08 09 : Burton : It's Always Snowing Somewhere

Last years' "Thanks In Advance" was a great film in its own right, but nothing spectacular. The Burton team videos are always an excellent compilation of footage from their exceptional team, but they've never really been competition for the big snowboard videos. It's Always Snowing Somewhere let's you know things are different this time right from the get-go with a super flashy intro and a thumping beat.

But the intro is only a taste of what's to come, and the video only escalates from there. A sick powder opening segment with Gigi sets the film off well from the start, and captures on film the feeling of dry chest deep snow that so few of us have experienced. Tadashi follows with some unforgettable lines with avalanches in hot pursuit. There are too many sections to mention in the hour long film, but they're all solid. Particularly great in my opinion was the decision to film some of the big names out of their normal environment. Jeremy Jones brings the urban to the backcountry, with natural "street" features that make for some great shredding, and after the obligatory pipe shots, Shaun White shreds some gnar all over the mountain. Both sets are done perfectly and really show the dynamicity of their skills.

The cinematography is fantastic. Everything is crisp and clean, and the camera crews did a wonderful job capturing the energy of the Burton team on-snow and off. Of special note, the sunset silhouette footage rivals Picture This' night-time cinematography as some of the most beautiful snowboarding ever captured.

It's Always Snowing Somewhere flows effortlessly from rider to rider and from park to backcountry. Everyone who put time on this film deserves heaps of credit, but the film's editors, Aaron Hooper and Aaron Leyland should receive special mention. Rarely is this level of attention paid to the editing of a film; everything is on point. They smoothly orchestrated the dance that takes place on screen, the mix of beautifully captured snowboarding interspersed with creative and artful non-snowboarding footage, set to a great soundtrack with every cut made perfectly on beat, without ever letting the editing get in the way of the cinematography or riding.

As the credits roll you'll find yourself ready to ride, stoked on the film you've just watched, and if that was the end of the film, Burton could be very happy with the results; but it's not. The DVD is loaded with plenty of extras, filled with more riding and behind the scenes mayhem. But wait, there's even more. If you've polished off all of Disc 1: Northern Hemisphere and your legs aren't going numb yet, go ahead and jump into Disc 2: Southern Hemisphere.  The second DVD has an additional 20 minute full feature snowboard video of the Burton team riding in the Southern Hemisphere in footage that is only a couple of months old. And even then you're not done, disc 2 has another hour of extra footage, plenty more riding and behind-the-scenes goofing, and a feature on the Burton Learn To Ride program that shows you their new equipment designed to end the "Kids have to learn to ski first" meme and showcases their "Smalls" team.

Sitting back after our review marathon I wondered if I had just watched the best snowboard film of the year. There are still plenty of other films coming to challenge it, but I'm confident it will hold a position in the top five for most snowboarders. Every year there are one or two films that capture you in a way none of the others do. I believe It's Always Snowing Somewhere is one of those movies. You can't help but get excited about snowboarding after watching for even a few minutes.

I’m going to cut to the chase and just say this is one of the best snowboard DVDs of the year, if not THE best. It also rates very highly in my mental list of favorite videos of all time. Why? It strikes hot. From the beginning, with a zinger of an intro, it holds your attention to the very end of the last credit. Though it jumps from location to location around the world, the majority of the footage has the same elements. Much of the footage is in the backcountry- deep snow, few tracks, cliff pow pow drops, moving water, trees or jagged peaks, sunsets, isolation. The texture in nature captured on film leaves a deeply raw and untouched but, somehow, refined and graceful feel.

Several things make this a very fresh film. No rider’s part can go unmentioned as each is just as it should be- the best of what they have to offer on all levels. Sometimes there is an advantage to watching videos where you have less history with the riders because you don’t has as many preconceived ideas going into it. Its Burton, it's big budget, and it's completely different. My expectations were high going into this video, because of the bar that has been set before, but I was also expecting the standard Burton fare, and I was blown away. Yeah, it is same faces, the usual Burton lineup, but not necessarily the same places.

Take Shaun White, for instance. There is a standard “Shaun in the pipe competition-type” intro to his part, but there is a significant amount of footage with Shaun in the backcountry. I'm so used to seeing him in the park and pipe that it was completely disorienting to see him in the backcountry and yet it was all so Shaun. Taking the riders who are known for one focus of riding and getting video in a different environment really mixed up the flavor and made it a new experience.  Another example? Jeremy Jones and Keegan Valaika absolutely nail the street feel to the woods.

Natasza Zurek represents all ladies as the one female part in the main movie on the first disc. My one and only docking on this entire product is the lack of female content. We see more of the women in an extra and though it is a great part, it is pretty short.

The editing is phenomenal because you only occasionally notice it and that is only when it is meant to standout (Mikkel Bang’s section is a tight example of this). Otherwise the editing is nearly flawless, perfectly timed to the music, and the cinematography is incredible. Plus, the movie never really ends, it just rolls right into the many many extras and a whole second disk that features the southern hemisphere (hence “It’s Always Snowing Somewhere”).

Extras I really liked: Trouble in Paradise (Trevor Andrew riding to Trouble is unbeatable, I’m sold), LTR kids ripping it up (watch it, you’ll cry at how good these 8 year olds are and the technology for these mini shredders is through the roof), and so much more. There are hours worth of footage.

Since we are on Snowboarder Guide, where we talk about lots of things including gear, I will say that I really liked the Burton outerwear line on film. A lot of the gear showed us at SIA last year was a little overwhelming to look at on hangers one after another, but they look freaking awesome when spinning through the air. There is tons more to cover but, without further explanation, my suggestion would be to get this movie, put on your snow gear, call up your friends, and celebrate the new season with this video as a kickoff.