We spoke to DC's global snowboard marketing director Bobby Meeks and backcountry legend Iikka Backstrom to find out more about the DC Transistors series. If you haven't watched the first two episodes go and do that now, they follow the diverse and eclectic crew as they do what they best; snowboarding and partying. They've been to Quebec, Japan and just scored some serious snowfall in Austria. Hold tight for the Austrian Episode, we know it's gonna be the real deal.
Photos by Andy Wright and Bobby Meeks.
Let’s talk about the DC Transitors project. Quebec early season, Japanuary and now Euroland. Run us through the crew and the inspiration behind the project.
The inspiration behind DC Transitors is to capture our team in transit while doing what they do best; snowboarding and partying. We have a very eclectic crew of riders and a project like this really highlights their diversity. Also, one of the big things behind the inspiration was to create an environment where we could mix the team’s personalities and riding styles together in a hope for a few glorious pots of stew. Good stuff is what we planned and it’s happening.
What made you want to make a series? Is there going to be another full-length DC movie in the near future?
Honesty… I was inspired by our Winter 2019 future product direction. Our outerwear designer had designed a few select pieces in our line that were packable and meant to be used on the move. The idea to throw the team into a moving environment was appealing. A few tweaks here and there and I had a solid plan that involved a lot of travel, beers, and cheers. As for a DC full-length; we do have a plan to re-edit all the amazing content we created for DC TRANSISTORS which will release in November of next season. But other than that, we’ve had some talk around the coffee pot about doing something more invested, but only time and budget will tell.
Europe is getting some serious snowfall so far this winter. Can you remember a time in recent memory when it was this good?
We have been in Austria for 10 days and the snow has been all-time. The last time I personally had it this good in Europe was filming for Lame. Alberg was the fucking best during that winter and it seems like this winter is just as good as I remembered it.
Where else are you planning on going for the remaining Transitors episodes? How many can we expect?
We just wrapped up the Austrian portion of Episode 3 and are sitting on a train to Meribel, France for a few days of apres’ing our balls off. The next episode will focus on the Whistler backcountry with a final episode tentatively planned for Mammoth Mountain.
What’s the best thing about Austrian apres-ski?
Gluhwein… 100%
Iikka you’re a backcountry legend, how are you imparting your knowledge to the younger folks in the crew?
I think it happens pretty naturally, lucky for me, the younger guys have been willing to learn, which makes it 100 times easier on my end. I’m trying to share the knowledge on what I’velearnedn from Devun and my own experiences to the younger ones, the same way he taught me. It all starts with being a group when you enter the backcountry…The backcountry is always going to win so let’s be smart, have each other’s back. The beer will taste so much better after.
Bobby, how long have you had those crazy eyeglasses? I remember seeing them in This Is Snowboarding, and now your Japan photos haha
Haha… I somehow find a pair of those crazy glasses every few years in some stupid gift shop. This time, I found them in a Japanese 100 Yen shop in Kachun. I’m always on the lookout for crazy glasses and Wolpertingers.