I began posting photos of ski tours and that led to invites on more missions. One of those photo essays prompted Gordy Peifer to offer me a spot on one of his Straightline Advenutures Ski Camps, and another trip report garnered an invite to shoot with Powderewhore Productions in Alaska. That AK trip, in turn, resulted in my first print-published words and photos (Powder Magazine 40.1 “Beast out of the Earth”). Then I won a TGR and Smith Optics photo contest where the prize was an Ice Axe Expeditions ski cruise to Antarctica.
I was sharing just for the sake of sharing and that idealism struck a chord with people. If I suddenly couldn’t sell photos and stories about the sort of trips I like to take, I’d be okay going right back to doing them just for the intrinsic rewards.
Hi-fives with Andrew McLean after discovering and skiing a rad chute in the Wrangell Mountains of Alaska. Photo by Jim Harris.
Inspiration.
Media-makers who also are high-performance athletes hold a role I admire. Photographers who can climb and ski alongside top athletes are the ones who, most often I think, bring back something insightful to share.
Galen Rowell about tops my list of “photographers I wish had reincarnated as me.”
Christian Pondella has crafted a career shooting photos with skis on his pack, an ice axe in one hand and that shines through in his photos.
The Camp 4 Collective team brings boots-on-the-ledge perspective to their productions and it’s apparent in the art and illustrations of Renan Ozturk, Jeremy Collins and Adam Haynes.
Leslie Anthony writes with legitimacy in his words and Fitz Cahall’s Dirtbag Diaries carry that too.
What all of them have in common is this gonzo journalism approach where, because they can hang athletically, they’re able to convey a first-person narrative that offers candid, humanizing insights into the lives of super-human athletes.
On the business side, I admire the people who help others to create content in our ski media ecosystem. When done well, enabling other peoples’ creativity is good for one’s own income. The TGR Forums empowered me and I hope the web ad revenue more than pays for the server space.
Photographers Adam Barker and Chase Jarvis both open source some of their knowledge via web interviews and tutorials. They’re investing their knowledge in aspirant photographers while legitimizing their expertise at the same time. It’s both altruistic and shrewd.
Sunrise on Illimani, Bolivia, while the city of La Paz still sleeps. Photo by Jim Harris.
The Challenge.
I want to be a really good storyteller. Sometimes when I speak, my thoughts branch into a tangent, then a tangent of that, until I’m caught in a spiraling fractal of storylines and everyone has stopped listening. So it takes some intention for me to spin a story well. Photo essays keep me on point and the narrative jogging along.
At some heady level, wilderness adventure stories like the ones I want to tell are another variant of Joe Campbell’s monomyth: the hero marches off into the wild, conquers something untamable, perhaps then realizes that the real conquest happened inside his or her head, and then returns home to share the new wisdom.
My challenge is that I don’t want to just tell those stories but want to actually watch them unfold too. Going up and down difficult mountains with interesting people carves as close to living that myth as I know how to get.
Alan Schwer hops down a steep ski line at 19,000 feet on Volcan Pomarape, Bolivia. Photo by Jim Harris.
The Business.
The business-side of working as a self-employed creative is a murky learning curve. There’s no roadmap to “making it” and even things as dry as sending photos for an editor to review turn out to involve diplomatic maneuvering. Many working photographers will tell you that your photos are only valuable if you keep ‘em squirreled away, unseen by anyone but the editor, right until they appear in print. While I see the wisdom in that approach, the only reason I’m paid to take photos now is because I’ve enjoyed sharing pictures in the past. So, I’ve continued to post photos on TGR, though I’ve become more strategic about sharing.
The ski photo world is a tough one to find recognition in, in part because much of it has fallen prey to this syndrome of collaborative competition where somebody says “Oh! Look at what they’re doing. We should be doing that too.” Photo buyers, photo makers, and athletes all push one another to converge. One outcome is that photographers face an uphill battle when it comes to creating marketable work that also conveys individual style.
On the other hand, who wants to feel like they’re leaving money on the table because they’re too elitist to take routine photos? Faced with that question, I’m no strict idealist. I’m not exactly shooting decorative cupcakes, but I’ve dug into commercial projects, studio opportunities, and jobs outside the ski industry. Sometimes they feel like art school assignments where students replicate some Old Master’s painting. Even if it’s not an approach that I’m particularly interested in, it’s impossible not to glean something useful. Those Elinchrom-lit sets are great for learning technique but they’re not where my aspirations lie.
Tyler Jones leads a climb in the Waddington Range while Seth and Solveig Waterfall follow. Photo by Jim Harris.
Being Diverse.
When I was about ten I was way into these Redwall books about mice doing medieval things. My parents took me to a reading by the author, Brian Jacques, at the neighborhood bookstore and he described to us kids around him that he’d worked as a sailor, and a truck driver, and a milkman, and some jobs that I’ve forgotten before he eventually became a writer too. The notion that one could do a lot of things in a lifetime, rather than be stuck with just one profession, took root in my ten-year-old cortex that day.
Photography has been my main focus for the last year or two, but it’s not my only outlet. I still dabble in woodcut printmaking, painting, shooting video, writing, and teaching. If this photo gig stops working out, I’ll always have the latitude to sidestep into one of these other roles.
Solveig Waterfall skiing from the summit of Mt Waddington, BC over a cavernous crevasse. Photo by Jim Harris.
Expedition Style.
One thing that distinguishes me from the pack is that I like unstaged, one-take, expedition shooting. Long and difficult trips are full of little victories and disappointments and they make for great photographic moments. As a member of an expedition team, I share credit and blame for the ups and downs I’m chronicling. Every bit of the process from planning, traveling, climbing, skiing, cooking, laughing and just surviving together is rewarding.
There are a couple big hurdles to being an expedition shooter. One is keeping one’s gear alive in the cold, wet, sandy, camera-killing places. That takes diligence but isn’t rocket surgery. Another is that one has to learn to suffer with grace. That takes practice and some balanced brain chemistry.
The biggest hurdle, however, is managing the dual loyalties of being both a weight-pulling team member while also caring enough about one’s audience to stop helping your buddies and grab the camera. Jabbing a camera in someone’s face in a cruxy moment can be a bridge-burning move. It takes a pretty keen awareness of the group dynamic plus articulate communication to balance photographic and team needs.
Before leaving for our first trip together, ski mountaineer Andrew McLean told me he was willing to ski for the camera but that he didn’t intend to re-hike anything for a missed shot. If you’ve skied with Andrew, you know that he zips uphill then right back down. Either I had to bully him into slowing down or learn to be quick on the draw, get the shot the first time, and not sulk when I misfired. I went with the second approach and haven’t regretted it.
One-take shooting is an ethos I’ve embraced. Shooting actual skiing down actual lines, as opposed to the ubiquitous one-turn-wonder approach, feels truthy. As a bonus, there’s a lot more skiing involved in a “work” day.
Chris Davenport skiing in Antarctica. Photo by Jim Harris.
Turning Point.
Three years ago, three friends and I spent a month backpacking and then rafting across Wrangell St Elias National Park. That trip changed my view of what’s achievable by a small, unsponsored team. I felt empowered by our success and humbled by the times I faltered.
Back at home, I tried to summarize the story via a long column of captioned photos. The resulting trip report garnered a lot of attention that I never expected. Something about our mix of ambition, unique route, and amateur status really resonated with people, and not just the outdoorsy ones. Traffic poured in from Digg, Reddit and other link-sharing sites.
Years later, I’m still feeling the reverberations of that trip. I’ve been back to the Wrangells once and have plans for another trip this year. I’m also packing today for a crazy Mexico adventure that I’ve been invited on because a couple of Alaska’s most-audacious wilderness travelers saw my photo essay and thought I’d be a good fit for their team. Looking back, it is comical how many doors have opened for me based on something that I never guessed would have much impact.
Forrest McCarthy midway through a 120 mile traverse of the Abaroka Beartooth Mountains. Photo by Jim Harris.
Future Direction.
There’s been this recent uptick in the ski industry’s acknowledgment that what we do is risky. At a fundamental level, action sports culture pushes the idea that “advancing the sport” or “pushing the envelope” is the loftiest goal an athlete can strive for. I think that presumption deserves some scrutiny because it is steering our risk-taking. We’re not going to revert to blue-square level skiing in movies but it’s worth acknowledging that there are perhaps less death-defying ways to “advance the sport.”
For me, that means looking for trips that are challenging because they’re remote, or because they require an endurance component, or because they offer a quirky perspective on the norm. Both writers and photographers search for unique angles. As someone with a growing grasp of both pursuits, I’m positioned to connect interesting story ideas with smart photos.
Jim Harris' Powder Magazine cover photo. Skier unknown.
Game Changers.
A few years ago, I watched an acquaintance trigger and then swept by an avalanche. It was formative. It changed how I communicate with partners, how I plan for a tour, and is a continual reminder to make conservative choices.
Soon after that incident, I began teaching avalanche classes. Now that I’ve shifted to proselytizing wilderness skiing for a living, teaching the prophylactic aspect of it feels essential. Not only does it feel like righteous work but teaching avy classes also helps keep my skills honed.
At the other end of the spectrum, one of my photos is running on the cover of the new Powder Magazine Photo Annual. For someone who’s only been making a living as a photographer for just over a year, it’s like putting boots on at 9:30 and somehow still catching first chair. That cover isn’t recognition I’d expected to have so soon in my photo career, but I’m grateful for it.
Want to shoot like Jim, start with some high end DSLR camera gear available at Amazon.com - Blog post
- 4 months ago
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Xavier De Le Rue - From The Al Xavier De Le Rue - From The Alps to AK to Antarctica and back to the Alps
- From: freerideworldtour
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Description:
While some athletes are content with reaching a personal goal or winning a competition within their sport, for French snowboarder Xavier de Le Rue, there seems to be no limit to his hunger for further snowboard accomplishments. A multiple X-Games gold medalist, three-time Freeride World Tour champion, repeat world boardercross champion, and standout in numerous snowboard films, now de Le Rue has added “Antarctic explorer” to his resume.
Watch More Freeride World Tour TV Videos - 4 months ago
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Angel Collinson Segment From T Angel Collinson Segment From The Dream Factory TGR Ski Movie
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
Teton Gravity Research skier Angel Collinson is nominated for the Best Female Performance in the 2013 Powder Magazine Video Awards. Check out her full segment from TGR’s newest film, The Dream Factory, where Angel rips the northern Chugach mountains in Alaska with Seth Morrison, Sage Cattabriga-Alosa and Dana Flahr.
The Dream Factory synopsis: For the past 16 years, Teton Gravity Research has made the pilgrimage to America’s last frontier, Alaska: The Dream Factory. Throughout history, Alaska has been a place of dreams. From the early gold rush days, to the rise of commercial fishing, to the explosion of the ski and snowboard freeride movement, people have left everything to follow their dreams and journey to this foreign, mystical land. Like the frontiersmen before them, the pioneers of the freeride movement like Doug Coombs, Eric Pehota, and Trevor Petersen made the dream of skiing in Alaska a reality.
Follow TGR's modern day athletes on this cinematic voyage through Alaska's awe-inspiring expanse, rich history, and colorful characters. Watch as the TGR crew ventures from AK training grounds Jackson Hole, WY, and Pemberton, BC, and delves deep into the Alaskan way of life during a record snowfall year in AK, skiing terrain most of us only dream about.
Order The Dream Factory
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Buy Tickets To The Powder Video Awards - 4 months ago
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AK Their Way - The Dubsatch Co AK Their Way - The Dubsatch Collective
- From: ermecatino
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Description:
Interview by Erme Catino
Born and raised on the slopes of Alta and Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah, the Dubsatch Collective are a group of hard charging skiers at the pinnacle of what it means to be young and talented with the ski-world at their fingertips. Known for creating soulful edits stacked with faceshots and backcountry kickers, Dubsatch was previously a household name for the Utah locale (Dubsatch, Wasatch … get it?). However, that all changed when they won the Eye of the Condor video contest during the summer of 2011. Building upon their recent success and launch of ski careers, last season the group ventured to Alaska for their first time. TGR recently caught up with one of Dubsatch’s co-founder, Leo Ahrens, to talk about their latest film: AK Our Way.
TGR: How did the Dubsatch get its name and grow into the group of riders it is today?
Leo Ahrens: Sam Cohen, Nate Cahoon, and I founded Dubsatch. Both Sam and I started our ski careers together. We began shooting with Lee Cohen, Sam’s dad, and started getting photo publications.
Originally we were called Living Local. In the beginning, Connie Marshall from Alta gave us GoPros, and we would make edits. We met our videographer Nate Cahoon 3 years ago, he had a 7D, and we convinced him to start filming us—he’s one of our best friends now.
The name Dubsatch actually came from my sister’s boyfriend: the Dub is as in the letter “W” with “satch” standing for Wasatch Mountains, UT.
TGR: Growing up skiing Alta is every powder skier’s dream, how was that experience, and how did that shape your crew?
Leo Ahrens: I’m 19, and was born in Alta at the Goldminers’ employee housing. Both of my parents work up here, my mom works in the Albion Grill, and my dad makes ski racks you see around Alta, sometimes he’ll plow the wildcat base as well. They both ski all the time. In terms of Dubsatch, we’re all from LCC. That’s who we are; when we travel we try to take our LCC style to other places.
The whole Alta community brought us up. It’s very un-commercial, Alta is unique, and it’s our home—more than my real home. What pushed us to where we are now is that there are always pro-skiers cycling through. I thought Dave McReynolds was a god, and I would follow him around—I wanted to be like Dave, he’s the sickest. Sage… We stalked him, and hid in the trees. Then, I would hit a jump in front of him and he would be like “cool dude.” Those guys knew all the spots. We would see all these crews taking photos, and I thought we could do that too.
TGR: You guys have steadily been receiving more press with your edits. What was the breakthrough?
Leo Ahrens: Eye of the Condor was huge for us, and was a classic junk show. I didn't’ buy my plane ticket until a day before, and I couldn’t afford to bring a filmer and photographer. So we met these two Chileans, and it worked out. All we wanted to do was jump the roofs on their houses, and they were into it—they were helping us build jumps with backhoes… We would be entering the in-runs to jumps with tons of Chileans cheering us on. They supported us so well, and the Eye of The Condor crew gave us a huge marketing push when we won.
The Dubsatch Collective crew: Nate Cahoon, Leo Ahrens, Grant Howard, Jason Astle, Hayden Price, Sam Cohen, Ben Price, Carston Oliver, Eliel Hindert, Neil Howard, John Collinson, Douglas Nangle, Taylor Llyman, Henry Gates, Zach Halverson, Mitch Cahoon, Trevor Akimoto, Andrew Pollard, Colter Hinchliffe, Lexi Dupont, and Christian Mandahl. “We cycle through a huge crew, whoever is down to ski and work/film.” – Leo Ahrens.
TGR: Talk about AK // Our Way. Was it your first time to AK, and who was in tow?
Leo Ahrens: Filming for AK // Our Way was our first time to Haines. We were in Stanley, Idaho, filming with our Dub Crew. Then, Lexi Dupont sends us a message saying we have two empty seats in Haines for a heli, “get here in 24 hours.” Not even thinking logistically (Colter put this all on his credit card!), Colter and I left Stanley and drove all night to Portland, Oregon, to catch a flight—we convinced the airline lady to hold the plane and we made it… I had a first decent on the trip, and named it “Holy Junkshow.”
When we got up there we met up with Lexi Dupount, Will Wissman, and Reggie Crist. Typically when you’re in AK you have a film production team, but we didn’t have a filmer… I had a 7D, and Will and Reggie also had cameras so we figured we would switch off filming each other, while still crushing lines—hence the name AK Our Way.
The cool thing about the trip was we were filming each other. We would pick out our line and everyone would help film it… Reggie and I filmed the shots of Colter on Dr. Seuss that appeared in TGR’s The Dream Factory.
TGR: What’s next for Dubsatch?
Leo Ahrens: This season we’re planning on 4 online films. We’ll be releasing them shortly after we complete production, and are trying to add some structure to make us more legit.
For our first film this winter we’ll be putting a face on who we are, almost like Lords of Dogtown style… These will be followed by several trips offering unique stories; we’re also trying to get the whole Dubsatch crew to Haines again. - Blog post
- 4 months ago
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Dash Longe Segment From The Dr Dash Longe Segment From The Dream Factory TGR Ski Movie
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
Teton Gravity Research skier Dash Longe is nominated for the Best Male Performance in the 2013 Powder Magazine Video Awards. Check out his full segment from TGR’s newest film, The Dream Factory, where Dash rips the Northern Chugach.
The Dream Factory synopsis: For the past 16 years, Teton Gravity Research has made the pilgrimage to America’s last frontier, Alaska: The Dream Factory. Throughout history, Alaska has been a place of dreams. From the early gold rush days, to the rise of commercial fishing, to the explosion of the ski and snowboard freeride movement, people have left everything to follow their dreams and journey to this foreign, mystical land. Like the frontiersmen before them, the pioneers of the freeride movement like Doug Coombs, Eric Pehota, and Trevor Petersen made the dream of skiing in Alaska a reality.
Follow TGR's modern day athletes on this cinematic voyage through Alaska's awe-inspiring expanse, rich history, and colorful characters. Watch as the TGR crew ventures from AK training grounds Jackson Hole, WY, and Pemberton, BC, and delves deep into the Alaskan way of life during a record snowfall year in AK, skiing terrain most of us only dream about.
Order The Dream Factory
Watch More Dream Factory Edits
Buy Tickets To The Powder Video Awards - 4 months ago
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Video: Patagonia Riders Ryland Video: Patagonia Riders Ryland Bell, Josh Dirksen, Forrest Shearer, Alex Yoder VS Alaska
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
Patagonia snowboard ambassadors Ryland Bell, Josh Dirksen, Forrest Shearer and Alex Yoder headed up to AK last spring and decided to ditch the crowds in Haines by doing a little bit of freeriding in Juneau, Alaska. The Sweetgrass Productions crew was on hand to capture all the shredding for their upcoming 2013 feature film 'Valhalla'
Ryland Bell showed the boys just how it is to grow up riding in AK, with 30 feet of accumulative snowfall during the winter he had this to say about the season “I have never seen the mountain like this at all, they are completely buried, probably 3 times as much snow as I have ever seen”.Patagonia 30% Off Sale at Backcountry.com
- Blog post
- 4 months ago
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Tim Durtschi In AK - Behind th Tim Durtschi In AK - Behind the Line Season 5 Episode 8
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
In season 5 episode 8 of Teton Gravity Research’s web series Behind The Line, Tim Durtschi, a native Alaskan, returns to his homeland after spending his recent years in Utah. Having evolved his skills, Durtschi continues to push his skiing into the big mountains at places like Alyeska, Southeast Alaska Backcountry Adventures and Alaska Heli-skiing.
Behind The Line is a series that features a unique line, jump, or session from the filming of Teton Gravity Research's 2012 ski and snowboard film, The Dream Factory. Watch as athletes take a look back at these insane moments and discuss them, providing an in-depth look Behind The Line of The Dream Factory.
Watch More Behind The Line Episodes
Purchase The Dream Factory
Music Courtesy of: Jeff Cormack & Play Plus Record
Tracks: “Bounce” & “Mi Ritmo”
www.playplusrecord.com - 4 months ago
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News: Win A Trip To Ultima Thu News: Win A Trip To Ultima Thule Lodge In AK Through Protect Our Winters
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
PACIFIC PALISADES, CA –Protect Our Winters, the global climate change nonprofit and Alaska’s premier wilderness lodge, Ultima Thule, have launched the Jeremy Jones Ultima Thule Adventure, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for two to snowboard and adventure with pro snowboarder, Jeremy Jones in Alaska’s Wrangell/St. Elias mountains, hosted by the Ultima Thule Lodge.
The all inclusive, four-day package includes being able to snowboard with Jeremy Jones, the star of Further, the snowboard adventure epic currently in theaters. Jones filmed some of the segments near Ultima Thule in the Wrangells and called the mountain range the “steepest, most unexplored terrain he’s ever seen.”
Ultima Thule Lodge is a luxury wilderness adventure outpost located deep in the 13.2 million acre Wrangell St-Elias National Park; part of the largest protected land mass on earth. The Lodge sits 100 miles from the nearest road and is only accessible by bush plane. Remote, yet refined the Lodge was named in the “BEST PLACES TO VISIT” by National Geographic Traveler magazine.
All-inclusive packages feature gourmet Alaskan fare, first-class bush lodging and highlight exclusive airplane safari adventures. The lodge also boasts a family of internationally acclaimed pilots and a small fleet of specialized bush aircraft that can land on and off the snow covered glaciers and alpine tundra.
“We’re just thrilled that Ultima Thule came to us with this idea. With the stoke level of Further as high as it can be now, we’re so excited to bring it to life and offer an opportunity to the snow sports community to win this dream trip. 100% of every contribution will be directly placed towards our efforts to protect places like the Wrangells from climate change”, said Chris Steinkamp, Executive Director at Protect Our Winters.
In addition to the Ultima Thule Lodge package, the winner will receive a Jones snowboard, Vans Cirro snowboard boots, Jeremy’s backcountry gear from Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd and $500 travel credit to Valdez, AK, where the adventure begins.
To enter, donate $5 to Protect Our Winters at: http://www.protectourwinters.org/ultima_thule/
To keep the chances of winning exciting, they are limiting the number of contributions at 5,000 total. The contest runs though February 15th, 2013.
Ultima Thule Lodge: A remote paradise lies deep in the Alaskan Wilderness, accessible only by bush plane. Immersed in extreme nature, you will discover an outpost designed for adventure and enhanced by comfort, 100 miles from the nearest road. Three generations of family have called this pristine wilderness home and strive to protect and preserve it for the ones yet to come. For more information, visit: http:// www.ultimathulelodge.com & www.farfargnargnar.comProtect Our Winters (POW) is the environmental center point of the winter sports community, united together towards a common goal of reducing climate change's effects on our sport and mountain economies. Founded in 2007, POW re-invests contributions in educational initiatives, activism and supporting community-based initiatives. For more information, visit www.protectourwinters.org. Stay in touch on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/protectourwinters.
- Blog post
- 5 months ago
- Views: 238
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Angel In Alaska - Behind The L Angel In Alaska - Behind The Line Season 5 Episode 7
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
In season 5 episode 7 of Teton Gravity Research’s web series Behind The Line, Angel Collinson gets the chance of a lifetime to go on an Alaska heli-skiing trip with some of her ski heroes - Sage Cattabriga-Alosa and Dana Flahr. The terrain in AK is no gimme. Check out Angel and friends as they cling to knife-edge ridges, getting to their steep AK descents.
Behind The Line is a series that features a unique line, jump, or session from the filming of Teton Gravity Research's 2012 ski and snowboard film, The Dream Factory. Watch as athletes take a look back at these insane moments and discuss them, providing an in-depth look Behind The Line of The Dream Factory.
Watch More Behind The Line Episodes
Purchase The Dream Factory
Music:
Artist: The Weekenders
Track: Missy
www.theweekendersmusic.com
Artist: Greg V
Track: Brooklyn Boogie
www.gregvmusic.com - 5 months ago
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Burton AK Sluff Fleece Review Burton AK Sluff Fleece Review 2.jpg
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:BurtonSluff.jpg
- 5 months ago
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Burton AK Sluff Fleece Review Burton AK Sluff Fleece Review 1.jpg
- From: tristanolson
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- 5 months ago
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