It’s pretty safe to say that the most anticipated event this weekend in Breckenridge was the Paul Mitchell Progression Session quarterpipe “exhibition”. I put that word in quotes because although it was labeled an exhibition, there were cash prizes involved, therefore connoting competition, but whatever. Several reasons such anticipation might have been involved: the allure of standing in a parking lot and watching professional snowboarders get towed by snowmobiles into a massive quarterpipe-shaped pile of dirty snow, the possibility of someone beating Luke Mitrani’s 33-foot-air of last year’s spectacle, an Australian semi-celebrity a.k.a. The Dingo yelling on the PA system, and a stage complete with flashy colored lights and DJ’s. So regardless of the frigid air that should have forced everyone home to huddle under piles of blankets, there was a fairly large turnout.

Despite icy conditions and a sketchy, asphalt-covered-by-a-thin-layer-of-snow run-in, the riders didn’t fail to disappoint. Mason Aguirre went huge as per usual, Scotty Lago and Danny Davis both pulled off solid 1080’s, and Kevin Pearce did a couple of giant ally-oop backside rodeo 540’s. But it was Steve Fisher who walked away with the $5,000 first prize, with Davis coming in second, and Pearce third. Not surprisingly, Scotty Lago was awarded with Best Trick. And for the ladies, both Elena Hight and Breck local Tori Koski stood out with solid airs and amplitude, earning them second and third place. Meg Pugh made up for a disappointing day in the halfpipe by throwing down higher airs than the rest of the women and taking first place.

Overall, the background music was decent, the riding was good, and the notoriously comedic Todd Richards even made a guest appearance at the announcer’s stand. Perhaps hair-care giants should sponsor more events. Shampoo anyone?

Paul Mitchell Progression Session, Dec. 16, 2006: Final Results

Men:
1. Steve Fisher, Head
2. Kenin Pearce, Burton
3. Danny Davis, Burton

Women:
1. Meg Pugh, Trilogy Arts
2. Elena Hight, Burton
3. Tori Koski