Snowboarder Japan Norske

Norway always seems to be the call for springtime snowboard antics and photo shooting, and 2010 was no different (except our new location in Filefjell, about four hours from Oslo). Burton once again organized a big team trip centered on a ski resort that was ‘closed for the season,’ meaning we had full run of the place for terrain building.

After one week of moving snow with the cat, we showed up for two days of hand digging that would result in a double-sided hip feature that kept us entertained for ten days straight (along with a mid-shoot break involving a surf trip to the west coast).

Once spring hits this part of the world, the days get long and the need to wake up early and panic to the hill is non-existent. It’s a welcomed change from our mid-winter schedule of waking up before sunrise and chasing north facing snow through the late morning. Once Scandinavia goes into the summer rotation, the ‘golden hour’ goes from that short 60-minute window to hour upon hours of the best light you’ve ever seen (or felt). That's a huge reason why I sign up for these Norwegian spring missions…unlimited golden hour!!

Blotto