Brian Friedman

Co-Founder & CPO/COO @ SuperMush || Founder and MD @ Rolling Thunder || Author of Takeaways || VP of Digital Innovation @ Stova || Founder & CEO @ LOOPD

[Brian Friedman @BFried9131]

My startup studio, Rolling Thunder, has been working hard on the release of our first public startup. Today we launched WKND, an on-demand “retreats-as-a-service” platform, in New York City. WKND is the first intelligent travel sof…https://t.co/z1bUbNyrgu https://t.co/TLHneqBOEJ

[Brian Friedman @BFried9131]

It’s important to take rest days especially when you’re in Hokkaido riding powder everyday. By spending the day relaxing and taking in the local culture you can make sure you’re 100% ready to tour for the upcoming week. I ended up driving with @robelkin_ and @andregollner in…

[Brian Friedman @BFried9131]

My goal this winter was to tour everyday that I’m on the snow. I just got into touring last year and it reminds me a lot of enduro mountain biking. On the way up you get a killer workout and on the way down you get to challenge your skills. Most of your time is spent climbin…

[Brian Friedman @BFried9131]

The drive from Asahikawa every morning in my @toyota TANK can be compared to @redbull Crashed Ice. The weather is so cold in Northern Hokkaido that the roads turn into ice skating rinks with unintentional jumps. This morning I drifted my way over to Tokachidake to enjoy the …

[Brian Friedman @BFried9131]

My last time in Sapporo was back in 2016 with @rwg_3 and @pgillis650. We chased powder from Niseko to Furano. Our last night of the trip we stopped off @sapporobeer.jp for all you can eat and drink. The restaurant ended up having to cut us off since we were the feast of the …

[Brian Friedman @BFried9131]

Back in 2010 I started my time @lehighu in Bethlehem, PA. During my freshman year I started the CREATE Club and joined @phikappatheta. While I really enjoyed my time at school I followed the entrepreneurial path and started my first company LOOPD. While in Silicon Valley I t…

[Brian Friedman @BFried9131]

Yesterday I hiked up Mount Shiribetsu to snowboard down the steepest bowl in the Niseko area. On my way up the skin path on my @burtonsapporo split board I looked up at the trees. You can learn a lot from nature from simple observations. The trees in Japan look super cool an…

[Brian Friedman @BFried9131]

This has been the most fulfilling week I’ve ever had on the snow. To start it off I got my Avalanche Safety Training Level 1 certification with @risingsunguides. I was able to apply my Materials Science background to snow. I learned how convex snow has tension that can set o…

[Brian Friedman @BFried9131]

Japan is much more than just the home to the best snow. It’s also a special place with one of my favorite cultures. During my trip I’ve been taking note of unique Japanese trends and differences from back home. White gloves for driving, slurping ramen loudly, meal tickets fo…

[Brian Friedman @BFried9131]

On my second day at Asahidake the sun was shining bright and the wind was nowhere to be found. Asahidake is usually overcast and stormy, since it’s the highest peak in Hokkaido. This season there’s luckily been a ton of bluebird days. @furano_snow_tours and I went on the hun…

[Brian Friedman @BFried9131]

Asahidake is known as the powder Mecca of Japan. I learned fast that it’s super important to find untracked northern exposed slopes. The sun hits the southern exposed lines making the snow heavy just like in California. When you travel all the way to Japan you want to find t…

[Brian Friedman @BFried9131]

Strong wind ended up closing the top of Furano Ski Resort in Central Hokkaido. @furano_snow_tours and I made a plan to hike up past the top lift and drop off the backside of the mountain. Using @fatmap_official I was able to find a protected zone with soft fresh snow from th…

[Brian Friedman @BFried9131]

Asahidake is an active volcano in the middle of Hokkaido. Apparently every 40 years it ends up erupting. As of 2020 it’s past it’s natural cycle and is ready to go at anytime. Our group @furano_snow_tours was not phased by the active smoke vents at the top of the mountain. W…

[Brian Friedman @BFried9131]

To kickoff my winter adventure in Japan I spent two amazing sessions with @sassglobaltravel. @mauri.cambilla, @green_guts, @burnshimself, @sneakypedro and @bengirardi showed me all of the secret snow stashes around @kirororesort. Everyday the snow only got deeper refueling t…

[Brian Friedman @BFried9131]

Last year I started hiking and touring in the backcountry thanks to my friend @adamsapers. I was able to discover fresh snow and new lines to ride down. The resort boundaries were removed and the new possibilities became endless. It reminded me of enduro mountain biking wher…

[Brian Friedman @BFried9131]

Over 100 miles of japow down! Just when you think the snow @kirororesort can’t get deeper you wake up to another foot of freshies. Japan doesn’t have the best visibility during the winter, since the snow gods bring in clouds to work their magic. The trees start to fill in an…

[Brian Friedman @BFried9131]

When Japan snow forecasts predict 2 cm you know the mountain is really getting dumped with 2 feet of snow. @green_guts and I were on the search for some hang time. We ended up hiking to the backside of @kirororesort called Panorama. The other day I eyed down a sweet pillow l…

[Brian Friedman @BFried9131]

When I was younger I watched Further by @tetongravity and discovered the wonders of natural pillow lines and kickers. Finding the right jump and landing is all about creativity and self expression in the backcountry. On my last hike of the day on my @vertsrule with @green_gu…

[Brian Friedman @BFried9131]

Snowboarding side country in Japan is all about the adventure. My super cool local guide, @green_guts, and I dropped off the side of Kiroro in search for untouched deep powder. Our first run of the day was purely a dream. As I boarded down the snow field I planned out my tur…

[Brian Friedman @BFried9131]

After arriving in Japan I went to the new @burtonsapporo store at the Sapporo Factory. The Burton team hooked me up not only with a new setup, but they also gave me a ride to Yoichi about an hour away. The hospitality and friendliness in Japan is next-level. My first night i…