Darrell Mathes Interview on WeSC.com

From: WeSC.com:

Darrell Mathes is a busy man. Between snowboarding, a new line of gloves, Howl, and his production company, Videograss, he somehow found a way to stop by the WeSC Soho headquarters to hangout and show us pictures of some of his NYC adventures.

How'd you get started in snowboarding?

I started snowboarding when I was 11 years old. My cousin was actually the one who influenced me--he had an old Burton air snowboard and wore neon outfits, and I thought it was pretty cool.

Tell us a bit about Videograss and Howl. How's life in the production and fashion fields?

I started Videograss with a few friends. We knew that snowboarding needed a new outlook and we wanted to start something new and fresh. Being behind the lens is actually a lot more stressful than being in front of it, probably because of the whole business aspect. Howl is a glove company I started with three friends (all guys behind Ashbury), and we do the more normal, standard looking glove but with a fashion forward vibe.

READ MORE at WeSC.com.

SASS Global Travel "Why I Love My Mountain" Contest

Andreas Wiig. Photo: Tim Peare.

SASS Global Travel is running a contest on their facebook page right now called "Why I Love My Mountain". If you sign up and write a short essay about why you love your mountain, you could win free gear like Contour HD cameras, Dakine backpacks, RED/Anon helmet/goggle set ups and more! The SASS Snowboard Camp, now called SASS Global Travel, operates in San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina and offers snowboarders the chance to ride real backcountry terrain with some of the most knowledgeable guides in the industry. At the same time, you'll have the chance to explore Argentina's, "culture, language, food, and nightlife, and share the experience with an incredible crew of fellow pow-seekers that will likely become a part of your extended family once you leave."

A couple of summers (or winters) ago, we took a trip down to SASS with photographer Tim Peare to do a story for Snowboard Magazine. Tim shot a ton of great photos, many of which were never used in the story and are seen here for the first time. See all the photos at vanssnow.tumblr.com.

Darrell Mathes On "Wallpaper Wednesday"

Darrell Mathes. Photo: Andy Wright.

Vans Team Rider and Northwest heartthrob Darrell Mathes is back on Transworld's "Wallpaper Wednesday" with another banger shot for your computer, iPhone or what have you. Darrell and his Videograss crew take urban shredding to the next level, and this monster gap over a concrete crevasse in Ogden, Utah proves it. You can't front on that. Nice job once again my friend!

Go to twsnow.com to get the full size wallpaper image for your desktop!

Vans Team Signature Sessions At HCSC

It's that time of year again! High Cascade Snowboard Camp kicked off this week on Mt. Hood, which is the official start of the summer shred season. The snow is deep, the Superpipe is hitting and the jumps are built... say hello to soggy boots and sunburns! And once again, HCSC is doing it right with their signature sessions. First off is Hana Beaman's from July 6th-13th. That one's sold out already, and Vans Snow will be there this year to cover all the action.

After that, it's Videograss time. According to HCSC, "The Videograss Session kills it. Now in it's second year, this hefty dude-crew boasts an impressive 1-to-1 Signature Sessioner™-to-Camper Ratio.

OK, so maybe there's not really 200 of them, but there will be about 20! Leading the way is Mikey LeBlanc and Darrell Mathes who are bringing their cast of riders who film for the Videograss movies. You will be the first person to see their newest film on the big screen during the HCSC World Premier, learn more, do more and win more stuff than you could possibly imagine. In fact, the VG session is so sick, Keegan Valaika asked if he could come to it, and he's not even filming with those guys..."

There are a few spots still open, so go SIGN UP NOW!!!.

Go to vanssnow.tumblr.com to watch VIDEO Recap from last year.

Nick Pooch In New Zealand

Wanaka, New Zealand. Photo: Nick Pooch.

Vans Am extraordinaire Nick "Pooch" Poohachoff is spending the summer in the Land Of Frodo once again, and threw up some sick photos on the ol' tumblr blog. Nick will undoubtedly be ripping Snowpark NZ on the daily and breaking us off with fresh videos throughout the summer... or winter, depending on which way you look at it. Big ups to Nick for steady puttin' in work. Check out more shots of this picturesque landscape over on vanssnow.tumblr.com.

Markus Keller Photo in Red Bull Illume

Markus Keller. Photo: Thomas Stockli.

Red Bull Illume is the world's premier action and adventure sports photography competition. The 2010 Image Quest uncovered a new, stunning collection of images.

The 50 finalists were unveiled last year at a spectacular ceremony in Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. Chris Burkard (USA) received the honor of being voted the Overall Winner. His image of surfer Peter Mendria riding the waves in golden sunlight on Chile's West Coast was selected by a international Jury of 53 photo experts, winning him a Leica S2 camera worth €30.000, prizes from SanDisk and a ProRunner x450 AW camera bag from Lowepro.

The category winners and finalists in the top 50 images were selected from the 22,764 images submitted to the 2010 Image Quest by thousands of photographers worldwide after an extensive search for the world's best photographs in BMX, surfing, skateboarding, B.A.S.E jumping, climbing, motor and winter sports.

The Red Bull Illume Photobook 2010 is a record of this quest. The top 250 images have been published in high-quality hardback and is available for purchase for fans of these stunning, breathtaking images. The worldwide exhibition of these images recently wrapped up in Denver, CO, but you can now check out the website redbullillume.com to see the online gallery of all the images, including this timeless shot of Vans Team Rider Markus Keller, which was also the cover of Snowboard Magazine in 2009.

Alek Oestrang and Andreas Wiig In Norway

Andreas Wiig. Photo: Thomas Harstad.

Winter's not over for everyone! Andreas Wiig is still shredding the gnar up in Norway. Want proof...? Check out foursqaureouterwear.com for more photos of what looks like a sunny and sick parks sesh.

2011 Frendly Gathering West Coast Recap

Hana Beaman. Photo: Laura Austin.

Snowboarder Magazine's Laura Austin headed up to the 2011 West Coast Frendly Gathering in Mammoth last weekend, and has posted a story with lots of cool shots from the event. While winter still has its grip in California (the mountain still has a 9-17 foot base), tons of party people showed up to hang out with the Frends crew. Jack and Luke Mitrani, Danny Davis, Kevin Pearce, Mason Aguirre, Scotty Lago, Mikkel Bang, and Keir Dillon all showed up for two days of old-school style shredding on the hill and camping out in nearby Crowley at night, where the party raged until the sun came up. Check out LAustin's recap of the wild weekend on SnowboarderMag.com.

Jamie Lynn Cameo in Absinthe's "12"

Jamie Lynn showed up in Alaska to film with the Absinthe crew for their latest project "12". Big mountain rippers like Gigi Ruf, Nicolas Muller, Lucas Debari, Bode Merrill, and Blair Habenicht are featured in the film, and the whole crew descended upon Haines, AK for some late-season shredding and ended up nailing it. Gotta admit we're a little jealous. Check out the teaser at vanssnow.tumblr.com.

What's The Word With Darrell Mathes

Darrell Mathes is one cool dude. He shreds what he wants, he still calls the Northwest home and he is down with some of the most innovative and trendsetting companies in the world. Proudly repping brands like Vans, Holden and WESC, Darrell has carefully carved out his own place in the snowboard scene by simply doing what he loves best: riding hard with style. Darrell's not concerned with contest winnings or video game characters. Instead, he's helping to develop quality products with his supportive sponsors and focusing his creative energy on his Videograss production company, producing fan favorite films year after year.

More photos, videos and a full interview at vanssnow.tumblr.com.

Brain Farm: Behind the Scenes

Eric Willett. Photo: Tim Zimmerman.

ESPN has a photo gallery and video with a behind the scenes look at the Aspen shoot of Brain Farm Cinema's upcoming film "The Art Of Flight". Vans Team riders Mark Landvik and Eric Willett showed up to join in the festivities, with Mark playing team mascot after his knee injury earlier this winter, and Eric sending double cork variations over a giant booter until a triple cork attempt resulted in a slight concussion. Guess you gotta send it when you're rolling with Travis Rice! Check out the photos and video over at espn.com.