Transworld Snowboarding

It’s been about a year since Jason Robinson and I began a dialogue that will continue well past me writing this. Some of it is in this magazine, but most hasn’t been recorded. No one wants to read about two dudes’ respective girl drama or their thoughts on whether a van or truck is the more ideal mobile living scenario. Our friendship isn’t reliant on snowboarding—we spend little time talking about lines or tricks, and there is minimal discussion of that nature in his interview beginning on page 74—but this common interest is what initially put us in the same place, at the same time. It’s been said over and over that this activity brings people together, and the cliché rings true with each utterance. Snowboarding is the foundation for friendships…

There never has been a right or wrong way to snowboard. It’s what makes the act of laying down a turn for one as liberating as sliding down a rusty handrail for another. Born of the counterculture that is surfing and skateboarding, snowboarding has always been a way for us to approach our passion in individual ways, many of which stray from the norm. But there’s no denying that snowboarding is also a business. For the people behind the products, there are margins to hit and mathematical equations to consider. While there may be no direct rulebook on how to go about designing and selling snowboards, there are formulas involved. Michael Chilton is well-versed in these formulas, but it hasn’t prevented him from approaching his craft with an unorthodox spirit. As the snowboard…

Snowboarding has always coincided with adventure. This is what beckoned us to stand sideways in the first place. From that first time we hiked up a snow-covered hill at a local golf course, to the initial chair ride at an unfamiliar resort, there’s a thrill affixed to new experiences that can’t be ignored. It’s easy to be consumed by the mundane each winter, but there’s a way to reignite that youthful, adventurous spirit this season: Plan a backcountry hut trip. Between the thrill of exploring new terrain and the antics sure to ensue when gathering your friends in what’s essentially a treehouse for adults, a hut trip epitomizes the adventurous spirit that drives all snowboarders. Plus, what better excuse to switch your phone to airplane mode for a few days? ASSEMBLE A CREW The right crew…

I think most snowboarders like to view our culture as progressive—a community of artists more than a group of jocks. I do. But how accepting of diversity is snowboarding, actually? Last year, in an effort to refresh my avalanche education, I was introduced to Mike Bortnowski, a guide knowledgeable beyond his 24 years, who helped me continue on the never-ending path that is the pursuit of backcountry knowledge. With this question of the snowboard community’s level of diversity acceptance recently on my mind, I called Mike. He’s gay. I was curious how that has affected his experience within the outdoor industry and as a snowboarder. What he had to say was enlightening and troubling, but also gives me hope for a more inclusive future that begins with discussion. How did you…

“This was a crazy time in my life. I was dating this girl Rachel, who I’m still great friends with. She’s Justin Timberlake’s personal photographer, so I went from hanging out in Ten Sleep, Wyoming, in the summers to following her around with Justin. The first summer we were dating, she asked me, “Hey, you want to go to Europe with us?” When we traveled together, it wasn’t an entourage; it was me, Justin, and Rachel. First off, Justin is an amazing human. Super rad guy. He can shred; he’s genuine. I can’t thank that dude enough for the experiences that he gave me through those years. So I find myself in Europe because Justin was doing a surprise appearance at Elton John’s AIDS benefit. I think this was in…

Since its inception four years ago, Tested + Approved has swiftly and proudly established itself as snowboarding’s most comprehensive product test. With an endless sea of gear to choose from—bindings and boots, helmets and goggles, gloves and layers—it’s not getting any easier to know where to spend your money when seemingly everything is touted as the next great innovation. Our aim is to sort claims from competence because, like everyone, we get bummed when something fails on its word. We start the Tested + Approved process by reaching out to brands with reputable product offerings, asking them for submissions across an array of categories. We then distribute this gear to insightful, diehard shredders across the country with distinguished knowledge of product and an astute ability to critique it. Committed to eliminating…