Over the last few years, we've seen more and more people strap in, and this level of inclusivity comes as a nice change of pace from what most resorts are used to. The opportunity to get on a chairlift almost always requires privilege (in some capacity or another), and whether that reality lends itself to influence, money, transportation, or even just a crew to ride with is a hard pill to swallow. Safe to say snowboarding's landscape would look a lot different if you could walk outside your house, pick up a board, and just do the damn thing.
What a lot of this boils down to is a theory of competition in economics called barrier to entry. Yes, this was once a double entendre(ed) contest up at the Bone Zone, but it's also a complex economic principle that relates to snowboarding now more than ever. The thought of overcoming seemingly never-ending obstacles just to take some turns may seem a bit harsh, but there's no denying that socioeconomic factors have had an impact on the amount + types of people getting on snow. Luckily there are people working to break down as many of these barriers as possible. Among Hoods to Woods, the Chill Foundation, the Dillon Ojo Lifeline Foundation, and a select few other non-profits rises another group we can get behind—the Technically Doing It crew.
Comprised of Zeb Powell, Rob Roethler, Keir Dillon, and a slew of talented others, TDI is an all black crew aiming to create a space for people of color in snowboarding. Their latest short film, Sizzle, breaks down one of the biggest barriers to entry: summer snowboarding. Hefty travel days, exorbitant lift tickets, and pricey lodging all go out the window as they head up to Mt. Hood for Halo Halo, an event two years in the making to elevate representation & participation. Strap in for a PDX travel day, some Airbnb chilling, and a bunch of clips from the Snowboy Productions event in early July.
TDI's First Stop: Palisades
Featuring: Zeb Powell, Lj Henriquez, Michael McDaniel, Rob Roethler, Irie Jefferson, Stevie Bell, Adro Mithcell, Keir Dillion, Alex Caccamo, and Brian Rice
Filmed and Edited by: CubanLu
Additional Filming: Colden Rand and Peter Cirilli
