Rasman has laid down some seriously epic parts using this steed. Photos: Ben Girardi
In 2023, Chris Rasman was first to drop into the Alaskan venue of the Natural Selection Tour Finals, going up against Travis Rice and opening up the Chugach zone for everyone. Even more, he had less than 48 hours to prepare as he tagged in for another rider who was unable to compete. There are few individuals who would be comfortable stepping into a situation like that, but Rasman is a master student of the mountains. He’s spent his whole life in the British Columbia backcountry, honing his personal breed of powerful, and adaptable, snowboarding.
Rasman’s finesse on both cheese wedges and big lines is evident in everything the legendary Manboys have filmed over the past decade, and when applied to NST, he’s a true force (while being one of the most affable individuals). But back to 2023. If you listen closely when watching Rasman’s opening run, when he arrives at the bottom you’ll hear him radio the rest of the riders, sending them beta about the snow conditions. Even in competition, Chris is there for the entire crew. We caught up with him to get his thoughts on some of the greatest things snowboarding has to offer.
The greatest thing about snowboarding in British Columbia: BC is the best. There are a lot of great things about snowboarding here. Plenty of incredible resorts, with amazing sidecountry access just off of the chairlifts — Whitewater, Revelstoke, Whistler Blackcomb, Cypress, Grouse, and Seymour to name a few. We get a lot of snow, have amazing terrain, and because we’re coastal, we tend to have a snowpack that heals faster than inland locations. For me, the best thing about snowboarding in BC is the snowmobile access. There are access (logging) roads cut to the alpine with snowmobile clubs that maintain the trails all over the place. This means you can get to heli-boarding-quality terrain in under an hour, across the province, at dozens of locations.
The greatest thing about British Columbia other than snowboarding: Our summers. They’re short and sweet, but wow, they’re incredible when it’s on. We get a six-to-eight week window of hot weather and long days. Our oceans are so beautiful and fun to explore, and our mountains and lakes are equally as magical in the summer as they are in the winter. Not many places I’d rather be than home when the summer is in full swing here.
Need we say more? Photos: Ben Girardi
The greatest Manboys video: This one might vary depending on the rider you ask. We’ve also done a bunch of different formats over the years — web series, full-length, short films, etc. Our Manboys Movie in 2016 was probably one of both Craig McMorris’ and Anto Chamberlain’s best parts, and for the crew as a whole, maybe the year we did the best. I think for me, it narrows down to Umami (2019), Plank (2022), and Tango Echo November (2023). If I had to pick one, I suppose I would say Plank.
The greatest thing about making videos with your friends: The process. All the bad and all the good. Simply being able to travel and spend time in the mountains with your friends and work towards a collective goal. It feels really good when you finish a project and people who watch it are stoked on what you did… And then you immediately start looking forward to the process of doing it all over again. It’s really special and I’m grateful every year to be able to do it. You build lifelong bonds and friendships through this shit. It’s amazing.
The greatest Manboy (is it possible to pick just one, though?): For me, I would have to say Rusty [Ockenden]. Simply because he was an amazing snowboarder and backcountry shot machine in his day, and has always been a huge part of the Manboys on the business side. Even while he was still riding professionally, he started editing the movies, shooting photos, handling brand negotiations and deliverables. And now, he’s a full-time filmer, director, and producer for our films. The guy is a Swiss Army Knife and one of my favorite people to be in the mountains with.
The greatest session with the Manboys, ever: Damn. That’s another really challenging one. I’ve seen and been a part of so many incredible sessions. Filming for The Manboys Movie in 2016, we had a day in Revelstoke where the crew stacked twelve A-grade shots for the movie, split between several features and riders. I have another that sticks out for me though, and I’ll have to provide a bit of backstory as to why. In 2014 (our first season forming the Manboys crew), we were filming for Whistler’s Intersection video contest mid-season. Every invited film crew gets the same seven days to film and edit a short film for this contest. It’s a grind, and you have to be very selective and efficient with your time. [Matt] Belzile and I found a new potential gap jump.
In the backcountry, finding new jumps that are big, shoot well, and work is actually pretty tricky. It takes a lot for everything to line up in natural terrain. Often, something new looks like it should work, you spend a bunch of time and take a crack at it, and it doesn’t. Landing’s too flat, not enough speed, the shots don’t translate that well, etc. So, we decided to give this new jump a go while filming for this contest with a time constraint. Immediately, we started landing. Rusty went back-to-back front three first try, then front seven. Belzile went back seven, then back ten. I did a backside rodeo seven, and a front seven tail, which ended up on the cover of Snowboard mag. We named this jump “Manboy Gap,” and for me this was one of my most memorable sessions.
Chris Rasman and the art of a beautiful turn. Photos: Ben Girardi
The greatest place snowboarding has taken you: Again, so many incredible places. I love them all for different reasons. If I had to pick one, I would say the Winterlake Lodge in Alaska, flying with TML Heli opp.
The greatest snowboarding you have witnessed in person: This might change depending on the week you ask me. Off the top of my head, it was Travis [Rice] and Mikkel [Bang] dissecting AK runs in Valdez mid-NST contest, and again, Travis and Torstein [Horgmo] doing the same thing mid-NST contest in the Tordrillos.
The greatest Canadian snowboarder that doesn’t get enough credit: E-Man Anderson and Brin Alexander are two off the top of my head.
The greatest thing about being a part of Natural Selection: For me, the greatest thing is participating in something that was a dream of mine when I first witnessed its possibility for the Ultra- and Supernatural on Baldface’s Scary Cherry. Those contests melted my brain and to be a part of Travis’s evolving vision years later has been special. Also, getting to hang and snowboard with such a fun and talented group of people in that setting. Moving forward, I feel honored to be a part of something I believe in, and something that moves the needle on competitive snowboarding, and merges it with a genre that has guided my life’s path.
The greatest thing about snowboarding in Alaska: The size of the terrain, the helicopter rides, and the butterflies it gives you. Above all, the drive to want to go back. It’s so challenging and there is an unlimited amount of knowledge and experience to collect to be successful up there.
The greatest influence on your career: That’s easy. The whole Manboys crew. We’ve all taught each other so much, helped each other’s careers excel, and have influenced how we all navigate things.
The greatest lesson you’ve learned from snowboarding professionally: Apologies for using this word again, but trust the process. Don’t rush things, respect the mountains, and the time will always come to check the ambitious goals off your list, even if you have to wait an additional year to do so. Snowboarding has also taught me that an obsessive drive and commitment to something can make you successful despite odds being against you.
The greatest lesson the backcountry has taught you: It’s similar to the above answer. Respect the mountains and don’t force things. Listen to your body, mind, and the snow conditions.
The greatest place to go on a snowboard trip: Hands down, Japan. Powder, food, culture, onsen, great people and great vibes.
The greatest thinking mind in snowboarding: Robjn Taylor and Travis Rice. Polar opposite people, but two of the most interesting brains I know.
The greatest jump you’ve ever hit: I think that would have to be a jump we called Fury Gap in the Whistler backcountry. It’s not great because it’s fun or easy to hit, but it’s massive and shoots amazing. I did a cab nine on it in Snowdance, and a front three and switch back five on it in Plank. Matt Belzile did a back seven on it that same year and snagged the King Snow cover with the photo.
The greatest thing about down days on backcountry trips: The rest on the body, exploring the place you’re in by being a tourist, and the laughs with the crew. By 3 p.m., you’re bored and want to get back out there, haha.
The greatest form of transportation in the backcountry: Snowmobiles for me. I still find it challenging and scary scouting features and terrain from a helicopter. I’m way more efficient doing it via sleds. Plus, they’re super fun to drive.
The greatest thing happening in snowboarding right now: Women’s progression, full-length classic snowboard films coming back, and Natural Selection.
What did you do last summer? Chris was still on a board, but with wing in hand and foil under foot. Photos: Ben Girardi
The greatest snowboard video (outside of The Manboys projects): This answer would change depending on the day you ask me, but let’s say Absinthe Films’ POP. This opinion comes down to the stage of life you were in when you watched it and how much influence it had on you. Vibe, music, tricks, etc. I mean, there is no denying that the Art of Flight is one of the highest-level movies made as well.
The greatest video part: This would also change depending on the day you ask me. Maybe Mikey Rencz two-song part in Burton’s 13, or John Jackson’s two song part in Fuck It (or was it Forum Forever?). I dunno, Devun [Walsh] to Supertramp in Forum’s THAT was pretty special, as well.
The greatest hope for the future of snowboarding: That’s a loaded question I’m not sure I’m capable of diving in to at this present moment. Maybe less selfishness from ski resorts and big corporations. Cheaper lift tickets, I guess? I also hope the riders can gain some more control back and make more money if they deserve it. I would like to see all the brands succeed that are owned and run by snowboarders, and more of the general public getting into snowboarding and being stoked on buying product from those brands. I want to see snowboard magazines back on the magazine racks at 7-11’s and markets. I think everyone should be kinder to each other, and I believe we should be putting riders at the top who are the most talented, have a work ethic, and are good people.
Find more of our “Greatest” interviews here.
