Tracks: The Top of the World to the Deepest Backcountry

Peetu Piiroinen jumping over a ridiculously large and immaculate Nike swoosh made of snow at the Nike Chosen Sessions in Austria. Photo: Laura Austin

Laurent-Nicolas Paquin taking a load off in a strange San Francisco hotel in the middle of one hell of a movie tour for Rome Snowboards. Photo: Laura Austin

Travis Parker poking out a method off a rock over an incredible sunset in La Parva, Chile. Photo: Laura Austin

During a contest on top of Mt. Hood in Oregon I saw Willie McMillon messing around throwing snowballs, probably at some innocent kid. I whipped out my camera when noticed the clouds sprawled out in front of him. I wanted to shoot it so that there would be no evidence of him actually standing on a mountain in the middle of a terrain park. The result… an image of how clouds are really made. Photo: Laura Austin

Maria Debari laying into a turn at an undisclosed location in the Washington backcountry. Photo: Laura Austin

A quiet moment at a snowboard contest as the park staff keeps the jumps in proper condition. Photo: Laura Austin

Matt Ladley greasing a rail at the Nike Chosen Sessions in Austria. Photo: Laura Austin

A photo in the Tahoe backcountry encapsulating the positive vibes Aaron Robinson always put out there. RIP A-Rob. Photo: Laura Austin

This photo falls in my favorites more so because of the experience that is attached to it. I got to go back to my home mountain (Stowe, VT) and ride with Jake Burton Carpenter, one of pioneers of snowboarding, for the day. One of the best powder days I have had at Stowe, and having Jake as your tour guide doesn't hurt either. I couldn't wipe a smile off my face all day. Photo: Laura Austin

Bomb drops in Austria at the Nike Chosen Sessions. Photo: Laura Austin

This one was shot during the halfpipe finals at the US Open. Instead of shooting the snowboarder I decided to take a picture of the crowd while the rider was soaring high above them. The main reason I love this photo is because of the girl not even looking at the rider, who appears to be screaming at the top of her lungs. The cartoon feet at the bottom don't hurt either. I laugh every time I see this one. Photo: Laura Austin

Peetu Piiroinen soaring over the clouds at the Nike Chosen Sessions in Austria. Photo: Laura Austin

Forest Bailey on top of the world during a contest at Mt. Hood. Photo: Laura Austin

This day was miserable at the US Open. In true Vermont fashion, it was raining. And I had to stand on the side of a slopestyle course wearing a trashbag not only covering myself, but also my camera. One of my lenses ended up getting completely ruined that day. But the rainy/foggy conditions made for an interesting atmosphere so I wasn't stuck just shooting your typical contest shots. Photo: Laura Austin

Ted Borland with a frontside boardslide during Snowboarder Magazine’s Superpark event at Mt. Bachelor, OR. Photo: Laura Austin

This shot is from my first experience in the backcountry which involved waking up while it was still dark out, hanging on for dear life on the back of a snowmobile, and gaining an appreciation for the work that goes into getting these shots. Photo: Laura Austin

Leanne Pelosi taking in a Chilean sunset. Photo: Laura Austin

Pat Moore going balls to the wall of a hip at Superpark in Mt. Bachelor, Oregon. Photo: Laura Austin

Jason Robinson scoping out his line in the Tahoe backcountry. Photo: Laura Austin

The young Jamie Nichols getting creative with the scaffolding feature during the Nike Chosen Sessions in Austria. Photo: Laura Austin

Shaun White going huge during the US Open in Vermont… need I say more? Photo: Laura Austin