I recently tagged along with the Alterna films crew on a trip to Aspen Colorado with riders Craig Beaulieu ( Clyde Snowboards, Billabong , Vonzipper ) Matt Belzille ( K2 , Westbeach , Smith , 32 , Etnies) and Logan Haubrich ( DC , Electric and The Circle ). Known for it's expensive real estate and fur clad cougars I was pleasantly surpised by the variety of terrain and beyong perfect park set up the area had to offer.  Huge thanks to Melissa Rhines, Greg Boyd and Yannick Rioux of the Aspen Skiing company for being such gracious hosts.

Logan and Matt take a minute to stretch before the drive to Seattle begins. Tickets from Vancouver were twice the price and all had a layover in Seattle which didn't make sense to any of us.

 Telling the border patrol your a snowboarder from Whistler usually brings out the dogs but they politely let us through and we all breathed a sigh of releif.

The tram to our terminal at the Seattle Airport.

I was trying to find Art outside my window but couldn't see him anywhere.

We didn't arrive in Denver until midnight and had a 4 hour drive to Aspen. I tried to make it a 3 hour drive but payed the price.  Using "Sir" instead of "Buddy" got me out of a mandatory court date and much larger ticket though.

Once again big thanks to Melissa Rhines at Aspen. We arrived to a stocked fridge and great place to call home for the week.

Logan Haubrich at Buttermilk.

Craig Beaulieu enjoying the perfection that Greg and Yannick create everyday at Buttermilk.

Matt Belzille taking full advantage of a private session in the park that hosts the Winter X games each year.

Be sure to check out next year's issues of Snowboard Canada and SBC Resort Guide for more shots from this trip.

John Scarth is the Photo Editor of Snowboard Canada