Features
FROM THE MAG—Zeb’s Zen: Is There Peace in Powder?
Zeb Powell might just be Instagram’s first true viral snowboarder. If not him, then Marcus Kleveland—but there’s something fitting about their first knuckle huck face-off playing such a big role in Zeb’s rise. Read about Zeb's foray into powder from the December issue of the magazine.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 2024 — ATHLETE BIOS
Last year, Robin Van Gyn launched the RND event to bring together and showcase the next generation of female backcountry snowboarders. While the prize money and a coveted spot in Natural Selection were big rewards, the real win was the exposure these riders gained. Take Ellory Manning, for example: the youngest competitor from Tahoe, who took home first place and earned her ticket to Natural Selection. An opportunity like this could have taken her years to achieve. The athlete roster is packed with names you'll want on your radar—these riders are the future of backcountry snowboarding.
DROP-ED: Park City, The Strike, and the Cost of Cutting Corners
The Park City ski patrollers' strike highlights the broader struggle for fair wages in the ski industry. Despite record profits, Vail Resorts refuses to meet union demands, forcing patrollers to walk out. Meanwhile, guests pay the same prices for reduced services, raising concerns about safety and corporate priorities. As operations falter and stock values drop, the industry faces a critical question: Will Vail negotiate, or will it take a serious injury to force change?
SHAPER SUMMIT 2024
Shaper Summit returned to Jackson Hole to test all-mountain snowboards. Here are the top snowboards of 2024 and the reviews.
JUMBO EASY — K2 SNOWBOARDING
New K2 team video featuring snowboarding by; Aito Ito, Jake Kuzyk, Lauren Nelson, David Djité, Justin Clark, Justin Phipps, Noah Peterson, Aya Sato, Gabe Ferguson, Curtis Ciszek, and Parker Szumowski.
Check in: Maddy Schaffrick is back
Maddy Schaffrick is back and we got the scoop! 10 years out of that competitive bib, Maddy has reignited her snowboarding competitive spirit and decided to chase her Olympic dreams to compete in the 2026 Olympic games in Italy.
A Trollhaugen Christmas- Zeb's Pop Out Poem
‘Twas the night before the Pop Out and all through the house,
Not lots could be heard over Cacc’s blood curdling shouts;
The gang was crowded ‘round the table, looking forward to a festive feast,
Slapping down sixes and sevens, matching colors to compete.
The faux yule fire was burning, illuminating the Christmas Tree;
Packed neatly with wrapped presents, from Zeb’s sponsors to handout for free.
When the game comes to a close, and stomachs stuffed tightly;
They lay there in their beds, all neat and tidy.
Stay High 2. Uncomfortably High — Brin Alexandar
A snowboard video following Brin Alexander, Jack Mcdougall, Bode Miller, Mitchell Davern, Will Kovacic, Coulton Conway and more. Backcountry riding at a very HIGH level.