Text by Valérian Ducourtil:
After spending around 10 days at home because of a small injury, I joined Tyler, Coincoin, Johann and Serge in Switzerland. They've just been shooting backcountry between Avoriaz and Leysin. (check our last 2 podcasts). We received some phone calls from Beckna (Vans Team Manager) and Jon Weaver (Nike Team Manager) who are based in Mayrhofen in the Austrian Zillertal. They told us that the conditions were great and that Vans has a big flat for our crew.
From his side Jon had some spots at his place for the Nike riders including Coincoin, Ethan Morgan and Kevin Backstrom.

All together we were a pretty big crew so we decided to bring a second filmier with us, Yoann Hamonic, and to split in 2 crews.
One crew was made of Serge, filmer and official chef (believe me he's good at both!) along with Coincoin, Johann and for a few days Ethan and Kevin. They will be followed by Cyril Müller to take pictures.
The second crew is under the lead of Beckna, the local legend who knows the spot really well. He's the best guide you could have there and he's also taking pictures and sending it on his board. Yoann is the filmer and Tyler and myself are riding. Tobi Strauss will also ride with us for a few days.

We spent around 2 weeks there with amazing conditions, a lot of fresh snow, cold temperatures and some sunny days. Everything we need! We've been riding powder everyday, kickers, pillows, cliffs… I even had my first real freeriding experience one day after a 40cm snowfall, Beckna took me to ride some lines in some pretty steep faces. I was a bit scared before dropping in the first time but Beckna took care of me and after a few turns I've seen that the conditions were really good and so that was the beginning of a sick day!

I can't talk about this trip without talking about the Après ski! It's the inevitable spot after a good riding day. Those daily clubs are waiting for you right at the bottom of the slopes so you walk by evertime at the end of the day. We've been resisting at first but after a few days we've been tempted by the beers, the funny après ski hits and the global ambiance of the spots. And believe me after a good day in the backcountry, a few beers are enough to make you dance the DISCO POGO!
So this is why this podcast is named Kickers and après ski in Mayrhofen and you know now where the music we used is coming from.
In the end we had some really good time and now we know most of the après ski hits 2012 from Austria!
Thabks again to Beckna and Jon Weaver for everything!