The Snowboard Project

To get free The Splitboard Project and Spark R&D stickers send a self addressed stamped envelope to:

Spark R&D c/o Free stickers!

PO Box 3284 Bozeman, MT USA 59772

The Splitboard Project is a new 'magazine style' podcast for splitboarders of every ability. Each month, The Splitboard Project will release a new episode to educate and entertain its listeners.

In the second episode, our segments include:

Will's Mind

Pretty much anything on Spark R&D founder Will Ritter's mind this month.

FEATURE: Splitboard History

Drew Zieff breaks down the the history of splitboarding inn this feature. Based on the epic 11,000 word story he recently did for Backcountry Magazine.

Ask Will

Listeners of The Splitboard Project ask questions of co-host and founder of Spark R&D. Questions were collected from Instagram posts.

Gnarlitude: Justin Lameroux

Justin Lameroux talks about taking your kids into the backcountry. How old do they have to be before you take them with you. there are a few extra things to consider.

Tool Belt

A key part of safety in the backcountry is communication with your crew. This story breaks down the different things to consider as well as tools you can use to assist you communicate to your crew as well as the outside world.

Do Over

What would you not do again - what would you always do - Will weighs in on communications.

This episode is sponsored by:

Spark R&D

@sparrandd

www.sparkrandd.com

Cardiff Snowcraft

@cardiffsnow

Coupon Code: "THESNOWBOARDPROJECT15" {15% off at their website)

Never Summer Snowboards @neversummerindustries

http://neversummer.com

Pro Files featuring Ryan Runke - Snowboard Agent Nov 09, 2020

Show notes

PRO FILES: RYAN RUNKE

Season 3 Episode 15

On today's show, Ryan Runke with a special edition of Pro Files. This one is about what it take to make as a pro today. Ryan has had a long history in the sport - starting like many, working in a snowboard shop. This proved to be a stepping stone for Ryan who went on to jobs at Version, K2, Rome and Red Bull before becoming an athlete agent. And that's what we focus on here - what it takes to make it, get noticed and maintain a career as a professional athlete in the sport.

Normally we cover a lot more with our Pro Files - and they end up between 1-2 hours long. This one we cut back to the single subject, because we believe there are a lot of riders asking themselves similar questions. Conventional wisdom would hold that a shorter interview is more quick to make - not when yiu pair down a full length interview to something more digestible. Either way, let us know what you think: email mark@thesnowboardproject.com

We talk about:

Difference between athletes from different sports

How to break through from a sponsored amatuer to a paid professional

How an agent discovers talent

Managing career vs. lining up deals (80%manager 20% manager)

Challenges of being an agent - managing expectations

Managing Shaun White, Travis Rice and Ryan Sheckler at the same time for Redbull

What does it take to maintain a pro career and not fall off.

Creating a business plan from an athletic career

The importance of social media to athletes today

Social media training for athletes

Analytics vs. talent

First half hour digs into what it takes

Content is king- media landscape is changing

Hosted by:

Mark Sullivan

Produced by:

Mark Sullivan

Dustin H James

This episode is sponsored by:

Cardiff Snowcraft

@cardiffsnow

Coupon Code: "THESNOWBOARDPROJECT15" {15% off at their website)

Never Summer Snowboards

@neversummer

Lago Snowboards

@lagosnowboards

http://www.youtube.com/c/thesnowboardproject

Check them out!

Subscribe to us on YouTube for video content {including our Real Talk series}

Business Roundtable: Shop Survival 101 with Jason Borgstede PART 2 Nov 06, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to The Business Roundtable.

A special series brought to you by The Snowboard Project where we sit down with industry players to discuss the machine that runs snowboarding.

Today's Episode: Shop Survival 101 with Jason Borgstede.

This is part two of our conversation.

We met up with Borgstede at his snowboard shop, Blue and Gold, in Anchorage Alaska and asked him how he has managed to run a successful snowboard shop for the last five years.

We discussed turning weaknesses into tools, the competitive advantage of a local skate shop, how MAP pricing works, should shops carry Burton, are independent shops at war with the brands, and how he has adapted to the global pandemic.

This is an episode everyone can learn from, whether you run a small business yourself, or you're just curious about what goes on behind the scenes of the snowboard industry.

Produced by:

Mark Sullivan

Dustin H James

Business Development:

Dustin H James

Dustin@thesnowboardproject.com

Subscribe to us on YouTube for video content {including Real Talk}

www.youtube.com/c/thesnowboardproject

Please support The Snowboard Project:

Melvin Brewing

http://melvinbrewing.com

Cardiff Snowcraft

@cardiffsnow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO5TbSNbMXc&feature=emb_logo

Coupon Code: "THESNOWBOARDPROJECT15" {15% off at their website)

Never Summer http://www.neversummer.com

TOWPRO LIFTS

http://towpro-lifts.com

United Shapes

http://unitedshapes.us

Real Talk 3.4 with Chad Otterstrom and Bjorn Leines Nov 03, 2020

Show notes

Real Talk 3.4

Hosted by:

Chad Otterstrom, Bjorn Leines, and Mark Sullivan

Subscribe to us on YouTube for video content {including Real Talk}

www.youtube.com/c/thesnowboardproject

We're back for season 3 and welcoming our new Real Talk co-hosts Chad Otterstrom and Bjorn Leines and jumping right into snowboarding news covering:

Movies and teasers, upcoming gear & tech, and a whole lot more.

The first three episodes of the seasons real talk her up on YouTube now. Check it out on YouTube!

Http://YouTube.com/c/thesnowboardproject

MOVIES & TEASERS NEWS

Dustbox I Wanted Most

One hell of a journey, from SLC to Fargo, MN, Montreal and more we drove nearly 10,000 miles before Covid-19 had us headed home.

Dan McGonagle, Robby Meehan, Cody Warble, Peter Cerulo, Cooper Whittier, Reid Smith, Jonas Harris, Brett Kulas, Ryan Collins, Noah Peterson and Benny Milam.

With support from: Vans snow, Ride Snowboards, Bruhlers, GNU, Sims, and Ashbury

Film & Edit

Colton Morgan & Mo Jennings

Channel Zero

Featuring Nils Mindnich, Hans Mindnich, Wolfgang Nyvelt, Jeremy Jones, Ivika Jürgensen, Garrett Warnick, Clemens Millauer, Ylfa Rúnarsdóttir, Jamie Lynn, Estelle Pensiero, Sam Klein, Chris Corning, Skyler Gallardo, Tom Tramnitz, Roope Tonteri, Johan Rosen, Joon Ivanov, and Sammy Blaze.

Lungie Land #59

https://vimeo.com/469339569#at=13

Me and Casey Nelson warming up for the spring we didn't get. I'm happy with the days we did get though! It was fun while it lasted. I always wish I could have gotten more tricks even when I get a full season anyways. I hope you enjoy this and get stoked to ride your snowboard down a hill!

Thanks to Burton for all the gear needed to shred and thanks to GoPro for the camera to document the shredding.

SENSELESS - FREEDAWGERS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfVR6JaOYZU&feature=emb_logo

A fresh freedawgin' cut featuring Skyler Gallardo, Adrian Mitchell, Tony Ceccarelli, Keegan Hosefros, Nick Strother, Caleb Kinnear, Demetri Bales, and Jesse Gomez.

Film/edit: D. Holcomb

SUCKS. - DRAYDEN GARDNER FULL PART

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-8mM3SqEXk&feature=emb_logo

From California to Canada, take a trip with Bataleon Snowboard's newest family member, Drayden Gardner as he takes his creative riding style and fresh perspective to the streets. Sit back, relax and enjoy the visual experience crafted by Drayden and Jupiter People's Kyle Schafer.

SUCKS. Volume 1 is only the beginning and such phenomena must be respected by science, the world will take heed.

Director: Kyle Schafer

Riders: Drayden Gardner, Dylan Burnley

Jupiter People

Bataleon Snowboards

Reality BREAKDOWN - JED ANDERSON

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLdcFEKJBc4&feature=emb_logo

Film/edit: Jake Durham

Guest Riders: Chaney Gilmore, Billy Cotie, Reid Smith, Dan Liedahl

Additional Filming: Justin Meyer

Graphics: Michael Corpuz

Six Days - Eric Jackson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thHDdorK4JA&feature=emb_logo

Eric Jackson's season came slamming to a halt, as the coronavirus pandemic continued to spread. Filmed entirely over just six days in the month of February, here is how his season was going before being cut short.

Snomosapiens - DEEP POWDER IN WHITEFISH

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VB90qeyVXA&feature=emb_logo

Some of the Bonfire Outerwear Team, Ralph Kucharek, Beau Bishop, and Aspen Rain Weaver travel to Whitefish, Montana for a heavy dose of DEEP Powder! We were super lucky to have it snow 6 feet before we showed up and another 2 feet as we stayed in Whitefish. We got to rip at Whitefish Resort for a couple of days before making our way to some epic and unreal Snowcat Boarding at Great Northern Powder Guides. Enjoy our take on a stellar snowstorm.

Song: Pharcyde by our good friends Little Stranger Music

AND A WHOLE LOT MORE...

Produced by:

Mark Sullivan

Dustin H James

This episode is sponsored by:

Cardiff Snowcraft

@cardiffsnow

Coupon Code: "THESNOWBOARDPROJECT15" {15% off at their website)

Never Summer Snowboards

@neversummer

Lago Snowboards

@lagosnowboards

Check them out!

Business Roundtable: Shop Survival 101 with Jason Borgstede Oct 30, 2020

Show notes

Business Roundtable: Shop Survival 101 with Jason Borgstede

Show Notes

Welcome to The Business Roundtable.

A special series brought to you by The Snowboard Project where we sit down with industry players to discuss the machine that runs snowboarding.

Today's Episode: Shop Survival 101 with Jason Borgstede.

We met up with Borgstede at his snowboard shop, Blue and Gold, in Anchorage Alaska and asked him how he has managed to run a successful snowboard shop for the last five years.

What do independent shops mean to the culture of snowboarding?

Does the economic machine of snowboarding even care about the small shop anymore?

Why did shops come to die in the first place?

How does Jason manage to compete with internet retailers and chain stores... and can core values alone drive business success.

This is an episode everyone can learn from, whether you run a small business yourself, or you're just curious about what goes on behind the scenes of the snowboard industry.

Stay tuned for part two of our conversation with Jason and thank you for listening to our special series Business Roundtable.

Produced by:

Mark Sullivan

Dustin H James

Business Development:

Dustin H James

Dustin@thesnowboardproject.com

Subscribe to us on YouTube for video content {including Real Talk}

www.youtube.com/c/thesnowboardproject

Please support The Snowboard Project:

Cardiff Snowcraft

@cardiffsnow

Coupon Code: "THESNOWBOARDPROJECT15" {15% off at their website)

Never Summer http://www.neversummer.com

TOWPRO LIFTS

http://towpro-lifts.com

United Shapes

http://unitedshapes.us

About Our New Season On The Snowboard Project Oct 27, 2020

Show notes

A look at our six unique shows.

Chad Otterstrom and Bjorn Leines co-host REAL TALK. We play an excerpt from the Clip Show with Bjorn and Chad looking at a clip from Fridge.

Mason Aguirre takers us into our Pro Files episode with a candid look at a professional career.

Lift Ticket: Resort Riding in COVID Times takes an in depth look at resort riding this season. Christian Knapp takes on co-hosting in this look behind the velvet rope of ski area operations.

In The Splitboard Project, our first magazine style show, Mark is joined by the founder of Spark R&D Will Ritter for this wide reaching look into all things splitboarding.

Go Snowboarding - The DIY snowboarding podcast with co-hosts Jeff Pensiero and Mike Arzt - with guests coming on for mentorship and the OG Mike Basich who has done just about everything - himself.

Finally we have The Hambird Meatgrinder with Andrew Hardingham and Willie McMillon co-hosting. Should be entertaining. Hosted by:

Dustin H James and Mark Sullivan

Produced by:

Mark Sullivan

Dustin H James

This episode is sponsored by:

Cardiff Snowcraft

@cardiffsnow

Coupon Code: "THESNOWBOARDPROJECT15" {15% off at their website)

Never Summer Snowboards

@neversummer

Lago Snowboards

@lagosnowboards

Check them out!

Subscribe to us on YouTube for video content {including Real Talk}

www.youtube.com/c/thesnowboardproject

Lift Ticket: Resort Riding In COVID Times - Episode Two - Opening Day Oct 22, 2020

Show notes

Welcome back to Lift Ticket: Resort Riding in Covid Times.

For this show we've brought in one of the industry experts - Christian Knapp - to fill us in on how the multibillion dollar resort industry is adapting to a virus that has turned the world upside down.

Christian has managed some of the biggest resorts in the world for the past 20 years including Breckenridge and Aspen Snowmass and now he is on the hunt for The Snowboard Project.

In episode 2 we take a look at how the resort industry has planned and prepared for the upcoming winter and what changes riders can expect to see at their resorts.

We also get the local perspective on the changing face of ski towns and discuss the effects of the virus on snow media.

Christian talks to Olivia Rowan about how she mobilized the entire resort industry to face Covid-19 head on.

We get an update from Jackson Hole about what policies they have put in place to keep riders safe this year and the current status of Travis Rice's long anticipated Natural Selection competition.

Then we talk to journalists Jason Blevins from the Colorado Sun and Mike Rogge, who recently purchased the Mountain Gazette, about what it's like to have so many new neighbors in their local communities.

This is Lift Ticket: Resort Riding in COVID Times

Episode 2: Opening Day

Hosted by:

Christian Knapp and Mark Sullivan

Developed & Produced by:

Mark Sullivan

Dustin H. James

Business Development:

Dustin H James

This episode is sponsored by:

Cardiff Snowcraft

@cardiffsnow

Coupon Code: "THESNOWBOARDPROJECT15" {15% off at their website)

Tow Pro Lifts

@towprolifts

www.towpro-lifts.com

United Shapes

@unitedshapes

www.unitedshapes.us

Check them out!

Subscribe to us on YouTube for video content {including Real Talk}

www.youtube.com/c/thesnowboardproject

Please support The Snowboard Project:

Real Talk 3.3 with Chad Otterstrom and Bjorn Leines Oct 19, 2020

Show notes

Real Talk 3.2

Hosted by:

Chad Otterstrom, Bjorn Leines, and Mark Sullivan

Produced by:

Mark Sullivan

Dustin H James

This episode is sponsored by:

Cardiff Snowcraft

@cardiffsnow

Coupon Code: "THESNOWBOARDPROJECT15" {15% off at their website)

Never Summer Snowboards

@neversummer

Lago Snowboards

@lagosnowboards

Check them out!

Subscribe to us on YouTube for video content {including Real Talk}

www.youtube.com/c/thesnowboardproject

We're back for season 3 and welcoming our new Real Talk co-hosts Chad Otterstrom and Bjorn Leines and jumping right into snowboarding news covering:

We talk about there newest movies in the sport and do a deep dive into sponsorship and filming in the 20/212 season.

We finish with our new Instagram Clip Show. Check it out on YouTube!

This week we have 15 new clips.

CLIP SHOW

We review the latest Intagram clips. Make sure to watch on YouTube.

The Splitboard Project - Preseason Shakedown - Episode 1 Oct 16, 2020

Show notes

The Splitboard Project

Presented by Spark R&D

Episode One

Hosted by:

Will Ritter and Mark Sullivan

Produced by:

Mark Sullivan

Dustin H James

Business Development:

Dustin H James

Dustin@thesnowboardproject.com

Subscribe to us on YouTube for video content {including Real Talk}

www.youtube.com/c/thesnowboardproject

Please support The Snowboard Project:

The Splitboard Project is a new 'magazine style' podcast for splitboarders of every ability. Each month, The Splitboard Project will release a new episode to educate and entertain its listeners.

In this first episode, our segments include:

Will's Mind

Pretty much anything on Spark R&D founder Will Ritter's mind this month.

First Ascents

Jay Moore from World Boards (http://www.worldboards.com) talks a little bit about his history in splitboarding (He started selling them in 1994), then gives some advice to first time splitboard customers.

FEATURE: The Shakedown

Will gives some tips on things not to forget as we head into the season. Here is a checklist of gear to make sure you have sorted out before the snow flies:

Riding and Touring Gear

Splitboard

Spark Bindings

Split Crampons

Skins

Glop Stopper

Boots

Pack

Boot Crampons

Whippet

Poles

Sunglasses

Goggle

Helmet

Safety and Orienteering

Beacon / Transceiver

Shovel

Probe

First Aid Kit

GPS

Spot Beacon / Delorme InReach / Satellite Phone

Map

Spark Tool

Leatherman

Voile Strap

Zip Ties

Duct Tape

Spare Parts

Altimeter Watch

Miscellaneous and Everyday Gear

Phone

Charger

Wallet

Keys

Batteries

Headlamp

Food

Water

Sunscreen

Chapstick

Extra Socks

Extra Layers

Feature: Bucket List

We talk to Spark R&D ambassador Frankie Devlin about his best splitboarding trip, ever. A few years back, Frankie went to Denali for 25 days - and make the summit twice. We cover the ups and downs - and some details to think about before planning an expedition trip like this one.

Tool Belt

I think everyone can agree, more people are heading to the backcountry this season than ever before - beyond the gear and the knowledge to use it - an essential skill is understanding avalanche conditions for the area you plan to go out. In this segment, we talk about some of the resources available to splitboarders to make the experience safe.

This episode is sponsored by:

Spark R&D

@sparrandd

www.sparkrandd.com

Cardiff Snowcraft

@cardiffsnow