The life of an east coast snowboarder used to be so easy: turn 18, move out west, and never come home. Then came the jibbing revolution. The ‘ride anything' movement has made it viable for pro riders to base their career living in places like Quebec and Toronto with the odd migration out West for some backcountry filming and sled time.

Same goes for riders based in the West. It's no longer enough to have a part filled with strictly backcountry shots, as kids cannot relate to it anymore. This brings riders out to relatively flat cities like Toronto in search of urban hammers to round out their video parts.

Matt Fimio is a Toronto-based photographer who spends much of his winter chasing coast-jumping riders like Andrew Skelhorn, Steve Cartwright, and Mark Sollors. He is the go-to guy for riders arriving in Ontario looking for some professional shots. His top reasons for staying put on the East Coast include: "Most spots are close to my bed, there's no avalanches, no back breaking doubles on a sled, Tim Hortons on every corner, shooting street with Steve Cartwright, Cory Gallon, and Andrew Skelhorn in minus 30 weather at 3am is the best, and Nate Laverty fucking with security."

But just like the pro riders he shoots, there is a time to switch up the terrain and for this a plane ride is needed. Why does Fimio make the west coast pilgrimage? "Backcountry with Mark Sollors is also the best, a nice break from shooting rails in minus 30 weather at 3am, no security/cops, nothing beats sledding with your bros in the mountains even though it hurts my back. Not stressing over thinking the cops are going to confiscate my gear."

After spending numerous seasons in Whistler, Andrew Skelhorn came back east last year and killed it. Bagging shots both around Ontario as well as making trips out west when the weather cooperated. "I like the east side ‘cause there's a lot more street or different cityscapes to put your creative mind to the test," says Skelhorn. "But I do like the west ‘cause of the amount of snow they have and backcountry. So if you like riding everything, both are different, but both good. Doesn't matter where I am as long as I'm with good homies and havin' a great time."

Mark Sollors grew up playing in the powder of the west so he may not be a fair judge, but he still sees the advantage of the east. "My answer to east vs. west," responds Sollors, "is that with a sled BC is untouchable, a hands-down victory. But the East Coast has the easy access to a lot of new creative shit that is making snowboarding that much more fun."

Let's get to the coast-to-coast gallery: 1 photographer, 2 coasts, and 3 riders getting the shot on each one.

Andrew Skelhorn East: Despite his best attempts, the camo and white combo can't hide the fact that Skelhorn is still on the east coast. Always with the headphones, Andrew Skelhorn floats a music-added back one over some timber. Looks like he packed the tail on this one; check out the powder trail.

Andrew Skelhorn West: It's not all snowmobiles and powder in the West. Hit runs are what spring riding on the Best Coast is all about. Here Skelhorn brings his handplant game all the way to the West.

Mark Sollors East: Generators and late night sessions are just one of the ways to beat security and get that trick. Mark Sollors gives up a weeks worth of powder to make the trip in the wrong direction. Luckily he managed to score some unique bangers.

Mark Sollors West: Two feet of fresh, wide-open tree runs, and ollies are what the west coast is all about. With access to terrain like this why would you ever want to leave? Or even waste time building a cheese wedge for that matter? Answer: A well-rounded video part.

Steve Cartwright East: Ontario-based Steve Cartwright travels back and forth so often you never know where to track him down. Equally comfortable front boarding stupid rails as he is at first descents, thanks to a trip to Alaska this winter, here he goes to town on an East Toronto hot spot. That second rail is way closer than Fimio makes it look. Gnarly.

Steve Cartwright West: Years of navigating sketchy homemade rail drop-in ramps have made Cartwright crave steep pitches like this that are actually snow covered. Looks like he's moving pretty fast through his second home...there must be a rail at the bottom.

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Related:
Unexpected Turns with Andrew Skelhorn
Mark Sollors and Mind Games
An Interview With Steve Cartwright: At Last