lamontmag1coverpage-1-pdfAny skier, rider or MTB enthusiast who has traveled in North America will know that there is a wealth of mountain themed magazines and media on that continent. Journals that celebrate the people and culture of mountain towns, the outdoor life, and the landscapes that make it all possible. Australia, with a much smaller population and a lot fewer mountain towns, has traditionally been a bit sparse when it comes to this type of media.

So, it’s a real delight to see a new magazine which is seeking to explore and celebrate the ‘mountains and the people whose lives and loves are in them’.

Lamont magazine is the brainchild of Jindabyne-based photographer Mandy Lamont, and describes itself as a ‘mountain lifestyle magazine’. Having worked hard to make her life in the high country sustainable through pursing a range of ventures, she is now sharing her love of the mountains with others through this magazine.

The first edition of Lamont has been released. It’s got a lovely matt finish look, in a small format, with some great photos of the Alps. It’s a lovely mix of the quirky and the mainstream, with features on a range of topics from owning a mountain bike shop in Mansfield to the Wild Brumby Distillery, which is on the road between Jindabyne and Thredbo. The people are real, the stories are both personal and interesting, and the sense of place is tangible. She packs a lot of stories into 64 pages.

Many of the mountain themed magazines I have seen over the years in Australia have been heavy on ads and tourist attractions, and very focused on middle of the road activities. But what makes mountain culture most interesting for me are the people behind the scenes, the towies and ski patrollers and bar staff, the chefs and dish pigs, mountain bike riders who double as fire fighters in summer, the rangers, the snow clearing patrollers and groomers, the resort bus drivers: the people who all quietly keep the mountain towns humming along, while pursuing their passion for the high country. Lamont magazine certainly acknowledges this side of the mountains.

The first edition has a short story on the development of Thredbo (celebrating its 60th this year), a story about riding a mountain bike to the summit of Kosci in winter, features on Falls Creek local Barry Iddles, plus some high profile athletes like skier Anna Segal, and Olympian Katya Crema, plus some lovely stories on smaller businesses that are seeking to be fair and sustainable.

Lamont is available at a number of outlets at resorts and mountain towns, plus Mag Nation in Melbourne. Check here for details on buying a copy on line. Please support this great initiative.