We’re at a weird inflection point in snowboard media. The industry’s simultaneously celebrating its history while trying to figure out what comes next, and this season’s output reflects that tension better than any trend piece could. I watched five of the most talked-about releases (The Realm, YESTERDAY’S NEWS, PAVED, SWARM, CEASE AND DESIST, and Buster 2) and what struck me wasn’t just the riding — which ranges from exceptional to transcendent) — but how clearly each stakes out its territory in snowboarding’s increasingly fractured landscape.
The Realm is Megafauna’s follow-up to their IF3 (International Freesports Film Festival) award-winner, and Rusty Ockenden’s crew continues doing what they do best: showcasing Monster Energy’s stable of backcountry hammers without the corporate overlay feeling forced. Darcy Sharpe, Stale Sandbech, Torgeir Bergrem: these aren’t just sponsored athletes phoning it in. The Japan, Canada, and Norway segments deliver the goods, but the lack of pretension is what elevates this above typical energy drink content. They’re not trying to reinvent anything. They’re just really, really good at traditional snowboard cinematography with riders who know how to perform for the camera.
YESTERDAY’S NEWS is the fourth Losers 4 Life installment from YES Snowboards, and if you’re familiar with the Helgason brothers’ output, you know exactly what you’re getting: creative chaos with genuine style. Halldor Helgason, Fridtjof “Fridge” Tischendorf, and Pat Fava [now on ThirtyTwo Snowboards] continue proving that fun and skill aren’t mutually exclusive. The Losers series has become YES’s answer to maintaining brand identity without taking itself too seriously. This is snowboarding as it actually happens when good riders are just out there: spots that make you laugh, tricks that make you rewind, and enough Iceland/Japan/Norway footage to keep things visually interesting.
PAVED is Burton’s big swing, and as a two-year Red Bull Media House co-production, it needed to be. This represents Burton saying “we’re still relevant in the movie game,” and mostly pulling it off. The roster alone (Anna Gasser, Zeb Powell, Mark McMorris, Danny Davis, Ben Ferguson) reads like a who’s-who of current Burton, but the self-awareness is what succeeds here. The “part history lesson, part hangout, part backcountry odyssey” description is accurate. They’re not pretending Burton hasn’t been doing this for 40+ years, and that institutional knowledge shows in the production quality and spot selection. Alaska, Hokkaido, Japan, BC, Canada, Tahoe: they went everywhere they needed to go, and the action matches the budget.
SWARM is Rome’s street project, and here’s where things get interesting if you pay attention to brand positioning. Rome’s been cultivating this rebellious, street-focused identity for years, and SWARM delivers exactly on that promise. The Coville brothers (Noah and Micah) filmed and edited alongside Joey Leon, and the East Coast/Canada spot selection feels authentic rather than aspirational. Maggie Leon, Lolo Derminio, Drake Warner: this is Rome’s next generation, and they’re not trying to be Burton or YES. They’re carving out their own lane, and SWARM clarifies that lane involves consequence, style, and the kind of progression that puts your palms sweating.
CEASE AND DESIST from Beyond Medals might be the most culturally interesting release of the bunch. Kevin Bäckström and Tor Lundström built Beyond Medals on the premise that there’s more to snowboarding than podiums (hence the name), and this production reinforces that ethos. Shot on 16mm with a self-described “Hollywood cinematic vibe,” it spans Norway backcountry, Japan powder, North American lines, and LAAX, Switzerland park sessions. Beyond Medals understands better than most that snowboarding’s creative class isn’t just about tricks but about aesthetic, energy, and the complete package. This squad gets that concept, and CEASE AND DESIST leans into it hard.
Disclaimer: They couldn’t afford Terje Håakonsen.
Buster 2 deserves attention because it represents something increasingly rare: independent rider projects that actually matter. Cal Aamodt’s follow-up to 2023’s Buster takes the four D’s (Dillon and Dusty Henricksen, Denver Orr, and Drayden Gardner) from Mammoth to Montreal to Kansas City to Donner Ranch, proving you don’t need a major brand budget to make something people want to watch. Torment Mag nailed it when they said this crew “carries a real respect for the classics (early 2000s films, deep-cut music, OG magazines) but still does things entirely their way.” That combination of reverence and independence is exactly what keeps independent snowboard media vital. These aren’t riders waiting for brand approval to make something. They’re just going out and doing it, which is increasingly uncommon in an industry where everything’s filtered through marketing departments.
The Bigger Picture
Here’s the revelation from watching these projects back-to-back: snowboarding’s current media landscape isn’t unified, and that’s probably healthy. Burton’s producing content that acknowledges legacy. YES is celebrating creative chaos. Rome’s doubling down on street credibility. Beyond Medals is pushing the artistic envelope. Megafauna’s just executing technically excellent traditional cinematography.
They’re all valid approaches, and they’re all finding their audiences. What you won’t find here is the monoculture that existed when Standard Films or Mack Dawg dominated the conversation. That era’s over.
If you’re a snowboarder who actually shreds, you’ll find something to appreciate in each of these. If you’re trying to understand where snowboarding culture is right now, watch all five and pay attention to the values each one prioritizes. The differences tell you everything you need to know about why this sport still matters.
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Newly released court records explain how an extremist cell prepared explosives in the desert and how investigators moved in before the devices could be built.
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13 Investment Errors You Should Avoid
Successful investing is often less about making the right moves and more about avoiding the wrong ones. With our guide, 13 Retirement Investment Blunders to Avoid, you can learn ways to steer clear of common errors to help get the most from your $1M+ portfolio—and enjoy the retirement you deserve.
Among the victims of a Sunday terrorist attack that targeted a Hanukkah celebration at Australia's Bondi Beach are friends and relatives of the Jewish communities in San Antonio, Houston, and College Station.
Good Morning! On this day in 1863, Confederate colonel and future Texas governor Sul Ross assumed command of a brigade formed from the Third, Sixth, Ninth, and 27th Texas Cavalry regiments, which thereafter became known as Ross's Brigade.
We enjoyed featuring some of our readers' most memorable Thanksgivings last month, and we're doing the same thing for Christmas. Reply to this email with a story about one of your favorite Yuletides of yore, and it could show up in an upcoming edition! (Be sure to include your first name and town.)
After being deployed for more than a year, Abiram and Brandon Lozoya of San Antonio surprised their mother during a recent shopping trip. Check out the heartwarming story here.
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Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.
Son of A&M Rabbi Injured in Bondi Beach Attack
Among the victims of a Sunday terrorist attack that targeted a Hanukkah celebration at Australia's Bondi Beach are friends and relatives of the Jewish communities in San Antonio, Houston, and College Station.
The Jewish Federation of San Antonio told a local news outlet that the uncle of a local preschool teacher was among those killed in the attack. "It's even more important to gather together without fear, and not to let ourselves be intimidated," said Rabbi Chaim Block.
Rabbi Yossi Zaklikofsky of The Shul of Bellaire said his friend and colleague, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, helped organize the event and was one of those killed in the shooting. "As far as I'm concerned, I don't waver, I don't cower, I don't retreat," said Rabbi Zaklikofsky.
Rabbi Yossi Lazaroff of College Station is traveling to Australia to be with his 20-year-old son, Leibel Lazaroff, who is in critical condition but expected to survive. "Whenever there's an attack, it's always personal, but this is a little more personal," Rabbi Yossi Lazaroff said.
His uncle, Rabbi Chaim Lazaroff of Chabad of Houston, shared his resolve with a local reporter at a menorah lighting in Sugar Land. "When we have people that are trying to extinguish the light of the Jewish people, we will just burn bigger and brighter," he said.
DPS Revokes Thousands of CDLs
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has revoked thousands of commercial driver's licenses after a federal audit uncovered "systemic" failures in how they were issued to drivers who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Auditors found that nearly half the licenses examined did not comply with federal standards. Some licenses did not expire until years after the drivers' work visas did. The department also "erroneously" issued a regular CDL to the non-domiciled truck driver responsible for a deadly crash on I-35 in Austin earlier this year.
An October letter from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration warned the state could lose $182 million in federal funding if the problem was not resolved. DPS Director Freeman Martin said the agency would "immediately pause" issuing non-domiciled CDLs and learner permits while the agency reviews the program.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Gov. Greg Abbott said "public safety is the Governor's top priority, and we must ensure that truckers can navigate Texas roadways safely and efficiently."
Dyess AFB Prepares for B-21's Arrival
Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene is preparing for the arrival of the next-generation B-21 Raider stealth bomber with 24 ongoing construction projects totaling $1.6 billion.
Dyess was designated the third operating base for the new bomber last year, and the U.S. House version of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act provides $120 million in federal funding for the installation—four times the amount allocated last year.
Contractors were given a look at the projects on tap to get the base ready for the bomber's arrival, a date for which has not been announced. Among those projects are upgraded runways and new maintenance and storage buildings.
U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Lubbock), the chair of the House Budget Committee, hailed the proposed federal funding as "the largest authorized investment in the history of Dyess Air Force Base—a testament to its enduring role in service to our country and the brave men and women who embody the best of West Texas."
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➤ Texans who made purchases from the Google Play Store between 2016 and 2023 could be eligible for part of a $700 million settlement reached after Texas and a handful of other states sued the tech giant over allegations it monopolized the Android app market. (More)
➤ Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing five TV manufacturers, accusing them of collecting data on Texans' viewing habits and selling it to advertising companies. The defendants include Sony, Samsung, LG, and Chinese manufacturers Hisense and TCL. (More)
➤ The Harris County Democratic Party approved a resolution to withhold future endorsements from Houston Mayor John Whitmire, citing his participation at a fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Humble). (More)
➤ Dallas: The city council approved $10 million in federal relief funding to help 400 homeless residents find stable housing. A member who voted against the spending asked what the city would do when the funding expired, suggesting it was "FIFA cleanup money." (See Details)
➤ Bexar County: Federal agents arrested a man suspected of placing pipe bombs next to the ATMs of two San Antonio banks in September. A "home explosives lab" was found at Dustin Ammons' house on Friday, according to the Department of Justice. (More)
➤ Shelby County: Avian influenza was discovered in a commercial poultry flock last week, marking the first confirmation of the disease in a Texas commercial facility this year. Several bird deaths have been reported. (See Details)
➤ Austin: The University of Texas is soliciting bids for a new 6,000-seat arena for its volleyball team. The Longhorns currently play most of their home games in the 4,000-seat Gregory Gymnasium. (More)
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➤ The Houston Cougars dropped one spot to No. 8 in this week's AP men's college basketball poll, while Texas Tech dropped three spots to No. 19. (See Poll)
➤ Former Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons tore his ACL on Sunday during the Green Bay Packers' game against the Denver Broncos. He's expected to miss the rest of the season. (More)
➤ The San Antonio Spurs take on the New York Knicks tonight in the NBA Cup Final. (More)
➤ Kevin Durant reunited with one of his UT classmates at a Houston Rockets game after seeing her during warmups in a shirt with a picture of them together. (More)
➤ Rangers pitcher Merrill Kelly signed a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks this weekend. Kelly played 10 games with the Rangers after he was acquired from the Diamondbacks ahead of last season's trade deadline. (More)
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➤ Houston-based Chevron submitted the largest bid—$18.59 million—in the first of several auctions for drilling leases in the Gulf. Federal legislation passed this summer authorized the lease of 80 million acres for drilling operations. (More)
➤ The parent company of the fledgling Texas Stock Exchange has raised $270 million in capital after a new round of funding led by Goldman Sachs and Bank of America. The TXSE is expected to begin trading next year. (See Details)
➤ McGrath Real Estate Partners of Houston is developing a 4,500-home community in Mont Belvieu. The 1,500-acre development will include a lake, parks, a town center, and 30 miles of trails. (More)
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➤ Thomas Conner became the oldest person at age 67 to fly in a wingsuit when he jumped out of a plane at Skydive Spaceland San Marcos in August. Conner is an Air Force veteran who has made over 470 lifetime jumps. (More)
➤ Austin is the No. 1 U.S. metro for wealth growth among millennials, according to a report by estate planning firm Trust & Will. (More)
➤ The Dallas Cowboys have invested $300 million in upgrading AT&T Stadium ahead of next summer's World Cup. The team has contracted with a farm in Colorado to grow a natural grass turf, which will be shipped to Arlington in refrigerated trucks in June. (See Details)
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Son of A&M Rabbi Injured in Bondi Beach Attack
