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JumpCamp is still alive. Can you believe it?!

Well it's been getting cold
and to keep warm we've been doubling up on sweatpants. Besides that we've been working with our amazing sponsors and crew designing the new park and getting the mountain groomed and ready. Brochures and posters are at the printers and the website has been redone. All the new 2010 dates are up and a schwack of new photos, downloads and all kinds of other jazz. Check it out and secure your spot in one of this year's camps.

Photograbros
We have lots of photographer friends at JumpCamp. These hombres sit in the cold and freeze their fingers in the off chance that we'll do something rad. Here's three of our favourites: Billy Pipe  http://pipephoto.com/ Dave Prothero http://www.daveprotherophotography.com/index.html & Gordon Ross http://www.gordonross.ca/


Beautyass scenery. photo by Billy Pipe

Onethirtythree's website is brand new with a shred page being managed by the infamous barbeque organization; the Steak Knives. Check out the crew
fine dining and healthy living http://www.onethirtythree.com/steakknives_gallery.php .
Keep checking the Steak Knives page for all the latest shred news.

Twitty twitty!

He rocks in the tree-top all a day long
Hoppin' and a-boppin' and a-singin' the song
All the little birds on J-Bird St.
Love to hear the robin goin' tweet tweet tweet
JumpCamp's now on twitter http://twitter.com/JumpCamp Follow us around why don'tcha?!

Factory Magazine, a new design and arts magazine based in Vancouver is the brain-child of 22 year old Niall Hamill and that man-child is a senior member of the JumpCamp board of trustees. Go grab a Factory magazine at Onethirtythree and support art and magazines in these cyberworld, internet, face-twitter times. Check out Niall's webpage that says his website will be up and running soon. http://niallhamill.com/

Grand Puba behind the new Factory magazine and JumpCamp coach Niall Hamill chillin out with a camper and a dog.

Premiers and Parties!
Nov. 20
JumpCamp Season Celebration.
A big night of prints, movies, cocktails and music.
Gordon Ross Studio & Bar
2314 Rosewall Crescent
Tin Town, Courtenay
Doors 9pm

November 28
JumpCamp Swap Meet

Swap Meet Louie's clockin' lots of dollars!

Tons of new and used shred gear for sale or barter. Boards, gloves, goggles, stinky boots, jackets, glasses...!!! Bring some meat for the barbeque.
12 noon - 6pm
1120 5th st
Courtenay
(around back)

Dec.3
Day Before Opening Day Shred Movie Premier Party!
Absinthe Film's "Neverland" & Sandbox's "SHINE ON"
The Avalanche Bar
 275 8th Street
Courtenay, BC
Doors 9pm
Tons of Prizes

Have a happy and safe Halloween from your friends at JumpCamp!



Published On: 10/30/2009
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For video of the Romain Interview, visit http://SlytechProtection.com/blog


Romain Straps it On

Romain de Marchi says: Stop letting the economic crisis paralyze you; don’t listen to the talking heads on TV news; don’t slow down. Your life and the lives of those around you depend on your passion and stoke.

YOU’VE NEVER HEARD ROMAIN DE MARCHI SAY ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE

MAUI, HAWAII – For a moment there I thought I was pondering the intricacies of the Universe, God, and life with Deepak Chopra – the esoteric Indian doctor, author, philosopher – not Romain de Marchi – ball-to-the-walls, huck-myself-down-any-freakin’-thing – snowboard legend.

Prejudiced with images of his suicidal rippings in epic Absinthe films, tabloid sensationalism knocking him as a party freak, and his tattoo covered body, I went into this, our first longer meeting, thinking it would turn out to be another “shoot the shi*t interview” with another fortunate, yet undeserving rider. I got adjusted, hard.

Romain on Travelling

RDM: When I travel I like discovering different philosophies and new cultures. I try to learn more and more the world. TV I don’t think is a good example to learn the world. To me it’s better to be on the terrain and figure out by yourself. That’s what I’m looking for when I go travel: meet new cultures and new people basically.

SWB: How does riding factor into your travels? Can you describe that stoke that you feel?

RDM: Well, I always… when I’m travelling, it’s not really the places you go to, but the experience you share with people. I like the fact that when I go to different resorts, I meet different people and they give me their stoke-ness of wanting to share with me their culture, their mountain and their way of seeing their mountain. That’s what I appreciate a lot when I get to see different places. So, that’s what really stokes me out.

Romain on Fatherhood

SWB: I saw your daughter Annella there. Tell me about her!

RDM: Well, she’s almost 2 years old and she’s growing up by the minute. She’s a fan of Dora as you can see on the T-Shirt and she loves her mama a lot. No, it’s fascinating, I mean, it’s ahhhh, it makes you more mature, makes you go forward in life, to be able to see your kids, the way they interpret life, to see their innocence and their soul. I think it gives you a lot of inspiration! They really inspire me.

SWB: so how did you start to feel in riding after you became a parent? Were there differences in your behavior after you became a parent?

RDM: Yeah, a lot of people said: now that you have a kid your ride should be different, you should be more cautious. Actually for me it went the other way around. I’m more crazy now than before. It really pushed me to go out there and do what I love. Now more than ever, I do it for more and more reason. First it was just for me when I was younger, but now it’s also for my daughter and my kids because I want them to feel my passion and translate that to them, so now I go out there and try to get as stoked as I can, so when I get home they can see how happy I am to do what I love to do and they can feel that. So for me it went the other way around.

SWB: interesting! So she made you live life even more to its fullest?

RDM: Even more.

Romain on the World Economic Recession

RDM: I’m not gonna say it doesn’t affect me. It affects everybody, but, I think that many people live in fear and they’re like “ohhh no, I can’t do this, I can’t do that.” People have been brainwashed with that and they’ve stopped living. I bet if each individual in the world like they did before the crisis, everything would be good, because money would still be spent, people would still be happy and do happy things and the world would still go around. Now everybody is watching TV saying “ohhh no, I can’t do this, because the TV said it’s fear, it’s economic, and it’s the world war, the terrorism and what not…” I think that’s pretty sad that people have been brainwashed like that and have stopped living just because some dude said it on TV. Of course, the economy isn’t as good now, but I think we are as much responsible for it as the people who are leading our country. I think we should keep living and everything is going to be fine.

SWB: ohh man, that’s a great insight. People paralyze themselves by listening to these so-called experts on TV and…

RDM: yeah, it’s been like that for centuries, you know like, create fear so that we can control people. I try to have my own opinion. I know times are hard, but it’s hard for everybody, but you keep living and if you can’t pay the mortgage one day and what not, then well, sell the house and do something else. The world is not going to end just like that. We have many options in life, so it’s not worth worrying about a mortgage or things like that.

Romain on Back Protection and Why Everyone Should Wear One

RDM: For sure it gives you extra confidence. If I hit a rock at least I have the Slytech 2nd Skin to protect my spine.

But I also try not to rely on it too much, because then you forget how your muscles work in your body; they are the first armor, right?

The Slytech 2nd Skin is more prevention. It’s not because I have a back protector that I’m going to launch a bigger thing. Whether I ride the resort or I jump, I always wear it in case something happens. It’s a precaution. It’s not like, “ohhh yeah, I’m just going riding the resorts, so I’m not going to put it on.” No, I put it on anyway.

Whether big jump or not, you know, now that I’m getting older, I got a family, so I kinda need to have that extra protection for me. But I’m not forgetting as well that my body is my first armor. For my state of mind it’s more uhhh… like in a car, you can have one airbag or you can have 5 airbags. Same thing with second skin: I’d rather have more airbags than just 1.

SWB: There are all kind of back protectors out there. What was it about Slytech 2nd Skin to make you choose to use it?

RDM: It’s easy to put on. It’s really comfortable to wear it. The good thing is, the foam they use, it’s really molding your back, so you really don’t feel it. I’ve tried other ones and they’re really uncomfortable. They’ve been using that for dirt biking at first. I feel pretty confident: dirt bikers get more beat up than snowboarders. When they fall, they hit the hard ground! Snow is soft. It makes you feel even better that it’s tested by dirt bike people.

SWB: How were you introduced to the Slytech people?

RDM: What went down is… basically, I got hooked up with Shred and they said, “hey, you want to try the Slytech 2ndSkin?” and I’m like “YEAH SURE!” They sent me some and I went riding and I didn’t feel it. I went riding all day and I didn’t feel it at all, “OK, wow! This is a freakin great product!” You have it on and it’s extra precaution for you and it doesn’t even bother you; it doesn’t even make you uncomfortable when you ride so I was like “yeah right on! This is a great product, so let’s do something with it!”

SWB: Would you recommend a back protector for non-professional athletes?

RDM: Yeah, I would recommend all the protection they can get. Most of the time, beginners just sit on a hump on the slope and if a skier or snowboarder just comes up from behind and BOOM, it could paralyze them. But if you have a back protector, it might save you from that. Helmet, back protectors are key.

As I left that interview, I never thought that I – as a philosophy guy living in Hawaii with all the inspiration I need around me – would have walked away with so much newfound inspiration to go for whatever I could possibly conceive of.

I want to publicly thank Romain de Marchi for sharing the inspiring stoke he collects through his experiences as a shredder, a father, a world traveler and as a free spirit (the snowboarding world’s own mini Deepak). Thanks also for believing in and endorsing the Slytech Back Protector. It took many years to develop and test, and now that it’s available to the general public we hope it will be as universally loved.

About Slytech Protection
The team and riders at Slytech Protection feel that life is best lived with maximum passion, confidence, comfort and protection (comfortable protection). We’re based around a rider's love for shredding and being free, to keep pushing the limits and to give yourself the chance to get up and ride again. Being sidelined with a bad spinal injury is the last thing we want, and so comfortable back protection is the first thing we grab.

Go to http://slytechprotection.com and signup for more inspiring rider tales from Romain and the rest of the shredders.

 

Slytech Protection distributors at www.slytechproteciton.com/contacts
Headquarters:
CERSAL srl
Viale Ancona, 26
30172 Venezia Mestre
Tel.+390412517211
Fax +390412517200

www.slytechprotection.com

###



Published On: 9/4/2009
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The Prospect Co-Op project has been setup so that anyone can submit snowboard artwork to a real snowboard company with a real chance to have it published.

We've been seeing some rad ideas coming from independent designers and its important for us to offer. This concept, designed by Lane Lederman remains nameless at the moment, so we're calling it the bush whacker for now.

Lane submitted his design to us through our Co-op and within a few weeks we will publish his board on our site with a chance for people to reserve their board in advance.

The point of our Co-op is to give guys and gals, like Lane, the chance to have their artwork published with a snowboard company.

Screw design competition where you will literally be one in 1,000 to win. Our Co-Op is natural selection. If you design kicks ass people will want it and we are here to help you make it.

If you are interested in creating your own board for our Co-Op then here is where to start.

1. Put together the most rad artwork you can think of, just don't copy other people's designs.
2. Submit your artwork and create a bio. What is your artwork about?
3. Tell all your friends about your board so they want to buy it.
4. Your friends reserve a spot to purchase your board.
5. Once a few reserve orders come it we'll print your design.
6. When it is time to print we'll call to complete the reserve orders.
7. We then invest in your design and publish it into our line of boards.

This is your chance to be a snowboard designer.


Check out our Co-op page for more information and to see the current line of concept art.

If you are looking to reserve a model for purchase email us at contact@prospectsnowboards.com

www.prospectsnowboards.com


Published On: 9/3/2009
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Published On: 7/13/2009
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The countdown is on and the party begins this Friday. The TELUS World Ski and Snowboard Festival kicks into high gear April 17-26, 2009. The only thing to do is get yourself to the centre of the action. Here are some highlights of what's on the adjenda, including some new events you'll want to check out.

The best things in life are still free. Zune Concert Series line-up promises 10 days of pilgrim-worthy free outdoor concerts, featuring Ozomatli, Ten Second Epic, The Stills, Metric, and DJ Ztrip.

Grenade Games lobs into town. Snowboarding’s infamous end of season party is by the riders, for the riders. Giving Canadians the chance to become Grenadians for the first time in its history, the Grenade Games’ line-up includes a Poker Run, dual slalom moguls course, pipe and slopestyle comp, and entices legends of snowboarding out of retirement to ride alongside current pros and up-and-comers.

Discover tomorrow’s artistic superstars. Debuting at this year’s Festival is the mutant sibling of the Pro Photographer Showdown, the ThreePointOh Multimedia Challenge. Plus, State of the Art, the Canada-wide Designer Search and Expose, and the new Chef Challenge.

Skate comes to the party. The new Festival opener, Skate & Deploy, followed by the Skate of the Art Opening party offers the perfect segue from winter to spring for fans of flow.

Graphic mastery gains momentum. Enter year four of the open crowd-sourcing collaboration that introduces graphic design talent to snowboards as canvass. Masterpiece in Motion entries are due March 1.

Ticketed events are known to sell out in advance so avoid disappointment and get your tickets early. Get yours online now at the Festival E-Store.

Faces of the Fest prepare to face-off to be the Festival’s 2009 on-air video host. Our very own Alex Hearn, voice of the Whistler Blackcomb snowphone, is one of the five finalists! "VOTE HARD, VOTE HEARN" VOTE NOW! Last day to vote is today, Monday, April 13th.

Looking to come up and enjoy all of the action? There are some awesome deals on now, including 2 day lift & lodging from just $82 pp/pn. MORE INFO

Another sweet deal...Buy your 5 or 10-Day 2009.10 EDGE Card now to ski at Whistler Blackcomb from $57 per day next season plus get unlimited spring skiing NOW for just $79! BUY NOW

Published On: 4/13/2009
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Events/News - Whistler Blackcomb: It's ALL about the glades!
By: WhistlerBlackcomb


   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.

   Next we ducked into some tight trees to skier’s right of Rider’s Revenge; this took so much out of us! There was a big cliff in there that we had to maneuver around and that wasn’t too much fun. My advice, stick to marked gladed runs if you don’t know the area. These trails are actually protected bear habitat in the summer, so keep an eye out for the signage explaining the bear program. I would suggest checking out a glade like Arthur’s Choice or Outer Limits in the Crystal zone to get some good turns in spaced-out trees.
 
   After lunch we zipped over to 7th Heaven to session the trees there. It was waist deep and untouched in places! I had such a great day laughing and shouting the whole time with good friends. There’s nowhere I’d rather be than a powdery tree run on Blackcomb!
 
Keep on shredding!
 
-Alex


Published On: 3/21/2009
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Just four weeks until the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival rolls in to take over Whistler for 10 days and 10 nights of adenaline packed sports, arts, and music events.

The Zune Concert Series line up is set and ready to rock the valley of Whistler with live music from Thornley, The Stills, Ozomatli, The Arkells, 54 40, DJ ZTrip, and Metric to name just a few. For more info on the Zune Concert Series visit: wssf.com

This year marks the return of the Orage Masters, World Skiing Invitational's Big Air and Superpipe, and the addition of the Park'n'Fly Skate Jam and Monster's Grenade Games.

Also returning this year and bigger than ever are the infamous arts events including the Olympus Pro Photographer Showdown, 72 Hour Filmmaker Showdown, Schick Fashion Exposed, State of the Art, Whistler Chef Challenge, and the new ThreePointOh Multimedia Challenge.

The festival doesn't stop there. When the sun sets the party is just getting started! The Kokanee Freeride Club Series, along with an onslaught of legendary parties, offers party-goers endless opportunities to rub elbows with the who's who of the industry. This year the TELUS World Ski and Snowboard Festival really lives up to its modo: Party in April. Sleep in May.

TWSSF is also offering one lucky person the ultimate VIP status for this year's festival with the Face of the Festival Contest. To find out how to apply visit: wssf.com/faceofthefestival





Published On: 3/19/2009
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This is not me nor do I know the person in this photo, but it looked alright to me. But that's quite a bit more snow around that sign from last year.  WOO!!! View from top of Mammoth Mountain Mammoth's new sign. Very artsy. Very genius.

Sorry no photos of me snowboarding, I haven't figured out how to ride and take photographs at the same time.  Maybe I should get a camera that does video too.  blah!


Published On: 2/13/2009
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I thought Id write more than once a week, but I've slipped already. Its been officially 17 days after the surgery. I would say I can type on the computer okay, and my range of motion has improved but the fingers are still swollen in the joints kind of like arthritis. maybe this is like what rheumatoid arthritis is like. I finally figured out how to sleep without staying up all nite(straighten out the arm gets those cold sensations going) The shooting pain to fingertips is still there but its decreased in frequency and intensity.
My next milestone would be decreased swelling and being able to spread out all my fingers(full extension) of course diminished pain is a must. Doc says I ought to get a nurf foam ball to squeeze and work my fingers. Im going to try. The biggest change since the last update is typing is easier. Also my first three fingers and thumb are no longer stuck in a retard half C fist(they can straighten out but not entirely). I can also supinate/pronate as well but there is still some pain on the edges. Pressing buttons is still a little weird though(like stereo) but I'm hopeful it will improve. The internal male energy has returned and flowing well. I think it must have been the spirulina/fresh celery/apple/frozen pineapple drink that did it. Im not taking a daily antiinflammatory tho(was takng naproxyn-alleve) I am taking tumeric powder instead. I figure my liver will love me more for it.


Published On: 2/7/2009
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I am going to talk to you about affiliate marketing or what is most commonly know as MLM – Multi Level Marketing.

For those of you who have not heard of MLM it is considered the best way to make money online although I have to say this method has received a lot of stigma over the years namely from those people who never made money from them and quit.

 

The fact is that 70% of people that TRY MLM programs usually quit within 2 months of joining and are usually for the same reasons, that they never made any money.

Truthfully those people were probably told they would make a small fortune in a very short period of time but sadly the person that introduced them was only interested in signing them up and failed to explain how to build a successful business.

 

To build any business successfully will require hard work and should be treated as a full-time job although this is not permanent it is necessary to build a solid foundation in the early days.

Sadly most are not presented with these facts so I guess you cannot blame them for quitting or even giving the MLM opportunities a bad name.

 

There are 3 main reasons to be able to succeed in any MLM program which I am about to share with you and in my opinion are key to success.

 

  • The Right Program - You need to find the right MLM program that is low cost and offers the best compensation plan.
  • The Dream – This has to be one of the most important ingredients because if your dream is big enough you will do whatever it takes to achieve it.
  • Support – You need support with anything that is new especially from those who are already successful and are willing to help you succeed.

 

 

Ok now let’s look at these 3 key reasons in more depth to help put things in perspective.

 

The Right Program

 

Now although there are a lot of MLM programs on the internet it is important that they are an established company, offer an excellent compensation plan, provide tools to help you build your business and have a product that most people want and need.

GDI or Global Domains International are in my opinion the only MLM company that offers all of this and for only $10 a month.

Now one thing you have to realise is that if you want to work online from home and be successful in any business there will be some cost attached to it. Although GDI offers you your own business, product and unlimited income opportunity for only $10 a month plus you can try it for 7 days free.

So lets break it down and see what you get for your hard earned $10 a month.

 

  • Web Hosting
  • Your own domain name
  • 10 email addresses
  • Web site building tool
  • Access to the GDI Forum
  • Tools to promote your business
  • Unlimited income opportunity

 

 

As you can see you get your own website, the tools to build it and can be active online within a few short hours but what’s more incredible is you can earn money too.

 

So who are GDI and how do I make money?

 

Global Domains International, or GDI, was founded in 1999 by Michael Reed, CEO and Alan Ezeir, President who both recognized another opportunity that was largely ignored. The dot com boom that was so popular back in 1995 reached its peak around march of 2000. What Michael Reed and Alan Ezeir wondered was if there were other available extensions that businesses could use as a domain name. They ultimately focused on the domain extension .WS, which belonged to the tiny island nation of Samoa, deep in the South Pacific. They were able to execute a deal with Samoa stating they had to produce 15,000 registered domain .ws extensions in 3 years. Well they accomplished that goal in GDI’s 1st month of business and the rest as they say is history. In the 2002 Special issue of Inc. magazine, Global Domains International placed #37 on the Inc 500 magazine’s “List” of the USA’s 500 fastest growing private companies and #5 in the state of California. If you have come across any .ws adresses on the internet you can rest assured that they have been registered through Global Domains International, as GDI has single handedly captured the market share for the .ws extension. But what really puts the icing on the cake is the amazing business opportunity they have incorporated in to the equation.

 

So now let’s talk about how you earn money.

For every person that you refer to GDI you will earn $1 every month for as long as that person remains a member.

That person that you refer – for every person that they refer to GDI, you will earn $1 every month for as long as that person remains a member. This continues down for 5 levels.

So even if you only refer one person, but that one person referred 50 people, you would earn $1 for each of those 50 people. If those 50 people referred just 1 person each, that’s another $50 per month you’d earn.

Remember though, as I said earlier you only get out of a program what you put into it. You could very easily get someone in your downline that could refer 50 people and that would be great, but you might not, so don’t just rely completely on your downline, especially in the beginning, try to refer a few people.

Let’s look at an example of the sort of income you can earn with GDI.

If you referred 10 people and those 10 people referred just 5 people each, and those 5 people referred 5 people each, and so on for 5 levels. Your monthly income would be $7810.

Sound Good???

Well that’s not all, GDI also offer a weekly bonus scheme of $100 for every 5 people you personally introduce. So for example if 20 people joined your business you would be paid $400 for that week and best of all there is no limit to the amount of people you refer. If you were to do the same every week that would an average of $1600 a month which for a lot of people would replace their job salary.

You may be thinking it sounds too good to be true or how can I refer 10 people, I don’t know 10 people that would be interested in this.

Well its not too good to be true, there are people earning even more than that with GDI.

As far as referring people GDI offer the tools to help with this however as I mentioned previously support in this business is key to your success from those who are already successful.

 

The Dream

 

To be successful you need to have a reason or a dream this could be a few hundred dollars a month to begin with or a new car.

What I have found is that people fear to dream because they don’t believe it will happen. It has amazed me being around this business how quickly people underestimate themselves and what started out as being a dream of making a few hundred dollars a month turned into buying their dream home cash.

This business offers so much its about people helping people and the feeling of knowing you have helped others take back their lives is priceless.

 

 

Support

 

Most people that join MLM programs have little or no experience on how to build a successful business and sadly quit before they even get started.

Having support from those who are already successful in this type business is by far priceless and it amazes me that so many people do not grasp this when inviting people to join.

After all the core of all MLM businesses is helping others to succeed which in turn helps you succeed.

Failing to grasp this simple concept and not put in any effort will surely lead to failure and again these types of people will only end up hopping from one opportunity to another but never finding success.

 

 

So there you have it an honest opinion on Multi Level Marketing which I hope this article has helped you in your pursuit for financial freedom

 

Donna Fielding is a successful network marketer with GDI. Click the link below to watch a video presentation on the GDI opportunity and the 7 day FREE trial and see if Global Domains International is the right choice for you.

 

www.themoneyprospect.com

(copy and paste into your browser)



Published On: 1/25/2009
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Ski or Snowboard Rentals – Whistler


Renting skis used to be a dreaded experience, long line ups for poorly maintained out of date equipment provided by ski bums who didn’t care. Changes have swept across this industry with new companies competing in every resort worldwide.

With airlines charging extra for ski baggage, the inconvenience of carrying heavy equipment and an increased environmental awareness the number of skiers renting equipment has risen.

If you look at ski technology and ski branding a two year old ski can often look outdated, therefore before you leave home do a quick calculation of “how many days a year do you ski?” multiplied by the cost of renting against the cost of new skis. The average cost of renting top end gear is around $50 CDN for two days. If you average 10 days per year that works out at $250 per year. New skis with bindings range from $500 to $1100.


Factor in the cost of tuning, inconvenience, baggage fees and your environmental consciences and renting comes out the winner.


My family decided to test this theory with a visit to Whistler in January, we looked online and booked with a company called Affinity Sports. (www.affinityrentals.com)

After breezing through the airport and traveling the sea to sky highway we checked into our hotel around 9pm. Surprisingly the rental shop was still open so despite our jet lag we headed in to pick up our gear. The staff greeted us on the way in the door and our reservation was ready. We tried on the boots and with skis hanging on every wall I picked out a new Pair of Volkl AC50. The binding was adjusted and the staff answered all our tourist questions while helping us feel welcome in Whistler. The kids tried snowboarding had to choose from a selection kids gear.


On the third day the weather moved in so we took a rest day, I dropped the skis back at the store and was surprised to learn I would be credited back the days I didn’t use. I then took advantage of the best reason to rent, trying different equipment. The trend in skis is to have more specialized equipment to suit the conditions so I changed for a K2 Coomba, a powder ski. Each time I dropped into see the staff at Affinity they accommodated my every request without hesitation. The equipment was tuned, it was the latest model and the service was excellent.


Two weeks later back at my desk I thought about the old rent vs. buy argument. I will be renting skis, snowboards and maybe even snow blades every time I go. The image of ski rentals is changing and being driven by companies like Affinity, I hope to go back to Whistler for the Olympics and will be renting everytime.



Published On: 1/19/2009
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Smokin Snowboards
Smokin Snowboards
Smokin Snowboards
Smokin Snowboards
Smokin Snowboards
Smokin Snowboards
Smokin Snowboards
Smokin Snowboards
Smokin Snowboards
Smokin Snowboards
Where is your snowboard made? Some foreign country where all the workers have no idea what snowboarding actually is? In northern Reno NV, in an area where trailer parks abound sits a snowboard factory where a creative evil genius lives. You won’t find any high tech computerized equipment or even security guards protecting the company’s secrets from prying eyes. You will find the type of place where some of the best innovation has always come from… a ghetto garage!

Smokin Jay is an evil genius… not in the crazy axe murdering type way, more the artistic friend you had in school that you weren’t sure where his mind was. Jay was busy gluing one of his new 2010 models when we arrived and as soon as he had a chance to step away he was off and running with the “Factory Tour”. I use the term factory loosely since most of the time you might equate the term Factory to thousands of square feet and a building in an industrial district of town. Smokins factory looks like a cross between an old bomb shelter and chop shop. Inside most of the equipment has been piecemealed together, with bare wires and jays own inventions throughout the building.

Joining on the tour was Jay’s sidekick binky who was just as stoked to show us all the funny corners in the building. While at first glance it looks like a lot stuff packed around stuff but as Binky explains it you can start to see Jay’s twisted vision of how the process works. From the room with all the templates and edges, the room where he cuts out the sidewalls and the workstation that he uses to glue the boards together. And as you watch Jay and Binky work what looks like chaos starts to looks like an interpretive dance where both play off each other though out the entire process.

Smokin Jay takes a huge amount of pride in the boards he produces and each board must be perfect for him to sell it. His entire process feels more artistic than mechanical and each board seems like its own individual masterpiece. He inspects each board for any imperfection or graphic blemish before giving the stamp of approval to sell the board. So when you see the tag handmade you know that the board you are receiving was entirely handmade by Smokin Jay and the pride taken to create the board reflects in the quality of the product you are receiving.

When you get a chance try out a Smokin snowboard, these are quality snowboards made by an evil genius snowboarder who believes in making quality snowboards.

Thank you Jay and Binky for the Great night! check out http://smokinsnowboards.com/ for more info or check out the Smokin Snowboards we carry.

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Published On: 1/14/2009
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Were making a muther f*cking movie:
PIECE teaser from David Brocklebank on Vimeo.

Published On: 12/27/2008
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This week on Shred Betties:
riends N Footie Contest - win Cilla & POM POM
http://www.shredbetties.com/contest/friends_n_footie/

Celia Miller Interview -
http://www.shredbetties.com/riders/story/celia_miller/

Team video at Snowbird - Erika Vikander
http://www.shredbetties.com/team/entry/snowbird/

Queens Cup Open Dates and Registration. This all girl comp is open to both pros and amateurs!
http://www.shredbetties.com/articles/story/queens_cup_open_registration/

Christina Curry wins Dew Tour Rail Jam:
http://www.shredbetties.com/team/entry/cc_wins_dew_tour_rail_jam/

Video: Crew rider Ashley Thornton
http://www.shredbetties.com/team/entry/crew_rider_ashley_thornton/



Published On: 12/23/2008
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OKEY.... SO...

Anyone need a board? I have the following up for grabs. Prefer someone in the area, but will ship.
1- Brand Spankin' NEW- sticker on the base Capita Midlife Artist series 158 wide - $300.00
1- Slightly Used (8-10 pow days) Kevin Sansalone Option 158 Fish w/NOBOARD pad. Never been mounted with bindings. - $250.00
1- Used 2 times in POW.. girls board  154 - its very stiff. - $225.00
1- Used DWD 161 wide. crazy colorfull base images to come - $150.00
1- pair of womens 32 LASHED boots, hardly worn size 8 - $50.00

hit me with ?'s Or offers!
photos when I can.
Jeff


Published On: 10/24/2008
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Beanie Thursday: Adopt a New Kind of Beanie
http://www.shredbetties.com/oa/entry/adopt_a_new_kind_of_beanie/

Read about Pom Pilot Sarah Cameron - This girl is the brains behind POM POM's awesomely girly line of snow and skate waxes
http://www.shredbetties.com/riders/story/sarah_cameron_pom_pom/

Teaser for a new all-girl shred flick:  So Fresh So Tight
from the quebec girls who brought you Bitches with Stitches
http://www.shredbetties.com/sbtv/story/so_fresh_so_tight/

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so check out these events:
Aberdeen, UK: http://www.shredbetties.com/articles/story/breast_cancer_awareness_in_aberdeen/
Boulder, CO:http://www.shredbetties.com/articles/story/divas_in_drag_b4bc_benefit/


WTF - Bataleon's Spanky Pants.  Commentary on Bataleon's oddball website.
http://www.shredbetties.com/oa/entry/wtf_a_man_in_spanky_pants/

Nikita's new team rider, Posy Dixon
Interview with the UK shredder:
http://www.shredbetties.com/riders/story/nikita_rider_posy_dixon/

Some.Wear
http://www.shredbetties.com/gear/story/somewear/



Published On: 10/23/2008
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Volcom is proud to announce that Gigi Rüf will be rocking Volcom outerwear and riding Volcom snowboards for the 2008/2009 season and beyond.

Gigi has been a part of the Volcom family for more than 15 years. The young Austrian made his first trip to Volcom when he was just 12 years old. At that time Volcom Art Director, Ethan Anderson sent Gigi home with a hand made Volcom card. In the card EA wrote “Christian aka Gigi- Thank you for coming to America and hanging out. You rule. You are the future keep it up. Ethan”. The future is now.



Published On: 10/21/2008
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This Week on Shred Betties



Mini Shred: 9 Year Old Taelor Mattingly
http://www.shredbetties.com/riders/story/mini_shred_taelor_mattingly/



Project Runway x Beanie Thursday
http://www.shredbetties.com/oa/entry/project_runway_x_beanie_thursday/




WTF - Helmets to Hunt in?
http://www.shredbetties.com/oa/entry/wtf_dorky_helmets/




Canada Here I come
http://www.shredbetties.com/articles/story/canada_here_i_come/





Colorado Ski Areas Open
http://www.shredbetties.com/articles/story/loveland_and_a_basin_open/



Video: Early Season Snow at Heavenly
http://www.shredbetties.com/articles/story/heavenly_early_season_snow/




Rome Speaks Out Against Big Name Athletics Brands
http://www.shredbetties.com/articles/story/romes_libertine_drunk/




Grand Opening of New All-Girls Store in Tahoe:
http://www.shredbetties.com/articles/story/miss_boarder_grand_opening/

Published On: 10/18/2008
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