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(Postcards)

(board winner)

I got your December issue last week in the mail and was greatly impressed. I want to thank you for the ideas for travel and tips on how to plan better for this season.

Last winter we had record snowfall in the mountains and in turn had an awesome season. Unfortunately there was a downside. We had reports of fatalities and missing persons that ran through newspapers and television. One incident I recall is when a few teens disappeared near dusk on a mountain in North Idaho. Since it was a mountain I frequent, my mother called me from Kentucky to make sure it wasn’t me or a buddy or mine. Fortunately they the missing riders were found and in okay condition, but for the rest of the season my friends and I took extra precautions not be added to the list.

Although I see a lot of your articles mention taking certain precautions, it would be nice if you would write an article dedicated to safety on and off the beaten path. The awesome pictures you run massively outweigh all thought of safety. Our wondering minds and extreme dreams fool us of the dangers beyond every bend and below every ledge. If you have already written an article on safety, please refer to it so I can read up.

Thanks for your interest in the mag, Dave. We’re especially glad you’re interested in backcountry safety. You’re right, you can never be too careful out there. This issue is filled with articles and photos celebrating the backcountry, but if you want to brush up on the basics, check out the Backtracks column in our October issue for avalanche awareness and tips. And enjoy your new splitboard!

(Lizzy please run with black and white photo)

The letter in the December issue from Paul Younson of Vermont in which he expressed his desire to see more young rippers in your publication inspire me to send in this shot of Willy McCoy from Arlington, Washington. Will was fourteen at the time, riding totally for personal pleasure–and yes, he did stick the landing.

Keep up the good work bringing joy and knowledge to snow surfers everywhere.

¡Viva La Niña!

A couple of years ago I got my first copy of your mag. I soon became a subscriber to get that really cool five-piece tool (unfortunately it was lost riding deep powder).

I enjoy reading the mag and letting friends read the cool articles. Reading the stories of snowboarders surfing untouched powder in remote areas is awesome! Makes me drool!

One favor–what is the possibility of getting a full-length article done on Craig Kelly, of his past and what he’s doing now? The guy is my mentor and I still ride his ’95 signature Burton. It’s getting old and I am going to have to (sob … sob) get a new board next season.

Peace and go ride the steep!

I’ve been working up the courage to write this letter. My writing is not the greatest, but it will pass. I read each issue over and over. I think you should write an article about snowboarders’ personalities and how they like snowboarding. I don’t know about you, but I really like snowboarding. Has anyone ever gotten married snowboarding? I hope not, ’cause thenn I could be the first.

Keep snowboarding.

P.S. Are you ever scared when you’re doing a flip on your snowboard?

Last spring, Brian and Amy Klauser from North Carolina were married in Valdez, Alaska. They took a helicopter to a peak, their friend performed the ceremony, then they all rode powder the rest of the day.

As for your question about the tricks, if you’re not scared, you’re not trying hard enough. And hey, never be afraid to write in, we’re editors remember?

Bertrand Gives Back

I was very glad to read that interview with Berti Bertrand Denervaud, October 1999. He is not only one of the best riders I have seen in twelve years but also a generous individual.

I used to be the organizer of an ISF World Cup at Mount St. Anne, Canada in the early 90s. Every year we did an autograph session with the riders and charged one dollar, donating the money to the cystic fibrosis charity. One year we had to cancel the autograph session because a fight broke out when the winner of the halfpipe event threw his board to the cheering kids.

An hour later I arrived at the contest office, and Berti came up to me and said he felt sorry we didn’t raise the money for the kids that year. Without hesitation he handed me an envelope–it was his prize money for placing third in the halfpipe. The envelope was filled with over 1,000 U.S. dollars, equivalent to 1,500 Canadian. No need to express my surprise. Who said snowboarders are bums? Bertrand is one whose proven they’re not.

First of all, I just wanted to let you know that like you, I believe that snowboarding rocks! It has become an integral part of my life for three seasons at least.

I remember when I first went boarding up in Big Bear, California. I went up there with my friend Julieanne and her sister. We got there late when it just started to snow. We stayed up all night, only to get up and hit the fresh powder that had fallen the night before … I learned to board by default, really. I broke both my wrists that day. Whatever!

Within the last year I have faced an even more incredible challenge off the slopes. I lost my hearing due to a sensorineural hearing loss that left me completely deaf. At first, I just wanted to crawl up and go away, but snowboarding has taught me a few things about life also. Sometimes you just have to take the ride. I find that snowboarding has helped me realize that life is good, no matter what. In a sense, you guys, through your magazine, have helped with that.

Thanks for your magazine, keep riding.

Respectfully submitted,