Snowboard International

It’s interesting how we often talk about accessibility, equity, progression, inclusion, and diversity. Yet our sport is drifting towards elitism. The path ahead isn’t a gentle uphill anymore – it can feel like a sheer climbing wall. Lift tickets at resorts that were once local hubs now cater to high-season luxury. Gear prices have doubled, and in some cases, tripled, over the past decade. And with tariffs looming, most riders don’t need an economics degree to know who will ultimately bear the cost. Our core brands – the ones that shape our culture and make our toys – are already under pressure. Add in the climate conversation – not just our personal footprints chasing snow, but the full industry impact – and the weight is real. It’s a lot. It…

The cover shot, captured by Alex Pashley, comes from the final day of Nik Baden, Mateo Massitti, and Austin Smith’s trip to Alaska to film for their sponsor. To see more of their trip and Alex’s photos, check out our tribute photogallery. This was from the last day of the trip, it was the last photos we shot with Alex. He passed away nine days after this photo. Nik doesn’t share much emotion. I was never sure if he was nervous, excited, happy or bummed on the trip. I hope this photo makes him happy, a reminder of a special place and time on planet Earth. – AUSTIN Austin and Mateo always sat in the front of the chopper which allowed me to sit next to either Pashley or Butters.…

Austin Smith, Nik Baden, and Mateo Massitti took a team trip to Alaska in March, with photographer and friend Alex Pashley, who captured the stills and the forever memories. Alex Pashley, Jeff Keenan, and Jason Remple were caught in an avalanche on Monday, March 24, 2025, north of Kaslo, in British Columbia. This photogallery, put together with the help of friends and fellow photographers Ben Gavelda and Aaron Blatt, and captioned by the riders themselves, is a small tribute to Alex. Neither Nik or Mateo had been to Alaska before and I sounded like the old guy saying “You guys, it’s not usually this good, you don’t know how good we are getting it” over and over again. What a trip! – AUSTIN First lap in Alaska. Adrenaline was hitting an…

The first day of the 2024 Uninvited Invitational, you could hear the buzz through the crowd each time an unassuming young rider in a black Darkside t-shirt and army green pants dropped in. Every trick was as proper as it was technical; her prowess was outsized, and she seemed to come out of nowhere. That day, snowboarding’s general consciousness became privy to what Killington, Vermont locals already knew: Jess Perlmutter is a force of nature. As a last-minute wildcard entry to The Uninvited, the East Coast rider immediately cemented herself among the most talented, and at the end of the week, she earned a rookie award and third place overall. Since then, Jess has been on a tear. She’s racked up podiums from Red Bull Heavy Metal to Rev Tours.…

UK-born, Avoriaz-raised, and fueled by endless energy: Riley Sharpe is already leaving his mark on snowboarding – and he’s only 11. In the words of his parents, Jennifer and James, “Riley has always been, shall we say, extreme in everything he does.” Whether it’s snowboarding, wakeboarding, or surfing, Riley’s been standing sideways since the age of two. In 2025, that passion turned into results: Riley swept the overall slopestyle and big air titles at the Brits, taking down riders more than twice his age, while also claiming the crown for both the under-16 rail jam and the under-12 snowboard cross. Four trophies, one week. Not bad for someone who still has homework to do. With a work ethic that matches his love for fun, Riley’s riding is developing at top…

Forest Bailey’s been busy splitting time between painting, shaping gear, and stacking street clips – years into a pro run that still feels forward. In this brief Q&A, he talks about what keeps him in the streets, the flow that links studio and spot, how he balances making with riding, and a quick look at the two video projects that are coming out this year. Forest, you have been in this forever. What is still pulling you to the streets? It’s so much more like skating… a little more relatable to me… probably the adrenaline, finding the dope spot, going somewhere new, doing something that feels new for yourself or for snowboarding as a whole. What’s the feeling you chase (art ↔ snow)? You can get into flow state with…