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   Day 15/30: As I’m trying to decide which adventure to write about, I’m getting far too distracted by the thought of fresh snow in the alpine. Could yesterday really have been the first day of spring?! Not on the mountains, not in the trees and not in my mind.

   The other day I uploaded with two good buddies; Stu and Derek. Stu had his Vholdr cam so we were on a tree mission! It’s no secret the coverage hasn’t been good enough to venture too deeply into the woods this season. That was until last weekend when a huge storm hit Whistler Blackcomb dumping 158cms in total. So that was our cue to head out and rip some pow!

   Stu’s been around these parts for ages, so I was expecting him to teach us a thing or two, but it just so happens we showed him some sweet spots he had never hit before. We started in Crystal by dropping off our bags at the snow fort, from there we headed to a super fun & short section of trees referred to as “the picnic table.” It’s literally a picnic table sitting on top of a knoll in the trees. It has an awesome view of the valley but that’s not why you go there. Below the table is a sweet pillow line, but watch your speed as it ends in tight trees and comes out onto a cat track.

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Follow the Park Ranger updates on Twitter. Get regular updates on new features, changes and events happening on all Whistler Blackcomb Nintendo Terrain Parks. Stay connected to the Parks team as they shape up your favorite jibs, jumps and the superpipe. Follow the Park Rangers at http://twitter.com/whistlerparks



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Pushing for Perfection

Hey Jibbers and Jumpers,
The past couple of weeks in The Parks have been really exciting times for everyone. We've seen lots of sun and snow. Our Parks are now pretty much built to capacity, giving our teams the opportunity to really pimp out our features. We've been switching rails and jumps in and out to keep things fresh. Both mountains are changing daily. The Showcase Showdown this year was a huge success. Big shout out to Brad Broughton from the shop, and his team of volunteers for their help with design and building. The Atomic Supercross is this weekend; results to come.

On Blackcomb
- The Snowcross track has a new line this year that everyone should check it out. The course is open daily.
- The Highest Level, and Choker lines are riding perfectly every day, the lines are dialed right in nicely. The Highest Level is rounded out at the bottom by a massive re-entry platform with an Up-Rail to Wallride. The Choker line finishes with an awesome Quarter Pipe that is Zaugged daily.

On Whistler
- The Bobcat line (right side of the park) has been filled out with an A-frame rail combo, a couple more jumps, and tweaks to the other jibs.
- The Chipmunk line is fully built out as well, with a couple new jumps, and changes to the jib lines Park Events
- The next King of the Rail comp is going to be March 21st. This is event is the last KOR of the season, and may even be moved to the base of Whistler (next to the GLC) this time. So make sure you register
- The following day (March 22nd), will be the Park Rider Series Slopestyle, on Whistler Mountain. The course will be on Whistler's Bobcat line (right side of park). All levels of riders and skiers are welcome so come on up, and ride in this fun event

See you all up here!
- James Sayers









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Day 2/30: Big Timber mission & more!

I must admit, there have been a few hurdles this season, but I am having SO much fun! I’ve started the 30 day snowboard challenge for myself and this was Day Two. It is about more than just physically and mentally pushing myself - it’s about looking at this playground in a new and different way, finding new places and doing things I haven’t done before.

I headed out early on Monday morning with my aggressive skier friend Derek - he wanted to show me a cabin in Big Timber on Whistler Mountain. It was SO cold! -21C to be exact, so I was all layered up, ready for a long day!

After coffees and chats on the Whistler Village Gondola we headed up Peak Chair and down the Peak to Creek. We cut through some perfectly spaced trees off Upper Peak to Creek and guess what?! Fresh lines! I was floating through huge old growth trees and at that moment I felt like I was somewhere completely new! After a short hike we came to the cabin in the woods. It was built in honor of a fellow rider who lost his life doing what he loved. We took a moment to enjoy - it’s so awesome finding little spots like that.

We cruised back down through the trees to the long cat track to Creekside. Again I was floating along with only a couple of tracks in front of me! The sun was shining and the views of Sprout and Rainbow mountains were amazing. I passed by Kadenwood and continued onto Lower Peak to Creek, which was a bit icy. It took at least 2 hours in total, the snow was dry and fluffy and there was not another person in sight.

After lunch we uploaded the Creekside Gondola, to Big Red Express and across PEAK 2 PEAK to end the day with a few laps in the Crystal zone. Getting fresh groomers after lunch is practically unheard of and I loved every minute of it. Nothing beats a 4pm ride out to the valley!

Keep on shredding!

-Alex
Snowboarder









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Whistler Blackcomb's annual Showcase Showdown went off last Saturday as onlookers crowded into Skiers' Plaza and onto patios to watch the action at the base of Whistler Mountain. After a hard fought battle, Caley Vanular claimed first place in the women's category. Second place went to Molly Milligan and third went to Janelle Prtichard. Meanwhile, Andrew Burns took first in the men's category, while Rusty Ockeneden claimed second place and Mike Osachuk took third.

The six riders, who won a total of $5,000 cash and prizes from event sponsors, including Nixon headphones and Sandbox helmets, will also be featured in Sandbox's next snowboard film "Shine On."

In its twelfth year, the Showcase Showdown has enjoyed another successful transformation and has proven once again why Whistler Blackcomb's Nintendo Terrain Parks are ranked No. 1 in North America.

This year's course was inspired by the mini-parks in locals' backyards all over Whistler. The slopestyle course design, which included rails and industrial-style jib features with happy faces, was a collaboration of Showcase Team Manager Brad Broughton; Kevin Sansalone of Sandbox Films; Steve Petrie master park-builder and designer and builder of the 2010 Olympic Halfpipe; and Whistler Blackcomb's Park Rangers.

For a complete results list visit www.showcaseshowdown.ca. Showcase Snowboards is celebrating its 20th Anniversary. For all the latest gear and apparel, shop online at www.showcasesnowboards.com.













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What a week! It all started Monday morning... I opened my eyes to see something that caught me off guard; fluffy snow covering the trees outside my window! Snowphone Steve assured me there was at least 25cms of pow in the alpine, so after a flurry of phone calls to friends, I headed up the hill.

Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE powder days, but it's always such a scramble! We had a tough time sticking together in a group of 5 with 3 snowboarders and 2 skiers. We all met up doing a couple of Jersey Cream laps, getting fresh lines and face shots on Cougar Milk. Pretty much all of the alpine was still closed for Avi-control, so we chose to line up at Crystal Chair. We waited and waited... Some trouble maker in the line started throwing snowballs and that was it, a full on snowball war ensued! Our group decided to bail and go riding and it opened after we left! ALWAYS stick with the lift line you choose, that was my lesson of the day.

Over the next couple days the skies opened up and puked a whopping 84cms! My next day to ride was Thursday, so I headed up for a cruise and I couldn't believe it, blue bird! New snow & sunny skies = perfection. The week isn’t even over yet, the Showcase Showdown returns on Saturday (tomorrow) with a different style; the Backyard Slopestyle. Inspired by the mini-parks in locals' backyards all over Whistler, the Showdown will blow the scene up with a snowboard slopestyle at the base of Whistler Mountain. I cannot wait to check it out! Get more info at showcaseshowdown.ca

Keep on shredding!

-Alex



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King of the Rail Jib Session - Sat. Feb. 14th



King of the Rail is a series of rail jam contests which run on selected Saturday nights under the Magic Chair at the base of Blackcomb Mountain. Separate categories for snowboarders and skiers, male and female and adult and youth. Click here for more info about the event and how to register.

Park Rider Sessions presented by TELUS – Sun. Feb. 15th



Park Rider Sessions presented by TELUS features Slopestyle, Rail Jams and Halfpipe. The upcoming Park Rider Session is the Slopestyle being held at the Blackcomb Terrain Park. Competitions open to skiers and snowboarders, all ages welcome. Click here for more info about the event and how to register.



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SPECIAL EVENTS ALL WEEK. FREE DEMOS FROM THE SALOMON STORE. ALL GEAR 30% OFF.
(Whistler Mountainside)

The SALOMON Photo Contest.
February 14th - 20th.
Calling all budding photographers! Enter to win an $800 shopping spree at the Salomon Store and 10 tickets to the exclusive Salomon VIP Party! Submit your best photo in a ski, snowboard or lifestyle setting taken during the week representing the Salomon brand.

Visit whistlerblackcomb.com/salomonphotocontest for full contest & submission details.

Saint SALOMON Valentines Day BBQ.
Saturday 14th. 1-3pm @ Glacier Creek On Blackcomb Mountain.
Free BBQ for the first 200 people who show up wearing Salomon gear!

Salomon Fashion Show featuring next year’s gear.
Thursday 19th. 6pm @ Salomon store.
DJ, FREE cheese & beverages and preview of next year’s collection.

Visit the following locations in Whistler for discounts and more event information: Showcase Snow.Skate.Surf., Glacier Shop, CAN-SKI and Salomon Store.

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If you were in Whistler this past Monday morning chances are you didn’t hit the snooze button. The forecast called for 4cms of snow the night before but 11cms fell instead. Check out some recent videos and photos, as well as the latest Snowcast podcasts.









If you're a Canadian or Washington State resident looking for the best deal on lift tickets at Whistler Blackcomb, check out the EDGE Card. It’s being offered at a discounted rate right now but sale ends Feb. 13th so get yours now.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

The North Face Masters of Snowboarding 2009 Tour Dates Announced by The North Face and Mountain Sports International

The North Face Masters of Snowboarding is the largest big mountain snowboarding tour in the country, with a prize purse of $45,000 and two new world-class venues

 

Registration is now open on www.thenorthfacemasters.com

 

Salt Lake City, Utah, December 17, 2008 – Now in its sophomore year, The North Face Masters of Snowboarding (TNF Masters) has become the largest cohesive competitive big mountain snowboarding tour in the country. A three-stop tour, TNF Masters is designed to cater to the motivation, talent and skill of world-class big mountain snowboarders. The 2009 tour visits Snowbird, Utah, Crested Butte, Colorado, and culminates at the ultimate big mountain competition venue of Kirkwood, California.

 

“The North Face Masters tour is going to be off the chain this year,” said TNF Masters Alyeska, Alaska, 2008 champion Rob Kingwill. “I am excited to be a part of the movement toward giving big mountain snowboarding competition the recognition it deserves. All three 2009 venues are world-class, and I can't wait to see what happens.”

 

TNF Masters features a $45,000 cash prize purse and serves as a qualifier event to the Freeride World Tour. Winners from the Snowbird and Crested Butte TNF Masters events will have the opportunity to compete in the Nissan Tram Face at Squaw Valley, California.

 

"Freeriding, the use of natural terrain, fall line, and innovation from riding style is the essence of big mountain snowboarding,” said TNF Masters Head Judge Tom Burt. “The TNF Masters series is designed around this and that is the reason why I agreed to become the head judge. The terrain will be delivered by Snowbird, Crested Butte, and Kirkwood. All have different flavors of terrain so each will bring its own challenges for the riders, and every rider will bring their own style and innovation to each venue. When the two mesh the best freerider will emerge.“

 

TNF Masters gathers big mountain snowboarding tribes from all around the world. All male and female snowboarding competitors above age 18 are welcomed to participate. Registration is now open on www.thenorthfacemasters.com.

 

The North Face Masters of Snowboarding 2009 Series Schedule

Stop #1 – Snowbird, Utah.                  January 29-February 1, 2009

Stop #2 –Crested Butte, Colorado. February 12-15, 2009

Stop #3 –Kirkwood, California         March 5-8, 2009

 

Fans of big mountain snowboarding can catch same-day coverage of the Semi-Final and Final rounds of each TNF Masters event on www.thenorthfacemasters.com where there are complete videos, photos, athlete profiles, detailed event schedules, registration information and more.

 

For more information please visit www.thenorthfacemasters.com.

 

Special Thanks To:

The North Face

Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort

Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Kirkwood Mountain Resort

Primaloft

Snowboard Magazine

Mountain Sports International

 

REGISTRATION INFORMATION AND ATHLETE INQUIRIES CONTACT

Sara Pinsoneault

Athlete Communications

Mountain Sports International

801.349.4650

sarap@mtsports.com

 

MEDIA INQUIRES AND FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

Cara Williams

PR, Communications & Media Manager

Mountain Sports International

801.349.4608

cara@mtsports.com

 

Pamela Bennett

Communications Manager

The North Face

510.618.3654

pamela_bennett@vfc.com

 

About MSI

Mountain Sports International (MSI) is a private company, founded in 1997, to develop and produce action/adventure sports events and programming in North America. MSI owns and produces the U.S. Freeskiing Series, the U.S. Skiercross Series, and the Freeskiing World Tour, in addition to several other properties and concepts.

 

MSI provides event management services for Burton, Salomon, and Red Bull and has provided infrastructure and expertise for the NBC Gravity Games and ESPN Action Sports Projects, including the Tony Hawk Gigantic Skatepark Tour. MSI specializes in matching clients with events for brand penetration into target demographics, developing product identification and loyalty. MSI matches brand and culture, company and credibility to create sought-after events that help to define the action sports culture.

 

About The North Face

The North Face, a division of VF Outdoor, Inc., was founded in 1968. Headquartered in San Leandro, California, the company offers the most technically advanced products in the market to accomplished climbers, mountaineers, snowsport athletes, endurance athletes, and explorers. The company’s products are sold in specialty mountaineering, backpacking, running, and snowsport retailers, premium-sporting goods retailers and major outdoor specialty retail chains.

 

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Were making a muther f*cking movie:
PIECE teaser from David Brocklebank on Vimeo.

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Welcome to the first global online Game of S.N.O.W – the Quiksilver King of S.N.O.W. Hampus Mosesson is submitting the first trick and you are pleased to copy it! Switch BS 180° Indy is the trick of the hour which you should copy on every similar kicker on mother earth and with as much style and power as possible. Don´t forget to show your face right into the cam after you did your Switch BS 180° Indy!

This round’s winner will get a nice Quiksilver Package including: Quiksilver Travis Rice Signature Goggle and the Quiksilver Premium SnowPack (thechnical snowboard features, suspensions system, LED lighting system und premium audio components – make the backcountry a whole new experience)

This winter is going to be one giant worldwide session!

From now on every 14 days one of your favorite Pros will present a trick you have to imitate within two weeks and on a similar obstacle. Once you have sticked and – hopefully – filmed the trick you must upload it as video file to the Quiksilver King of S.N.O.W platform. Needless to say that you should try to redo the trick with as much style as possible in order to get as many judging points as possible in the worldwide ranking. Because in every single round – that means every 14 days – the most gnarly and styled trick will be rewarded with a massive stuff package.

We will make you rich and famous!

The top four snowboarders that have earned the most judging points after Round 7 will be invited by Travis Rice and Mathieu Crepel to their invitational-only event in La Plagne, France – called Chromatophobia. Quiksilver will assume just everything – flight, accommodation and catering – no matter from where on this planet you have to travel.

T-Rice will present the final trick in the Quiksilver King of S.N.O.W snowpark the four finalists have to copy. A camera team will capture every single trick and finally upload it to www.king-of-snow.com. Afterwards the tricks will be judged one more week for the very last time. The one with the highest score may be pleased about 5.000,- USD cash and short interviews with all our media partners worldwide.

As a special goodie the four lucky finalists will get a wildcard to compete with Mathieu, Travis and many other topguns at the Chromatophobia.

Sign up now for free!

Get your free account at king-of-snow.com now! Further information you will find there. So just check back regularly to ensure that you will be well-informed and on top of the world from the very beginning!

http://www.roninsnowboards.com/en/quiksilver-king-of-snow/

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Whistler Mountain is opening tomorrow (Wednesday, November 26) to give you the snow session you've been jonesing for.

Whistler Mountain is opening Wednesday with the following lifts running:
- Whistler Village Gondola
- Emerald Chair
- Big Red Express
- Franz's Chair

Blackcomb follows on Thursday, November 27 for US Thanksgiving long weekend:

WHISTLER
- Creekside Gondola (open Nov 27 - Nov 30)
- Whistler Village Gondola
- Emerald Chair
- Big Red Express
- Franz's Chair

BLACKCOMB
- Excalibur Gondola
- Wizard Express
- Solar Coaster
- Jersey Cream Express
- Excelerator
- Catskinner

Check out What's Open for full operation details.

We've got a base of 55cm, the snow guns are blasting in full force and groomers are working hard to get the runs ready. Check out the Snow Report or call the Snowphone at 1.800.766.0449.

Hope to see many of you out there this opening weekend!

Check out some photos of Mike Douglas rippin' on Whistler Mountain yesterday.





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Mammoth Mountain, CA – The Town of Mammoth Lakes and Mammoth Mountain Ski Area welcomed the first commercial aircraft in over a decade to arrive in Mammoth Lakes, California on October 14, 2008. Travelling from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the 74 seat, high-speed, twin-engine turboprop Bombardier Q400 operated by Horizon Air safely touched down as scheduled at 10:05 a.m. 

 

With a snowy Mammoth Mountain in the background, courtesy of an early-season snowstorm the previous weekend, the first passengers exited the plane to be greeted by a gathering of town dignitaries and local residents. This inaugural flight was designed to give Horizon Air staff and special media guests a glimpse of what will come when nonstop daily service from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Mammoth Lakes begins on December 18, 2008. 

 

“We have been working very hard to get commercial air service back to Mammoth after a 13-year absence,” said Howard Pickett, Chief Marketing Officer at Mammoth Mountain. Pickett continued, “Horizon’s daily flights will make it even easier to get to California’s biggest playground here in the Eastern Sierra. Now winter enthusiasts will be able to spend more time enjoying the slopes, and less time trying to get here.”

 

Horizon Air will run daily service from Dec. 18, 2008, through April 12, 2009. The 65 minute flight departs Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) daily at 2:20 p.m. and arrives at Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH) at 3:25 p.m. The return flight leaves Mammoth at 4:05 p.m. and arrives at LAX at 5:10 p.m. Introductory fares for select flights from Los Angeles to Mammoth Lakes are available for $79 each way, and standard fares are available starting at $99 each way.*

 

In preparation for commercial air service from Horizon Air, Mammoth Yosemite Airport recently underwent $12 million in improvements including a new 5,000 sq. foot commercial terminal building, a reconstructed runway and taxiway, new runway lighting, new ramp lighting and a new automated weather system. The last commercial air service to MMH airport was Transworld Express in 1995. 

 

Photo: Horizon Air touches down at Mammoth Yosemite Airport. Credit: Peatross/MMSA

 

*See horizonair.com for complete fare rules. All schedules subject to change without notice.

 

Mammoth Mountain Ski Area is the leading four-season mountain resort in California. With 1.5 million annual skier visits, Mammoth Mountain is currently the third most frequented ski resort in the United States. The company owns and operates a variety of resort businesses including recreation, hospitality, real estate development, food and beverage and retail. Specific businesses owned and operated by Mammoth Mountain include Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, June Mountain, Tamarack Lodge and Resort, Mammoth Snowmobile Adventures, Mammoth Mountain Bike Park and the Mammoth Mountain Inn. Mammoth Mountain also operates Juniper Springs Resort, the Village Lodge and Sierra Star Golf Course in Mammoth Lakes, California. For more information on Mammoth Mountain, visit MammothMountain.com or call 800.MAMMOTH.

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At 12.00am Oct 1st 2008 StepChild Snowboards will launch 'Downloaded' live on our integrated media site. Downloaded is our video offering for 2008, a follow on from last years Child Support DVD which is still available from your local retailers while stocks last. Downloaded runs a little longer than 20 minutes and is a mini movie showing what the StepChild team does between filming and travelling. With footage from Japan, Bear Mtn, Whistler and Europe, be sure to check out the Media Page at www.stepchildsnowboards.com 12am PST to view 'Downloaded' in HD.

Downloaded can also be Downloaded - Imagine that! As well as embedded on your own site or forwarded to friends, all within our media player, care of our chums at mobilerider.

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