My big dream is to become an interplanetary snowboard hero, however, in reality I mostly practise my carves in an indoor hall in the flat Netherlands (but, there is real snow!). Fortunately, I have been lucky enough to enjoy snow storms in les Deux Alpes, sharp carves on the gentle slopes of Snoqualmie, and fresh powder days in Val Frejus.
I have written an extensive guide about setting up your snowboard and finding the right stance (and even though I try to be a repected researcher, this is by far the most popular article I have ever written; with 20.000 readers per winter season :-)
You can push it real hard – but only in the right spot
Johan Olofsson in Totally Board 10
Selection
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The ideal start of a holiday: first tracks in fresh powder (Val frejus)
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Off piste in Val Thorens.
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The crest of the alps, (Val-Thorens, 3400m).
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Riding the chute (Col D'Arrondaz).
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Empty piste + sunshine = cruising.
Val Frejus, 2005
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Beautiful frozen trees.
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Sunshine and carving.
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Hard climbing to reach the pristine off-piste :-)
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But the forest offpiste is great.
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Fresh snow and all for ourselves.
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Great views on the Val Thorens area from the village.
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High offpiste in Val-Thorens (3400m).
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Fields of powder (Val Thorens).
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The clouds are coming in.
Val Frejus, 2004
Heavy snowfall; if you look carefully, you can just make out the sign to Val Frejus.
The ideal start of a holiday: first tracks in fresh powder snow.
Fresh snow and beautiful views.
Run Forest, run!
Life can not get much better than this...
Powder fields lead to le cafe au lait.
Collecting courage for a steep descent into the chute!
Careful now, this is no place to trigger an avalanche – short turns and easy on the snow.
My girlfriend riding out the chute.
Le joi de vivre.
The joy of backcountry: loneliness.
Beautiful off piste through the forest.
To find the good spots, you have to walk....
Traverse some icy steeps....
Climb some more....
But aahh, the rewards are great :-)
Warning: backcountry riding is a dangerous activity, always carry proper avalanche equipment and hire a guide.
"Oct 18 2005"