Eight snowboarders, eight video parts, one very cool new Winter X Games event.
Following the success of August’s Real Street contest, the first video-only contest at X Games, the “Real” series returns for its winter debut. For Real Snow, eight snowboarders submitted a 60-second exclusive video filmed partly on urban terrain. The videos will be judged by a panel of industry pros. One winner who presents the best overall impression will be awarded a Winter X Games gold medal and $50,000. In addition, all the videos will be shown as part of the WX15 telecast on Jan. 29. In Aspen, all eight Real Snow athletes will come together for Snowboard Street, a jam session with a street set-up, where the medalists will be announced.
Now it’s time to do your part. Each rider’s segment has been set, tournament-style, in head-to-head brackets. Watch ‘em throw down and determine which rider you think should advance. Winner of the fan favorite will be awarded $2,500.
So who’s throwing down? Meet the riders in the inaugural Winter X Games Real Snow event.
Nic Sauve
Age: 23
Hometown: Québec City, Canada
Last video part, 2010: Forum’s “F’ It”
Sauve started snowboarding at Québec’s Stoneham Mountain in 1997 and, once his skills were honed, he applied his style of riding to the city on the St. Lawrence River. In 2007, he proved himself quickly while guiding the Forum team around his hometown, filming for the Special Blend video “First Chair Last Call.” He has since filmed with Forum every winter, even locking down the opening part in this fall’s “F’ It.” “Nic has an exceptional talent. He does all his tricks with style and stomps the hell out of everything. On top of being such a great rider, he’s one of the nicest guys you will ever meet,” says Andreas Wiig, Sauve’s Forum teammate and a WX gold medalist.
Seth Huot
Age: 33
Hometown: Stansbury Park, Utah
Last video part, 2010: People Creative’s “Cheers”
Huot’s career debut came in 2003 when he joined the crew of Mack Dawg Production’s film “Shakedown.” By 2009, Huot was filming with People Creative and scored the closing part in their film “Nice Try.” This year, he has a full part in “Cheers.” Huot is recognized for his diversity of talent — on kickers, rails, powder or backcountry cliffs — and his solid work ethic. “Seth Huot is the true definition of a working man’s snowboarder,” photographer Rob Mathis says. “He puts his blood, sweat and tears into snowboarding and asks for nothing but the opportunity to do the same thing again once a new season begins.”
Dan Brisse
Age: 26
Hometown: Richmond, Minn.
Last video part, 2010: Absinthe Films’ “Now/here”
Brisse moved to Salt Lake City after high school to pursue his dream of becoming a professional snowboarder. Mission accomplished. He graced the November 2010 cover of TransWorld and he’s secured the coveted last part in his film projects over four of the past five years, including Pirate Productions’ 2008 film “Overseas,” Capita’s 2007 film “First Kiss” and, most recently, Absinthe’s 2010 film “Now/here.” Brisse is known for his humble demeanor and relentless Midwestern work ethic. “Dan Brisse is a snowboarding machine,” Capita’s Blue Montgomery says. “He’s technical, powerful, multidimensional and resilient to the pressures of this sport — on and off the hill.”
Simon Chamberlain
Age: 25
Hometown: Lindsay, Ontario
Last video part, 2010: People Creative’s “Cheers”
During his childhood, Chamberlain’s dad set up rails and an outdoor light so he and his brothers could shred in the backyard. Perhaps that’s where he developed his ability to make burly tricks look easy. As a rookie, Chamberlain won contests such as the Nixon Jibfest and Vegas’ Hard Rock Rail Jam. “Simon takes his riding seriously but has such a laid back approach,” Stepchild’s Sean Johnson says. “He’s reminded people that how you do a trick is more important than what trick you do.” Last season, Chamberlain filmed with Stepchild/ThirtyTwo for “This Video Sucks” and his opening segment in the downloadable movie got more than 100,000 views.
Jeremy Jones
Age: 34
Hometown: Sandy, Utah
Last video part, 2010: People Creative’s “Cheers”
Mack Dawg, the most legendary name in snowboard cinema, has called Jeremy Jones “a living legend.” Jones is still nabbing opening parts in videos 14 years after his film debut. Winner of TransWorld’s Reader’s Choice Award in 2004 and Snowboarder Mag’s No. 3 and No. 9 rider of 2004 and 2006, respectively, Jones’ career has spanned two decades. With more than 25 video parts, a dozen pro model boards (eight of which came while on Burton’s Global Team) and a cover on every major snowboard magazine, he continues to solidify his legendary status year after year.
Louis-Felix Paradis
Age: 24
Hometown: Québec City, Canada
Last video part: 2010: Videograss’s “Bon Voyage”
“Four years ago, I saw Louif snowboard for the first time in the Bandwagon teaser, and [those] three tricks were all it took for me to be convinced that he was the best,” says Ashbury co-founder Lance Hakker. Growing up in Québec City, Louif’s parents brought him and his brother sledding, and soon enough, he traded in the sled for a Black Snow. He started riding every day — around the house, in the backyard, in nearby parks. Fifteen years later, he still calls Québec home and still finds new obstacles to ride. “There is no warm-up trick for someone like Louif. He knows what he wants to do and does it. He’s in tune with little details that separate good from great,” Salomon team manager Java Fernandez says.
Joe Sexton
Age: 23
Hometown: Apple Valley, Minn.
Last video part: 2010: People Creative’s “Cheers”
“It is rare to see someone with as much dedication, natural talent and style as Joe Sexton,” People Creative’s Pierre Minhondo says. Sexton’s beginnings in the industry can be traced to being in the right place at the right time and having the skills to back it up. Sexton met Simon Chamberlain at Camp of Champions. Chamberlain brought him into the Stepchild Snowboards fold, and he was given the chance to film for 2007′s “Child Support.” He landed the opening part. In 2008, he was nominated for TransWorld Snowboarding’s Reader’s Choice Award. This fall, Sexton nabbed the closing part for “Cheers.” This tight pant, tie-dyed shirt wearing, fun-loving shred is moving up the ranks.
J.P. Walker
Age: 34
Hometown: Salt Lake City
Last video part: 2010: People Creative’s “Cheers”
“Who else could run ‘The Don’ as a nickname?” asks Mike “Mack Dawg” McEntire. “No one, son. J.P. Walker is an icon. His relentless desire to be at the forefront of progressive snowboarding has kept him at the top of the game,” he says. Indeed, Walker has come a long way from skating the streets of Farmington, Utah, as a kid. His 16 video parts have made him one of the most respected athletes in the industry, and his all-switch closing part in 2009′s “This Video Sucks” was yet another first for snowboarding. He was Snowboarder Mag’s No. 7 rider on their 2010 list of top-10 riders of the year — his sixth time on the list, more than any other rider.
