Dark Starts Backcountry Splitboard Podcast

By Maxwell Morrill & Darrin MilneSports

Dark Starts Backcountry Splitboard Podcast episodes

January 05, 2021Dave Downing - 30 years of split with - The ever-humble, super rep of all things Burton
Episode 40
Dark Starts backcountry splitboarding podcast presents Burton rider - Triple D Dave Downing.
Riding at Big Bear, he became a rep for Burton and has enjoyed a 30 years partnership with them, influencing their start in making splits.

A Transworld trip to Italy changed his life, where he met his future wife and proved he had what it took to get a Burton rider contract.

Rode and filmed with some of the greats, mentored by Craig Kelly himself.
We learned so much about Tahoe and Burton in this episode. Dave discovered splitboarding as a way to get powder and he pushed Burton to develop their own splitboarding models, and helped Craig discover splitboarding in the process. His experience in the backcountry and love of powder gave us a new perspective, and for that we are grateful, thanks Dave!
Show links:
https://www.instagram.com/davedowning/
Sponsored by:
https://www.burton.com/us/en/home
Special thanks to:
Tahoe Lab Boards
https://www.tahoelab.com/
Use promo code DS15 to get 15% off all boards
Fernie Brewery Co
https://www.ferniebrewing.com/
Smartwool
https://smartwool.ca/
Use promo code DS10 to get 10% off your purchases worldwide
Vulcan Sports Wear
https://vulcansportswear.com/
Use promo code DS15 to get 15% off your purchases worldwide
Pro Standard
https://www.instagram.com/theprostandard/
Use promo code DarkStarts to get free shipping
S3 Boardshop
https://www.s3boardshop.ca/
Use promo code DS15 to get 15% off everything in the store/online
Groundswell Marketing
https://www.instagram.com/groundswell_fm/
Valerie Black The Artist Behind The Logo
https://www.instagram.com/valerieblack.art/
Follow us on Instagram:
@ Darkstarts.podcast
https://www.instagram.com/darkstarts.podcast/
@ Darkstarts.media
https://www.instagram.com/darkstarts.media/
1 hr 42 min
December 29, 2020 Dropping out to Drop in with Gareth Van Dyk | Ex-Big Mountain competitor turns powsurfer & Splitboarder
Episode 39
Dark Starts backcountry splitboarding podcast presents ex-big mountain competitor and Jones ambassador Gareth Van Dyk.
Moving from Wisconsin to West Africa to New Mexico, Gareth developed a unique perspective and appreciation of life.
He gave it the old college try, but quickly learned that his student loans would be better used to fund his big mountain adventure education.
He competed many years in Big Mountain, pulled in K2 and Jones sponsorships, then turned to judging events after blowing out his knee.
Big mountain has never really received the same attention as freestyle in the snowboard world, but these are the real cowboys of the sport. Gareth found his passion for it at Crested Butte and followed that path to become one of the legends. In this episode, he shares his never before heard life stories and how it led to an appreciation of pow surfing and splitboarding. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
Show links:
https://www.instagram.com/oldcbpro/
Sponsored by:
https://www.jonessnowboards.com/
https://sansmealbar.com/
https://241collection.com/
Special thanks to:
Tahoe Lab Boards
Use promo code DS15 to get 15% off all boards
The Pro Standard
Use promo code DarkStarts to get free shipping
https://www.s3boardshop.ca/
Use promo code DS15 to get 15% off everything in the store/online
Groundswell Marketing
Valerie Black The Artist Behind The Logo
Follow us on Instagram:
@ Darkstarts.podcast
@ Darkstarts.media
2 hr 20 min
December 22, 2020 Right in your backyard with Bjorn Leines | brand & business development manager at Cardiff Snowcraft
Episode 38
Dark Starts backcountry splitboarding podcast presents brand and business development manager at Cardiff Snowcraft and global athlete Bjorn Leines.
Winters in Utah with his family led to local competitions, X Games, Olympics, sponsorships and shredding lines with some of the greats.
Now calling Utah home, he discovered splitboarding in order to gain access to the nearby mountains that had been calling him for years.
As an ambassador for Cardiff Snowcraft, he’s constantly feeding Sam with the ammo to build better rides.
When we chatted with Bjorn, one of the snowboarding greats, one thing was crystal clear: in order to truly experience the mountain, you need to split. What made it possible for him was better gear. Listen in as he shares his amazing stories of the glory days of snowboarding, his gear and planning tips, and how splitboarding allows him to genuinely connect with the mountains. Now he shares the experience with his sons, helping them carve their own path in the industry.
Show links:
@bjornleines
@cardiffsnowcraft
@blackdiamond_snow
@blackdiamond
@celtek
@remindinsoles
@karakorambc
@bluebirdwax
Other:
Dig my quiver
Fat Map
Special thanks to:
Tahoe Lab Boards
Use promo code DS15 to get 15% off all boards
The Pro Standard
Use promo code DarkStarts to get free shipping
https://www.s3boardshop.ca/
Use promo code DS15 to get 15% off everything in the store/online
Groundswell Marketing
Valerie Black The Artist Behind The Logo
Follow us on Instagram:
@ Darkstarts.podcast
@ Darkstarts.media
1 hr 40 min
December 15, 2020The oh shit puffy with Izzy Lazarus | Wyoming mountain guide
Episode 37
Dark Starts backcountry splitboarding podcast presents Wyoming mountain guide Izzy Lazarus.
She grew up outside in the NE States, helping her lay a solid foundation to become a climber, rider and instructor.

Started her AMGA education in 2015 working towards her full IFMGA certification, and picked up a few sponsors along the way.

Currently works as a guide out of Jackson WY, teaching Split 101 and women’s specific courses and shredding endless powder lines in the Tetons.
Izzy got her first taste of powder when a friend brought her to Cement Creek in Silverton CO. She quickly decided to make the switch from ice climbing to splitboarding, for both safety and pure pleasure. As a guide and instructor, she loves imparting knowledge on those who come to her, and we learned a thing or two. Just think of all the things we will know in 5 more years, thanks to amazing guests like her. All it took was a listen.
Show links:
Instagram
Sponsored by:
Weston
Phantom Snow Industries
Other:
Jackson Hole Mountain Guides
Alpine Ascents
Backcountry Babes
Special thanks to:
Tahoe Lab Boards
Use promo code DS15 to get 15% off all boards
Groundswell Marketing
Valerie Black The Artist Behind The Logo
Follow us on Instagram:
@ Darkstarts.podcast
@ Darkstarts.media
2 hr 15 min
December 08, 2020Smashing Boards with Dave Crerar | ACMG Guide & Owner of Golden Powder Guides, out of Golden BC
Episode 36
Dark Starts backcountry splitboarding podcast presents owner of Golden Powder Guides Dave Turner-Crerar.
Dave Turner-Crerar immigrated to Canada from Ireland to follow his passion for the outdoors.

After a few years of travelling between kayaking the Ottawa River and ski patrolling at Big White Ski Resort, he landed a job with the Edmonton Fire Department. The compressed shift schedule gave him the chance for getting after it in the backcountry.

He headed back to school and is now only one small hurdle away from completing the ACMG ski guide program… entirely on a splitboard. Dave also runs his own small guiding outfit, Golden Powder Guiding.
Dave got his start as a kayaker, but quickly realized that surfing mountains was his true passion. He started lining up his life to follow his passion. In this episode, we get some amazing tips on boards, boots, skins and wax. We also learn how Dave creates great guided tours, how a guide can help take your AST education to the next level, how Search and Rescue works in Canada, and about insurance? Huge knowledge drops in this episode.
Show links:
Golden Powder Guiding
GPG Instagram
Dave Instagram
YouTube Channel
Sponsored by:
The North Face
Smartwool Banff
Phantom Splitboard Bindings
Qwax wax
Other:
Lifestyle Financial Insurance
Special thanks to:
Tahoe Lab Boards
Use promo code DS15 to get 15% off all boards
Groundswell Marketing
Valerie Black The Artist Behind The Logo
Follow us on Instagram:
@ Darkstarts.podcast
@ Darkstarts.media
1 hr 55 min
December 01, 2020The Process with Jessa Gilbert | Epic Artist, tail guide & currently out of Revelstoke BC
Episode 35
Dark Starts backcountry splitboarding podcast presents backcountry artist and tail guide Jessa Gilbert.
As one of the few women who grew up shredding the slopes in New York, there was lots of room for improvement in how women were perceived and portrayed in snowboarding

Forayed into environmental art when she received a mural grant for a creek underpass in Whistler, turned her passion into a living

Landed in Nelson BC and turned on to guiding by Jeff of Baldface, not too shabby having Buff as your mentor!
We had a blast chatting with Jessa! She dropped her wisdom and epic stories on us. A shredder at the core, her stoke for the backcountry, feeling the terrain and turning them into her art got us frothy for more. Listen as she shares what inspired her to slow down and find herself in the mountains.
Show links:
Jessa Gilbert Art
Instagram
Sponsored by:
Burton Snowboards
Skida Headwear & Accessories
Other:
RAB Shelters
Heroes - Women in Snowboarding
Special thanks to:
Tahoe Lab Boards
Use promo code DS15 to get 15% off all boards
Groundswell Marketing
Valerie Black The Artist Behind The Logo
Follow us on Instagram:
@ Darkstarts.podcast
@ Darkstarts.media
2 hr 22 min
November 24, 2020We are just tobogganing with Christine Feleki | The first woman to pass her ACMG exam on a splitboard
Episode 34
Dark Starts backcountry splitboarding podcast presents the first female to examine on a splitboard to a guide Christine Feleki.
Growing up in Canmore, AB, Christine learned to be faster by riding with both skiers and boarders, eventually discovering the backcountry

She’s the first female splitboard guide to pass the ACMG exam, putting down fresh tracks for other women who are brave enough to follow

Her growing list of sponsors includes Pallas, Arc’teryx, and Phantom - all stemming from her chance meeting with Steph Nitsch through She Jumps

Working as a guide, she has dialed in her gear - and runs down her tried and tested picks… we’re almost convinced to try hard booting now
Christine’s happy place is the backcountry. She answered the call of the mountains, and now spends her days touring and guiding, making memories for the guests that she brings into the backcountry. When you spend that much time in the backcountry, you develop deep knowledge of gear and hone your own art of skinning as a guide. This one’s gold, Jerry! Gold!
Show links:
Instagram
Pallas Snowboards
Arc’teryx
Phantom
She Jumps
Special thanks to:
Tahoe Lab Boards
Use promo code DS15 to get 15% off all boards
Groundswell Marketing
Valerie Black The Artist Behind The Logo
Follow us on Instagram:
@ Darkstarts.podcast
@ Darkstarts.media
1 hr 57 min
November 17, 2020TASTING Snow with Don Schwartz | Former Snowboarding Pro, Powder Mountain Guide and all around bad ASS.
Episode 33
Dark Starts backcountry splitboarding podcast presents Powder Mountain Guide Don Schwartz.
Don fell in love with snowboarding in the early days, bought his first one from Ken Achenbach’s home shop in Calgary, AB

He got involved in the competitive circuit and lived the life as a pro in the famed snowboard house of Whistler, BC

Took a job as a guide while working for Transworld Magazine, which evolved into a 30 year career, eventually co-owning Powder Mountain Resort
We were blown away by Don! His stories of the early days of snowboarding, living the life as a pro, getting roped into guiding and honing his snow knowledge over 30 years makes this episode one that you don’t want to miss! We never found out what’s in his pack, but we now know what surface hoar tastes like. We hope you enjoy his great tips as much as we did!
Show links:
In The Blink of an Eye Film
Deep Survival Book
Snowman Film
Powder Mountain Resort
Special thanks to:
Tahoe Lab Boards
Use promo code DS15 to get 15% off all boards
Groundswell Marketing
Valerie Black The Artist Behind The Logo
Follow us on Instagram:
@ Darkstarts.podcast
@ Darkstarts.media
2 hr
November 10, 2020Why he is the fastest with Neil Provo | the snowboarding half of the infamous Provo Brothers out of Salt Lake City Utah
Episode 32
Dark Starts backcountry splitboarding podcast presents Neil Provo.
Outdoor enthusiast and photographer whose sponsor resume includes Voile, Technine, Rossignol, Grass Roots (Powsurfer) and Cardiff Snowcraft.

Breaks down his gear and shares what his field tested preferences.

When you tour with your brother, you need to be fast - if not to keep up at least to keep the sibling rivalry alive.
Him and his brother have logged many, many days in the backcountry. Since his brother was skiing and he was splitboarding, it pushed him to find ways to speed up his transitions and make them as quick as possible. He shares great tips on what makes him such a speed demon that you can use for your own tours. Plus, there’s epic spines!
Show links:
Outdoor Research
Cardiff Snowcraft
Hyperlite Mountain Gear
Spot LLC
Black Diamond
Goal Zero
Smith Optics
Special thanks to:
Tahoe Lab Boards
Use promo code DS15 to get 15% off all boards
Groundswell Marketing
Valerie Black The Artist Behind The Logo
Follow us on Instagram:
@ Darkstarts.podcast
@ Darkstarts.media
2 hr 5 min
November 03, 2020Spark your stoke with Will Ritter | founder of Spark R&D
Episode 31
Dark Starts backcountry splitboarding podcast presents Will Ritter, founder of Spark R&D.
Fell in love with the rockies while on spring break, and shortly after discovered the backcountry (the hard way).

Started Spark R&D in 2006 when his curious engineering mind wanted to build a better splitboard binding than what was available on the market.

Got a less than perfect sense of direction? Will has pro tips for navigating your next dark start. Impressive gear and nutrition knowledge too.
There’s no question, powder runs through Will’s veins. Few people are lucky enough to make a living from their passion, and fewer still create innovative products that make splitboarding even better and more fun. Will takes us to where it all began and tells us what he’s working on next. And since he’s a splitboarder first, he’s got great tips on gear, nutrition and how to introduce your kids to splitboarding. Or, was that Darrin?
Show links:
Spark Website
Spark Instagram
Special thanks to:
Tahoe Lab Boards
Use promo code DS15 to get 15% off all boards
Groundswell Marketing
Valerie Black The Artist Behind The Logo
Follow us on Instagram:
@ Darkstarts.podcast
@ Darkstarts.media
2 hr 20 min

About Dark Starts Backcountry Splitboard Podcast

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Join your hosts Maxwell & Darrin as they talk with splitboarding and backcountry industry pros, gear manufacturers, and certified mountain guides. No matter how much experience you have in the…

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