Alex Cantin with Videograss

This year Alex bagged the opener for the newest Videograss flick "Bon Voyage."  This kid has some seriously style and great tricks; check out some of his footage from last year.

Here's a trailer for "Bon Voyage" as well, definitely worth your money; its got some great riding in it.

"This Video Sucks" by StepChild

Here's the full version of Stepchild's 2009 film "This Video Sucks." JP Walker's part is actually all switch which is pretty damn impressive. Also featuring the riding of Simon Chamberlain, Joe Sexton, Markku Koski, Stian Solberg, Eman Anderson, Risto Ruokola, and Fredu Sirvio.  Definitely an excellent free movie.

Mark Sollors Clips

Mark Sollors is probably my favorite Canadian shredder out there; he's such a well-rounded and stylish rider. Here's a 2007 montage of him riding for the StepChild movie "Child Support" as well as Sandbox's "Time Well Wasted."

This is his 2009 part in Variety Pack's film "Not Bad."

Click here for an interview with Mark while he filmed for Transworld's "In Color." In it he discusses his past season as well as his frustration with the hate that sometimes exists between backcountry, street, and contest riders.

Seb Toots!

Kids are getting crazy nowadays. Here's his part from "Knockout" by Alterna Films a few years ago...

his 2009 part from "Black Winter" by Standard Films...

and lastly him practicing at the Red Bull Development Park in New Zealand. I love how he can throw down frontside and backside double corks, regular and switch.

Video Review: "F IT"

As winners of Transworld's prestigious video of the year award in 2009, I had high expectations for Forum's newest flick. "Forever" was an excellent film with great riding as well as editing. "F IT" was no where close to reaching my expectations and fell several strides short of "Forever". Not only did the film fall ten minutes shorter than most snowboard videos, but the editing was, for lack of a better word, immature. It seemed like they just wanted the opportunity to swear a lot. Though I at first thought their sex, drugs, and rock snowboards were funny, in light if this film it seems like it's just a cheap marketing strategy to get kids to buy their product.  The editing in the film made very little sense; though the production effects were excellent, is that necessary in a snowboard film? In addition to that there are clips of unicorns, swearing owls, bodybuilders, space expeditions, and of course some annoying autotuning. It made very little sense and actually got a bit annoying to watch. Now that I've gotten all my criticisms out of the way, I can focus on it's pluses, mainly being the riding. It was great to see former Variety Pack rider Cameron Pierce shredding with Forum; he's an extremely talented and stylish rider that deserves to be on such a well-known team. Nico Sauve also had an incredibly impressive part; since his first Forum flick "First Chair / Last Call" he has made incredible progress. However, John Jackson is definitely what made this video. Check out one of my earlier posts, he has an insane part! The only other rider I know that goes as big as John is Travis Rice and that is a pretty impressive feat. Not only does he throw down almost every trick in the book, but does some really cool pillow lines. He's just a tank. So basically I wouldn't suggest buying the DVD but iTunes is pretty cheap so maybe download it there and then mute it when you watch it.

Eero Ettala's 2009-2010 Season

A few clips of him from last season.  The first is a montage from his television series "Tracking Eero"...

and the second is his winning run in X-Games 14 Slopestyle. Pretty damn impressive...

"All Plugged Up / The Leak" Available for Download

Now available for download on Variety Pack's website for only $5. They're a great film company, they definitely deserve support. Click here to buy.

Video Review: "The Storming"

If you are looking for mind blowing tricks, this is the snowboard video to buy. This year Standard Films set the bar for progressive snowboarding in terms of magnitude as well as technicality. The roster for the film is quite impressive; X-Games Big Air Champion as well as rookie Halldor Helgason has one the most impressive sections I have ever seen. On top of throwing down double corks in the backcountry, his ender is possibly the most technical rail trick I have ever seen! Of course you can't have one Helgason without the other. For the skateboarders reading this review, Eiki Helgason even manages to stomp a 360 flip which makes absolutely no sense to me. Another aspect I liked was that the film began with Sammy Luebke riding lines in Alaska; that was the first big mountain opener I've seen in a while. Of course, no Standard Films movie would be complete without Norwegian legend Torstein Horgmo. It's incredibly smoothly he lands his various 1080s in the backcountry, both regular and switch. Of course, the film ends with his famed triple cork but don't let knowing the ender stop you from buying the film; it's worth every penny. My only complaint would be that the street sections were a bit lacking but this is only a minor problem. This is a great film to buy if you want to see how far snowboarding has progressed.

What is Style?

Pros from the TTR World Snowboard Tour discuss their perception of style in the sport of snowboarding. Legends Nicolas Mueller, Heikki Sorsa, Todd Richards, and Marco Grilc as well as rookies Mikkel Bang and Stale Sandbech share their thoughts in this video.

"The Arena" Now Available on iTunes!

Finger On the Trigger's latest flick "The Arena" is ready for download on iTunes!  Click the photo!  Click here to see Dylan Thompson's ender as well!

Video Review: "In Color"

Definitely a great movie from Transworld this year.  It's sometimes nice to just take a step away from contest hype and double corks and watch some good old fashioned tricks.  Mikkel Bang's section was fantastic; we all know he can throw some serious tricks while competing but it was much nicer to see him stomp a stylish rodeo and some huge airs on a hip jump.  I was also impressed by Phil Jacques; though I had seen his name before I had never watched him ride.  He has incredible rail mastery, both regular and switch.  Mark Sollors and Keegan Valaika of course brought the fire with their parts as well, throwing down both in street and in powder.  In addition, the intro montage was very entertaining; Ethan Deiss's part, though brief is incredible to watch.   Though the production for this film was excellent, Transworld seems to lack the vibe that exists in Variety Pack, Think Thank, and Absinthe crews (or they don't show very much of it).  Overall though, the film was excellent and I definitely suggest buying it if you are sick of double corks and wanna see some old school shredding and editing.

"Right Brain, Left Brain" Excerpts

The first clip is from Nick Visconti's opener...

and the second is of Scott Steven's "half" closer (since the movie is in two parts).

"Time is Now" by Brother's Factory

A few clips from the Canadian crew's film from last year. The first is of Kael Hill and Nash Lajeunesse...

and the next is Jeremy Cloutier.

Russian Thug Steez Indoor Shredit!

Denis Leont'ev killing an indoor terrain park in Moscow. He's got some serious tech maneuvers, check it out!

Keegan Valaika and Burton Snowboarding!

Keegan in three Burton Snowboard films. The first is "Thanks in Advance" from 2007...

"It's Always Snowing Somewhere" in 2008...

and finally "The B" in 2009.

Video Review: "Right Brain, Left Brain"

I remember the first time I saw a Think Thank video.  It was "Patchwork Patterns," their 2006 film and I had no idea what to expect.  For thirty minutes I watched a blur of  strange tricks I had never seen before at the most bizarre places imaginable.  I turned off my television and didn't really know what to think.  After watching their 2010 film "Right Brain, Left Brain," I still didn't know what to think ...except for this: mind-blowing!  They out did themselves; not only did they shred probably the gnarliest spots I've ever seen, but they even threw in at least four double corks.  Scott Stevens, Chris Larson, Ben Bogart, Sean Genovese, and Nick Visconti all pulled of some of the most creative and technically difficult stunts I have even seen.  My shout out though goes to Jess Kimura; she had hands down the best female snowboard part I have ever seen.  Jesse Burtner also deserves props for helping put this together; he's a talented and artistic editor.  He always has a vision for his movies; the brain scan theme is creatively tied into this film.  Each of the transitions is funny, original, and gives you an impression of each rider as well as the process they go through to land their tricks.  In addition unlike many film companies, the time between tricks is brief so you get to see a ton of footy.  If you can only buy one video this winter, this is the one to get.

John Jackson in "F IT"

Here's an awesome post for you, John Jackson's ender in "F IT."  Few people throw down like John in the backcountry.  They charge $8 for "F IT" on iTunes but honestly I'd pay that much for just this part...enjoy!

"The Leak" by Variety Pack

In case you haven't already seen this film, get ready for the best free snowboard film ever made! I guess that's just an opinion but still, this movie is pretty damn good. And it was only half a season's worth of footage!

Eddie Grams has always been my favorite editor. His simple editing allows you to focus on the snowboarding but also gives you a good feel for the crew's vibe and also the pain they went through for their parts. I have supported Variety Pack (formerly Naptime) for several years now and will continue to do so! Enjoy the riding of Salt Lake City greats Alex Andrews, Alex Beebe, Ben Farrell, Brandon Hammid, Ian Boll, Mac Spedale, Matty Mo, Parker Duke, Sage Kotsenburg, Sean Black, and Ted Borland.

Triple Fronflip and Tyler Chorlton

A video of Tyler last season. Pulling off the good ole frontflip high five!

A Bataleon promo for Tyler in 2008. The last trick is well worth the wait.

Jye Kearney in "Made You Look"

This dude rips and he's only 17 years old. I expect to see more of him in the future.

The Buffalo Sessions

French filmers just got some footage on the biggest jump in the Spanish Pyrenees. 10 meters high, 2.5 second air time...wow.

Think Thank and Scott Stevens

A couple of Scott Steven's video parts with Think Thank. This first one is from "Patchwork Patterns"...

the next is from "Thanks Brain"...

and the last is from "Stack Footy."

Keegan Valaika Interview

Keegan is one hardworking snowboarder; full time student, entrepreneur, and professional rider. Check out his ender part in Transworld's "In Color."

Park Laps with Jonah Owen

Get pumped for the season! It's starting to get cold and I'm getting very antsy. To tide you over, here are some videos of Technine rider Jonah Owen shredding some park. You just can't match his style. Here he is riding at Timberline...

and other of him at Mount Bachelor.

Download Peep Show's "Let's Make Better Mistakes Tomorrow"

Support the ladies on this one. Features the riding of Terra Michilot, Kjersti Buaas, Robin Van Gyn, Laura Hadar, Colleen Quigley, Marie Hucal, Esthera Preda, Desiree Melancon, Nicki Slechta, June Bhongjan, and Darrah Reid-McLean. I'm looking forward to Jess Kimura's part; she killed it in Think Thank's "Right Brain, Left Brain."

NowHere Available on iTunes

Definitely one of the best films I've seen this year! Dan Brisse once again demonstrates his urban riding prowess and classic riders like Gigi Ruf, J.P. Solberg, Nicolas Muller, and even Terje seal the deal. Bode Merrill also had a killer part; I'm glad he's finally gotten the recognition he deserves and is now an entrenched member of the Absinthe crew. Click the picture for a link to iTunes!

Zac Marben with Vans Footwear

Volcom rider Zac Marben has been a favorite of mine since I first saw him in "Escramble" in 2007. He's got the best style and always makes his tricks look easy.

Camp of Champions, July 2007

An old video that opened my eyes to rail riding. This was the first time I witnessed the mastery of Jed Anderson and Joe Sexton; in my opinion they are the top tier of jibbers. "Loud Pipes" by Ratatat also adds a good touch; I just saw them live last night!

Hoppipolla!

A new head wear company! Featuring Factor Films riders like Eiki and Halldor Helgason.

Factor Films Presents Stale Sandbech

I'm pretty impressed by this kid...good tricks, good style, good spots. Definitely a must watch.