“For the cover of SNOWBOARD’s inaugural Women’s Issue, we wanted to show the beauty and elegance that is women’s snowboarding,” Mike Basher, Photo Editor at SNOWBOARD Magazine. “What better than a perfect powder slash under a scenic Japanese sunset, featuring Gretchen Bleiler.”

The photo was taken by Zach “Hoops” Hooper of Aspen, Colorado while filming on location in the ninja protected backcountry of Japan. Hoops was one of the official photographer’s for Oakley last year while filming for the all women’s HD film, Uniquely.