Everyone knows Austin Sweetin can ride a snowboard. You know it, I know it, but Sean Lucy makes sure that even the kid watching over your shoulder in the library knows it too. This is an incredibly creative documentation of spontaneous snowboarding as much as it is calculated riding. From the Mt. Baker road gap that sets the tone for the video to the avalanche inducing front seven that solidifies it, "Wind Slab" showcases why Austen’s first full season at home was one to watch. Surely, old heads and young heads alike will appreciate his fresh take on one of the most famous road gaps in snowboarding. Follow along as Austen adds another chapter to snowboarding in Washington backcountry. He deserves a check from the Washington Tourism Department for this one.
"In the 12 years that I have been fortunate enough to spend my winters traveling the world to chase winter storms this was the first year I was able to stay home and ride a full winter of storm cycles at my home in Washington. The Northwest corner of the United States is a unique place to say the least but no matter where I travel I find my self craving the harsh climates of the place I call home. There is something special about something that isn’t easy, maybe it’s the consistent fight to score all time conditions because they are far and few between or maybe its the challenge of navigating through our weather patterns and absurd temperature fluctuations all winter long. It’s the days that it is 36 degrees and snowing that you are patiently waiting for the temps to drop and the snow to lighten and the the sneaky mornings where it was forecasted to rain but its 2 feet of fresh. It’s the challenge of managing these weather patterns and the reward of when it pays off. This 20/21 season with travel being shut down I took the time to stay home and ride out the atmospheric river weather patterns. Wind Slab is the result of my season at home. This short film is filled with our best shots that were filmed over the course of a few days while filming for the Boardslide Worldwide series. Being home allowed me to hit many of the iconic features that I have looked at and wanted to hit my whole life but haven’t been around in the right conditions to do so. I hope this film gets you fired up for winter and to go boarding but that it also inspires you to explore the areas you live as there are always sneaky little gems to be found. Until next time, Stay fast." - austen
Riding by: Austen Sweetin, Forest Bailey and Zoe Vernon
Video by: Sean Lucey
Photography by: Colin Wiseman & Josh Poehlein
