The Brazilian surf-skate-lifestyle-kinda-weird-in-a-good-way magazine Void has released a strangely beautiful, strangely satisfying short film documenting pro-surfers Ryan Burch and Ozzie Wright’s road trip from São Paulo to Rio De Janeiro.
The film is like an asymmetrical board, it’s weird, but it somehow works really well. Speaking of asymmetricals, check out the boards of Ryan Burch, who not only rips, but also crafts some of the most innovative ernest boards around.
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Mike Basich is living the dream, he roams around the world looking for and shredding the gnarliest backcountry lines. He’s also one seriously talented craftsperson, having constructed and lived out of a tiny home he built on a trailer in the Alaskan wilderness.
Now Mike is back at it, this time he’s building a tiny home on the bed of a light duty 4×4 truck, the aim being to have a home he can park in a standard parking spot and drive from line to line.
And if you want to see his previous tiny home adventure check out the video below. Mike Basich, one seriously cool dude!
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The man, the legend, Chris Bertish just completed the first ever solo crossing of the Atlantic Ocean on a Standup Paddle Board!
He was paddling to raise money and awareness for underprivileged children in South Africa, a truly worth cause. To learn more about the voyage, or to donate, see: http://www.thesupcrossing.com/
A freak windstorm at Prato Nevoso ski resort in northern Italy battered a two-person chairlift on Monday. Officials were caught off-guard leaving skiers and riders stranded to tough out the gusts.
Gusts of up to 75 mph derailed the tow cable of the Red chairlift, leaving 130 skiers on the lift, according to Yahoo News UK. The gusts sent empty chairs swinging violently as seen in the video footage above.
Mountain rescue teams were dispatched and when conditions calmed down rescuers began lowering the stranded skiers safely to the ground. Thankfully, no one was injured.
Mammoth Mountain of California has no shortage of the white stuff this season thanks to record-breaking snowfall, including more snow in January than any month on record at the resort. Sitting at a 340-inch (8.6 meters!) base at the top of the mountain, and 178 inches (4.5 meters) at Main Lodge, the resort operators have announced that the mountain will be open through the 4th of July!
Whether you ski or ride, a day on the mountain works up a killer appetite. And it’s not a normal 9-5 appetite, it’s a craving for substantial, delicious, and hearty. You’ve worked (played) hard and you deserve some solid fuel to get those energy levels up to shred some more gnar the next day. We’ve rounded up some of the best food in six of the best ski towns in the world. To meet our stringent criteria for great mountain food, we’ve selected restaurants based on how satisfied your mountain hunger will be and not having to sell an arm and a leg to dine there, lift tickets are expensive enough, right? Unless you cop free lift tickets at any of these 22 resorts in Japan.
Here is our listing of the best ski town food around the globe:
Whistler Blackcomb
Whistler Blackcomb needs no introduction. The granddaddy of ski resorts, consistently rated the best, if not one of the best ski and snowboard resorts in the world.
A huge amount of terrain means there is something for every skier and boarder out there, and just about every cuisine under the sun. There is no end of fine dining in Whistler Village, and no end to the amount of money you can spend on said fine dining. From the incredible meat and seafood at Rim Rock Cafe, to hearty fare at Red Door Bistro, and fine dining at the classic Araxi. All phenomenal dining experiences with price tags to match. However, the aforementioned are a little too pricy to make this list. Our pick for the best Mountain food in Whistler is Splitz Grill. Their tagline says it all: “CASUAL PLACE – SERIOUS BURGERS” all caps too, so you know they’re not messing around.
Check it out:
A perfect burger, sitting next to an eggplant, beautiful. Source: Splitz BurgerFresh veggies, crispy bacon, and a perfectly flame grilled all beef patty. Source: Splitz BurgerSplitz Burger’s interior is basic but warm and cozy, just the way a burger joint should be. Source: Splitz Burger
Pro tip: A little bit of Splitz sauce on your burger is indulgent but necessary, and compliments the burger perfectly. Breaded, fried dill pickles are a serious must order at Splitz.
Vail
Vail Colorado is another granddaddy of the North American ski and snowboard scene. With more than 5,200 acres of inbound ski and snowboard terrain, seven miles of backcountry bowls, and the most groomed terrain on the planet, not to mention legendary Colorado Champagne powder, Vail is a force to be reckoned with.
Like Whistler, there is no shortage of high-end restaurants to satiate that Rocky Mountain hunger rumbling in your belly. Sweet Basil offers fine French inspired American dining. Excellent seafood and American fare can be found at La Tour and seasonal, locally sourced haut cuisine is the mainstay of Terra Bistro. But our pick for the best Mountain food in Vail takes it’s name from the mountains it can be found driving around in: Rocky Mountain Taco. This mobile cantina can be found at different locations around Vail based on the what’s poppin’ at what time. Their on-point social media game (@rockymountaintaco) is the best way to find them.
The brainchild of Jose Reza, Chris Mc Ginnis, and Dan Purtell, they serve up delicious, affordable tacos, quesadillas, burritos and tortas (think Mexican sandwich) made fresh from quality ingredients.
Holy Moley. Source: @rockymountaintacoThis looks like heaven on a plate. Source: @rockymountaintacoTaco Tuesday? Taco errrday! Source: @rockymountiantacoWe feel like they should just cruise around and park wherever rainbows end. Source: @rockymountaintaco
Jackson Hole
Jackson Hole is big country and big skiing and riding. Steep and deep is the way the locals like JH shredding, and with copious amounts of dry powder and the newly opened Sweetwater gondola there is no shortage of amazing terrain to get your stoke on.
With stoke comes hunger! Jackson Hole fine dining options include the delightfully cute Blue Lion, serving up hearty and healthy dishes. Fantastic wine and delicious Italian fare with a modern twist can be found at Bin 22, and Persephone Bakery servers up phenomenal, honest rustic French food. However with its cozy historic Main Street location and home-cooked food with a Southern accent, Cafe Genevieve is where we’d go to power our next JH runs.
By far the best fried chicken in JK. Source: Cafe GenevieveBig country and thick cut steak. Source: Cafe GenevieveOne of Cafe Genevieve’s signature dishes, their killer Ruben is just what the ski doctor ordered. Source: Cafe GenevieveCafe Genevieve is as charming as its food is delicious. Source: Cafe Genevieve
Niseko
Niseko is what powder dreams are made of. There are few places that get huge amounts of perfect, dry powder that Niseko sees consistently every season. Combine that with amazing backcountry terrain and the old school charm of skiing and riding in Japan and Niseko is a powderhound’s dry dream.
Japan is a land of fine dining. You could walk into a 7-11 and find something that is actually food and genuinely delicious. But after a day of waist-deep powder, we crave something a little more satisfying than convenience store fodder. Wine and Dine Rakuda and Karabina are two excellent izakaya style restaurants. Izakayas are small Japanese pub type establishments, usually small and intimate, which serve up hearty small dishes meant to be eaten with beer or Japanese highballs. Izakayas are awesome social experiences not to be missed while in Japan. But if we had one meal in Niseko we’d head to Bang Bang Restaurant. We’re guessing Pew Pew Pew was taken, or it’s named after how much flavor their food punches. Bang Bang Restaurant serves Yakitori, or Japanese grilled skewers and meats. Bang Bang also serves delicious fresh sashimi.
Perfectly grilled skewers and side dishes await you as Bang Bang Restaurant. Source: Bang Bang Restaurant/Trip AdvisorSource: Bang Bang Restaurant/Trip AdvisorBang Bang also serves up some of the best sashimi in Niseko. Source: Bang Bang Restaurant/Trip AdvisorFresh Fatty Tuna Belly, mmmm…. We’re drooling. Source: Bang Bang Restaurant/Trip AdvisorThe grill masters at Bang Bang Restaurant. Source: Bang Bang Restaurant/Trip AdvisorWatch the masters at work. Source: Bang Bang Restaurant/Trip Advisor
Saas Fee
Saas Fee, Switzerland is the jewel of the European Alps, and is renowned for having both amazing Winter and Spring skiing and riding thanks to the large glacier sitting at its top. Big open bowls and bluebird days are what Saas Fee is all about and represents that picture perfect town in the Alps.
Switzerland is bordered by five European countries each of which has distinct cuisines, and all of which are well suited to an alpine appetite. Some of the best offerings in Saas Fee can be found at Essstube, meat heavy fine Swiss dining, Zur Muhle for Swiss comfort food such as stroganoff, rosti, and fondue, and Steakhouse Saas. But if we wanted to kick back after a long day on the mountain in Saas Fee, we’d head to Du Saas-Fee. I mean, it has Saas Fee in the name. Du Saas Fee specializes Swiss classics such as fondue and raclette (mmmmm, raclette).
Source: Du Saas FeeSource: Du Saas FeeSource: Du Saas FeeSource: Du Saas FeeSource: Du Saas FeeSource: Du Saas Fee
Cerro Catedral
With 38 lifts, 1150 meters of vertical, 2965 acres of shreddable terrain and amazing weather and snow conditions Cerro Catedral is considered one of the best mountain resorts in South America. Located only 22 km from the city of Bariloche, Cerro Catedral is a mecca for Argentineans and international ski tourists alike, serving up bluebird days and Patagonia powder.
If there is one thing that Argentina does well, it’s grill meat, specifically beef. Argentina is home to some of the world’s best steak. Grass fed and free range, Argentines take their beef seriously and La Salamandra Pulperia in Cerro Catedral does steak right. Rincon Patagonico, Butterfly, and Cassis are all great options, but La Salmandra Pulperia can’t be beat for great food and cozy home-like ambiance. Run by a husband and wife team the food is simple, but perfect in its simplicity. Empanadas, steak, and salad, all you need.
Source: La Salamandra PulperiaSource: La Salamandra PulperiaSource: La Salamandra PulperiaSource: La Salamandra PulperiaSource: La Salamandra Pulperia
Now if you’ll excuse us, we’re going to go have a snack.
Mother nature is not to be trifled with. She can throw some pretty gnarly things at you, and in a land as raw and pristine as New Zealand the extreme becomes the norm. Enter the Redbull Defiance, a twist on the traditional triathlon, a two person team, two day adventure race which combines trail running, kayaking, endurance mountain biking, and “the creative element of undisclosed special stages.”
Defiance, by definition is the presentation of challenge, but at the same time a means to overcome challenge. The course, created by multisport endurance phenom and Kiwi, Braden Currie is designed to do just that, challenge as well as push athletes to overcome by racing through and over some of the most beautiful scenery the South Island of New Zealand has to offer. Situated in the Wanaka region and focusing on and around Lake Wanaka the 2017 course consisted of a 71 KM enduro mountain bike, 39 KM trail run, 40 KM kayak, 60 M abseil, all of which combined measure out at 5238 M of vertical.
Distance: 11 km Altitude Gain: 490m Terrain: Steep technical climb/fully formed trail/abseil Expected Fastest time: 1hr 15min
Special Stage: Abseil
The special stage for day one is a abseil descent of rocky outcrops into the native bush of Diamond Lake. All abseil equipment is provided and instruction from professionals is provided to aid the completion of this stage. Timing for this portion is halted and athletes will have no more than 5 minutes to prepare for the abseil with the equipment provided. Timing resumes as athletes begin their abseil down the rock face.
Distance: 28 km Altitude Gain: 1278 m Terrain: 4WD track/single track/rough terrain Expected fastest time: 2hrs
Special Stage: Clay Pigeon Shoot
Both team members get 1 shot each. If a shot is made then the team is free to start the next stage of the event, if both shots miss, teams will be forced to take a two minute penalty before starting the next stage of the race.
Distance: 28 km Altitude Gain: 1848 m Terrain: Farm tracks/markers/exposed alpine route/rocks/shingle Expected fastest time: 3 hrs 15min
Details of Redbull Defiance 2018 have yet to be announced, but with a overwhelmingly positive reaction from the endurance racing community we’re sure that course info and registration for the coming year will be available soon, likely to be held in January of 2018. As Jess Simson, Women’s One Day Coast to Coast Champion 2014, and all around badass, says, “If there is any multisport race to do in the world right now, Red Bull Defiance is it!”
An ultra endurance event is one of the most challenging and rewarding events you can experience. There is little else which will completely test you physically and often much more challengingly, mentally. Many outside of the ultra endurance community wonder why people would voluntarily punish their bodies to such an extent. One of the greatest joys of an ultra event is that they allow individuals to explore and experience an area or culture in a way that isn’t possible any other way. You become intimately familiar with a place after running 100 miles of it. You see things and locations that you can’t reach by car. You interact with people you otherwise wouldn’t ever meet.
As locations go there are few places less explored and visited than The Arctic. Enter The Arctic Triple. The Arctic Triple is a series of three races held in the Lofoten archipelago of Norway. Located 68°20′N 14°40′E Lofoten is deep in the Arctic circle however it enjoys relatively warm temperatures due to its high altitude and Gulf Stream air currents which bring warm air to the region, making for the highest relative temperature anomaly in the world. It is also one of three locations which is both furthest North and has year round average temperatures above freezing. There is no better place for endurance racing in The Arctic, featuring stunning natural scenery including dramatic mountains rising from the wild Norwegian Sea, sheltered bays, pristine grasslands and untouched beaches.
Completing the Arctic Triple means successfully completing three events, the Skimo, the Ultra-Trail, the Triathlon within one year. Each event may also be participated in as a standalone event. The Skimo is a ski mountaineering (snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and running) race offering one extreme 4000+ meters and one normal distance taking place during March 16th through March 19th 2017. The Lofoten Ultra-Trail® is a trail running event with distances of 100 miles, 50 miles and 24 KM. All three routes feature near entire ocean views through and travlel through mountains, beaches, green hills. The Ultra-Trail is run June 1st through June 4th. The Arctic Triple Lofoten Triathlon is offered at two distances, Extreme and Olympic +. Lofoten Triathlon is a unique race due to it’s stunning surroundings and transition zone in the heart of Svolvær city. Held August 17th through August 20th.
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With participants labeling the events as “insane” due to course and weather conditions, any one of these races will prove to be a huge challenge, however completing the entirety of the Arctic Triple would be a truly impressive and rewarding experience. As the even organizers put it, “It will be hard. It will be tough. It will be amazing.”
Registration is now open, are you up to the challenge?
Can’t decide if you want to bomb the mountain or rock out at a music festival? Why not do both? We have you covered, here are five of the world’s best ski and snowboard festivals.
Snowbombing, Mayrhofen, Austria
3rd-8th April, 2017
Snowbombing Canada, Sun Peaks, Canada
6th-10th, April, 2017
Snowbombing is the granddaddy of ski and snowboard festivals. It’s the biggest, baddest and raddest ski and snowboard festival of them all.
Where to start? Located in Mayrhofen, Austria, Snowbombing is as the official tag line goes, a “festival 8,497ft above ordinary.” Featuring some of the world’s best skiing and snowbording and world class musical acts performing in unique venues; igloo raves, enchanted forest parties, underground tennis clubs turned super clubs. If that’s not enough, the charming town of Mayrhofen has luxury spas, authentic alpine cuisine, blue runs, black runs and all the schnapps you can drink.
Mayrhofen, Austria provides amazing skiing and snowboarding and is the host location for Snowbombing 2017. Source: SnowbombingSki and ride all day, party all night at Snowbombing. Source: SnowbombingAn amazing crowd, lineup and venues makes Snowbombing an amazing experience not to be missed. Source: SnowbombingPerformances that rival any major music festival will not leave you disappointed. Source: Snowbombing
New for 2017, Snowbombing is holding a sister event at Sun Peaks in the Canadian rockies, giveing North America it’s own version of this awesome ski and snowboard festival. Dates: 6th-10th, April, 2017
Situated high in the breath-taking Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain, Horizon Festival 2017 features outstanding skiing and snowboarding, two mountain top stages with day and night line-ups from 1pm each day, amazing bars, restaurants, clubs, and a hidden secret stage located deep in lush pine forest. What more could you want from a ski and snowboard festival?
Amazing night time performances wow the crowds at Horizon Festival. Source: Horizon FestivalActs which rival an summer music festival are a mainstay at Horizon Festival. Source: Horizon Festival
The ski resort offers a kilometer of vertical and outstanding conditions for beginner, intermediate and advanced skiers and boarders, alongside stunning mountain tops, villages and valleys.
Sunshine and good times are to be had during the day at the Horizon Festival. Source: Horizon Festival
World Ski And Snowboard Festival, Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia, Canada
6th-16th, April, 2017
A completely free outdoor and indoor ski, snowboard, music, arts, and everything in-between festival held in Whistler village every April. The World Ski and Snowboard Festival combines everything that makes Whistler great and supersizes it. Ten days and ten nights of spring riding, après, nightlife and culture.
The backdrop of the Canadian Rockies provides an amazing venue for the World Ski and Snowboard Festival. Source: WSSFDaily and nightly ski and snowboard competitions featuring some of the best local and international riders thrill the crowds at the World Ski and Snowboard Festival. Source: WSSF
Whistler Blackcomb needs no introduction. Featuring more terrain than you could ski or ride in a month it is consistently ranked as the World’s best ski and snowboarding destinations. Plenty of Spring Sunshine and friendly Canadians makes the World Ski and Snowboard Festival one not to be missed and fun for all ages.
Free outdoor performances keep the crowd stoked and the good times rolling at the World Ski and Snowboard Festival. Source: WSSFThe free outdoor daytime concert series at the World Ski and Snowboard Festival brings a great crowd of all ages together for fun and truly family friendly festival. Source: WSSFCanadian spring skiing vibes can’t be beat at the World Ski and Snowboard Festival. Source: WSSFImpressive indoor performances from world class DJs bring the night to life at the World Ski and Snowboard Festival. Source: WSSF
An independent ski & snowboard music festival held in Les Deux Alps, Rise combines fantastic alpine skiing and riding with the hottest in electronic music. Epic parties and a focus on human wellbeing and sustainability along with 222km of pistes and the largest skiable glacier in Europe makes Rise a unique ski and snowboard festival experience. The French resort town of Les Deux Alps is located 3000 meters above sea level and offers European charm, fine dining and . Tickets include a lift pass and access to all night and daytime soirees.
For those of you who like to take to the mountain and have fun at the same time (you monsters, who are you?) then check out the Altitude Comedy Festival. Held in the lovely Tyrolean ski resort of Mayrhofen, this unique festival combines fantastic skiing and riding with stand-up comedy. In addition to world class comedy, skiing and snowboarding the Altitude Festival features late night parties, wonderful food, and an overall great atmosphere for young and old.
Source: Altitude FestivalSource: Altitude FestivalSource: Altitude Festival
