The Winter Initiator
Whether it be the first notice of Fall, a labor day ski swap, or pulling the trigger on a season pass, there is always that initial big bang moment to remind you that snowboarding is right around the corner. For me, a New Jersey teenager, my big bang moment every September was opening the mailbox to the first issue of Transworld Snowboarding (R.I.P.). Since this would coincide with the start of a new school year, I would feverishly flip through the initial issue to find the most risqué ads or sickest shots to adorn my school binders with.
This past week I began a new ritual for finding this moment: hiking in the mountains to catch sight of the first snow. After keeping an eye on the weather and hearing word of the first dusting, I zipped up Independence Pass to get a glimpse of the first snow for myself. My plan was to get to as high up as I could without venturing way out into the backcountry, so I went for a run towards Lost Man Lake. And boy did it pay off.
Reaching an elevation of 13,000 ft, I made my footsteps in the first snow. The soft powdery crunch underfoot brought up an unrealized excitement for a similar feeling I would have on my board in a few short months. I sat and enjoyed the dancing clouds break way to the peaks which were barely dusted, like the shoes of a baker who had spilled some flour off the counter. As I descended, I was faced with a full snow fall the whole way back; soft, huge, fluffy flakes to ring the distant bell of winter.
What to expect from The Shred Letter
If you haven’t had your big bang winter feeling yet, let this be yours.
By subscribing, you can expect to receive this newsletter every Wednesday from now until the end of the shred season (Aprilish). In it’s contents we will be sharing stories of past boarding, weekly shredding escapades, interviews with local shredders, pros, and industry people, and a behind the scenes look at adventures from our YouTube channel, Search of Snowboarding.
We have a foundational belief in constantly pushing for that next peak. In starting this newsletter we aim to do just that while also growing our community stronger.
Thanks for your support, and we’ll see you somewhere on the mountain!
Stoke of the Week
“I’m heading to Aspen this winter season on a work and travel program , I’m from Argentina and I decided to go for many reasons but one is that I love your videos on SOS, huge fan! Hope to see you and the crew this winter!” - Cayetano