Environment & Community

Thankfully snowboarders don’t really face too much hassle these days… but if you’re up on your history, you’ll know that for years we weren’t allowed in many resorts (until they realised the cash potential that is!). :-) Guess it makes sense that thrill seekers are often viewed warily - kind of an honour to know we’re obviously way more extreme than skiers ;) But somehow it’s tipped from total exclusion to a place where we’ve kinda integrated with the ski community. And it’s immense that it’s gone on to Olympic sport status too. Whooop!

Now unfortunately in some areas we’re facing restrictions in the parks again. Such as not being able to run outside of the designated slopes. Due to a few extreme dudes who give reason for banning for acting stupid. If we wanna keep our freedom to ride then it’s pretty vital that we’re responsible every time we’re out on the mountain. And respect both the environment and other riders… even if they’re bang out of order.

So, if you choose to go free riding keep to park rules, and take care not to break young trees on your run. Maybe the parks are in need of some rad tree sweaters to keep them safe?! fox59.com/2014/12/22/group-wraps-young-trees-in-sweaters-to-protect-them-from-vandals/ Genius.

But seriously. Let them grow big enough to let this be part of their future!

On a grander scale, lately there’s been a fair bit of concern about the old climate change issue. Many people are not in-tune enough to be that bothered… but to a lot of snowboarders it’s scarily obvious that there’s a trend in full swing - less snow is falling in our snow parks. Gulp. The inspirational Jeremy Jones decided to take action and started the POW (Protect Our Winters) campaign in 2007 to fight against losing our winters. Find out why people are members here:

The Chill Foundation also do amazing things. Find out more below.

For more info on this, and other great foundations connected to snowboarding, see our ‘good guys’ section. You might find something that puts some boom in your heart and gives you direction. Getting involved in some small way would mean you get that feel good factor running on and off the slopes - it’s good to ride, but if you can do it with pride, all the better!