The Land of Lord of the Rings, and sheep. Welcome to New Zealand

New Zealand. Who doesn't like a country with more animals in it then the people? Everyone's got a cool accent, the landscape is insane, and the drinking age is 18. Nuff' said. After graduating high school at Stratton Mounatin School, I was given the opportunity to head down to NZ with the SMS snowboard team in August to shoot them in the New Zealand Open. I was beyond stoked.

Within 10 days, I went base-jumping, bought some sweet moccasins, slept in a heated beds, and snowboarded in weather that varied from sunny and sick, to fog so bad you couldn't see your hand in front of you. And when it came to crunch-time, the SMS shredders did work in both the slopestyle and halfpipe competition. I had an amazing expiernce with these guys in the land of the Lord of the Rings, and couldn't of asked for a better crew to be with. Enjoy!

11 Year-old Ty Walker way too exicted to drop off a bridge

SMS rider Hunter Wood and his mom getting the ariel view

Bombs away

SMS Coach Scotty Johnson showing the kiddies how it's done

They all got the stare going for them

The early ride up to the mountain is worth the view.

...and then the fog rolls in

...and then we wait

SMS rider Mikey Perle likes to match with his enviroment

SMS rider Chris Tierney

Our good friend Mr. Tomato man Shuan White

Kazuhiro Kokubo sending a massive air to fakie

US team rider and SMS Alumni Lizzy Beerman after a hard fall

...and US Team coach Bud Keene checking out the damage from up top

James Haffner checkin out my point of view

SMS Head Coach Mike Mallon doesn't mess around with his wax

good thing she has gloves on

Mike Mallon gets his femine-side on with the chicks

Randall Stacy shifty-ing everything

The crew destroying the slope course

Cruisin' around town

Good vibes all around

TTK