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446 Search Results for "competition"

  • Third Annual Beartooth Summer Third Annual Beartooth Summer Session Presented by ON3P Ski Company

    • From: TetonGravityResearch
    • Description:

      Beartooth

       

      The Third Annual Beartooth Summer Session is set to occur from Wednesday through Sunday, June 5th-June 9th at Beartooth Basin Ski Area, formerly Red Lodge International Summer Ski Camp, and in the surrounding backcountry. 

       

      The little ski area, near the top of Beartooth Pass on the Montana/Wyoming border, features two high-speed poma lifts, steeps,  chutes, cornices, and a terrain  park at the bottom.  The ski area was first opened in the 1960s as a venue for summer  ski race training.  During the late 1990s and early 2000s the ski area saw an influx of newschool skiing. Mickey Price, Tony Gilpin, Glen Plake, and Donovan Power trained and coached alongside Tanner Hall, Wiley Miller, Paul Cotter, and many others.  Prominent film companies such as Teton Gravity Research, Team 13, and Toy Soldier Productions have featured  footage from the Beartooth Basin Ski Area in their films.

       

      The Second Annual Beartooth Summer Session  brought approximately 100 skier visits and 40 competitors from all around North America. Writers from Teton Gravity Research, Sking Magazine, Bomb Snow Magazine, and Explore Big Sky covered the event.

       

      ON3P Ski Company and other sponsors will be working with the ski area to host the session and build a quality terrain park and competition course. The event, terrain park, and ski area will be open to the public as well as to invited riders and photographers. In addition to world-class, lift-accessible summer skiing, the surrounding area has excellent backcountry access, including day-long tours, boot packs, and car shuttle laps.

       

      On Saturday, June 8th, a big-mountain/slopestyle competition will take place at Beartooth Basin. Competitors will take top-to-bottom runs and be judged on style, technique,  amplitude, and consistency.

       

      ON3P will have its fleet of demo skis available free to the public. Tickets to the ski area will be discounted for session attendees to $40 per day. Half day tickets for $35 will also be available.

       

      More details including group lodging options, competition  registration, and a roster of invited riders will be published at www.beartoothsummersession.com . View the rest of the media gallery here. We hope to see you next month in the Beartooths.

       

      Get ready for the summer season with awesome gear deals here.

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  • Daron Rahlves: Sugar Bowl Amba Daron Rahlves: Sugar Bowl Ambassador

    • From: TetonGravityResearch
    • Description:

      "Sugar Bowl Resort is my favorite ski area because of the terrain, snow and overall experience. The Bowl gets dumped on and is an epic playground stacked with terrain. I love the smooth flowing groomed runs any day, but get drawn to the open trees, bowls, tight lines and gullies. Now as a professional free skier the challenging steeps in Palisades is my training ground for big lines in AK. Fun runs and fresh snow, days after a storm are there so find me and lets go. If not, explore or find a local and you'll be fired up. For determined and dedicated youth in the ski world, the Sugar Bowl Academy (SBA) is dedicated to offering an environment to excel in academics and racing / free skiing. It's an amazing life path where I'm more than willing to pass on my knowledge of the sport since I grew up in a similar system. To top it off the resort staff are super friendly giving it that traditional ski experience charm, an important reason for my loyalty to Sugar Bowl. Come check it out and take a run down Rahlves' Run." Banzai!!! Sugar Bowl Ambassador - Daron Rahlves

       

      15 years on the US Ski Team, 4x Olympian and the most decorated male American Downhill and Super G skier in history. Daron won 12 World Cup races, had 28 World Cup podiums, 7 US National Titles, is the 2001 World Champion in Super G, Silver medal at the 2005 Worlds in DH and Bronze medal in GS. He was the winner of the legendary Hahnenkamm Downhill in 2003 and SG in 2004 along with 7 podium finishes in Kitzbuhel over 5 years. Ski cross became his competition of choice in 2007 and in 2008 Daron took Gold in Skier-X at ESPN's Winter X Games 12 and finished 3rd overall on the Jeep Skiing/48 Straight Tour. Currently he's on the Teton Gravity Research (TGR) team skiing big mountain lines and works closely with his sponsors to develop the best quality equipment and experience for those unforgettable days on snow.

       

      Video by Weston Walker
      http://www.westonwalker.com

       

      Stills Courtesy of Sugar Bowl

      http://www.sugarbowl.com; http://www.facebook.com/sugarbowlresort

       

      Race photo courtesy of Deven Hickingbotham

    • 2 weeks ago
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  • Rahlves' Banzai Tour Finishes Rahlves' Banzai Tour Finishes Strong

    • From: TetonGravityResearch
    • Description:

       

      Truckee, Calif. (March 12, 2013) –Throughout the past two months, skiers, snowboarders and spectators alike have descended upon the Tahoe area to compete in and watch the rowdiest race in the Sierra. Rahlves’ Banzai Tour brought in tough competition from across the country to four renown Lake Tahoe resorts for the ultimate test of ski and riding skills.  The tour also entertained guests with quintessential pre and après ski parties, exciting results, and photo finishes.  

      Starting at Kirkwood Mountain Resort, athletes were challenged by “The Wall,” which proved to be one of the most challenging races to date, as competitors had to drop into an intimidating 20 ft. vertical wall right out of the gate. For the second tour stop hosted at Alpine Meadows, athletes were tested with fast and rough terrain, while spectators were entertained with the closest and most dramatic photo finish in Banzai history. With warm spring-like weather on the first day of the Squaw Valley tour stop, and formidable conditions on Sunday, Squaw tested the resilience of Rahlves’ Banzai Tour, as well as the dedication of tour participants. However, with fresh snow in the forecast, Rahlves’ Banzai Tour rallied for the final tour stop at Sugar Bowl Resort, home of the original Silver Belt Banzai.  

      The Sugar Bowl Final and Super Final concluded the tour in true Banzai style, complete with strong competition paired with music, barbecue, libations and the beloved Banzai atmosphere of camaraderie and healthy competition. Banzai veterans Johnny Bochenek, Kyle Coxon and John Lange took the top spots for men’s skiing during the Silver Belt, which also qualified Lange as the final athlete to compete in the Super Final. Men’s snowboarded Chelone Miller raced to first in the Silver Belt, while women’s snowboarder Kiana Putman and women’s skier Shannon Rahlves both secured the top spot in their respective categories. The men’s Super Final provided drama and a $5,000 paycheck to Salt Lake City skier Kyle Coxon. “The Sugar Bowl final and Super Final were awesome,” said Daron Rahlves. “It was a beautiful day, fans lined the course and the athletes delivered a great show. I wanted to be skiing in the Super Final, but instead was an excited fan like the rest watching and stoked for Kyle Coxon taking home the 5 grand. I will be back in the Super Final next year so those boys better start training now ha, ha.  I’m so grateful to my wife and kids for the endless support, all the sponsors, the fans and athletes for making this year’s tour the best yet. ”

       

      2013 Sugar Bowl Silver Belt Banzai Top Finishers Included:

      • Men Ski    1st Johnny Bochenek; 2nd Kyle Coxon;          3rd John Lange

      • Men Snowboard    1st Chelone Miller;     2nd Sylvain Duclos;     3rd Lucas Dehmlow 

      • Women Ski            1st Shannon Rahlves;  2nd Shelly Robertson; 3rd Hannah Jermstad

      • Women Snowboard    1st Kiana Putman;       2nd Macy Price;           3rd Carrie Hall

       

      2013 RBT Overall Top Finishers Included:

      • Men Ski          1st Johnny Bochenek;  2nd Kyle Coxon;         3rd John Lange

      • Men Snowboard  1st Chelone Miller;      2nd Lucas Dehmlow;  3rd Adam DeVargas

      • Women Ski        1st Shannon Rahlves;  2nd Shelly Robertson; 3rd Hannah Jermstad, 

      • Women Snowboard    1st Casey Lucas;          2nd Macy Price;          3rd Anna Weber

       

      2013 RBT total prize purse winnings:

       

      Men Ski

      •Johnny Bochenek$14,200

      •Kyle Coxon  $9,500

      •Jesse Maddex$3,900

      •John Lange$2,600

       

      Men Snowboard

      •Chelone Miller$8,150

      •Lucas Dehmlow$2,900

      •Adam DeVargas$2,150

       

      Women Ski

      •Shannon Rahlves$6,750

      •Shelly Robertson$2,000

      •Hannah Jermstad$1,000

       

      Women Snowboard

      •Casey Lucas$2,550

      •Macy Price$1,100

      •Iris Lazzareschi$750

       

      For those who are curious about the tour’s name, Banzai is a Japanese term expressed as an exuberant cheer meaning, “Long Life!” or “Hurray!”  An apt name for a high-spirited downhill ski and snowboard competition, the Silver Belt Race first took place in the 1940s at Sugar Bowl Ski Resort and was re-introduced with the head-to-head action by Daron Rahlves and Sugar Bowl in 2009. The race continued with one event for another year, and then Rahlves decided to take the show on the road, officially launching Rahlves’ Banzai Tour and expanding to stops at four of Lake Tahoe's premier resorts.

      The Rahlves Banzai tour is presented by Bank of The West. The Rahlves Banzai Tour is also supported by sponsors such as Red Bull, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Contour, CEP “intelligent sportswear”, North Lake Tahoe Chamber/VCB/Resort Association, Spyder, Atomic, Start Haus Ski Shop, Wend Wax, COAL, SVE/BOSE, The Bar Effect, World Cup Supply, Jagermeister, Snow Fest, Sports Insurance, Technical Equipment Cleaners, Resort at Squaw Creek, ZINKA, 101.5 Truckee Tahoe Radio, Tahoe TV, POWDER Mag, High Fives Foundation and CRUX Events, thereby creating an alluring $80,000 prize purse. For more information, to check out previous race results, videos and to register, visit www.rahlvesbanzai.com. For up-to-the-minute news, “Like” The Rahlves’ Banzai Tour on Facebook and follow @RahlvesBanzai on Twitter & download the free Official Banzai App on your smart phone at banzai.genzplay.com

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  • Filming for The Co-Lab Filming for The Co-Lab

    • From: TetonGravityResearch
    • Description:

      Axel Peterson 

      Hailing from Bozeman, Montana, The Bridger Brigade’s Axel Peterson has been hard at work filming an edit for The Co-Lab. He and his crew have been hard at work skiing film worthy lines with speed and aggression for quite a while now and he thinks it’s his time to shine. TGR caught up with him on his attempt at $100,000 and The Co-Lab glory.

      TETON GRAVITY RESEARCH: What motivated you, besides the $100k, to enter The Co-Lab?

      Axel Peterson: I have been creating ski edits for four years now at a somewhat underground level, and I thought this competition would be a good way to get our name out there and see how we stack up against everyone else.  

      TGR: What do you think the most important aspect is, in a winning edit? (Music, Athlete, Location..etc.)

      AP: I think all play an important role in creating a quality and unique edit. Number one will be the athlete, not the 'Name', but rather the level of skiing.  A nice mix of burly lines and stomped tricks will make for the most enjoyable edit to watch.  Also, a mix of terrain such as pillows, gnarly lines, couloirs, natural features, etc. will be an important aspect for a winning edit.  I'm a big fan of using lesser known music rather than mainstream songs for an edit.  Personally, I love edits where I hear a song I've never heard.  A good song will be important in setting the mood, pace, and overall feel of the edit. 

      TGR: What’s the biggest obstacle you came across in creating your edit?

      AP: So far, the biggest obstacle has been timing.  On numerous occasions we have been hiking perfect pow lines in the sun, and by the time we reach the top it is socked in and puking snow.  So just getting unlucky with weather, and also me forgetting my memory cards for my camera (haha) have been the only issues that have cost us a few good shots.

      TGR: Who are you most excited to see enter the Contest?

      AP: Of course I'm stoked to see what the 'top dogs' come up with, but mostly I'm excited to see what the lesser know filmers and athletes create.  It's awesome when an unknown team blows everyone's mind. It is going to be a high level of competition, and I can't wait to see every edit that is entered!

      TGR: Who are you working with on the edit?

      AP:I've been skiing every day this season with Randy Evans. It's been super fun filming with Randy this year and watching him push himself.  He has really stepped it up this winter by stomping some technical lines and sweet tricks.  We already have a few quality shots in the bag so far, and we will be working hard through the end of May to produce an edit that hopefully stacks up with the other entries. Randy just won the 'Ticket to Tailgate' competition, so we are heading to AK next week to stack some more shots! I have also been filming a lot this season with Steve Popovich. I know he is planning on submitting an edit, and I can't wait to see what he comes up with.

       

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  • Interview: Ralph Backstrom Interview: Ralph Backstrom

    • From: TetonGravityResearch
    • Description:

      Ralph Backstrom Verbier
      Ralph Backtsrom is no stranger to the podium on the Freeride World Tour circuit. The overall title has eluded him till this year when he dropped into the infamous Bac de Rosses face with aggression and not only won the day, but the overall title as well. We caught up with him to get his take on his first ever world championship.

      TGR: Ralph, after a few years of near misses, you’re the FWT World Champ. Has that set in yet?  How does it feel?

      Ralph Backstrom: It's been a long road of near misses, and yes, it has set in.  I'm super stoked.

      TGR: You dropped first and wound up staying on top.  Tell me about your line choice. Also tell us how nerve-wracking  it was to be in the hot seat for the entire competition.

      RB: I knew I was going to be dropping first 2-3 days before the comp; just had a really strong feeling.  The only thing was that I thought the skiers were going to be going first.  When we heard that the snowboarders were going to go first, I knew I still had the 1st bib.  It can be a bit nerve wracking going first, but most riders in AK prefer to go first, right?  I had been in Verbier for 5 days or so before the comp and had picked a line out.  After 2 bad line choices/falls in the prior comps, I picked the first line that spoke to me when I saw the face.  Then, the night before the comp, I kept having these micro dreams/thoughts that parts of my line were too tight for the amount of slough that would be moving, and kept having trouble visualizing individual turns.  So I woke up super tired, and the fog didn't help me feel any more awake.  I definitely wasn't in a state to ride a technical line.  I changed my line minutes before I left the judges tent to start hiking to something less technical and less exposed.  It wasn't until I saw my score that I knew how good my run was.  I had flown passed some features I'd planned to hit, so thought I'd be easy to beat.  I definitely dodged some bullets sitting there at the bottom watching the others come down!

      TGR: You were in third coming into the finals at Verbier. How did that affect your decision-making when you were picking your line?

      RB: I try not to let stuff like overall points get into my head for decision making, so I just tried to pick something I knew I could stomp most of, with some bigger airs that were maybe questionable.

      TGR: What was going through your head when you dropped into the Bec?

      RB: I was so rushed before we dropped I didn't have time to think at all.  A couple riders and myself were talking to Nicolas Hale-Woods on speaker phone about contingency plans if the fog didn't clear.  It cleared right then, and he said, “forerunner in 2 minutes!”  After he dropped, the starter said, “Ralph Backstrom 2 minutes!  No, 1 minute!”  I even forgot to put on my backpack up there.

      TGR: The tour lasts all winter. What do you do to stay on your game when you aren’t competing?

      RB: I try to stay in shape, have a good time riding, and stay healthy.

      TGR: You’ve had some pretty awesome film segments. What drives you to compete in the Tour?

      RB: Competition lines and film lines are pretty similar, and doing either of them is good practice for the other.  I do think comp lines generally tend to be a little more difficult due to conditions, tracks, etc, and are therefore good preparation for filming.  It's a good way to travel the world with cool people too.

      TGR: What venue is your favorite one to compete at?

      RB: Revelstoke, Mack Daddy Face.

      TGR: After finally getting the overall title, are you planning on competing next year?

      RB: That's hard to say at this point.  The tour is great, but I think there are still a few things that could use some polishing, and you never know what other opportunities will come up...

      TGR: What are you going to do with the rest of your winter?

      RB: I'm in Laax right now for the GoPro Snow Camp, heading back to Tahoe in a few days for the Pain McShlonkey, then up to Alaska.

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  • Best of Xtreme Verbier - Freer Best of Xtreme Verbier - Freeride World Tour Finals

  • Waterville - Park and Pipe Ope Waterville - Park and Pipe Open Series 2013 - The North Face

    • From: thenorthface
    • Description:

      Highlights from the rail jam and big air competition at The North Face Park and Pipe Open Series at Waterville Valley Resort. Edit by Stept Productions and team athlete Nick Martini.

      Music:
      Black Rock Coming Soon
      The Black Eyed Keys

      Watch More Videos By The North Face

       

    • 2 months ago
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  • Kirkwood Competition Highlight Kirkwood Competition Highlights - Freeride World Tour TV

  • Skiing Taos IFSA Skiing Taos IFSA

    • From: zgskier
    • Description:
      Rider: Jud Hawk Filmed By: Jud Hawk My run in the IFSA regional competition, which I didn't do well but had a ton of fun shredding the pow!
    • 2 months ago
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  • Sam Anthamatten On Kirkwood - Sam Anthamatten On Kirkwood - Freeride World Tour TV

  • Chickering-Ayers, Paaso, Bell, Chickering-Ayers, Paaso, Bell, And Rozies Win FWT In Kirkwood

    • From: gregfitzsimmons
    • Description:


      Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face Kirkwood Venue
      3 Americans and 1 Frenchie take the top spots at the fourth stop of the FWT, TGR's Ryland Bell posts the highest score of the day.

      By Greg Fitzsimmons

      “Variable” was the word of the day at the fourth stop of the Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face at Kirkwood. Variable snow conditions underfoot made the challenging Cirque venue — the permanently closed terrain at Kirkwood — heavier than normal. There were a lot of high-speed crashes and tooth-rattling backslaps during the only stateside comp of the season. In the end, the winners of the male and female ski and snowboard fields displayed solid fundamentals en route to earning their titles.

      Mad River Glen’s Lars Chickering-Ayers took home the win in the men’s ski field, showing total control in the difficult conditions. Chickering-Ayers has found a home on big-mountain contest podiums in recent years, but he excelled on the variable snow in Kirkwood, linking a technical line in his typical full-throttle assault that fans of big-mountain competitive skiing have come to expect. Without any hesitation, Lars billy-goated through volcanic rock, pioneered a mandatory air into a chute, and laced clean GS-turns through the venue, making exposed and difficult terrain look fun.

      Lars Chickering-Ayers in Kirkwood
      “I wasn't really planning to win here,” said Chickering-Ayers. “I just came out to spend time with family and have fun. I have skied these types conditions in competition in the past and knew how to deal with them. The skiing was my favorite part of the day.”

      Chickering-Ayers was awarded a score of 75.33 to take the top spot at Kirkwood. The “Flying Frenchman” Julien Lopez and Kiwi FWT rookie Charlie Lyons rounded out the podium in second and third place, respectively.

      Women's Ski Podium at Kirkwood
      Tahoe local Jaclyn Paaso won on the women’s ski side with a score of 71.67. Paaso had a difficult first half of the season on the FWT, but skied a fluid line en route to winning the comp. The Squaw Valley female skier known for sending huge cliffs skied a smart comp line. Paaso stomped a cool air off the ridge over exposed rock, cleanly navigated a tight s-turn chute, and skied out of a bottom air on the venue to take the top spot in Kirkwood.

      “I have had a number of crashes this season and really needed a win. It feels great to come out on top,” said Paaso. “I took my run down a notch this time because I needed to stay on my feet. Making it to the finish line was the best part for me.”

      Paaso’s win made her the first female skier to dethrone Sweden’s Christine Hargin this year. Hargin was perfect so far on the FWT with wins in Revy and Cham (the women didn’t compete in Italy this year), but Hargin took a hard fall during her run in Kirkwood. Pia Nic Gunderson of Norway took second and the third place spot went to American Ashley Maxfield.

      Mens Snowboard Podium FWT Kirkwood
      Squaw Valley’s Ryland Bell parlayed a wildcard entry into a win in men’s snowboarding. Bell, one of the stars of the Further movies, spun a backside 360 off the ridge and a frontside 360 into a chute during his line. His score of 87.67 was the highest score awarded by the judges to any competitor throughout the day. American Sammy Luebke took second and Swiss rider Emilien Badoux rounded out the men’s snowboard podium.

      “This was my first win ever,” said Bell. “My stoke level is really high. I wanted to do tricks, try to flow, and have fun.”

      Women's Snowboard Podium Kirkwood
      After consecutive second-place finishes on the FWT, French rider Margot Rozies finally won in Kirkwood. Her consistent riding throughout the season meant that Rozies was the overall tour leader going into Kirkwood. After her fast and fluid winning line, Rozies has a firm grasp on the tour title with two stops left. Elodie Mouthon and Shannon Yates finished in second and third, respectively.

      Now, the Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face heads back to Europe for the last two comps of the year. Fieberbrunn, Austria is on-deck before all attention will focus on Verbier’s famed Bec de Rosses venue for the FWT finale.

      Overall Ski Men Standings

      1 Tabke, Drew     (USA) 6500.00
      2 Heitz, Jérémie (SUI) 6200.00
      3 Lopez, Julien (FRA) 5820.00
      4 Lyons, Charlie (NZL) 4900.00
      5 Barkered, Reine (SWE) 4595.00
      6 Studer, Fabio (AUT) 4340.00
      7 Gauthier, Laurent (CAN) 4180.00
      8 Eder, Markus (ITA) 4048.00
      9 Lindberg, Wille (SWE) 3900.00
      10 White-Allen, Oakley (USA) 3885.00
      11 Ducroz, Aurelien (FRA) 3685.00
      12 Guri, Kevin (FRA) 3470.00
      13 Post, Griffin (USA) 3445.00
      14 Chickering-Ayers, Lars (USA) 3395.00
      15 Collin, Sean (USA) 3070.00

      Overall Ski Women Standings

      1 Wallner, Nadine (AUT) 6025.00
      2 Gundersen, Pia Nic (NOR) 5980.00
      3 Hargin, Christine (SWE) 5975.00
      4 Maxfield, Ashley (USA) 4895.00
      5 Paaso, Jacklyn (USA) 4630.00
      6 Wright, Crystal (USA) 4265.00
      7 Slinning, Anne May (NOR) 4200.00
      8 Huber, Lorraine (AUT) 3255.00
      9 Segal, Natalie (AUS) 2955.00
      10 McMillan, Jess (USA) 2260.00

      Overall Snowboard Men Standings

      1 Backstrom, Ralph (USA) 6325.00
      2 Luebke, Sammy (USA) 5980.00
      3 Badoux, Emilien (SUI) 5585.00
      4 Guillot-Diat, Ludovic (FRA) 5290.00
      5 Routens, Aurelien (FRA) 5200.00
      6 Charlet, Jonathan (FRA) 4095.00
      7 Carlson, Tim (USA) 4060.00
      8 Rodosky, John (USA) 3870.00
      9 Orley, Flo (AUT) 3730.00
      10 Van Helfteren, Irian (NED) 3615.00
      11 Rizzuto, Jamie (CAN) 3220.00
      12 Rouge, Joel (SUI) 3215.00
      13 Annetts, Matt (USA) 2715.00
      14 Bell, Ryland (USA) 2500.00
      15 De Le Rue, Xavier (FRA) 2130.00

      Overall Snowboard Women Standings

      1 Rozies, Margot (FRA) 6900.00
      2 Mouthon, Elodie (FRA) 5805.00
      3 Dewey, Laura (USA) 5415.00
      4 Lucas, Casey (USA) 5400.00
      5 Yates, Shannan (USA) 4480.00
      6 Lazzareschi, Iris (USA) 4205.00
      7 Mouthon, Anouck (FRA) 4040.00
      8 Bock, Aline (GER) 3435.00

      Staying at Kirkwood is the way to go, sure beats driving from South Lake Tahoe.  Book your next Kirkwood vacation pacakge at: http://mountainreservations.com

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    • 3 months ago
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  • Daiek Defends His Title And Tu Daiek Defends His Title And Turf - Freeride World Tour TV

    • From: freerideworldtour
    • Description:

      2012 Freeskiing World Tour Champion Josh Daiek has had a rough season so far on the 2013 Freeride Word Tour. The competition on his home mountain, Kirkwood, gives him the opportunity to defend his title and improve his ranking.

      Watch More Freeride World Tour TV Videos

       

    • 3 months ago
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  • The Cirque - Go Pro Course Pre The Cirque - Go Pro Course Preview

  • Why You Should Ski In Afghanis Why You Should Ski In Afghanistan

    • From: kausarhussain
    • Description:

      Test st Review 8.JPG

      Afghanistan.

      Just the mention of the word sends images into the mind. Military units driving through deserts, windswept mud brick villages and broken arid urban landscapes. When I mention the possibility of going skiing in Afghanistan it can get some strange responses. Forget about the risk, the first question is, “Is there any snow?”

      Whilst it is true that much of Afghanistan is desert or semi-desert and that it hardly ever rains, it does snow. In the mountains it snows a lot. The snow is the lifeblood of Afghanistan. As it melts, it flows through the rivers that fill the canals that irrigate the fields.  A good snowfall ensures that the people of small rural communities will have a good harvest and can feed their families and livestock. A poor snowfall often leads to a drought and a famine. However, the snow in Afghanistan is both a blessing and a curse. Heavy snow cuts off villages in the mountain and every winter people freeze to death or are crushed by avalanches.

      Families wait for the snow to melt hoping to survive the winter until they can reap the reward that the snow will bring in the summer. For thousands of years there has been nothing for the people to do in the winter except wait for the Spring....until now.

      This winter young men from the villages of Kushkak, Jawzari, Ali Baig, and of the valleys of Qazan and Dukani and Foladi will pull on home made skis, crafted from wooden planks, with edges made from flattened tin cans and with poles snapped from a nearby tree. Some will be selected for training to represent their valley in a competition to see which valley can produce the best skier. They will be given modern ski gear to use. They’ll be taught how to ski, and they’ll receive basic training in first aid and avalanche awareness — skills they can take back to their village and potentially use to save lives.

      A handful of young men from Bamian, in Central Afghanistan have already begun guiding foreign skiers - both ex-pats from Kabul and visitors from around the world who are trickling into the region to try out Afghan skiing first hand.

      Test st Review 4.jpg

      So how did this happen?

      At the beginning of the winter of 2010 almost no-one had skied in the province of Bamian. The valley's chief claim to fame had been the giant Buddha statues carved into the cliffs overlooking the town of Bamian. Tragically the two statues – which were about 1400 years old – were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001 robbing the world of two of its most important ancient Buddhist relics, and robbing the people of Bamian of one of their key sources of tourist income. For Afghans, Bamian province was also well known for the lakes of Band e Amir  – a series of five lakes formed by natural travertine dams, that appear like a mirage in this high, arid landscape. In the summer Kabuli families come here to picnic and to escape the dust and heat.

      Bamian is also home to the Hazara people. The Hazaras are recognisable by their Mongoloid features. They’re Shia Muslims, unlike most Afghans, who are Sunni. In popular tradition they are reputed to be the remnants of the Mongol armies who came to the region with Genghis Khan. Historically they have been looked down upon by the ethnic Pushtuns and Tajiks who make up most of Afghanistan’s population. Some radical Sunnis — such as the Taliban — have seen them as heretics because of their Shia faith. Modern Afghanistan has always been ruled by Pushtun kings or Pushtun dominated governments who have tended to overlook the Hazaras. However, there have been important changes in Bamian since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. It is no Shangri-La —  there is little electricity, the province is one of the poorest in the country and by any standard it ranks as one of the least developed places on the planet. However, for the first time in decades there are signs of progress and positive change.

      Ten years ago, Bamian province had never had a hospital, a paved road, or a university. Now these all exist. There are still many problems, of course, but the Bamian valley is relatively secure and there is none of the anti-government fighting that plagues large parts of the rest of Afghanistan.

      An international development agency, the Aga Khan Foundation, saw the potential of promoting tourism in Bamian as a way of giving the people of the province an additional source of income. The Foundation has helped to develop guest houses, organise cultural festivals and provide information about the places of interest in and around Bamian.

      That’s fine in the summer when tourists come to the valley, but what about the winter, when guest houses lie empty? Well, the people of Bamian fall back on their timeless winter pastime of just surviving and waiting until the Spring.

      Test st Review 18.JPG

      But taking their cue from other mountainous developing countries it was clear that any winter income was better than none so the Aga Khan Foundation began the Ski Bamian programme. With no infrastructure or lifts, the idea was to make the Koh-e-Baba mountains a new destination for ski-touring.

      In 2010 two American skiers were employed for the winter to map out potential routes. They brought only their own equipment so the Afghans had to get creative if they too wanted to ski along with them. Anyone with a small knowledge of Afghan military history will tell you that not having state of the art equipment never stopped the Afghans with competing with foreign powers.  Skiing with no ski equipment was not an insurmountable problem. Strips of wood with battered oil tins for edges were formed - - so, the bazaar ski was born.

      It quickly became clear that the mountains of Bamian were perfect for skiing and in 2011 a foreign ski trainer arrived to train the first batch of Afghan ski guides. It was early in 2011 that Ali Shah met Nando the Italian ski trainer at his village of Khushkak. Ali Shah was fit, young and spoke good English. Nando asked him what he wanted to be?

      “An engineer” said Ali Shah.

      “Why you wanna be an engineer? In Kabul there are a thousand engineers. You shoulda be a mountain guide. It's the best job in the world. You spend your whole life in the mountains with beautiful women.”

      It may not have been a textbook interview but Ali Shah is now Afghanistan’s best ski guide and Nando's singular teaching style set the basis for the success of the project.

      Test st Review 2.jpg

      During 2011 and 2012 the annual Afghan Ski Challenge race (Rule number one — no weapons) was organised by a Swiss journalist and has became a focal point for the ski season (www.afghanskichallenge.com). With most Afghan Challengers having only one month’s ski training the Swiss organisers thought it an unfair challenge. They divided the race into Afghan and non-Afghan categories. The challenge is a classic ski touring route which includes skinning up as well as skiing down. They were right to divide the competition as most of the Afghans had finished before the foreigners had even got to the top.

      With donations from western organisations like gear4guides (www.gear4guides.com) there is now a well equipped ski rental shop in Bamian serving the local community and the ex-pat and international skiers that trickle in.

      My connection with skiing in Afghanistan began in 2009 when I bumped into a Scottish lad who worked for an Afghan aid agency. Ken was hiking with his girlfriend in the Wakhan region of Afghanistan in the far North East and I was leading a group of trekkers. The Wakhan region is the only other part of Afghanistan safe enough to consider these types of outdoor trips.

      He told me of a group of British and French skiers working in Afghanistan who regularly skied near Kabul in the winter and if I was serious about being an Afghan tour operator then I should be offering ski trips to Afghanistan. I said I'd join him on a trip that winter.

      On the first trip I made we took one of our regular drivers, Ali. For someone who has never skied it is quite hard to explain what we planned to do. Once we loaded up the poles and skis he had a rough idea of what we were up to and wanted to help. At the bottom of the Salang Pass, which crosses the spine of the Hindu Kush, Ali stopped at a small teahouse and ordered food for all of us. As any Afghan will tell you the best thing for breakfast if you are going to spend all day in the snow is Cow’s Foot. Boiled for hours, this gelatinous lump of bone, fat and gristle is never appealing to non Afghans and the French skiers particularly do not like it. We made a quick note that for the commercial trips, we wouldn’t let the drivers choose the dining options.

      But it was then that I saw how skiing was something that really appealed to all the Afghans who saw it. Standing next to Ali as we watched Ken fly down the slopes, he was awestruck. “He is a Djinn,” was Ali's response. Hazaras believe there are mountain spirits and clearly Ken was one.

      In the tea house where we stopped on the way back, Ali regaled the owners with the tale of Ken's exploits. Ken was described as a Djinn and I as a Boz (a goat). I hoped it was a way to describe my sure footedness in the mountains but I think it was more to do with my erratic skiing style.

      In keeping with Afghan tradition, the story was heavily exaggerated but it started a long discussion about skiing, mountains, snow conditions, avalanches and Afghanistan’s future.

      It was not only Ali who became a convert. I realised that, Cow’s Foot aside, this was an awesome way to experience Afghanistan in the winter. Skiing was something that was very foreign but the snow and the mountains was a common factor that could bring people together as it had done in that tea house. I also thought Bamian could be the perfect place for skiing.

      Test st Review 19.JPG

      It has not always been smooth. A few elders in one or two villages are suspicious about the skiing fuss. They worry the young men will hurt themselves – preventing them from doing the hard farming work - or that skiing will be the thin end of the wedge and they'll get caught up in other foreign un-Islamic ways. This generally does not stop the young boys from hiking up the hills and skiing. “The only say it is bad because they don't know how to ski,” said one boy from Jawzari village.

      All the trailheads start from the villages and we have a code of conduct to help ensure that skiers behave properly. The Aga Khan programme representatives have discussed the skiing idea with all the local villages. We pay our respects to the village leaders and maybe take a cup of tea. There are many ways in which thoughtless skiers can cause offence, generally to do with women. In a country where the majority of people are illiterate and there is very limited access to the media, in these isolated rural communities, rumour is often taken as fact. If someone tells a man that the foreigners took a photo of his wife and put it on display in Kabul he will probably believe it. So Rule Number One is – Don’t take pictures of the women. Ever.

      Cultural sensitivity is key to the future of skiing in Afghanistan.
       
      When guiding a group of snowboarders last winter we spent a good hour discussing with the headman of one village what we wanted to do in their valley. The snowboarders were professional and were heading to a steep area that had not been ridden, so the villagers were suspicious. It took a great deal of persuasion until he agreed and let us pass around his village.

      As we walked around the village we were watched closely by the men on the rooftops, with no smiles or handshakes. We travelled far up the valley and soon the snowboarders were making jumps from the top of large cliffs. On the second attempt one of them failed to make his landing and crashed in a huge cloud of snow. Suddenly huge cheers rang out from the village below. All the village stood watching on the house rooftops. They liked all the action, but they liked the crashes best of all.

      On the way back down there was still staring and silence but we knew the ice had been broken.

      We went back to that area for three days and by the end we were inside drinking tea and joking with the local people.

      The key to a successful trip is that the Afghan villagers have  a positive experience as well as the visiting skiers.

      Test st Review 12.jpg

      Afghanistan has always presented a contrast of lifestyles. An abiding memory of my first visit back after years away was of an old man and a young boy herding sheep down an unmade road. With his turban and billowing shalwar-kameez — a long, loose shirt and trousers, the man looked almost Biblical. A closer inspection revealed that his son was wearing a Megadeath t-shirt (presumably a charitable donation). The road they were walking along had a traffic calming feature – a half buried tank caterpillar track to stop cars speeding through the village. Introducing skiing to a small valley in the Hindu Kush seems to build on such contrasts.

      A typical night is spent in rooms heated by wood fire stoves called Bukharis. These are very efficient heaters. You fill them to the maximum before bedtime. It might be -25C outside but we would be sitting in our rooms in shorts and a t-shirt. As the night passes and the fire burns out the temperature plummets in the room and at dawn we'll be inside sleeping bags and the glass of water by the bed will have a layer of ice.

      Breakfast could be eggs or pancakes. Where we stay, the cook was trained at a US agency guesthouse. He knows exactly what hungry Westerners like to eat. Recently married, he returned to Bamian from working in Helmand province. The wages are much lower in Bamian but it is safer. In Helmand he always had to carry his ID card to get into the compound. However, if the Taliban stopped him and found this ID card he would be killed.

      On a very cold night the diesel will freeze in the vehicles used to take us to the mountains. We'll drink tea whilst a fire is built under the engine to defrost it, and perhaps watch the daily UN helicopter coming in to land at the Bamian military base, managed by the New Zealand army.
       
      Once in the villages at the top of the valleys, when we start to skin up we'll be invited in for tea by the village elders. Depending on the weather we'll either accept or continue uphill to make the most of the snow. I'll remind people that they should always remove their shoes when entering a house, never speak directly to the women -– and above all, no matter how serious their latest case of Kabul Belly, NEVER to fart in a room with their Afghan hosts. This is perhaps the greatest social faux pas of all.

      Often we'll be joined for all or part of the day by the local youths on their home-made skis. Making light work of skinning up and paying little or no attention to our avalanche warnings. they just laugh – “Inshallah” – if God wills it

      There is not much to do in the evenings. Alcohol is forbidden, but there is plenty of hearty traditional Afghan food and drink - kebabs, rice and hot drinks. With alcohol forbidden, we like to call this the Apres- tea scene.

      Skiing will not solve all the problems in Afghanistan. It won't solve the problems of Bamian but in a few small valleys in the Hindu Kush they are making a small positive impact to a handful of people and that is something worthwhile.

      Interested in traveling to Afghanistan, be smart and read up first.  Amazon.com has some grea books on travel and history throughout Afghanistan.


      •    Kausar Hussain is a guide and operations manager for Untamed Borders and arranges ski trips to Bamian every year. http://www.untamedborders.com www.facebook.com/untamedborders


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  • Dropping In: 6 Questions With Dropping In: 6 Questions With Steve Jones On The Co-Lab

    • From: TetonGravityResearch
    • Description:

      Teton Gravity Research has been organizing The Co-Lab $100,000 freeskiing video project for years. Since announcing the contest to the public last May, there have been many questions as to how it will work.

      We sat down with TGR co-founder Steve Jones to talk about The Co-Lab.

      The Co-Lab

      1) There is a lot of talk about The Co-Lab $100,000 freeskiing video contest. When the day comes to unveil the videos to the world, what do you hope to see?

      Steve Jones: I have been hearing lots of background talk from undiscovered skiers, to pros working on segments.  I think this thing could go any number of ways.  Some guys are working on all park style skiing, some guys on more urban-centric edits, and some guys on more of a freeride type of a vibe.  With the way people have evolved their skiing, I think we will see a lot of diverse edits that include lots of different styles of skiing.  In terms of participants, from what I am hearing about on the street, this $100,000 could go to anyone.

      2) What do you think will make a successful edit for The Co-Lab?

      Steve Jones: I think some people think they need helicopters and all kinds of hi-tech camera equipment to win.  That is not the case.  I think it will come down to the most innovative riding combined with the most innovative editing.  Creativity, aggressiveness, style, resourcefulness will all play a big part. 

      Another cool thing is that if you don't win the grand prize we are going to be announcing some sub-category awards as well.  We are still defining those but things like, “Best foot-powered edit,” “Best Trick,” “Rowdiest Line,” “Most Innovative/Creative” are some of the ideas being thrown around.  These are not final yet, but you get the idea. We are hoping to have a much smaller cash component to award for these sub-categories.  Again, still in the works but hopefully can release some sub-categories soon.

      3) If the edits are voted on by the people, how will the voting work? How will you prevent shenanigans?

      Steve Jones: The people are only allowed to vote in the top 18 segments.  Then there are three wildcards chosen by an outside panel of industry experts.  Once the public has voted and the final 21 segments are locked, voting is closed to only those final 21 athletes to decide the ultimate winner.

      4) What do you hope the final video for The Co-Lab to be?

      Steve Jones: The final compilation film will be made up of the top 12 segments.  From what I am hearing in the rumor mill and knowing some of the contestants, the final compilation will be a mix of undiscovered rippers and a variety of some of the industry's top pros.  It's kind of cool because we expect to see guys from different film companies, competition backgrounds, local heroes, etc. mixed together into one final movie of their own personal edits.  This is anyone's chance and it should be a colorful group of people.  I think we are going to see some major surprises.

      5) Will there be a movie tour for The Co-Lab movie?

      Steve Jones: The Co-Lab will be distributed via iTunes and various other distribution platforms.  We don't own the footage but we do retain the rights to distribute.  There will be a ton of exposure for the people in this movie.  We are considering showing CoLab at some of our bigger movie tour stops, as a lead in to our annual film.  At very least we will be showing the winner's segment at all of the film tour venues as a preview.  We will also distribute to film festivals and probably some TV coverage as well.

      6) Do you guys really have $100,000?

      Steve Jones: Yes we do, and somebody is going to be very happy.

      --------

      So, are you in? We want to hear your Co-Lab story. Send us an email to CoLab@tetongravity.com for a chance to be featured on this site.

      Use the hash tag #TGRcolab

      Go To The Co-Lab Contest Page

      Get The Co-Lab Overview

      See The Co-Lab Schedule

      Read The Official Rules

      Read The Frequently Asked Questions

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  • Kirkwood Stop Season Preview - Kirkwood Stop Season Preview - Freeride World Tour TV

    • From: freerideworldtour
    • Description:

      Turning the halfway point of the Freeride World Tour 2013 season, the tension is heating up between top riders from around the world. Who will emerge after the next competition Feb. 27 at Kirkwood Mountain Resort, USA? Most importantly, who will be crowned champion of the first ever truly unified Freeride World Tour?

      Watch More Freeride World Tour TV Videos

       

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  • Masters of Snowboarding Squaw Masters of Snowboarding Squaw Valley Highlights 2013 - The North Face

    • From: thenorthface
    • Description:

      The 4-star competition of The North Face Masters of Snowboarding presented by PrimaLoft was a pleasure for spectators with dynamic and creative lines abound in spring break weather. Ruari MacFarlane out of Mount Olympus, New Zealand and Squaw Valley local Iris Lazzareschi were crowned Masters Champions of a highly competitive field consisting of 16 females and 53 men.

      Athletes Featured: Rosemarie Daiek, Christopher Galvin, Marissa Krawczak, Casey Lucas, Colin Boyd, Moss Halladay, Hans Mindich, Ryan Hudson, Sammy Luebke, Irish Lazzareschi and Ruari McFarlane.

      Music credit: “What you know” by Hot Noize

      Watch More Videos By The North Face

       

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  • Sochi Olympic Test Event First Sochi Olympic Test Event First Impression - Atomic Airtime

    • From: atomicsnow
    • Description:

      In a few days time, Rosa Khutor, the host mountain for all alpine events of the 2014 Sochi Olympics will bear witness to its first ever freeskiing halfpipe competition, the FIS World Cup. Far from being prepared, Sochi and the surrounding area is a 24 hour construction zone. Check out this bizarre place and catch the first couple runs of pipe practice with Beau-James Wells, Jossi Wells, Byron Wells, Mike Riddle and Gus Kenworthy.

      Watch More Atomic Videos

       

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  • News: Team Europe Takes Top Ho News: Team Europe Takes Top Honors At Swatch Skiers Cup 2013 In Zermatt

    • From: TetonGravityResearch
    • Description:

      Skiers Cup
      Zermatt, Switzerland - Team Europe took the SWATCH SKIERS CUP trophy back from defending champions Team Americas today, with a masterful team performance on the Backcountry Slopestyle course. Today’s 10 – 6 win follows their victory on Big Mountain Freeride day, making Team Europe the event champions with a final score of 21 – 11.
       
      A crisp, sunny day greeted spectators and competitors as they emerged from Zermatt’s spectacular Gornergrat Bahn ski train. Riders found the competition face in perfect condition, with 20cm of untouched powder blanketing the venue. The top section of the course featured steep, freeride-style terrain, while the middle and lower sections were filled with hand-sculpted jumps, with the riders taking full advantage of the variety of possible lines and airs.
       
      Team Europe’s Fabio Studer (AUT) had the standout run of the day, entering the course with a switch cork 540 (taking off backwards with one and a half off-axis rotations) off the ridge, drawing cheers from the large crowd as he flashed effortlessly through a hidden couloir, before finishing with a flawless cork 720.
       
      Sverre Liliequist (SWE) kept his momentum from Big Mountain day going with a creative double cliff drop to backflip and a huge double front flip attempt. “Even though Slopestyle isn’t my strength, it doesn’t make me nervous to give it my best try. I know I’m stretching my abilities super far, but the features are very safe and the vibe here is so encouraging that it creates the perfect environment to push your comfort level,” said Liliequist.
       
      Team Americas laid down standout performances as well. Rory Bushfield (CAN) skied an extra run to replace the injured Tim Dutton (USA), nailing all three of his super technical, stylish lines. The last competitor of the day, Charlie Ager (CAN), nearly pulled off a switch landing on his cork 900 in the deep powder of the final jump.

      Skiers Cup Booter
      The successful week in Zermatt points to a bright future for the SWATCH SKIERS CUP. “Bringing together 16 of the best riders in Big Mountain and Backcountry Slopestyle has proved to be a winning combination and I’m pleased to be able to announce today that the event will go on. Thanks to our key partner SWATCH, we’re looking forward for the next two editions which are confirmed,” said head event organizers Nicolas Hale-Woods.
       
      The two captains for the 2014 SWATCH SKIERS CUP have just been confirmed, with legendary riders Julien Regnier (FRA) to lead Team Europe, and JP Auclair (CAN) to head Team Americas. Look for the host resort of the next edition to be announced soon on www.swatchskierscup.com.
       
      Today's Quotes:

      “For my second run, I knew we were out of reach of getting the trophy, with no mathematical way to win. So at that point I told the boys to just go have fun, and for myself, I decided to give this crowd a show and go for my double cork 1080. The rotation was right on but I just went a little, ok, a lot too big. But it was just so much fun.
      After that epic Big Mountain day, and then to top it off with today? I mean, it was honestly one of the greatest contests I’ve ever seen.” Cody Townsend (USA) – Team Americas Captain
       
      “We deal with huge challenges to make this event happen. Putting in tons of work on the jumps, and the safety protocols, and judging, and then hoping mother nature cooperates. It’s a job, but I love it, and wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.”
      Julien Regnier (FRA), jump shaper and judge.

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  • Inside The Jib Factory Inside The Jib Factory

    • From: sethlightcap
    • Description:

      Snow Park Technologies

      X Games terrain park builders Snow Park Technologies to star in reality TV show on National Geographic Channel.

      Story and Photos By Seth Lightcap

      Reality TV has shown us dirty jobs, dangerous jobs and of course, ‘only in Nevada’ jobs (see Cathouse). But for once, you’re late night channel surfing is about to drop you into the boots of a talented crew doing a really freakin’ cool job.

      Ever wonder what it takes to build an X Games halfpipe or design a super-human sized slopestyle feature? You’re about to find out as the exploits of Snow Park Technologies, the rockstar terrain park builders tasked with creating the X Games courses and signature resort terrain parks at Sun Valley, Northstar and Vail, will be featured in a reality TV show on the National Geographic Channel. The eight-episode series, called ‘Mountain Movers’, will air in late-spring 2013.

      Snow Park Technologies (SPT) was founded on the sunny So-Cal slopes of Snow Summit Resort in 1997 by then Snow Summit terrain park director Chris ‘Gunny’ Gunnarson. Gunnarson’s offshoot terrain park consulting business has since grown to become the world’s foremost designer and builder of resort terrain parks, competition courses and signature park features. SPT is known for it’s exacting logistical expertise and innovative production abilities having built every Winter X Games course there’s ever been, as well as next-level park features like the cubed halfpipe that SPT created for Red Bull and Simon Dumont at Squaw Valley in 2011.

      The talents of SPT’s crew of cat drivers and jib builders attracted the attention of NatGeo Channel who are currently filming SPT’s operations as they criss-cross the globe building halfpipes and terrain parks. The show will offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse at SPT’s unique construction efforts, said Gunnarson.

      “‘Mountain Movers’ will tell the story about the design and construction efforts that go into the work we do at SPT, and the different conditions and environments we deal with along the way,” said Gunnarson. “The idea is that each episode will follow one project from start to finish — from initial design and planning through the execution of the project on site.”

      Chris Gunny Gunnarson

      Armed with a no-nonsense, get-it-done-right attitude, Gunnarson will take a lead role in the TV series as the show chronicles the SPT president’s moves leading the company.

      The Jib Factory

      The Jib Factory 2

      Beyond strictly on-snow, on-location scenes, Mountain Movers will showcase SPT’s new Jib Factory, a cavernous office/production facility in Verdi, Nevada where they design terrain park layouts and build the rails and wallrides. SPT’s drive to bang out on-time construction, delivery and installation of such features will be a focal point of the show. This massive 40x30 foot wallride (the biggest SPT has ever built) was constructed early-January in the Jib Factory for the 2013 Winter-X Snowboard Street course.

      Tyrone Coyne

      Tyrone Coyne 2

      Snow Park Technologies’ lead fabricator Tyrone Coyne is arguably the king of terrain park rail and jib building. Coyne built the world’s first “fun box” (a slide-able park feature with lexan plastic on top of it) when he was working at Snow Summit Resort in the late ’90s and has been designing and crafting signature terrain park features for SPT ever since. With a masterful eye for jib design and a steady hand with a welding torch, Coyne is the shop supervisor of SPT’s Jib Factory. Get ready for some heavy metal moments as the NatGeo cameras capture Coyne in action building monster features.

      Corley Howard

      Laying down corduroy in a snowcat may not sound that riveting, but sculpting jumps and halfpipes should present some interesting angles on some serious cat-time. SPT Project Manager, Corley Howard (shown here), and the legendary halfpipe cutter and SPT Business Director Frank Wells will be two of the cat drivers featured.

      Prinoth Bison X

      “The weapon of choice is the Prinoth Bison X,” said Howard, talking about the best snowcat for building terrain parks. The Italian-made Bison X is a terrain park-specific snowcat equipped with special features that allows them to push snow more efficiently than a standard grooming cat that’s designed to go faster up and down ski runs. SPT has its own custom-wrapped Bison X that will star in the TV show and snowcat snafus will be a likely source of tension in the story line.

      Google Sketch-Up

      Google Sketch-Up

      SPT uses a software program called Google Sketch-Up to create 3D renderings of what a terrain park feature will look like on the mountain before it’s built. These drawings allow SPT to precisely present its suggested park layouts to resort and event management. The dimensions of the drawings can be used to determine the amount of steel needed to build a rail or the water volume needed to make enough snow to build a jump or halfpipe. These drawings depict a new jump line at SPT partner resort Alpine Meadows.

      Sean Picard and Erik Jakobsen

      Sean Picard and Erik Jakobsen SPT

      Nobody builds bigger, badder jibs than SPT. Inside the Jib Factory, SPT fabricators Sean Picard and Erik Jakobsen prepare a couple gargantuan rails for primetime. Two of these rail segments came together to form the ‘Bat-wing’ rail featured in the 2013 Winter X slopestyle course.

      Look out for more info on ‘Mountain Movers’ including scheduled air dates at snowparktech.com.

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