A lifetime project

My name is Patrick Armbruster. In 1994 I had my first snowboard pictures published after my dream of becoming a snowboard professional was shattered due to an accident. From that moment on I started to document the snowboard scene around the world – first with my pictures and later through our Absinthe Films movies!

It was the time when snowboarding was more than a sport. It was a movement that had it’s roots in skateboarding and surfing. Snowboarding exploded and the riders during that time became the idols of their generation.

I had the privilige to travel the world with some of the best snowboarders, became friends with many of them and documented our times with my analog camera. Over the years my photoarchive grew into a massive recollection of these wild times.

Since years I have been going through my archive and scanned all my slides & negatives working towards this project of making my photobook become a reality.

A photobook that showcases some of the most iconic snowboarders – behind the scenes and on the snow. Filled with statements from all the riders and introductions by Drew Stevenson (former editor in chief of Onboard magazine & Method Mag / founder of the TTR)

The book will be sort of a chronological journey to some of the most legendary locations and events: Riksgränsen, Whistler, Air&Style, St.Moritz, Tokyo XTrail, Mt.Hood, Arctic Challenge, Zillertal, Saas Fee, Summercamps…

This book will be a contemporary document of snowboarding during the 90’s and early 00’s.

By supporting my campaign you pre-order your personal copy of your book and help raise the funds needed to print this testament of time about snowboarding!

If you are or were a snowboard enthusiast during that time, this book is for you!

This is my lifetime project I have been working towards for the past 25 years. By ordering your personal copy of this high quality coffee table book you help me make this book become a reality.

Tom Gilles & Trevor Andrew

Featured riders:

Terje Haakonsen, Gigi Rüf , Wolle Nyvelt, Romain deMarchi, Circe Wallace, JP Solberg, Michi Albin, Fabien Rohrer, Gian Simmen, Peter Line, Steve Gruber, Jonas Emery, David Benedek, Ingemar Backman, Iker Fernandez, Johan Olofsson, Stine Brun-Kjeldaas, Shaun White, Kale Stevens, Marius Sommer, Nicolas Müller, Fredi Kalbermatten, Trevor Andrew, Joni Malmi, Wille Luoma, Kratter Brothers, Danny Kass, Babs Charlet, Anne Molin-Kongsgaard, Travis Rice, Nic Droz, Keir Dillon, Aleksi Litovaara, Eero Ettala, David Pischi, Dani Sappa, Mike Ranquet…

David Pitschi – Chile

Wolle Nyvelt & Steve Gruber

Romain deMarchi – Tokyo

Book Format

Hardcover – coffee table book

approx: 24 x 30cm // 10 x 12”

approx: 240 pages

Language: english

All books are numbered

Ingemar Backman – Japan

JP Solberg – Mt.Hood

Peter Line – SPC Camp

About me

I grew up in Dietikon – a suburb outside Zurich – Switzerland. Through skateboarding I discovered snowboarding in the late 80’s. Taking pictures and documenting was always a big passion of mine. In 1996 I became a senior photographer at Snowboarder (Monster Backside Magazine). From 1999-2002 I was senior photographer at Onboard magazine. In 1999 I started to produce one of the first European 16mm snowboard movies together with Drew Stevenson which then turned into our Absinthe Films production with Justin Hostynek. Together with Justin, Shane Charlebois and David Vladyka (as well as all the other crew involved) we released a snowboard movie every year. In 2005 we produced our own reality documentary series for FUEL TV in the US –  called Flipside about the making of our Absinthe Films movies. The show went on for three years.

The Absinthe Films movies featured some of the best riders in the world and were known for it’s superb soundtrack, quality of filming and editing. The riding was groundbraking. We won numerous awards with our movies.

My latest project: Pleasure Snowboard Magazine approached me this summer about putting together their upcoming issue as their guest editor which will be released in October 2021.

Terje Haakonsen & Michi Albin

Danny Kass

Finances

In order to realise the initial print run for a 1000 books including all the set up costs I’m looking to raise €45’000 (€45/book – approx $50/book)

It’s not limited to 1000 books but this is the initial goal.

If you like the project and support it, please help me spread the word.

Travis Rice – Kauai

Nicolas Müller – San Francisco

Production & Shipment

While the crowdfunding is running I will put together the entire book. I will track down the last riders for their statements and get all the missing links in that will complete this unique art-book.

The plan is to get it printed by mid January 2022 and have it ready to ship by end of February 2022.

Delivery time March 2022.

Shandy Campos – Whistler

Babs Charlet – Chamonix