Season Edit Sit Down with Josh Edwards

With all the great response that team rider Josh Edwards has been getting to his 2013-2014 season snowboarding edit, we decided to sit down with him and discuss how he did it.

Ltd. Optics

This year seemed to be a little different than your previous seasons where you didn't get to spend a lot of time at resorts. Tell us about how this changed your riding.

Josh

I enjoyed the couple days I spent at resorts, but since the majority of my riding was done elsewhere, I had to get creative and step out of my comfort zone much more than I have any other season. I got into the backcountry more, spent some good time in the streets, and did some things I've never done before. I hit my first chute this season, Suicide Chute - twice - thanks to Mike Meru showing me the ropes. He also took me to this awesome rock feature that we had to snowmobile into each time. I jumped off a parking garage that Scott Hansen found - it was terrifying haha! And I had a great couple of days hitting some intense street spots with the 801 Fun crew. It was a great season and kinda broke me out of my shell a little bit. I'm already looking forward to next season and the adventures that will bring!

Ltd. Optics

What resorts were you able to get to? What was the best feature of the resorts?

Josh

I logged three full days at a resort this season. Two days at Brighton, and 1 day at PCMR, all thanks to sponsors and good friends. I had a blast at Brighton, they had some great park features this year and it was on their wallride that I tried my first real handplant. Being able to get it down there gave me the confidence to try it later on in the season on the Snowbird wallride, which is one of my favorite shots I've ever gotten. You can't beat a sunny park day at PCMR. When we went, it was so late in the season that everything was pretty slushy and sketchy, but I still had a blast there. It just made me wish I had had more days there like I did last season, where I spent a lot of time on those awesome park runs. I would have loved to sesh the jumps a little more and get more comfortable on them.

Ltd. Optics

You mentioned a handful of friends that you were able to ride with this year, tell us about this group of people.

Josh

Scott Hansen has been my best riding buddy for the past few seasons. He is one of the best riders I know and I love getting out with him. He's crazy talented and can throw down on anything we find - he's an amazing all around rider. Mike Meru and Tanner Crow are two guys I met this season and love riding with. Mike got me into all sorts of scary BC situations and taught me a lot about that; I can't wait to learn more next year from him! Tanner is super fun to ride with and always going huge. He's a funny guy and always good to have in the crew. Shawn Talbot and I don't get out a ton together, but every day out with him always becomes a favorite. He charges too and is always ready to have a good time! My buddy Sam Lynch is still recovering from an injury but has been coming out with us and I love having him around; he's always so positive. And the 801 Fun crew: Brian Berec, Derek Dennison, Tyler Beck, and Jordan Pay invited me out with them a couple times. They always have awesome spots and I learn a lot from watching them kill any spot we're at.

Ltd. Optics

With your limited days on the snow and limited time riding at resorts, what was the best day of the season for you?

Josh

Any day on my board is the best day. I can't narrow it down to one, but I love every chance I get to ride and try to make the most of each day I have on the snow. I film everything I do, and if I can walk away from a spot with at least one usable shot, I'm stoked.

Ltd. Optics

What did you do this year that you haven't ever had the chance to do?

Josh

So I talked about this a little earlier, but to recap, there was a lot! First backcountry chute - twice, first real cliff in the backcountry, and really getting into the backcountry as much as I did was a first. First time jumping off a parking garage. A tailpress on a rail that was like 10 feet off the ground, as well as a 5050 back 1 out on it. Scary, but awesome. First handplant in the streets. I hit a bridge jib, which has been on my list for years, and got a couple shots on it. Backflipping off a pole jam. Those are some of my favorite things from this season!

Ltd. Optics

What do you have in store for next year?

Josh

Time will tell. This year was full of surprises so I can't imagine what next year will bring. I talked to Mike a few days ago and he said he's already got some things in mind for next year which is both frightening and awesome, I can't wait to get out with him more! I hope my same crew gets out and rides as much as possible again. As long as I personally progress my riding and put together a good part again I'll be stoked!

Sponsors shout out:

Ltd. Optics makes the best sunglasses/goggles! Their shades stay on your face even when you're hitting street rails or throwing backflips! A great group of guys behind the company also!