Austria

Benjamin Herbert, Snowboarder

Benjamin Herbert, Snowboarder

Ben Herbert, Sonnenkopf, Austria.

Ben Herbert, powder turn, Sonnenkopf, Austria.

Australian born Ben Herbert is a dedicated board rider. Whether its on the big peaks of Alaska or the pounding surf of the Mexican pipeline in Puerto Escondido he is always pushing himself to go bigger and better. His travels in search of adventures have taken him all over the world but it is the Austrian town of Innsbruck that he has come to call home.

Date of Birth:
01.10.1973

Nationality:
Australian with an EU passport

Ben Herbert, Langen, Austria

Ben Herbert tearing through the trees near Langen Am Arlberg,Austria.

Home Mountain:
I live in Innsbruck and have the Regio card which offers access to a number of great mountains. Arlberg has been home for many years, as well as the Zillertal, so as a home mountain goes I have a huge backyard. Let’s just say Tyrol.

Sponsors:
Black Flys Eyewear, Never Summer Snowboards, Beyond Snowboard Bindings, Berghaus Clothing, Pull-in Underwear

Favourite board:
I love the never summer boards, they are so responsive and reliable. I’d say my 163 wide is my allrounder,and 168,or the rounded pin 172 for the deep powder days or the steep long lines.

Favourite spot:
Favourite spot is hard to answer. Anywhere in steep waist deep powder with friends around.

Ben Herbert, Sonnenkopf, Austria.

Ben Herbert tracking the untracked, Sonnenkopf, Austria.

How did you get involved in snowboarding?
I was living in Colorado in a place called A-Basin and it was freeriders playground. I was skiing at the time. I had a friend come from Australia and convince me to try the board and, well, never really looked back. After the season I then went to Europe and worked in St Anton, also a freeriders heaven, and fell in love with snowboarding.

Favourite Country:
When I’m not here in the mountains I’m always thinking of surfing somewhere warm and exotic ,the last years were spent in sumatra and .phillipines ,i enjoy the ocean very much,diving ,spear fishing ,and surfing .also in the mtns .biking ,climbing and rafting.

Influences:
I’ve been inspired by many great people from all corners of the globe; Chris McAlpine, Russell Holt, Brodox, Steve Trainor, Jeremy Jones, Tom Burt, Nicolas Muller, Alaskan Heli-skiing Company, Cats Trading, Tommy Brunner(RIP) and my awesome girlfriend Chistl.

Ben Herbert, Langen, Austria

Ben Herbert tearing through the trees near Langen Am Arlberg,Austria.

Motivations:
I get highly motivated when planning trips for each year. I love to travel and to combine this with the love of snowboarding is only a bonus.

Best Moment:
Too many to try to describe. Dropping into my first line in Alaska was exhilarating and words cannot express it. Everyday in the powder with friends are some of the best days of my life. Being on the mountain and sharing these awesome experiences with friends is priceless……cheers .

Worst Moment:
Injuries have and will always be a pain in the ass. I had a friend who broke his back many years ago. I was first on the scene and it was heavy. After two operations he was told by doctors he would not walk again,although the operation was successful. After 15 months he was walking again and after a few years was back on the board and surfing. For sure one of the worst moments I’ve experienced but with a happy ending.

Last Words:
I’ve enjoyed being in the mountains most with motivated people with the same interests and willing to push the limits,its been a pleasure. Thanks.

Click here to see photo gallery for Ben Herbert

Black Flys Never Summer
logo-berghaus Beyond Snow
Posted by Richard in Portraits, Skiing
Ad for Icelantic Skis

Ad for Icelantic Skis

A new advert for Icelantic Skis  has gone into the German Magazine Skiing. It is a full page ad using a photo of British skier Sam O’Keeffe jumping an icefall in Zürs, Austria.

Icelantic Skis, Austria

Sam O’Keeffe taking a drop for Icelantic Skis in Zurs, Austria

Posted by Richard in Published, Skiing, 0 comments

Big Air, S’no Contol

A upcoming ski and snowboard big air competition being held in St. Anton Am Arlberg, Austria is using one of my photos of British skier Nick Hayter on its promotional posters

BigAirSnocontrol

Posted by Richard in Published, 0 comments
Ski Guide St. Anton Am Arlberg

Ski Guide St. Anton Am Arlberg

The new ski-guide book concerning skiing off-piste in the Arlberg region of the Austrian Alps about to come out. One of my photos, featuring Danish skier Peter Isaksson, is on the cover and there are a few more scattered throughout on the pages inside as well.

Written by a local ski guide Andy Thurner, the book includes 47 ski touring routes with 66 different descents found around the Arlberg region. All the routes are easy access and can be reached without any special ski touring equipment though avalanche safety equipment is always a must. If you are planning on a ski trip and hoping to experience some of the wonderful off-piste skiing that the Arlberg has to offer then this book is for you. If you are new to skiing off-piste or wish to venture further out there can be no substitute for using an experienced guide.

The book will be on sale in Austria, Germany and Sweden. Copies of the book can also be purchased directly from Andy by contacting him at  andyski@aon.at

umschlag_gb_1

 

Posted by Richard in Published
Ultimate Ski Advertisement

Ultimate Ski Advertisement

Ultimate Ski Advertisement

Ultimate Ski Advertisement

Ultimate ski, a British website concerning numerous ski resorts around the world, have picked up one of my photos with Danish skier Peter Isaksson for use as an advertisement in the Warren Miller ski show.

Posted by Richard in Published, 2 comments
Chalets Companies in Austria

Chalets Companies in Austria

Kaluma TravelI have been shooting some chalets here in St. Anton for the English chalet companies. The photos are destined for the websites of the respective companies and for use on Ultimate-ski.com. I have only done a few hotels and chalets before so I still find them a challenge to shoot. Not my usual type of photography but I do enjoy it. 🙂

I also have a selection of prints going into some of the chalets where they will also be available for purchase.

Posted by Richard in Places, Travel, What's going on, 0 comments