Spy Team - Snow

Will Lavigne

Nickname: ti will

Birthplace: Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada.

Currently: I’ll be in Colorado for a little bit…I will see after…

Years riding: 10

Sponsors: Spy, Rome, Vans, I found, Vestal, Vertical Snowboards.           

Stance: Regular

Why Spy? I like the style of the goggles. Few year ago, I was the kinda of person that don’t wear goggles because they were annoying to me. And I tried to ride with Spy goggles and they felt pretty good. They still feel good, so that’s why.

Team member since: 06

After a big fall or injury what motivates you to get up and do it again?

Most of the time it is personal satisfaction. I do it for myself. The pleasure to accomplish a goal I fixed to myself.

Favorite trick: sw bs 5

Describe how you feel when you can't ride due to injury or travel, etc: Injury is to worst. When you get injured, you can’t shred but you don’t live normal either. Suppose that your hurt your ankle or leg…you won’t be able to go at the store, skateboard, make food or whatever. And you ear about your friend who did that and how sick shredding was that day but you can’t ride…I hate injuries…

Favorite country, spot, hill, park, etc: Whistler and Brighton are sick to ride on a powder day, Colorado got the sickest parks, Quebec city is the best place to ride in the street. Costa Rica is the best country to hand out.

Describe your perfect day: I’d be in Whistler. I would wake up early around 7/8. Go at the lift around the opening time with a few friends. It’d be sunny and warm with fresh powder. We would do laps until we’re over it. We’d take our time and wouldn’t be stress about anything. After snowboarding, we’d had good dinner and hopefully end the day with a nice babe.

Favorite Spy Goggle and why: Zed and Apollo, I like their style. The are made pretty wide so your vision isn’t blocked from anything when you wear them. You don’t feel like your wearing goggle, its sick.

Contests or Freeride? Describe likes and dislikes: I can do both, I just don’t like when contests got a too busy schedule. I like to have times and not have to run to be ready.

Most inspired by: All my friends and people around me, music,

Favorite Tunes: IAM, Oxmo Puccino, Biggie.

Where you coming from and what's next: I’m from Quebec, I have no clue what is next.

Favorite Photographer and/or Artist: Oli Gagnon, Oli Croteau, Alexis Paradis,…

Anthony Leffelaar

Nickname: Lefty

Birthplace: Christchurch, New Zealand

Currently Living: Whistler Canada, Snow Park New Zealand

Years riding: 8 or 9

Sponsors: Endeavor, Airhole, Nomis Outerwear & Streetwear, SPY, Da Kine, Vans

Stance: Regular, 24.5"

Why Spy? Because it's the dope shit. Product looks good and feels good to ride in.

Team member since: 2007

After a big fall or injury what motivates you to get up and do it again? Being out for a long time um....Remembering the good times while on the shred.

Favorite trick: Switch backside 180 into a bottomless swimming pool of powder!

Describe how you feel when you can't ride due to and injury or travel, etc: Well it all depends how you do it. But if its on something small and stupid you feel like a idiot, if its something big then that’s just how the game goes and you just sit back and when the time is ready your back on it.

Favorite country, spot, hill, park, etc: My fav has to be the Washington backcountry, Mt. Baker area stevens pass, no crowds and so much snow!

Describe your perfect day: Riding crazy tree runs with my best friends all day long and then a cold beer when it’s all done.

Favorite Spy Goggle and why: The new DCP model is so ill. Fits well, looks good…pretty much just the best feeling goggle on ya face.

Contests or Freeride? Describe likes and dislikes: I used to be into contests but now going out shooting photos and working on a longer film project is much more fun. You can pick up a DVD or magazine 3 years later that you filmed in and watch it and be like dam thats cool and show your kids.

Most inspired by: Devun Walsh and any hommies that follow their dreams

Favorite Tunes: Hip hop

Where you coming from and what's next: I am here in Manly beach, Sydney for a couple months of sun and surf. Soon heading back to Whistler, Canada to spend some time traveling around with the Brotherhood Wear crew for there next promo movie.

What Videos will you feature in 2007: "Something for Nothing" by Reason Films, Brother Hood promo

Favorite Photographer and/or Artist: Greg Roebucks

Danny Larsen

Nickname: Danny Larsen, my real name is a tongue breaker to foreigners.

Birthplace: Outside of Oslo, Norway

Currently Living: Oslo, Norway

Years riding: 12-14 years maybe

Sponsors: Spy Optic, K2, Whiteout Outerwear, 32, Etnies, Clast, Session Boardshop

Stance: Goofy, 61 cm wide, 18, -9

Why Spy? Because Spy is kick ass.

Team member since: The dark ages.

After a big fall or injury what motivates you to get up and do it again? Remembering how fun snowboarding is, I would be in a rut if I couldn't get back out there and shred.

Favorite trick: Method, grabbed between the bindings.

Describe how you feel when you can't ride due to and injury or travel, etc: Like a chewed out piece of gum stuck under someone's shoe. I usually try doing something productive or else I'm going crazy.

Favorite country, spot, hill, park, etc: As long as there is some decline and snow I'm usually pretty happy, but I guess Cooke City, Montana is the best at combining those two factors.

Describe your perfect day: Decided some time ago to focus on the positive side of everything, then all your days are pretty good. So a perfect day is basically any day I stomp something new, it’s the best feeling ever.

Favorite Spy sunglass and/or Goggle and why: I love the Zed goggle, they feel great on my face and let me see the stuff I need to see, and they got killer names like Black Sabbath. When it comes to sunglasses I guess the black Murena’s are the ones I put on most of the time, those or some of the vintage Spy glasses I have saved from back in the days.

Contests, describe likes and dislikes: I have spent a lot of time trying to understand the appeal of contest, and I don't get it. I ride because I love it, not to beat others. What is harder anyway? A cab 9 or fs 180?

Most inspired by: Riding with friends that ride differently than I do.

Favorite Tunes: At the moment the newest album by Dead Trooper, Cynicist.

Where you coming from and what's next: Came from my mom, going to the grave, slowly I hope.

What videos will you be featured in 2008: Overseas by Pirate Movie Production.

Favorite Photographer and/or Artist: I guess any photographer doing their own thing, and there's a lot of them. It would be unfair to single out some and forgetting about others, but I tend to enjoy shooting with Frode Sandbech and Carlos Blanchard, those guys are funny. When it comes to artists I think my favorite at the moment is Neckface, nasty Neckface.

Eero Niemela

Nickname: arrow, ebo.

Birthplace: Ojakkala, Finland

Currently Living: San Clemente, CA and Squamish, BC

Years riding: Quite a few...

Sponsors: Spy Optic, K2, Volcom, MONSTER energy, Vestal watches, Active ride shop

Stance: Regular, 24”

Why Spy? The quality of the snow goggles and lenses. I don't have to deal with the foggy lenses anymore! Great people and a great team!

Team member since: ‘08

After a big fall or injury what motivates you to get up and do it again? Everything about snowboarding.

Favorite trick: Anything in powder.

Describe how you feel when you can't ride due to and injury or travel, etc: It's hard to explain. It’s a frustrating feeling!

Favorite country, spot, hill, park, etc: For snowboarding I love the Whistler backcountry! It’s just so good!

Describe your perfect day: Any day I can hang with my boys and maybe have some beautiful thing in my bed waiting for me!

Favorite Spy sunglass and/or Goggle and why: The Zed snow goggle and the Wilshire sunglass. I just look damn good with them on.

Contests...describe likes and dislikes: Don't wanna go there!

Most inspired by: Devun Walsh, Sean Avery, Bruce Irons and Anthony Kim

Favorite Tunes: I like pretty much everything, but mostly rap music.

Where you coming from and what's next: It’s been pretty chill this past summer. I just got back from a K2 photo shoot in Seattle. I’m going to Europe in December with Monster and probably gonna hit the slopes in Colorado or somewhere before that.

What video(s) will you be featured in 2008: MDP's Double Decade

Favorite Photographer and/or Artist: Too many to list!

Darrell Mathes

Louie Vito

Name: Louie Vito

Nickname: LV, or Veets, as Danny Davis likes to call me. Also, Louie the phone, because I talk on the phone so much.

Birthplace: Columbus, OH

Currently Living: Sandy, UT

Years riding: 12 or 13 years

Sponsors: O’Matic Snowboards, SPY, Monster Energy Drink, 686, Boost Mobile, Kicker Audio, Tech Nine Bindings, Grenade Gloves, Vestal Watches, Skull Candy, Nike Snowboarding, Neff, and Utility Boardshop

Stance: Goofy, 23”, 15 and -12

Why Spy? I just switched over to Spy because I like the product, I like the image, I like the people that work there and they have one of the best optical teams in the game.

Team member since: 2006

After a big fall or injury what motivates you to get up and do it again? Just because I know I can land it…I have to get back up there and prove to myself and make it happen. It happens you know? You got to have your down days to have those good days!

Favorite trick: Pipe…probably the cab ten or front seven. Off a jump, probably the back seven.

Describe how you feel when you can't ride due to and injury or travel, etc: When you can’t ride it sucks, you are just sitting there trying to get better as fast as possible. You can only do so much for an injury so you just have to be patient. It sucks just waiting there when you can’t wait to get back on the snow and get riding again…

Favorite country, spot, hill, park, etc: My favorite park is definitely Park City; it’s just my favorite spot to ride because everything is there.

Describe your perfect day: Riding any sort of terrain, as long as it’s sunny, good snow, good terrain and you have lots of friends to ride with.

Favorite Spy sunglass and/or Goggle and why: I go back and forth between the Soldier and the new frame, the Zed. I like these goggles because they fit my face really well and I like the styles…all the sick colors. As for glasses…I have just been rocking the Clash.

Contests or Freeride? Describe likes and dislikes: I like contests in the middle of the season. But springtime I love freeriding because I do so many contests and I am over them by spring. It just depends on the time of year because I like both of them just as much.

Most inspired by: Well…two riders. Probably Danny Kass because he rides everything, contests and films. And Marco because he has the best style….ever.

Favorite Tunes: Hip-Hop, that’s all I really listen too.

Where you coming from and what's next: I just got back from Tamarack, Idaho, from the Grand Prix, and now I am off to sunny Vermont for the U.S. Open.

What Videos will you be featured in 2007: I shot a little bit with Finger on the Trigger, the Tech Nine Video ‘Cold World’ and also for Mongo Productions, ‘The Constant Struggle.’

Favorite Photographer and/or Artist: I don’t know man. This is a hard question…I’m not really an artsy guy…haha

David Carrier Porcheron

Nickname: DCP

Birthplace: Chicoutimi, QC, Canada

Currently Living: Between Squamish BC, Vail CO, and Dominical Costa Rica

Years riding: 16

Sponsors: SPY, YES NOW BOARD, THE NORTH FACE, NORTHWAVE, DRAKE, ONE BALL JAY, SPACECRAFT, EMPIRE

Stance: 22” Regular, 15 degress front, -6 degrees back

Why Spy?: Because they are the bomb!! Haha… I really like their goggles and sunglasses. I get to design the color and graphics of my own pro-model. The vision is great and all the different lenses help me because I end up in so many different types of light conditions when I’m riding.

Team member since: 6 years

After a big fall or injury what motivates you to get up and do it again?: All the fun that I get out of snowboarding…the feeling of flying through the air and the satisfaction of landing a big trick. Just that love….that moment when you push a big powder turn and get the snow all in your face….just those moments, ya know? But mostly the air time! Haha. Spinning, floating through the air, and landing like it was nothing…mostly the feeling…

Favorite trick: Backside methods or fs 3’s

Describe how you feel when you can't ride due to and injury or travel, etc: When it’s an injury…for the first little while, until I get over it, I feel down. I feel like I am not doing what I should be doing. If I’m not riding, I just feel lost, I don’t know what to do. After a week of that I really start to focus on rehab and getting back to being healthy so I can get that feeling back…

Favorite country, spot, hill, park, etc: Canada is by far my favorite place to ride. The mountains in BC are insane, great snow, stable snowpack. We also have some great waves to surf and also a ton of sick skateparks! I love to travel though. I can’t be in one country forever…I love traveling to much. Outside of Canada I would have to say my favorite country is New Zealand. They have everything there. Sick Mountains, sweet surf and great skating. You can easily do all three in one day. It’s perfect! You have to check out the birds over there…the Kea is this crazy smart parrot that gets into everything….anyway…New Zealand is super fun.

Describe your perfect day: Wake up in the morning with my wife to the sound of our beautiful baby girl laughing…2 feet of fresh, highway closed from Vancouver, spend the morning on Whistler getting fresh tracks on the peak, then head up sledding in the afternoon. Get a few shots in the bag and then hop a jet to Hawaii for a sunset surf session, and finish it all up with dinner at Mama’s Fish house in Maui! That would be the perfect day….haha

Favorite Spy sunglass and/or Goggle and why: The perfect goggle is mine…haha. I decide on the style and color of it so I obviously like it best. The Clash is my favorite glass, super comfy and a little bit bigger.

Contests or Freeride? Describe likes and dislikes: Freeriding for sure! I used to love contests…but now, I guess the terrain in contests don’t offer that much imagination. When it comes to freeriding you take the natural terrain and ride it how you see fit. Whatever feels natural to you, slash it, hit it, spin off of it, avoid it….you know, whatever you want! Haha. I just like to pick my own line, that is why I like freeriding and filming better than contests. People show their different personalities and attitudes in the backcountry. Contests are too generic for me. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of people can pull it off and do it very well but I would rather see nice smooth floaty 7 grabbed all the way around then a hucked 10 with a touch instead of a grab. But that’s just me.

Most inspired by: A few people….I think in snowboarding I am most inspired by people on the Burton Team that I ride with. Like Nico and Terje are 2 guys that really inspire me. I also really love to watch Gigi and Romain as well. I look up to a lot of people in the surfing world that are very inspirational to me as far as their lifestyle goes. They live their life without stressing too much ya know? Just sort of live swell by swell….so I try to live just snowstorm to snowstorm….well, I am trying to anyway. I am trying to be more patient, with less stress.

My wife and my baby are very inspirational these days! They are amazing…I have a mix of things these days that inspire me.

Favorite Tunes: I love old school punk rock. NOFX and Pennywise and those types of bands. I also really like Reggae. I got to see Stephan Marley the other day at the WSSF in Whistler. That was sick. I also like the Jack Johnson style of music. Kind of soul, beachy, surf soundtrack type music. Glass Love is a super good surf movie with a great soundtrack….

Where you coming from and what's next: I just came from Denver, CO where I was doing a bunch of physio for my shoulder and I am heading off to Indonesia to surf next week. I am down there for a few weeks getting my shoulder strong and ready for a trip to the southern hemisphere for their snow season. Chile and New Zealand is the plan….

What Videos will you featured in 2007: ‘Picture This’ from Mack Dawg

Favorite Photographer and/or Artist: Uhhh, I think one of my favorite photographers is Blotto Grey. I have worked with him since ’99 and I am always amazed by his perspective and his eye. His motivation to get the shot right and the extent he goes to get it. He uses all different types of cameras and tries to mess with the focus and foreground. I also like Oli Gagnon a lot….probably my two favorite guys to work with. Brad Kramer is also a really good artist…as far as filming goes.

Iouri Podladtchikov

Nickname: I-pod

Birthplace: Moscow, Russia

Currently Living: Zurich, Switzerland

Years riding: 7

Sponsors: Santa Cruz, Volcom, Vans, Nixon, Grenade, SPY, Red Bull, Kuu Wax

Stance: Goofy, 63cm, 15 and -12

Why Spy? Because of the Omega goggle!

Team member since: About a year and a half, so since the beginning of 2006

After a big fall or injury what motivates you to get up and do it again? Snowboarding…haha. I just start to itch to get out and do a big backside air in a perfect pipe…haha.

Favorite trick: Backside air in the pipe!

Describe how you feel when you can't ride due to and injury or travel, etc: It’s like a big break in the beginning. It’s kind of nice like a vacation. I get to take the elevator and everthing…haha. But after a month or so I just get this itch to go riding again.

Favorite country, spot, hill, park, etc: Northstar at Tahoe

Describe your perfect day: A half meter, what’s that, two feet of fresh snow? Call up my buddies and take the train to Laax and ride the pillows there, then it gets sunny and hot so we jib a little bit and ride the pipe. Then a huge concert at rider’s palace where we party all night long and then do the same thing the next day! Haha.

Favorite Spy sunglass and/or Goggle and why: The new frame…the Bias. It fits my face perfectly and I really like the spherical lenses.

Contests or Freeride? Describe likes and dislikes: Freeriding is fun because you are on your own, and you are mostly with your friends. There is no stress and no schedule. That is the good thing about it for sure, no ‘have to’s no ‘musts,’ just enjoy. Although contests can be all about enjoying snowboarding as well, but it is just too scheduled for me, there’s too much structure. The good thing about contests is the money…haha…you can win money!

Most inspired by: People in Snowboarding like Gian Simmens, the guy who won the first Olympic medal in the half pipe. When I first met him I didn’t really know who he was. I think I was about 11 years old. Gian really inspires me because he is so professional in what he does. His outlook on snowboarding is something that really inspires me. He is a person you can look up to because he always does everything to the best of his ability. 100%. He would never start something and leave it unfinished.

Favorite Tunes: Alternative rock. Metric and Radiohead

Where you coming from and what's next: I came from Northstar at Tahoe and now I’m in Salt Lake, UT. Next is the U.S. Open in Vermont.

What Videos will you featured in, in 2007: The MMP movie?? The working title is 'Dirty Sanchez'...haha.

Favorite Photographer and/or Artist: Creager because he is all about the artsy photos. He is a fanatic. He is not only a photographer; he is also a fan of everybody…haha. He is always texting me about my pictures in magazines and everything.

Priscilla Levac

Nickname: P

Birthplace: Montebello, QC

Currently Living: Whistler, BC

Years riding: 11

Sponsors: SPY, Ride, DC, Coal, Drake, Atlas Board & Style and Monster

Stance: Goofy, 22.5”

Why Spy?: Because I love the image, the goggles and the tight team, I think a small tight team is good for any company. I love the riders, the feel and the image and I am stoked to be a part of it.

Team member since: 4 years

After a big fall or injury what motivates you to get up and do it again?:

Everything! I miss having fun snowboarding. I just realize how much fun I am having snowboarding…sometimes it gets lost in all the stress of getting photos and video parts and stuff. Now, after my leg injury, I am just so stoked to go ride again. To just get on the chairlift again. I feel more confident and more focused….as if I just regrouped this whole time. I feel like I am going to be on fire!

Favorite trick: Shifty…by far my favorite trick!

Favorite country, spot, hill, park, etc: Canada, Whistler for sure…the park is super sick on Blackcomb and the backcountry is amazing. Whistler is the best…I think anyway! haha

Describe your perfect day: Riding with good friends…doesn’t matter where….as long as I am having fun…even if it’s rainy or whatever.

Favorite Spy sunglass and/or Goggle and why: The Wilshire are my favorite glasses for sure! They are comfy and look kinda bad ass…haha. I like the Soldier, but the new Bias looks super good.

Contests or Freeride? Describe likes and dislikes:

I am not a big fan of contests, but I do sometimes when I win…haha…But I don’t really like them…all in all it is a lot of stress and everyone telling you what to do each minute. I love freeriding and park riding because it feels like I’m skateboarding…

Most inspired by: You know…I am going to say Natasza Zurek….She is one of my best friends and inspires me so much. She reminds me of the love I have for snowboarding every time I ride with her. She is a sick rider and a sick person!

Favorite Tunes: Monster Magnet, Tool, Wolf Mother…anything that is good rock and roll….The Rolling Stones!

Where you coming from and what's next: I have been coming back from an injury the past 3 months…I am taking notice of all the little things in life that I should appreciate each day…It has made me realize who I am and what I love about snowboarding and I think it is giving me strength and I think that is where I am going as a snowboarder…It is giving me strength and I think it will help me make better decisions not only in my snowboarding but also in my life….So injuries are good….for some reason…haha.

What Videos will you featured in 2007: I got injured really early in the season so I was unfortunately unable to film this year….but if I can get some footage in before the deadline then I will be in the new female video from Runway Films and also maybe the DC movie.

Favorite Photographer and/or Artist: Andy Wright is by far my favorite photographer. I like his style, and I have been shooting with him a lot and he always gets the shot. I love the way he shoots and he is really fun to work with. He is mellow, he doesn’t tell me what to do and he is honest with me. I think Andy is the man.

Stevie Bell

Nickname: Some people call me ‘The Kid,’ but I can’t say that because Travis Kennedy calls himself that…so, just Bell, or SB.

Birthplace: West Jordon, UT

Currently Living: Sandy,UT, the MFM house….haha

Years riding: 6

Sponsors: Forum, Special Blend, Spy, DVS, Matix, Park City, Skullcandy, Nixon, Technique, dBot 5

Why Spy? I like the Soldier goggles. I like the view and the quality of the goggle.

Team member since: 2004

After a big fall or injury what motivates you to get up and do it again? I don’t want to work a desk job. I just love snowboarding and it’s all just a part of the job. Haha.

Favorite trick: Jump or rail….hmmm….Rail, switch back lip…jump, switch back 7.

Describe how you feel when you can't ride due to and injury or travel, etc: If it’s an injury then it sucks, but if it’s a photo shoot then I’m stoked because I need photos. But if it’s because of travel then it sucks ‘cause I get stressed sitting on airplanes for 8 hours and shit.

Favorite country, spot, hill, park, etc: My favorite spot would be Brighton, Utah with a bunch of homies, cause that’s where I started snowboarding. Other then that it would have to be Sweden because there are mad handrails and crazy hot girls! Haha.

Describe your perfect day: Bluebird day at Brighton, either a perfect park or a ton of fresh snow and a ton of homies in my crew!

Favorite Spy sunglass and/or Goggle and why: Soldier, I just like the look of it and the way it feels. As for glasses, I like the Clash. They had this limited edition bright red one that I got that I love man.

Contests or Freeride? Describe likes and dislikes: Contests are fun but I don’t like them that much because I am always the guy that is killing it in practice but then when the competition starts I get nervous and fall all over the place. Freeriding, I love it, it’s the best form of snowboarding. It’s a little sketchy with avalanches and shit but I still love it.

Most inspired by: I can’t really say one person because there are numerous people that I am inspired by, but I would have to say that Marco is one of em…just because he’s got style, does his own thing and is a solid businessman. Also JP Walker because he is the same way. He’s ‘The Don’ and he is so good at jibbing, which is what I like to do best. JP has created so many new tricks. Jeremy Jones because he is so damn good and has the best style. Jumping, jibbing or freeriding he just has it all. Oh, and ‘Young Geezie’ the rapper.

Favorite Tunes: Hip-hop

Where you coming from and what's next: I just got home from Russia, where I was doing a magazine story, and now I am off to Italy for the Forum Youngblood contest out there. After that I am going to try to hit up Whistler backcountry.

What Videos will you featured in, in 2007: The Special Blend Team video and I think I may be in the Tech Nine, ‘Cold World’ Video….and also the Forum 2 year project that will be out Fall 2008.

Favorite Photographer and/or Artist: Favorite photographer is Cole Barash, because he’s my homie and he’s young and he’s doing the damn thing and he’s sick at it. I shoot with him mostly. As for my favorite artist…I have to say Ludacris.