Lots of things come to mind when thinking of the great state of Alaska: moose, state troopers, Sarah Palin, guns, and more moose. When dealing with a snowboarder's brain, however, it tends to go directly to the heavenly existence of unlimited powder and backcountry riding. Combine that simple fact with Flow's Tailgate Alaska event and well, you've got every snowboarder's oasis.

Tailgate AK 2012 took place during the first weeks of April and is uniquely open to the public but limited to 500 attendees.

Following the inaugural year of Tailgate B.C. in Revelstoke, the Alaskan adventure provides an opportunity for riders from all over to gather and experience this wonderland of sorts with access to 1.6 miles of terrain they didn't know existed. Heli-rides, snowcats, snowmobiles, and survival seminars are offered to educate while keeping the stoke level high.

2012 participant and Mammoth local, Eric Holland (a.k.a. Butters), summed up his experience for us: "It's an event that stands alone. You've got amazing mountains, terrain, and amazing people. Everyone's there for the same reason: to have fun and ride. That to me, is life."

Another unique aspect of the event is that the Flow World Freeride Championships takes place at the same time. CEO of Flow Snowboards, Anthony Scaturro explained, "While the competition component is a great part of the event, we love the fact that it is more about community than competition. It is a combination of freeriding and backcountry freestyle infused with a whole lot of fun. At Tailgate, everyone is a winner."

Brooke Summers, from Flow's marketing department, was onsite and added, "The Flow World Freeride Championships were the climax of Tailgate Alaska. As the only freeride contest held on totally natural and uncontrolled terrain, the WFC stands alone. Men were separated from boys. In fact, most of the boys showed the old guys how it's done. All in all, a very intense and exciting contest to spectate."

Let us spell this out for you: unmatched terrain, unlimited access, good people, and traditional Alaskan behavior of boozing, hammer throwing, and nail driving. Start planning for next year people.

Photo: Aaron Dodds, Rider: Mike Basich

Flow Snowboarding has taken another step to bring a core snowboarding experience to all riders. Following the tradition of Tailgate Alaska, an event that provides easy access to terrain for people that might not ever experience it otherwise, Tailgate B.C. opened its arms to the public during its first year in Revelstoke.

On March 8, powder hungry fiends mobbed through the Canadian borders to the heavenly land of Revelstoke. Many of the riders involved had only dreamt of dropping into these territories. The sense of camaraderie was obvious; the mornings were a frenzy of riders trying to gather gear, straighten out schedules, and get their sleds ready.

It's no surprise. 6.5 feet of snow greeted the group, choppers were waiting, and there were fresh lines to be had.

Limited to 150 participants--to eliminate overcrowding and ensure fresh powder-- the event offered backcountry access via discounted Eagle Pass heliskiing, sleds, and resort lifts. When they weren't waist deep in pow or scattered among B.C. trees, the group was offered backcountry safety classes, beacon searches, and snowmobile riding/maintenance clinics-- essential preparation for big mountain riding. Riders concluded the day's activities with adult beverages, man games (axe-chucking or too much fun with a hammer), bonfires, and live music.

Flow's marketing director, Susanne Dachgruber, was more than satisfied with how the first Tailgate B.C. turned out, "I'm really thrilled with our inaugural Flow Tailgate BC event. Our aim is to provide a venue for backcountry enthusiasts that allows them to create their own adventure and give them access to snow safety education, ensuring that they're safe while enjoying the incredible terrain in Revelstoke. Local support from operations like Eagle Pass Heliskiing and Jeremy Hanke's Soul Rides was fantastic and helped ensure the success of the event."

Tailgate Alaska, taking place April 1-12, 2012, is a must-attend event in Thompson Pass, Valdez, Alaska. And while the Alaskan event is highly esteemed in the snowboard world due to it's history, the Tailgate experience is unlike any other, no matter the location.

Photo courtesy of Sean Hannah

Christmas is closing in fast and it's giving us hot flashes. Stores are swarming with crazed and desperate customers, the shops look like someone threw up product all over the place, the lines are curving around the corner, and there are way too many toddlers screaming their faces off. To avoid serious trauma from these types of situations, we've attempted to provide a cheat sheet for gifts in regards to snowboarding. The featured item this week is somewhat of a necessity when it comes to going riding - a snowboard.

There are countless brands with their own collection of snow sticks ranging from expensive to affordable, powder boards to jib boards, rocker to camber, hideous graphics to sweet graphics...it goes on and on. We've snagged a few of our favorites to help you narrow down your search. So, take a deep breath, peruse what we've picked for this week's gift guide, and become everyone's favorite gift giver.

More options over at Snowboarder Mag's Buyer's Guide...

Arbor Blacklist $419.95

Arbor Del Rey $299.95


Restricted Burton Nug $399.95

Burton Custom X $649.95

Burton Lipstick Women's $479.95

Burton Flying-V Deja Vu Women's $399.95

Forum Destroyer Double Dog $439.95

Forum Youngblood ChillyDog $399.95

Forum Spinster Women's $399.95

Forum Sauce Women's $319.95

Flow Shifty $379.99

Flow Jewel Women's $369.99

Rome Mod Rocker $550.00

Rome Artifact Rocker $370.00

Rome Detail Rocker Women's $360.00

Lib Tech Travis Rice Pro $539.95

Ride Berzerker $489.95

Ride DH2 $499.95

Ride OMG Women's $439.95


Gnu B-Street Women's $449.95

K2 Fastplant $499.95

K2 WWW $379.95

K2 Va Va Voom Women's $379.95

CAPiTA Totally F*kn Awesome $449

CAPiTA Indoor Survival FK $399

CAPiTA Saturnia Women's $339

Go ahead. Throw two thumbs for free snowboard movies. Flow just released their full length film "Was Here" on Flow.com. The team really put in some serious time in making sure that this movie turned into something they were all proud of and exuded the right vibe - making people want to go snowboard.

"WAS HERE" features Scotty Lago, Tim Humphreys, Scot Brown, Mike Basich, Sarka Pancochova, Jeremy Thompson, Brandon Reis, Nial Romanek, Ian Thorley, Andre Kuhlmann, and Shane Fortier as they shred across Alaska, Austria, California, Canada, Colorado, Germany, Idaho, Japan, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, and Oregon.

With winter at our fingertips - this film is the perfect pump-up for the season. Watch the full movie here.

Words: Flow

"WAS HERE" follows the FlowSnowboarding Team on a worldwide seek-and-destroy mission. While no stranger to the global contest podium, the Flow team now taps into their alter ego to bring you some of the year's heaviest riding, throwing down in the streets and leaving lines in the backcountry.

"Flow is coming out big with thisvideo. Everyone devoted so much time and effort with only one goal- showing the world that Flow can kill it on the film scene just as hard as the brand has on the contest scene." -Tim Humphreys

"If you wanna get inspired, watch '199 Lives,' if you wanna get pumped to ride, watch our video." -Scotty Lago

"The Flow guys impressed me thisseason. Their hunger, motivation and professionalism made my winter and drove them to landing tricks that I've never seen before." -Drew Satin, FlowCinematographer

We invite you to enjoy the movie!

Just when you thought that the teasers were over. Just when I thought the teasers were over, (I actually just finished my "Top 13 Teasers of the Year" post) and then FLOW shows up with this. If I wasn't as lazy as I am, I would make it 14 and add "Was Here" to that list. However, I am that lazy at the moment and figured I could just make a separate post for this teaser that is showing up late to the party.

Tangent is over. Regardless, this teaser is legit. Looks like the team had one hell of a winter. I mean, who didn't really? The FLOW riders go off the rocker in this one. Feast your eyes below: