Frequency Review: Issue 7.2

“As the sun breaks, the wildflowers blow and slush pits signify the changing of seasons, frequency TSJ welcomes the first signs of summer with the release of our latest: Issue #7.2. While spots like Whistler, Mammoth and Hood are still enjoying the rad, the season is just ramping up in South America. And that’s where frequency TSJ Issue #7.2 takes you, dropping in on Bariloche, Argentina for a two-week binge session of snow, discos, and more carne than you can consume. Back in the spotlight, Gretchen Bleiler sits with John Laing to discuss not only her contest exploits, but also her recent move to backcountry riding, where she continues to push snowboarding forward. As well, Natalie Langmann takes us to another remote locale: Haida Gwaii on British Columbia’s northwest coast, for a trip into a culture thousands of years old—and the massive mountains in nearby Terrace, BC. And while we’re on the topic of remote locations, Paul Laca’s photo gallery, ‘The Boundaries of Civilization’, features exactly that: the Bering Sea, Chugach Mountains, Nevada desert, and beyond… And last but not least, publisher Jeff Galbraith profiles the legacy of Northwest native Blair Habenicht.”         

Cover Shot

Elias Elhardt captured by Matt Georges on scene in Saas Fee, Switzerland . The shadow of his handplant.

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There’s a story behind the cover about this young German boy who was killing it but then he disappeared from the scene because he couldn’t ride from a disease they couldn’t diagnose.  Now he’s back and catching up on handplants.  Personally I find the story the real beauty behind the photo.  I like the photo but I was surprised it’s a cover shot.

Features

The most interesting variety of features I’ve seen in Frequency since catching onto the magazine.  With two stories based around riders, Blair Habenict to Gretchen Bleiler the focus of two riders on complete opposite sides of the spectrum.  Articles covering South to North, with the southern hemisphere culture in Argentina and the northern hemisphere culture in BC/Alaska with a glimpse into the snowboarding in each.  Finally a look at Paul Laca’s archaic photography following his heart into photographs and finding more than what someone could teach him.

 

 

 

 

Highlights         

I was surprised to see a Gretchen Bleiler interview, of course it was well done but it seemed too un-original for Frequency to cover it.  The overall highlight was leaving the Gretchen interview and finding a write up on Mike Basich and area 241, something that is original and deserving of recognition.  A retreat into his own mountain built shred escape where the toilet is outside and just like Mike Basich…it is the true form of mountain man living complete with powder heaven outside the backdoor.  

Months ago, Johan from C3 told me he was doing a write up for Frequency on Steamboat and I forgot about it until I flipped open this issue to see it!  Cloud 9, Steamboat Revisited covers the back in the day version of Steamboat with the various riders who started it, the locals spots that still exist and the feel of a town where you ride the whole mountain and not settle for one spot.  As someone who currently lives here and have been around Johan when he tells “back in the day” stories, it’s certainly changed since his time in the Boat but the feeling of riding a mountain that people drop their lives and move to resort mountain town, to live the good life…hasn’t left.

“Don’t call it a comeback” describes the media resurgence happening in the Pacific Northwest with two films documenting Washington snowboarding at Snoqualmie and Baker.  I was surprised that the SoundStrait productions “northwest was one” film was missing from this list, as they also are back in force with a film that highlights Stevens Pass shredding as well as other areas.  

There’s a small feature that covers Beartooth Pass snowboarding in southern Montana, where you can ride in the summer in a spot where only the snowboarders seem to pull over to enjoy the summer goods.  

“Riding the Landwave” focuses on comfortable living in the parking lot, with the closest access to shredding.  The best quote is “By living in a van I am able to snowboard more than if I was busy building mountains of possessions.” How true.           

Quality

Frequency isn’t your typical snowboard magazine, it’s a coffee book style magazine that you can set out and people will check out for months.  It doesn’t expire and the content lasts a long time because it covers an extensive, well thought out genre of snowboarding.  With just over 100 pages and the majority of them being content vs advertisements, you definitely get a better quality magazine that makes you think about what you read.  

Check out Frequency’s website and stay tuned for the review of Frequency Issue 7.3

*The magazine photos taken of the cover in a drawer are from me. The photos taken of the cover and each feature are from Frequency’s website.