Thirteen: Burton Snowboards

The Snowboarder Movie: SFD(en)

SFD is not just a saying. It’s a movement. An ideology. An approach. A choice made deliberately to dedicate one’s life to snowboarding’s counter-culture philosophy. Last winter, SNOWBOARDER Magazine hand-picked sixteen riders whom we believed to encompass this philosophy and sent them around the world to make the best snowboard movie of the year. From Japan to Canada and the United States to Europe, the SFD crew found the deepest powder, the darkest city streets and the most pristine park jumps to showcase their world-renowned skills on and the result is a snowboard film that will be talked about for ages. Tag along as Bryan Fox, Forest Bailey, Hans and Nils Mindnich, Jess Kimura, Mark Sollors, Ethan Deiss, Jake Olson-Elm, Scott Blum, Lucas Magoon, Blake Paul, Dustin Craven, Jake Blauvelt, Jess Kimura, Iikka Backstrom, Jake Welch and friends show the world why they’re not just committed to snowboarding…they’re SFD for life.

First Descent(en)

First Descent is a 2005 documentary film about snowboarding and its beginning in the 1980s. The snowboarders featured in this movie (Shawn Farmer, Nick Perata, Terje Haakonsen, Hannah Teter and Shaun White with guest appearances from Travis Rice) represent three generations of snowboarders and the progress this young sport has made over the past two decades. Most of the movie was shot in Alaska.

Playground(en)

In their 58th feature film, Playground (narrated by Olympic gold medalist Jonny Moseley), Warren Miller Entertainment captures the latest in extraordinary winter sports action in stunning High-Definition with a killer soundtrack to match. From an indoor ski park in Dubai and the mystical elevations of the Japanese mountains to the frigid norther reaches of Sweden, this film follows the planet's leading skiers of the freeride movement - Jon Olsson, Sean Petit, Dan Treadway, Peter Olenick, and others - to exhilarating destinations where anything is possible.

Free Rider(en)

Sam Anthamatten (ski) and Victor de Le Rue (snowboard) push new boundaries in the wildest corner of Alaska. A bush pilot drops the small crew of five on a remote, unexplored glacier to conquer the spine walls in a series of ascents, each one more committed. Narrator Jérôme Tanon describes with honesty and a touch of sarcasm what exactly is going on here. Above all, he wants to feel what it’s like to be in their shoes, to understand what so called “free riders” are made of, and what could be the purpose and beauty of “freeriding”.

La Zone(en)

In the early 2000's, David Vladyka and a handful of snowboarders discovered the Col de Cou, a major crossing point on the French-Swiss border used by smugglers after the Second World War. This area with its hilly terrain became a legendary place for freestyle snowboarding. 20 years later, Mat Schaer and David Vladyka still come back from time to time to film, but the immaculate slopes are becoming rare. The excitement of the great freestyle years has given way to the hikers. A new page is being turned.

Volcom - True to This(en)

When Volcom was founded in 1991, it was the first company to combine skateboarding, surfing and snowboarding under one brand from its inception. This way of life influenced the anti-establishment style and attitude that defined a generation. The cultural phenomenon was best captured when Volcom released "Alive We Ride" in 1993: a film documenting the raw excitement and spontaneous creativity inherent to the lifestyle. Twenty-one years later, with the release of "True To This", Volcom again captures the energy and artistry of board-riding in its purest forms. Shot all around the world and showcasing iconic athletes, "True To This" is a tribute to the movement that inspired a generation and the people and places that embody that spirit today.

Lines(en)

The documentary follows a crew of snowboarders for six weeks in the Chugach mountains, and showcases what it takes to ride these unique Alaskan mountains: the waiting, the stress, the dangers, everything that goes into it and is usually never shown. It also retraces some of the history of this unknown discipline and pays tribute to the pioneers. But the film really focuses on the human aspect and why these people do what they do.

TB3 - Coming Down The Mountain(en)

This movie is the ultimate combination of freestyle and extreme snowboarding... Witness Dave Hatchett's first descent at Mendenhall Towers in Alaska, and sick freestyle moves by Peter Line and Jim Rippey. Locations: Alaska, Colorado, Norway, Oregon, Lake Tahoe, Utah, Washington, Austria, Cortina Italy

Burton Snowboards - Chill(en)

Locations: Canadian Cariboos Stratton Mountain, VT Southern Alps of New Zealand Mt. Baker, WA Stubai Glacier, Austria

Depth Perception(en)

What happens when you take a Young Gun, a veteran, some chick and this other guy and drop them off in the middle of the snow-coated Canadian wilderness with a few boards and enough lenses to make even Marilyn Monroe blush? We wanted to find out. And so we did all that. Then we made Depth Perception. The film invites you to join Austen Sweetin, Travis Rice, Robin Van Gyn and Bryan Fox on an expedition. It'n to learn about nature. An expedition to ride some of the best backcountry on the planet. And, occasionally, an expedition to violently fall down a mountain to the peaceful hum of a violin. Mmm. Yeah. Depth Perception is somehow as earnest as it is tongue-in-cheek.

We're People Too(en)

We're People Too! and 2007 will feature all the things kids love about a proper video from some fun-loving PEOPLE. The movie will start with an intro and will then fade into first part. Since fresh blood is running thick in this year's roster, first part could end up being a big surprise. Next comes the rest of the movie, which you won't want to fast forward, followed by last part, which might be given to one of these talented trend setting characters: Austin Smith, Bode Merrill, Bryan Fox, Filippo Kratter, Jon Kooley, Jordan Mendenhall, Josh Mills, JP Tomich, Justin Hebbel, Nima Jalali, Pat McCarthy, Ryan Thompson, Shaun McKay, Stephen Duke, Zac Marben

Optimistic?(en)

In the first winter to show the undeniable effects of global warming, Absinthe Films has explored the effects of a changing planet. For those who live to snowboard, these changes can be perceived as impossible challenges or creative opportunities. Absinthe reconfirms it's ability to find the best conditions when the rest have given up or resigned themselves to the park. Following fifteen individuals through their interpretation of this winter, Absinthe forges another unforgettable snowboard film with it's newest release. Optimistic?

Dark Matter(en)

World-renowned snowboarders Travis Rice and Elias Elhardt team up with legendary director Curt Morgan for a celebration of space and time filmed in the deep backcountry of Alaska, exclusively on location at Tordrillo Mountain Lodge.

That's It, That's All(en)

Dedicated to everything snowboarding, Travis Rice and a dream team crew set out on a seek-and-destroy operation for the new zone, the new trick and the new perspective on the sport. Aspiring to bring you closer, the Hi Def, 35mm, super16 footage answers the question why Trice and his friends have poured blood, sweat, tears and soul into a simple thing like snowboarding.

White Balance(en)

In a sea of over hyped, over saturated snowboard flicks, White Balance stands true and delivers the whole spectrum of snowboarding. From the inner city handrails to the highest peaks in Alaska, this movie is what snowboarding is truly about. Standard Films travels the globe with some of the best snowboarders in the world and upcoming talent.

Ready(en)

Absinthe remains committed to documenting these amazing riders with the most timeless and stylish medium: Film. Following up to last year’s question ‘Optimistic?’, Absinthe answers with a crew of riders who overcome obstacles with spontaneity and skill in another full spectrum snowboard film that is down to have some more fun with snowboarding. Ready.

Double Decade(en)

Double Decade marks Mack Dawg Productions’ 20th anniversary of filmaking. It is with great pride that we present this epic snowboarding film. Double Decade is a look into the past, and a look into the future of freestyle snowboarding. This movie is so ill it can only be rated S for Sick. Mack Dawg Productions, 20 years deep and still loving it. Damn, times flies when you’re having fun.

Draw(en)

Catch the Vapors(en)

Standard Films spanned the globe this past winter documenting the best snowboarding in the greatest mountain ranges to catch the vapors. Witness pro snowboarders descend huge mountain peaks, drop endless pillows lines, boost off huge backcountry kickers, hit unique urban features and destroy custom resort parks. Catch the Vapors is the progression of All Terrain, Freestyle, All Mountain and Backcountry Snowboarding!

More(en)

Once again Absinthe Films raises the bar to bring you 'More'. This title marks the beginning of a new era for Absinthe Films as they have broadened their scope to include and properly represent urban riding while still keeping the overall blend fresh and un-repetitive.