The following article was originally printed in the January 2025 Issue of Slush. To access the full article click here.
Words: Willis Kimbel
Photos: Austin Squire
When you’re having a great dream, and you wake up wanting to slip back into it right where you left off—that’s a Sims trip in a nutshell. A sizable nutshell. The peaks and streets of the promised land of Japan have fueled stoke for generations and continue to do so.
Let a pack of dogs off-leash and hand them snow-skidders.
Shuhei Sato: Shuhei wades out and up to the peak—a full-on style master and legend. His turns and finesse are unmatched, with floaty, sick lines. Always looking out for the crew and laughing, Shuhei is the glue.
Ryo Aizawa: This guy has never worn a hat in his life. His feet are sushi knives, and it’s mesmerizing to watch him ride.
Nik Baden: "Tree Lienin’" Nik “Baddernhell” Baden casually attacks with poise and precision, always in control, always fluid.
Keegan Valaika: Watching Keegan is proof that snowboarding is an art form. He transforms the mountain into a glassy wave, and it’s fucking inspiring. Tom would be very proud.
Cody Warble: Cody’s eye for a spot is next-level. A casual turbo 50-50 across the channel into some crust? Mind-blowing. A rip like that deserves a kanpai.
Brown Cinema’s Brock Nielsen and Austin Squire: These two really opened my eyes to how much it takes to document snowboarding, especially in the backcountry. The added haul and gear the lensmen carry is insane. Trying to keep a good pace without sweating—delicate balance. Also, forget cotton entirely. Burn it. Summiting gnarly mountains with a backpack full of glass and metal? Holy guacamole. You guys are warriors.
John Jackson: Picture a blend of a strong mountain goat, an eagle, a camel, and maybe a dash of golden retriever—that’s John Jackson. Witnessing his fearless hill-bombing in person was unreal. I learned more from John in a few days than I have in an entire season. It’s like he’s part of the mountain itself.
Scott Blum: I’ve known Scott for at least 20 years, and he’s the reason I love snowboarding. Watching him in his element—whether bombing backcountry hills or inverting on street rails—was surreal. Scott is no stranger to the game. But what impressed me most? His ability to drive the van in snowboard boots...