Since we had such a heavy gang all in one place, we brought our film crew to make an episode for our upcoming MPD Snow video series.  More news on that soon, until then here’s a recap from the week-long event, with a silly screen-scribble flare-

Sammy Spits picking his nose, while sliding it down a rail. Multitasking at it's finest. 

Staxwood went so big, he landed out of this picture. 

Day 1 video starts off with Sam Taxwood, showing why at the end of the week he was awarded the prestigious “CHARGER” award, & also a clip of Sammy Spiteri with his classic smooth style. 

Sam didn't misfire this blaster air.

Like the dinosaurs, Red will grow from all the air he gets. It's just science. 

No shirts, no shoes, no service. Sam was spinning so fast he couldn't read that.

Somebody told Riley there was a party at the street scene. He was confused. 

Day 2 video featuring Niko Cioffi jumping dangerously close through the rail gaps, Sam Taxwood going huge off the jumps- shirtless, & Red Gerard getting crazy in the air. 

Day 3 video featuring Riley Nickerson and Sammy Spiteri hammering the street course, Sam Taxwood doing one of the biggest airs of the week, Ethan Deiss jumping farther off a rail than most kickers and then Spencer Schubert doing a frontblunt pretzel 270 of it too, Zac Marben hitting the big step-up with his perfect style, & Red Gerard stepping up to the bigboy gap.   

Day 4 video opening up with a shirtless Spencer Schubert flipping over the stair, Niko Cioffi spinning over a tree, Zac tweaking out a classic Marben method revert, & Dustin Craven going blind over the gap of doom.

Niko Cioffi was up so early getting photos, his party friends were just getting home from the club. 

Red Gerard can run to be president of the United States in 23 years. 

Sam deserved the CHARGER award.  He should charge his friends for a new t-shirt.  

Day 5 video featuring a hilarious intro with tall Spencer Schubert & little Red Gerard trading snowboards, then Niko Cioffi, and Red again playing with smokebombs.

Exclusive Interview With Nick Visconti

Nick Visconti “RBLB” Excerpt from Jesse Burtner on Vimeo.

This is an excerpt from Nick Visconti’s part in “Right Brain Left Brain”. For his whole part and the rest of Think Thank’s season of insanity get the double disc DVD at finer snowboard shops around the world or at www.thinkthank.com

Nick Visconti – Hot Dawgs & Handrails Winner 2010 from Matt Devino on Vimeo.

Arbor rider Nick Visconti winning the Hot Dawgs & Hand Rails contest at Bear Mountain in 2010.

Do you have any trips planned for the 13 season that you’re stoked about?

 
CLICK here for the full gallery.

Local snowboarder Visconti competes in X Games this week

January 26th, 2012 - Aspen, CO - Buttermilk Mountain: Nick Visconti competing in Snowboard Street final competition at Winter X Games Aspen 2012. . / Eric Lars Bakke

 

Here's the RGJ e-newspaper edition!

The aftermath of the holidays are hard on everyone. DZ:MA "Holiday Hangover" shows you how black Santa self-medicates his post traumatic christmas syndrome.

By: Angela

Nick’s ear to ear smile peeked in the door before he did. After the grin strolled in some signature Nick Visconti tight pants, excited chatter and a couple friends. When Nick and I sat down to talk, I expected a quick interview about shenanigans lately, upcoming projects, and general stoke for summer at Windells. A couple minutes into our conversation, I realized we’d cover these topics, yeah, however, Nick has a huge heart and “general stoke” doesn’t even scratch the surface.

Angela Swain: Hey, Nick. Let’s hit the basics. How long have you been coming to camp?
Nick Visconti: Oh, gosh. For about 13 years now. I was a camper for five years and I coached for a couple years and I’ve been coming back with Stevie Bell, Curtis and J Rob for our Team Takeover for a few summers.

Wow, that’s quite the stint. What have you guys done with your Team Takeover Session in the past?
We try to make our session about the campers. Yeah, we’re here to have fun and hang out and enjoy summer on Mt. Hood, but we use our session as an outreach rather than an outlet for ourselves. We try to interact with the campers as much as possible and really give back to the community that supports us.

So, what initially struck you about Windells that made you a return camper and then decide to continue your involvement with camp?
I think it was camp life; it was so much more than just camp. Windells is a place that welcomes campers to a community and allows them to really connect with other snowboarders, both peers and professionals. I really became absorbed into the world of snowboarding during my time at camp. For most of these kids, snowboarding at their home mountain is recreational but when they’re here they really get a sense of the culture.

What’s one experience with a camper that really sticks out to you?
It’s hard to pick just one. Me and the guys are more intent on building relationships and making connections with the kids during our Takeover session, and to carry those out beyond their time at camp, too. Social media has made it easy for me to stay in touch with campers throughout the season and to share my love for snowboarding with them which is really cool.

Well, we’re all looking forward to Session 4 with The Reunion. What projects and things should we be on the lookout for?
ReCreation with Transworld was a big one; it’ll be out in March. We’ve been working on a Christian snowboard film called ANTHROPOLOGY with Nations Foundation, Dave Downing, Ryan Paul, Simon Chamberlain, Jordan Phillips and Director Joel Parker. Other than that, I’m just eager to come out for the summer and excited, as always, to hang out with some campers.

Transwold's Nick Visconti "ReCreation" Saga:
ReCreation Teaser
ReCreation Full Part
Behind the Scenes Part 1
Behind the Scenes Part 2
 
Nations Foundation "Anthropology" Teaser: (Set to release in the fall)
 
Anthropology Teaser
 
 

ReCreations Behind The Scenes Part 2

ReCreation Behind the Scenes

Click here for the video!

This was Nick Visconti’s first X-perience with the Aspen based X-Games, and apparently it won’t be the last… because when you win a medal you get invited back!  Yes, Nick Visconti was awarded a BRONZE MEDAL for dropping some hammer-time tricks in the “real street” contest! 

Check this little finals video, skip to 0:45 to see a couple shots of Nick!

…and a behind the scenes video that the Vimeo Staff made, but fast forward to 3:44 

Dylan Dragotta

We once again had an amazing team presence.  This time we had Zac Marben and Tim Eddy joining the judges stand, to watch the field of competitors with our crew of Andrew Brewer, Nick Visconti, Ethan Deiss, Spencer Schubert, Colton Morgon, and Dylan Dragotta…even Gray Thompson came from Truckee to watch his teammates.  

Nick Visconti back 180

Colton Morgan

Firedrill wearer - Spencer, Dylan and Andrew Brewer

A-hole winner!

Our team did amazing, even though it was the first time some of them put on boots since last winter.  Ethan got taken out early due to the lack of speed needed to clear the lengthy gap to lipslide he attemped… which ended up tweaking his back and putting him on the sidelines to cheer on the others.  The rest of the crew did him proud, with Andrew Brewer receiving “The Destroyer” award from Zumiez, and Nick Visconti getting 2nd place and $2500!  Dylan, Colton, and Spencer all kept the crowd cheering by having landed video-part worthy tricks and making it look too easy.

New AM Spencer Schuburt with New PRO Ethan Deiss

Spencer Schuburt

Visconti getting $2500 for the silver!

To celebrate, that night they all went to the Arnette Afterparty for a free Del The Funky Homosapien & Casual show.  No details to be told from there…

Here are some of the great media coverage!

Official Video

Snowboarder Magazine

Yobeat

Yobeat Video

Transworld
 
ESPN

San Francisco Examiner

Click here for the full story.

Fall in Seattle, Washington is 99% a rainy days, so it was truly amazing to have a blue sky and warm day for this Downtown Throwdown.  The crowd was 20 times larger than last year because of this, and the majority of those spectators got to see what could have been their first view of live snowboarding.  Our team of Nick Visconti, Nial Romanek, Spencer Schubert, & Niko Cioffi all dropped hammer tricks during the 2 hour jam session.  Zac Marben and Johnny Lazz both assisted in the judging, but paid no favoritism.  In the end everybody had a great time, we had games and product giveaways, and finished it up at the Arnette Afterparty down the street… local legend Peter Line was partying with us, so you know it was legit.

I caught up with last year’s winner Nick Visconti, for a random Q&A:
 
 
Q: What’s it like to ride your snowboard in a park in downtown Seattle?
A: Snowboarding has traditionally been influenced by outdoor mountain cultures.  However, due to increased growth and accessibility, snowboarding is expanding into urban societies and lifestyles.  Therefore, snowboarding in a park in downtown Seattle?  It feels equally progressive and contemporary.
 
Q: You jib in normal street clothing, but how do you think the guys wearing Gor-tex outwear felt walking the streets afterwards?
A: Some responses need to be expanded upon, this one does not... Hot.
 
Q: What music do you listen to while riding?
A: I listen to a variety of music, mostly influenced by my mood.  At the Seattle Downtown Throwdown, I listened to grungy rock n’ roll.  In San Francisco, I will probably listen to a musical soundtrack or something eccentric like that. 
 
Q: Do you like “performing” in front of random spectators?
A: I don't perform, I snowboard.  I find it fascinating to snowboard in front of random spectators, and in culturally saturated areas.  I am greatly inspired by my environment, and my snowboarding is a product of it. Because of this, I am just as much a spectator of myself as the crowd is because I have no idea what or how I am going to snowboard and project my inspiration.
 
Q: If you could do this style event in another urban region, where would you like go?
A: I am doing this style event in another urban region, home- San Francisco. 
 
Q: How would you feel if skateboarders & bmxers brought a street course to the top of a snowy mountain?
A: The world is so diverse; different landscapes cater to certain sports and lifestyles, but when these traditions are challenged, especially by environmental factors, creativity happens. I'd be stoked to see skateboarders and bmxers get more creative than their traditional mold and get wild in the mountains.
 
Q: Did you have a good time at the Arnette Afterparty?
A: Yeah, it was actually really refreshing.  I was privileged to have a meaningful conversation with a Northwest friend of mine about life, beyond snowboarding.  So it was epic to relax, connect and then as then get wild on the dance floor after.  Bitchin people.  Bitchin event.  Bitchin party.
 
Q: What are you doing right now?
A: I'm at the UNR library pursuing my education.  I can't snowboard forever, but I can use my brain for the rest of my life.  So let’s just say I am investing into my future.

The story intro pretty much says it all... "Nicky Vee killed it last season, so we hunted the Tahoe mad dawg down and picked his brain about hitting gnarly rails, juggling studies, skating and snowboarding. This kid RIPS."

Enjoy!

For those who simply can't wait any longer, today (8/11) the Think Thank crew is doing a special early release on their website featuring a limited edition collector's set that's jam packed with all kinds of radness -- including Arnette stickers and other goodies.  So hit up ThankThank.com if you wanna get in on the pre-release action.

Arnette is a proud sponsor of "Ransack Rebellion," and we're stoked to have two of our team riders featured in the mix.  Following are teasers for Arnette's own Nick Visconti and Tim Eddy.  Oh, and a huge congrats to Mr. Visconti for landing himself on the video's cover!

When you ultimately get yourself a copy of Think Thank's new release, make sure you check out the bonus section because the winner's of the first-ever Arnette Crew Clash -- YAWGOONS -- are featured in their very own edit.  Watch Dylan Gamache, Marcus Rand, Brian Skorupski, Zack Wilmot, Mary Rand and Saara Untracht-Oakner tear sh%t up in and around their home state of Rhode Island.  For more on the Yawgoons, check out the Vimeo channel of their filmer Brendan Gouin.

With the snowboarding season right around the corner (crazy, right?), make sure you check out our all-new Mercenary and Series 3 goggles that are on the way to your local shop as you read this.  Get some!

Dangerzone Season 3 Episode 17- "Do it in the Park"

Episode 16 chronicles Nick Visconti and friends shredding in France for a Japan Relief Fundraiser called Kumi Yama.  When asked to sum up the latest Dangerzone installment Nick said, "No French kisses, but hella French sickness!"  'Nuff said.  Enjoy!

Dangerzone Season 3 Episode 16- "Bonjour"

In Episode 15, Nick kicks it old school by showing us his first-ever "Sponsor Me" tape from the 2004/05 season.  It obviously worked seeing as he rides for us and a bunch of other top brands...

Dangerzone Season 3 Episode 15- "My 1st Sponsor Me Tape"

In Episode 14, Nick and company promise that "Grabistory" will teach you everything you need to know about the history of snowboard grabbing. Get educated!

Dangerzone Season 3 Episode 14- "Grabistory"

You know it's must-see TV when Episode 13 is called "Fruit-Boarding."

Dangerzone Season 3 Episode 13- "Fruit-Boarding"

As far as we're concerned, snowboarding is all about having a good time with friends.  It's not about being the best, hucking quadruple corks, or competing in made-for-tv contests.  In Episode 12, Nick takes us on a super fun top-to-bottom lap on a cold, icy day at Northstar.  Nothing fancy, just good old fashioned snow shreddin' - with a healthy dose of jibbing, of course!

Dangerzone Season 3 Episode 12- "Minus the Torstein, Standard Films, and Double Corks"

With a description like this, Episode 11 is a must see! "Reincarnated from the depths of underworld culture manifests a battalion of mythological shredders destroying what human snowboarders fear most... wood."

Dangerzone Season 3 Episode 11- "Splinter Kult"

Episode 10 is here, and in this installment the boys leak the spots, not the shots. A road gap and snow covered concrete park = good times!

Dangerzone Season 3 Episode 10- "Leaking the Spots, not the Shots"

Since 1937 is a good old-fashioned romp with the Dangerzone crew as the shred the pow pow in their backyards. It's all filmed in black and white because in their words, "we haven't seen this much snow since color was invented," and that was a very very long time ago! Enjoy...

Dangerzone Season 3 Episode 9- "Since 1937"

Follow Nick and crew as they ride the rollercoaster of the good life at Disneyland inter-mingled with clips that will hurt you to watch. Whoever said it's easy being a pro? What's that old saying...oh yeah, no pain = no gain!

Dangerzone Season 3 Episode 8- "Abusement Park" 

In this newest installment of Dangerzone Nick and crew tear it up on the Karaoke machine at one of Big Bear's finer establishments and then proceed to dominate the local mountain. This is one you're not going to want to miss, and, Nick please stick to your day job!

Dangerzone Season 3 Episode 7- "BEARaoke" 

We are glad to inform you that Nick is out of the hospital, feeling better and has picked up right where he left off. In this installment, the boys proceed to shred a rail near Lake Colfax and get some serious bronzing done in the process. How classic is the music too...this one will have you laughing for days...enjoy!

Dangerzone Season 3 Episode 6- "Wakeboarding"

Episode 5 is here, and it is with very sad news that we inform you that Dangerzone creator, Nick Visconti, is sick in the hospital with Meningitis. In this installment he breaks down (from his hospital bed) 5 tricks that would make him happy again. Keep yo head up boy, we're praying for you.

Dangerzone Season 3 Episode 5- "Hospital Bed""

Check out these rad videos that one of our Arnette Snowboard Am riders, Nick Visconti has been busy producing. Be careful though, because once you enter into the Dangerzone its very hard to get out! These videos are so epic!!! Keep it up Nick, we're eagerly awaiting episode 6 (now updated and Episode 5 is right above) when Nick is all better and ripping hard again. We truly wish you s speedy and healthy recovery and know that you will be back shredding again in no time!

 Dangerzone Season 3 Episode 4- "North Lake Vs. South Lake"

Dangerzone Season 3 Episode 3- "POP"

Dangerzone Season 3 Episode 2- "Tribute to Sorels" 

Dangerzone Season 3 Episode 1- "Merry Christmas"

The crew at ESPN Snowboarding spent the past week at Mt. Hood chronicling all the snow shredding antics of Arnette team rider Nick Visconti and his many friends.  Check out the below video for the full report.

As Nick puts is, "The best part about Hood Life is shredding with your friends... in summer."  That pretty much says it all right there.

”

Tahoe’s own Nick Visconti is a cerebral snowboarder who creatively explores shredding through filming for Think Thank and producing online media segments for “Tahoe Dangerzone,” a video blog that documents his on-hill antics and experiments.  Nick has a larger-than-life personality and unique style, and he is a dedicated skateboarder.  When not holding it down in Tahoe, he can be found lurking in Venice Beach with the Arbor crew.

North Lake Tahoe’s Johnny Lazz is one of the funniest dudes you will ever meet.  He is loud, super talkative and doesn’t give a f%#k what other people think.  An all-terrain dominator who can slay backcountry lines and handrails equally well, Johnny loves to bend the rules and has been known to outrun ski patrol on more than one occasion.

A proud Vermonter with deep Killington roots, Niko Cioffi has a scrappy swagger and style all his own.  He is a founding member of Rutland’s GBP crew, and over the past few years he has spent winters in Truckee riding and filming with the Forum team.  With several impressive video parts already to his credit and a deep bag of tech tricks on lock, the future looks bright for this versatile Green Mountain shredder.

Tim Eddy is an Alpine Meadows local and total ripper.  When the flakes are flying he spends his days in the backcountry dropping cliffs and carving out ridiculous lines.  When summer rolls around he packs his bags and heads to High Cascade to keep the good times rollin’.  A self-proclaimed foodie with a sweet tooth, Tim’s mellow demeanor and positive attitude make him an awesome guy to hang out with.

Norwegian powerhouse Alek Ostreng charged onto the scene a few years back and has been making noise ever since.  A dedicated member of the Youngblood squad, Alek is a top competitor on the Winter Dew Tour and has been hard at work this season filming for the new Forum team video.  Whether big air or slopestyle, Alek is always smooth as butter and can throw down with the best of ‘em.

Alex Tank is a Euro jibbing machine with a super clean style who kills parks and rails like nobody’s business.  Arguably the best thing to come out of Germany since Heidi Klum and Oktoberfest, Alex rides with the Eye of the Tiger and absolutely destroys it every time he straps on his board.

Be on the lookout for Arnette’s snow team at a mountain near you as they will all be wearing the new Mercenary and Series 3 goggles, which are slated to hit shops Fall 2011.

For more information, check out: Facebook and Twitter.

Ransack Rebellion teaser

Coming to a store near you in August...