Backdrop Journal's FFS Backcountry Podcast

Episode 9 - Our latest podcast sees us chat tech, European Space Agency funding and startup app development with FATMAP co-founder Misha Gopaul.

Misha started off as a tech geek in London, before selling his business and moving back home to Switzerland to train as a mountain guide, eventually settling down in Chamonix and starting FATMAP, a 3D mapping tool on your smartphone. With aspirations on every adventure starting with FATMAP we find out where the app is now, where it’s heading, and just how useful it is on the mountainside.

For a 20% discount on FATMAP Pro check out our review where you’ll find a discount link.

Episode 8 - Pallas Snowboards is one of too few female only splitboarding brands, designing boards by women for women. 

We get the low-down from co-founder Steph Nitsch on why she felt there was such a need for a female specific brand, offering dialed in performance splits for women that ride hard in hairy terrain, and why the Pallas brand talks to women that want to access the hinterland that is the beauty of  unruly backcountry wilderness. 

Episode 6 - Often overlooked, Montana has a wide and wild expanse of splitboarding areas to hit. We get the lowdown on Montana’s splitboarding scene from Zach Bailey, Co-Founder of the Bozeman Splitfest.

We learn how a backcountry weekend rolls Montana style, get a heads up on the best spots to hit, including Yellow Stone National Park and a new yurt camp, and learn of Zach’s inspirations on how the Bozeman Splitfest hopes to educate and build a backcountry community, not just a splitboarding one.

Episode 4 - The Backdrop Journal Crew get the lowdown from Erik Lambert, co-founder of Bluebird Backcountry, an inbounds backcountry ski area designed for learning and adventure in Kremmling, Colorado.

The third of our Colorado trilogy, including Silverton and Weston Snowboards, sees Erik explain the oxymoron concept that is Bluebird Backcountry, an inbound-backcountry resort. No lifts just patrolled terrain with; pre-set skin tracks, backcountry rentals, lessons, avalanche classes, toilets and a snack yurt.

Episode 3 -The Backdrop Journal Crew talk turkey with Leo Tsuo, owner of Weston Snowboards, based out of Minturn, Colorado. The second of our Colorado trilogy, including Silverton and Bluebird Backcountry, sees Leo mull over the impact of covid to the backcountry, splitboard design, mentorship, backcountry introduction and cultural inclusion.

Episode 2 - The Backdrop Journal Crew catch up with Jen Brill, co-owner and co-creator, of the super cool Silverton Mountain Resort, Colorado.

Silverton Mountain has only one - two person - chairlift, no permanent buildings and absolutely no pistes. Under 100 people a day get to ride the lift in small groups, each group has a guide and is arranged on how fast and how far you’re likely to hike from the top of the chair. Once down an old school bus drives you back to the lift and you’re good to go again.

They also run a heli operation too, which includes the chance to add one drop hit to your day of guided riding.

Episode 1 - Guest presenter, Ben Atherton, chats with the Backdrop Journal Crew, discussing the concept behind the FFS pods, the history of the crew, building a likeminded community and the reasons behind starting the Backdrop Journal site.