Research & Development Breakdown – Robin Van Gyn Interview

Robin Van Gyn has spent over two decades redefining what it means to be a backcountry snowboarder. Through Research & Development, she’s created a backcountry freestyle event in British Columbia that brings up-and-coming female riders and seasoned pros together in the backcountry to push boundaries, and build community.

CHECK IN: New Year, New Crew. Emma Crosby & Jake Kuzyk join Mountain Hardwear

Emma Crosby & Jake Kuzyk started 2025 with. a fresh start. They joined a new team, MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR. Mountain Hardwear is making some big moves to start the year with these two new team members. Between traveling and filming, we sent Jake and Emma journal prompts to learn more about joining the Mountain Hardwear Team. New year, new you. It's a new year, and Jake and Emma have a new outerwear team.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 2024 — ATHLETE BIOS

Last year, Robin Van Gyn launched the RND event to bring together and showcase the next generation of female backcountry snowboarders. While the prize money and a coveted spot in Natural Selection were big rewards, the real win was the exposure these riders gained. Take Ellory Manning, for example: the youngest competitor from Tahoe, who took home first place and earned her ticket to Natural Selection. An opportunity like this could have taken her years to achieve. The athlete roster is packed with names you'll want on your radar—these riders are the future of backcountry snowboarding.

DROP-ED: Park City, The Strike, and the Cost of Cutting Corners

The Park City ski patrollers' strike highlights the broader struggle for fair wages in the ski industry. Despite record profits, Vail Resorts refuses to meet union demands, forcing patrollers to walk out. Meanwhile, guests pay the same prices for reduced services, raising concerns about safety and corporate priorities. As operations falter and stock values drop, the industry faces a critical question: Will Vail negotiate, or will it take a serious injury to force change?

CHECK-IN WITH SPENCER SCHUBERT & HIS FUSE BOOT

Spencer Schubert's new limited edition FUSE snowboard boot colorway breakdown from the creator himself. Ride Snowboards just released this boot and here is why your feet need them!

Take The Rake Recap 2024!

Take The Rake year four at Trollhaugen, an all women's event where a group of women come together to build a park for every human to ride. This event gives women the opportunity to gain experience in welding, feature maintenance, and building a park.

Baby It's Cold Inside—An Ice Coast Rail Jam

Homies packed the fridge for the first ever Ice Coast Big Snow rail jam

AN ODE TO REID SMITH BY JILL PERKINS — GOING PRO FOR RIDE SNOWBOARDS

Jill Perkins writes an ode to Reid Smith about his recent accomplishment: turning pro for RIDE SNOWBOARDS. They've filmed in many video projects together, traveled the world, and now are both offically pro status for their shared board company. Cheers Reid, can't wait to see what you get into this year.