For this installment we head back to Colorados Front Range to check out the accomplishments of Forrest Thorniley. Wether its snow or rock Forrest has a general love for the mountains which pushes him to be up there year round. What was at first snowshoeing quickly progressed to AT skiing then finally he found his way to a splitboard. In this interview we talk about his progression back into snowboarding and what drives him today and his plans for the future.
Killing it at Home Series
Killing it at Home, Splitboarders Across the World: Nikolai Samson
Our next stop takes us back to Canada where the mountains are big and the personalities are bigger. Nikolai is a Carpenter by day and a innovator by night creating a true blend of surfing and snowboarding. How you ask? by creating pads instead of binding for a riding style called noboarding. I had a chance to talk to him about his experiences and the balance that takes place between work and riding.
Killing it at Home, Splitboarders Across the World: Dusty Green
It’s time to head back to Alaska and to be more specific, the Chugach Mountains where we meet up with Dusty Green. With 9 years of splitboarding under his belt he has hiked, biked and kayaked to get out to remote locations only a skier could love. I got a few minutes to talk to Dusty about his love for the mountains of Alaska and the 5 minutes of fame he received from being in the movie First Decent.
Killing it at Home, Splitboarders Across the World: Tyler Wilkes
Its time once again to head north to Canada where we meet up with Tyler Wilkes. Based out of Vancouver Tyler is within driving distances of both the lift serviced north american mecca (Whistler/Blackcomb) and the Backcountry touring Mecca (Rogers Pass) and endless options in between. With almost 20 years of riding experience he finds the perfect blend between free riding and ski mountaineering. I was able to take a few moments to talk with him about what its like balancing school and riding.
Killing it at Home, Splitboarders Across the World: Paul Holding
Its time once again to head east, far east to a place that is considered the birthplace of ski mountaineering. Deep in the French Alps lies a little place known as Chamonix where a lift can take you up 9000 feet to a dense mountain landscape covered in glaciers and near vertical walls. This place is a cultural mecca for mountaineering and the perfect place to meet up with Paul Holding. Wether its a multi-day traverse or a 50 degree face, (or sailing across the Atlantic solo) Paul is an exceptional character and I was fortunate to ask him a few questions about what it’s like splitboarding in a place so highly regarded within the mountaineering community.
Killing it at Home, Splitboarders Across the World: Scott McAllister
Now we are off to a place in which 1/3 of the state is covered in mountainous terrain. Wild, rugged and scenic comes to mind when I think of the North Cascades region deep in Washington state. Are next interview is with Scott McAllister, a strong tourer who had been doing unique tours within the Cascades area and I am proud to say, one of my touring partners. The Cascades are famous for harsh, brutal and moral breaking weather only to be followed by dense mountains and massive volcanos. In this interview Scott focuses on his past, present and future when it comes to splitboarding.
Killing it at Home, Splitboarders Across the World: Nick Verhaaren
Our next stop takes us to a place where the sheep outnumber the people. New Zealand is two separate islands with completely distinct landscapes. The north island is flat yet riddled with volcanos while the south islands backbone is the southern island. Nick Verhaaren is a splitboarder living at the base of the crown of the New Zealand volcanos, Mt Ruapehu which boast two separate ski resorts and enough terrain to keep someone busy there entire life. I was able to meet up with Nick in between powder days to get a feel for the free riding potential in this small corner of the world.
Killing it at Home, Splitboarders Across the World: Jaime Van Lanen
No snowboarding series is complete without a mention of Alaska and the endless mountains that cover the vast landscape. Our next stop take us to this remote region to interview a legend among splitboarders. Not only is Jamie a highly educated individual he is a highly regarded splitboard mountaineer with descents all over the world under his belt. I was fortunate to meet up with Jamie and talk about his past experiences and one of many loves in his life, splitboarding.
Killing it at Home, Splitboarders Across the World: Ian Miller
This stop takes us to a area filled with a deep and passionate culture with endless respect for nature. With over 500 ski resorts riddled throughout a country that is 70% mountains, Japan has endless opertunities in some of the wildest scenery in all the world. This area also has the perfect blend of cold air from Siberia and moisture from the Pacific, promising deep untracked experience in Paper Birch Forests. This time I talked to Ian Miller the creator of poachninja.com about his experience traveling the globe and sharing his passion with others.
Killing it at Home, Splitboarders Across the World: Barrows Worm de Geldern
Our newest addition takes us to a place where the snow is dry and the skies are blue. The Rocky Mountains stretch for more than 3000 miles but for this interview we get a in-depth look at a Colorado Rockies local. Barrows is a well seasoned traveler who has a extensive resume of big line descents from AK to Colorado and all in between. I was able to chat with and get a in depth look at some of Barrows achievements that show what a snowboarder with some determination can achieve.