The day we left
Adventure Magazine|June 2020
As of yesterday, Heath Joske hadn’t been on a snowboard in 13 years – too busy chasing surf around the world. Now, after a wrong turn, he’s boot-packing with pro boarders Robin Van Gyn and Forrest Shearer in the backcountry of New Zealand’s Southern Alps.
Forrest Shearer
The day we left

There’s an unwritten rule in Wanaka that when it snows like it did last night, you’re half-expected to cut from work or school (maybe at least for the morning) to take advantage and get in a few runs. Well, it dumped almost two feet of fresh powder overnight and we’re looking at a bluebird day.

Robin and I are stoked to be chasing winter here in New Zealand, and it’s even better that we get to show our buddy Heath a bit of our world on the mountain.

We’d all gotten in a few good runs before Robin and I peeled off to the left to stretch our legs away from the crowds, boot packing up to check out the ridgeline. We’re headed back up after a run and I hear “Case!... Hey! Casey!”

Someone is calling out behind me, but it’s just me and Robin on this side of the mountain. We had started as a four-some but Heath Joske and Glen Casey, both surfers, were sticking to the groomed runs. As of yesterday, Heath hadn’t even been on a snowboard in 13 years – too busy chasing surf around the world.

This story is from the June 2020 edition of Adventure Magazine.

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This story is from the June 2020 edition of Adventure Magazine.

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