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Aspen Obscene Aspen Obscene

From: TetonGravityResearch
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Photos: Digi Dave

Nobody is concerned that Than is missing. We haven’t been in Aspen for 12 hours, and we’re already a man down. Breakfast at Aspen’s Jour de Fete is just too damn good. The genuine Frenchman in charge of whipping up espresso drinks and croissant concoctions could make me forget my grandmother going missing in Chicago’s Southside with a bag full of cash and a slow pace. The sun is shining, and Than’s empty seat at the table makes it easy for us to spread out—keeping our hangovers from combining into the perfect storm… For now.

The plan was simple enough—get to Aspen for the extra bonus closing at Highlands. Late winter in the Southern Rockies is making up for a lackluster early season. Colorado’s inbounds terrain is the best it’s been all year, and the lifts at Jackson Hole hadn’t been spinning for nearly a month.

Aspen, contrary to the Bogner and Bentley façade, is a dirtbag’s delight. So, to get in touch with Aspen’s seedier side, Than, Cook, and myself jumped into a car and decided to see for ourselves.

We arrive late Friday night after a whirlwind of snus tins and malt beverages. The Limelight hotel is surprisingly cheap during the off-season and their breakfast is way above average. They also allow dogs, so pick up a puppy on the way over as a conversation starter.

After stocking the fridge and then promptly trying to empty it, we wander over to Little Annie’s. Seventeen dollars later we have a pitcher of Budweiser and five shots of Early Times whiskey. Repeat. Repeat. Everything begins to taste like band-aid and herpes. Repeat. Two repeats later and I’m drinking out of a shoe.

By the time breakfast rolls around, Than is missing. We’re not worried. You will meet the girl/guy of your dreams in Aspen. It’s what happens when the entire population of the town, and all of its visitors are there for the soul purpose of having fun. You might even throw up on said dream girl’s porch. Than shows up as we wrap up our meal with a smirk.

After a few more breakfast beers, it’s ski time. We arrive greeted by none other than Klaus Obermeyer. He yodels for us and announces the skiing is “Eleven out of ten!”

He’s right. All of Aspen Highlands’ 3,635 vertical feet have achieved a miraculously good corn cycle and the snow is nothing short of heroic. Snow fuels celebration, which in turn fuels skiing. Somehow we don’t get removed from the ski area, the bus ride home, or the hotel.

As Aspen becomes a blur of laughter, empty glasses, and haphazard street crossings, I start learning all sorts of lessons. The most important ones are these:

1.Tables comprised of the same sex are always looking for trouble.

2.Colorado’s new views on certain controlled substances don’t suck.

3.Getting forcibly removed from the staff bathroom at Escobar with a new friend is totally worth it.

4.If you’re trying to get away with skinny-dipping after-hours, claim that you’re a lifeguard.

5.If all else fails, go to New York Pizza. If everything is failing, you probably need to eat anyways.

Suddenly the sun is out again and we’re hiking up to the top of Highlands Bowl for the last run of the season. A crowd of locals is gathered to take in the Maroon Bells, sip champagne, and shred the shit out of an incredible late season snowpack one last time. For all the glamour associated with Aspen, the group taking the season’s last run down the bowl shows none of it. It’s just skiers and smiles. Every turn puts us further from the season. Despite the fact that I haven’t slept in two days the snow is so good and the runs are so steep I have one of my best runs of the season.

I slide sideways into the base area in a spray of snow, thoroughly used up, totally worn out. Ski season—what a ride.
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3 weeks ago
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Interview: Ralph Backstrom Interview: Ralph Backstrom

From: TetonGravityResearch
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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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2 months ago
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Chickering-Ayers, Paaso, Bell, Chickering-Ayers, Paaso, Bell, And Rozies Win FWT In Kirkwood

From: gregfitzsimmons
Description:

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.

“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.

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.

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.”

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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Kirkwood Hosts Stop No. 4 Of F Kirkwood Hosts Stop No. 4 Of Freeride World Tour

From: gregfitzsimmons
Description:

CLICK HERE to watch today’s event live. The action gets underway at 9 a.m. PST as the ski women drop in.

The FWT comes stateside to kickoff the second half of the season

By Greg Fitzsimmons

The fourth stop of the newly unified Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face goes down stateside today at Kirkwood Mountain Resort. We’re halfway through the FWT, with stops in Revelstoke, Courmayeur, and Chamonix in the rearview mirror, and Fieberbrunn and Verbier coming up after the sole comp of the season in the United States.

Today’s action will take place on Kirkwood’s famed Cirque, a permanently closed rock-littered zone that introduces a new type of terrain into the FWT mix this season. The Cirque is almost 1,500 vertical feet of exposed terrain, with tight chutes, big cliffs, scattered trees, and open bowls for arching turns. Unlike Mac Face in Revy and the venues on the Italian and French sides of the Mont Blanc, Kirkwood’s Cirque is a wide, venue with a mix of steep aspects and bench-like sections that will require some navigation from the competitors if they’re going to ski the Cirque fluidly from top to bottom.

Per usual, the athletes are working off of a visual inspection only, and the consensus is divided amongst athletes. Fall-line chargers will be tasked with finding terrain that suits their style, while freestyle jibbers might have an advantage with the abundance of natural features that are primed for a playful approach.

“The Cirque at Kirkwood is a powerful place in the history of freeride, and I take riding it very seriously. It’s a pretty big face, so solid runs definitely have to be high speed and powerful so you don't spend multiple minutes up there,” said current tour leader Drew Tabke. “But there are lots of airs with good takeoffs and steep landings, so there is definitely a place for freestyle as well.”

Tabke’s blend of full-tilt and playful charging has earned him the overall tear leader spot going into the fourth stop of the FWT. With wins in Revelstoke and Chamonix, Tabke’s approach has been rewarded so far on the tour, and rightly so.

Other athletes, like last year’s overall FWT Champion Reine Barkered, aren’t super psyched on the Cirque’s prospects. “I don’t believe [the venue] suits me that well,” said Sweden’s Barkered. “On the top part you can go pretty fast, but in the middle and bottom sections you will have to slow down since there are a lot of airs to flat landings. I like to send my cliffs with speed so it might be better for the more freestyle influenced riding as there are a few transfers and kickers.”

It’s ladies first on the venue today, with the ski women kicking things off. There was a storm last week that dropped a few inches of fresh snow on the venue, but temps have gotten warm the last few days and there’s a spring break vibe in the Sierra Nevadas.

“The venue is in rough shape, but still has a ton of fun potential,” said Jackson Hole’s Crystal Wright, who has had solid showings in Kirkwood in the past. “I am looking at the same line as last year but hoping to ski it better if I can. It is fast and fluid and it makes me happy! [That line] is the only thing that is jumping out at me when I look at the venue.”

With Kirkwood’s Cirque possibly favoring a more playful approach to skiing and riding, there are a few names in the start list to take note of. Last year’s North American-based Freeskiing World Tour Champion Josh Diaek is a longtime Kirkwood local, and Diaek has won the last two comps on his home turf. Look for Diaek to blast a fast, creative line through the Cirque that mixes trickery with fall-line skiing. If big-mountain jibbing is the predicted approach for Kirkwood, Euros Fabio Studer and Markus Eder and Americans Johnny Collinson and Colter Hinchliffe are names to watch, too. But, don’t sleep on Tabke, Barkered, Oakley White-Allen, and Jérémie Heitz—who is sitting in second place overall behind Tabke—to put on full-throttle show.

On the women’s ski side, Sweden’s Christine Hargin is riding a lot of momentum into today’s comp after sweeping the first two stops of the FWT in Revy and Cham. Jess McMillan and Crystal Wright, both from Jackson Hole, have a lot of experience on the Cirque and are due for strong showings.

Save Big on Kirkwood Mountain Resort discount lift tickets through Liftopia.com

The men’s snowboard field should be interesting to watch as Squaw Valley’s Ralph Backstrom will don the yellow bib, which denotes the overall tour leader. Another Squaw rider, Ryland Bell, who has been sending it on Jeremy Jones’s Further project, will slide into the FWT start gate for the first time this season. Frenchmen Jonathan Charlet got his 2013 season going in the right direction with a win in Chamonix, and Sammy Luebke always brings a fresh approach to riding; both will be throwing down in Kirkwood.

Tahoe locals Casey Lucas (from Kirkwood) and Iris Lazzareschi (from Squaw) will be looking to represent in front of their hometown fans as they take on overall tour leader Margot Rozies, Snowbird’s Laura Dewey, and the rest of the snowboard women field.

Some competitors are in good shape going into the Kirkwood stop of the Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face. Tabke and Hargin sit atop the men’s and women’s ski fields thanks to two wins by each athlete so far this year. Ralph Backstrom has ridden consistently en route to being the tour leader of the snowboard men at the halfway point of the FTW, and French rider Margot Rozies is on top of snowboard women after her win in front of her home crowd in Chamonix.

Other competitors are feeling the pressure, however. There are no guaranteed spots for the final in Verbier, and everyone is vying for a bib to compete on the renowned Bec de Roses venue in Switzerland. So, look for a high level of skiing and riding today in Kirkwood, and at the subsequent stop in Fieberbrunn, Austria in early March, as competitors are working to solidify invites to Verbier.

CLICK HERE to watch today’s event live. The action gets underway at 9 a.m. PST as the ski women drop in.
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3 months ago
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Tabke, Charlet, Hargin, Dewey Tabke, Charlet, Hargin, Dewey Win FWT Stop No. 3 In Chamonix

From: gregfitzsimmons
Description:

The venue for the Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face in Chamonix, France.

The third stop of the Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face took place in Chamonix, France last weekend. The field of men made the short trip to the French side of the Mont Blanc after the second stop in Courmayeur, Italy, and the female competitors met for the second time this season after competing on “Mac Daddy” in Revelstoke, Canada.

Drew Tabke airs into his line. Photo by D. Daher.

The North Face of the Aiguille Pourrie served as the venue for the comp. From the start gate at 2,400-meters, athletes had a handful of options to lace together a line that fit their style of skiing. A lot of the ski men opted for the ridge run skier’s right out of the start gate. With a big natural air on the ridge and playful hips or techy chutes lower down, the skier’s right side of the venue saw a lot of traffic. Directly falline of the start gate was an exposed and high-consequence zone of pepper, tight skiing, and the biggest air on the venue—that Canadian Laurent Gauthier dropped, found a perfect tranny, put the 50-plus footer to the bolts, and earned a top-ten spot for his efforts. And, if competitor’s ventured a little skier’s left and then fallline from the start gate they got to boost a large entry-air cornice and then have their choice of hips, chutes, and side-airs to play with.

Men's ski podium: 1. Drew Tabke (USA) 91.67 2. Fabio Studer (AUT) 87.00 3. Willie Lindberg (SWE) 84.33. Photo by Jeremy Bernard.

In the end, the winning line was hidden in left side over the venue, and it took Drew Tabke to find it and stomp it. Tabke, now the overall tour leader halfway through the season, linked a creative line from the top entry air via the cornice, finding a lofty natural hip that sent him about 60 feet into a chute, and then capping the run off with a sleepy three on the bottom portion of the venue. Tabke’s creativity and blend of big-mountain charging and trickery was rewarded by the judges with a score of 91.67, the highest score dolled out to any competitor on the day.

In second place, Austrian Fabio Studer opted for the ridge on the skier’s right ridge. Studer put on a clinic stomping a hand-drag 360 off of the large natural air on the ridge then unleashing a cork 720 into an exposed section, and drawing aggressive fallline turns through the gnar. And, in third place, Sweden’s Willie Lindberg took the right-hand approach. Lindberg’s high-speed, full-throttle line included a large air into the lower chute, and then finding a keyhole exit into the Cham chunder fields.

Men’s Snowboard podium: (Top 10) 1. Jonathan Charlet (FRA) 90.33 2. Ralph Backstrom (USA) 88.00 3. Sammy Luebke (USA) 76.33. Photo by Jeremy Bernard.

Jonathan Charlet. Photo by Phillip Field.

Ralph Backstrom in Chamonix. Photo by D. Daher.

On the men’s snowboard side, French rider and 2012 FWT Overall Snowboard Champ Jonathan Charlet took the win in front of his home country’s fans. Charlet blasted two features up top, found pow on a ramp rider’s right, and exited off the ramp with a big air on the bottom. TGR’s own Ralph Backstrom came in second place, landing on the podium again after winning the Revy comp, and earning the overall leader position going into the fourth stop of the season. And, Sammy Luebke snagged the third spot on the podium for men’s snowboard.

Women’s Ski podium: 1. Christine Hargin (SWE) 80.00 2. Nadine Wallner (AUT) 72.33 3. Pia Nic Gunderson (NOR) 70.67. Photo by Jeremy Bernard.

Overall 2012 Champion Christine Hargin, of Ramundberget, Sweden, is putting together a serious bid for a repeat as World Champ after winning in the ski women’s comp in Cham. Hargin’s score of an even 80 was almost eight points higher than runner-up Nadine Wallner, of Austria, who scored a 72.33 to take second. Hargin’s back-to-back wins in Revy and Chamonix were done in similar fashion: strong, fast, athletic, and aggressive. Norway’s Pia Nic Gunderson came in third.

Women’s Snowboard podium: 1. Laura Dewey (USA) 70.00 2. Margot Rozies (FRA) 69.00 3. Aline Bock (GER) 57.33. Photo by Jeremy Bernard.

And, Snowbird’s Laura Dewey battled through a string of bad luck traveling—Dewey arrived in Chamonix less than 24 hours before dropping in to compete on borrowed gear because of lost luggage—to earn the victory in women’s snowboard. French rider Margot Rozies took second, the same result she had in Revy. Rozies’s consistent presence on the podium so far means she’s the current tour leader after two stops. And, in third place was German rider Aline Bock.

After two big-mountain comps on the Italian and French sides of the Month Blanc that were as good as it gets, the FWT says “au revoir” to the Alps. The next stop will be stateside at Kirkwood Mountain Resort and is scheduled to go down February 27 in Kirkwood’s famed Cirque. Drew Tabke and Christine Hargin, Ralph Backstrom and Margot Rozies will be bedecked in the yellow bibs that denote the current overall tour leaders when the action gets going again in Kirkwood.

Stay tuned for more FWT coverage.

Men’s Ski Results (Top 10)
1. Drew Tabke (USA) 91.67
2. Fabio Studer (AUT) 87.00
3. Willie Lindberg (SWE) 84.33
4. Reine Barkered (SWE) 83.33
5. Julien Lopez (FRA) 82.67
6. Oakley White-Allen (USA) 81.00
7. Jérémie Heitz (SUI) 73.00
8. Charlie Lyons (NZL) 72.67
9. Laurent Gauthier (CAN) 71.33
10. Samuel Anthamatten (SUI) 69.67

Men’s Snowboard Results (Top 10)
1. Jonathan Charlet (FRA) 90.33
2. Ralph Backstrom (USA) 88.00
3. Sammy Luebke (USA) 76.33
4. Irian Van Helfteren (NED) 71.67
5. Flo Orley (AUT) 69.67
6. Emilien Badoux (SUI) 67.33
7. Ludovic Guillot-Diat (FRA) 66.33)
8. Tim Carlson (USA) 61.33
9. Jamie Rizzuto (CAN) 60.33
10. Xavier de Le Rue (FRA) 42.67

Women’s Ski Results (Top 10)
1. Christine Hargin (SWE) 80.00
2. Nadine Wallner (AUT) 72.33
3. Pia Nic Gunderson (NOR) 70.67
4. Lorraine Huber (AUT) 69.33
5. Crystal Wright (USA) 64.00
6. Anne May Slinning (NOR) 61.33
7. Ashley Maxfield (USA) 55.00
8. Jess McMillan (USA) 40.00
9. Natalie Segal (AUS) 23.67
10. Jacklyn Paason (USA) 16.67

Women’s Snowboard Results (Top 7)
1. Laura Dewey (USA) 70.00
2. Margot Rozies (FRA) 69.00
3. Aline Bock (GER) 57.33
4. Casey Lucas (USA) 55.67
5. Elodie Mouthon (FRA) 53.67
6. Anouck Mouthon (FRA) 52.00
7. Iris Lazzareschi (SAU) 38.00
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4 months ago
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Freeride World Tour Heads To C Freeride World Tour Heads To Chamonix For Stop No. 3

From: gregfitzsimmons
Description:

The Swatch Freeride World Tour By The North Face venue in Chamonix, France.

The third stop of the Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face will go down on Saturday, January 26, in Chamonix, France. And, as has been the fortunate circumstance of the newly unified FWT so far this season, Chamonix’s conditions and terrain are primed for a great show.

The Alps will have hosted the second and third stops of the Freeride World Tour, with stops on the Italian and French sides of the Mont Blanc in Courmayeur and Chamonix. Prior to settling down in the French hub of freeriding, the second stop of the FWT went down last week on the rocky and steep venue in Courmayeur. The male field of ski and snowboard competitors battled it out during the event in Italy.

A recap video of FWT stop No. 2 in Courmayeur, Italy.

Courmayeur recap:

With deep pow underfoot, blue skies over head, the south side of the Mont Blanc as the backdrop, and Courmayeur’s gnarly 1,200-foot Tête d’Arp as the venue, the male competitors—33 skiers and 15 riders—laid it down. The Tête d’Arp terrain offered something for every approach to competitive big-mountain skiing and riding. With a technical, rocky top section out of the start gate, a playful mini-golf zone down the ridge, and steep chutes to air into and link up, the venue allowed for full-tilt chargers and park-inspired jibbers to do their thing.

In the end, Italian big-mountain-jibber Markus Eder posted the highest score of the day in front of his home crowd. Eder opted for the playful mini-golf zone off the ridge and laced high-speed turns before lofting a huge, sleepy, left-side three in an exposed section. Eder managed to throw a backie and make some switch pow turns, too. His blend of big-mountain blasting up high and playful tricks on the lower portion earned him a score of 89.67 and the top spot with the men.

“I’m stoked with my line,” said Eder. “I hoped to be on the podium but to win is really fantastic.”

Swiss skier Jérémie Heitz has gotten comfortable on the podium this season, with consecutive second place finishes at the first two stops of the FWT. The consistent skiing from Heitz means he’ll be donning the yellow jersey in Chamonix, which denotes the overall tour leader. Heitz is quickly making a name for himself for his charging, fall-line approach and patented high-speed doubles. So far, Heitz’s insanely fast runs have left spectators spinning and has forced judges to go back to a replay because both of his technical runs have taken place in a flash.

Sweden’s Reine Barkered, last year’s overall FWT Champion, rounded out the skiing podium in Italy. Other highlights included Julien Lopez’s all-or-nothing approach. Lopez was the last skier to drop into Tête d’Arp, and rather than playing it safe and keeping his line to his feet, the “Flying Frenchman” pointed ’em. Unfortunately, Lopez lost control and took about 10 high-speed tomahawks down about 300-vertical-feet of the venue; fortunately, Lopez didn’t bang himself up and walked away to collect his “yard-saled” gear. (Check out the footage of Lopez’s crash; it’s full-on!)

On the snowboard side, Frenchman Aurélien Routens snagged his first FWT win ever. Routens nuked through the venue with a fast, clean run that included a few exposed airs at the top steep section. Routens capped off the winning run with a sick straight line at the bottom, earning a score of 83.67.

“It’s very emotional for me to win here,” said Routens. “It’s the first time I take the first step of the podium at a FWT stop. I was just riding as I am used to ride in my hometown La Grave. It’s a nice surprise and I am super happy.”

Jackson Hole’s John Rodosky’s creative line garnered him a second place finish with a score of 78.67. Rodosky found a handful of cool natural terrain features to throw his freestyle tricks. Swiss Emilien rounded out the Snowboard podium.

The Swatch Freeride World Tour By The North Face Stop No. 3 preview video.

Chamonix preview:

Now, after the short commute through the Mont Blanc Tunnel—or the ski to Chamonix via the world-renowned Vallée Blanche that a few athletes opted for to get from Courmayeur, Italy to downtown Chamonix, France—the field of male skiers and riders have met up with the female competitors for this weekend’s comp in Cham.

The third event will go down on Saturday, January 26 and there will be a live feed of the contest on TetonGravity.com. Due to snow conditions, the FWT had to change the venue to La Flégère at the top of the Index lift. And, the venue looks sweet.

On the men’s skiing side, you always have to tune in to watch Tabke, Chamonix local and past champ Aurélien Ducroz, Sweden’s Reine Barkered, and New Zealand’s Sam Smoothy. But, a few other names to take note of are current obviously overall FWT leader Jérémie Heitz, American skier Lars Chickering-Ayers, Zermat-based mountain guide/pro skier Sam Anthamatten, and Utah’s Oakley White Allen; all four bring a similar fall-line strategy to the Chamonix venue that could easily be rewarded by the judges—if they stay upright.

Jackson Hole’s longtime competitive skier Jess McMillan has made the trip to Cham to compete against reigning FWT overall champion Christine Hargin, and the rest of the women’s field. (I’d bet the house on McMillan, she’s talented, strong, and a seasoned competitive skier.)

You’d be a fool to overlook Chamonix local Xavier de Le Rue and Squaw’s Ralph Backstrom during the Men’s Snowboard contest. Both have had a lot of success in Chamonix and could be interchangeable atop the podium if they stand their lines up. Lastly, Margot Rozies and Elodie Mouthon—the two women from France that finished second and third, respectively, in Revy—are ready to represent their country in Cham when Saturday’s event gets going.

CLICK HERE to watch the event live on Saturday Jan. 26 at 9 a.m. CET (that's 1 a.m. MST).

And, check out the #FWT13 hashtag on Twitter for updates.
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4 months ago
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News: Markus Eder And Aurélien News: Markus Eder And Aurélien Routens Win At Freeride World Tour Courmayeur Mont Blanc

From: TetonGravityResearch
Description:

At the second stop of the SWATCH FREERIDE WORLD TOUR 2013 BY THE NORTH FACE® (FWT), the international field of elite athletes threw down a spectacular show combining big mountain charging with impressive tricks on the “Tête d’Arp”, never ridden in competition before.

With the south side of Mont Blanc as the perfect backdrop, a bluebird day with fresh powder greeted the strong line up of 33 skiers and 15 snowboarders at the men’s only competition. The athletes enjoyed the great conditions and showed their top skills on the north face of Tête d’Arp. Excitement filled the air as no one had ridden the face in competition before. Riders described the top section as steep, 45 degrees big mountain style, and the lower part giving various options for more playful riding and multiple airs. Any style of riding could take victory at this interesting venue.

Italy’s Markus Eder clinched the skiers’ win with a score of 89.67 points, executing the most playful run of the day. As a late start number Eder chose a unique line entry, skiing down the ridge before hitting the steep face in controlled high-speed big mountain style. He then impressed the judges with an arsenal of tricks on the second half of the venue, pulling off a backflip, a huge left side 360 and even riding switch. On his first year on the tour, young Eder was definitely the biggest crowd pleaser of the day on home turf. “I’m stoked with my line,” said Markus Eder. “I didn’t expect to win as I did a little mistake on my backflip. I hoped to be on the podium but to win is really fantastic.”

Swiss Jérémie Heitz managed to repeat his performance in Revelstoke, Canada and claim the second podium spot with a hard charging big mountain line, giving him the score of 86.0 points. Heitz probably had the fastest run of the day. Third place finisher and reigning world champion Reine Barkered of Sweden, also skied full throttle, typical Reine style, mixing big air and fast riding, scoring 81.0 points.

Aurélien Routens of France was rewarded his first ever FWT win in the snowboard competition. Routens scored 83.67 points on a high speed run, with clean riding and solid airs at the exposed top steep section and finishing off with an impressive straight line.
John Rodosky, USA, took a well deserved second, scoring 78.67 points, riding creatively and bringing numerous solid freestyle tricks into the backcountry. Swiss Emilien Badoux chose a good line all the way through and hitting a nice backside 360 in the midsection, earning the third podium spot with a score of 76.0 points.

“For a third consecutive year we have had perfect conditions and an amazing playground here in Courmayeur on the south side of Mont Blanc,” said Nicolas Hale-Woods, FWT General Manager Europe. “The upcoming weekend the athletes will cross the tunnel and take on the north side of Mont Blanc in Chamonix.”

After two out of six events, Jérémie Heitz is leading Men’s Ski overall with two second podium spots. Today’s winner Aurélien Routens is leading Men’s Snowboard with the win and a third place in Revelstoke, Canada.

The women will join the men for the third event in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc on January 26th.

Click Here For Men's Ski And Snowboard Official Results

Xavier De Le Rue scoping out a line at Courmayeur Mont Blanc. Photo by J Bernard.
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Courmayeur Mont Blanc Courmayeur Mont Blanc

From: TetonGravityResearch
Description:
Xavier De Le Rue
4 months ago
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Freeride World Tour Courmayeur Freeride World Tour Courmayeur Mont Blanc

From: TetonGravityResearch
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Xavier De Le Rue
4 months ago
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Xavier De Le Rue - From The Al Xavier De Le Rue - From The Alps to AK to Antarctica and back to the Alps

From: freerideworldtour
Description:

While some athletes are content with reaching a personal goal or winning a competition within their sport, for French snowboarder Xavier de Le Rue, there seems to be no limit to his hunger for further snowboard accomplishments. A multiple X-Games gold medalist, three-time Freeride World Tour champion, repeat world boardercross champion, and standout in numerous snowboard films, now de Le Rue has added “Antarctic explorer” to his resume.

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4 months ago
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Swatch Freeride World Tour Ram Swatch Freeride World Tour Ramps Up In Revelstoke

From: gregfitzsimmons

Description:

The snow has been stacking up in Revelstoke. On Jan. 11, the first stop of the Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face is scheduled to pop off. Photo: D.CARLIER.

The Swatch Freeride World Tour Is Ready to Go

Tomorrow marks the beginning of the Swatch Freeride World Tour by the North Face, and the action will go down on Mackenzie Peak at Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Dubbed “Mac Daddy,” the face is a perfect venue for the best in the world. And, this year we actually get to see the best from all over. For years the North American-based Freeskiing World Tour and European-centric Freeride World Tour have run mutually exclusive contests during the winter, each crowning their own “World Champion” at the end of the season. This year, however, the tours have come together to create a unified world tour, aimed at pitting the best against each other and determining an indisputable World Champion in men’s and women’s big-mountain skiing and snowboarding.

The six-stop tour has handpicked venues throughout the world for big-mountain freeriding. In addition to this week’s Revelstoke comp, the FWT will stop on the Italian and French sides of the Mont Blanc in Courmayeur and Chamonix, in California’s Sierra Nevada at Kirkwood’s cliff-strewn Cirque, in the Tyrol Range where Fieberbrunn Pillerseetal exemplifies Austria’s terrain, and culminating in Switzerland at the infamous Bec de Rosses venue for the Swatch Xtreme Verbier.

Around 60 competitive big-mountain freeriders from all over the world have been posted up in Revy for about a week waiting for a weather window to run the contest. Just as the competitors started arriving, so did the snow. Upwards of three feet of snow has blanketed Revelstoke and set the “Mac Daddy” face up with insane conditions for Friday’s comp.

Among the competitors are TGR’s Griffin Post, Colter Hinchliffe and Ralph Backstrom.

Mackenzie Peak, the FWT venue, is just outside of the Revelstoke Mountain Resort Boundary. Photo via FWT.

“It has been snowing ever since we got here,” says Hinchliffe, who has been diligently icing and resting a banged up leg in the hopes of being able to compete. “Friday is supposed to be full-on bluebird, primo conditions. The fact that we’re waiting for the conditions to be right is going to make for a good show; it should be really sick.”

Post agrees: “It’s snowed probably two to three feet on the venue. If the snow locks up it should be all-time conditions.”

Relying strictly on a visual inspection — rather than being allowed to get into the venue to size-up airs, probe landings, and see first-hand what the conditions are like — athletes are constantly mulling over photographs of the “Mac Daddy” face to get familiar with the terrain and choose a line or determine a direction to head out of the start gate.

“There are two dramatically different options,” says Post. “Skier’s left is far more playful and flowy; whereas the skier’s right is more gnarly and exposed, it’s traditional big-mountain skiing. I’m pretty sure I’m headed skier’s left to get into some doubles and ski the less-exposed zone. I think the skier’s right is going to sluff super hard and with all of the new snow it is not the day I would want to ski it.”

“At this point I am doubtful rather than hopeful for Friday,” says Hinchliffe, “If I am feeling good Friday, though, I am looking at the skier’s right side of the venue, it’s exposed getting in but then there are a couple of nice features on the right side and that direction leaves a couple of options down low — a little roller or a third and fourth cliff. As far as the top, I’m looking to rip the face on the top and maybe find something to jump off.”

A skier gets deep in the fresh snow at Revelstoke. Photo: B. Long

With the merger of the North American and European tours, there are a lot of new names for fans US-based fans of big-mountain competitive skiing and snowboarding.

“The talent in men’s skiing is so deep,” says Post. “Pretty much every skier out there I’m excited to watch. There are younger guys who are super hungry and older, seasoned guys who are a little smarter. A few guys in particular are Sam Smoothy and Markus Eder, I always like watching Tabke, of course. It’s such a stacked field, it’s crazy how many really good skiers there are up here, and it’s anybody’s game.”

Hinchliffe shared his thoughts on the competition field.

“I am pretty stoked to see what Johnny Collinson is going to do out there," Hinchliffe said. "He seems to be feeling good right now, and he’s definitely not suffering from a leg injury. He’s been out there doing threes off of everything he can find. We’re on a similar wavelength. The standard Tabke show should be cool to watch, too. I’d like to see O’Meara kill it, I’m sure he will. I’m excited to see who pops up and who shines.”

Stay tuned for a recap of the comp.

Click Here To Watch A Live Stream Of The Event

Official Start List:

Snowboard Men

Last Name	First Name	Nationality	Hometown
Carlson	Tim	USA	Stevens Pass
Rodosky	John	USA	Jackson Hole
Badoux	Emilien	SUI	Valais Alpes
Van Helfteren	Irian	Holl
Luebke	Sammy	USA	Squaw Valley
Rizzuto	Jamie	CAN	Fernie
Guillot-Diat	Ludovic	FRA	Villard-de-Lans
Annetts	Matt	USA	Jackson Hole
Charlet	Jonathan	FRA	Chamonix
Routens	Aurelien	FRA	La Grave
Rouge	Joel	SUI	Alpes Vaudoises
Backstrom	Ralph	USA	Squaw Valley
Orley	Flo	AUT	Hochfugen


Snowboard Women

Last Name	First Name	Nationality	Hometown
Mouthon	Anouck	FRA	La Clusaz
Lucas	Casey	USA	Kirkwood
Yates	Shannan	USA	Snowbird
Mouthon	Elodie	FRA	La Clusaz
Rozies	Margot	FRA	Pyrenees
Bock	Aline	GER	Innsbruck, Arlberg
Lazzereschi	Iris	USA	Squaw Valley
Dewey	Laura	USA	Snowbird


Ski Men

Last Name	First Name	Nationality	Hometown
Slemett	Leo	FRA	Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Lyons	Charlie	NZL	Mt. Olympus
Kappler	Ryan	CAN	Revelstoke
Coirier	Adrien	FRA	Les Arcs
Heitz	Jeremie	SUI	Les Manecottes
Gauthier	Laurent	CAN	Whistler/Blackcomb
Hinchliffe	Colter	USA	Aspen, CO
Salencon	Nicolas	ARG	Bariloche
Guri	Kevin	FRA	Les Menuires
Lindberg	Willie	SWE	Rikgransen
Post	Griffin	USA	Jackson Hole
Ducroz	Aurelien	FRA	Chamonix
Chickering-Ayers	Silas	USA	Mad River Glen, VT
Eder	Markus	ITA	Klausberg
Smoothy	Sam	NZL	Treble Cone
Lopez	Julien	FRA	Tarentaise
Tabke	Drew	USA	Crystal Mountain
Barkered	Reine	SWE	Are, Sweden
Hausl	Stefan	AUT	Arlberg
Michaud	Seb	FRA	La Clusaz
Collinson	John	USA	Alta / Snow Bird
Fornell	Dani	AND	Ordino-Arcalis, Vallnord
Nelson	Luke	CAN	Fernie
Ogilvie	Benjamin	CAN	Fernie
Haunholder	Matthias	AUT	Fieberbrunn
Daiek	Josh	USA	Kirkwood
Bijasson	Mathieu	FRA	La Clusaz
Collin	Sean	USA	Squaw Valley
O’Meara	Kevin	USA	Squaw Valley


Ski Women

Last Name	First Name	Nationality	Hometown
Gundersen	Pia Nic	NOR	Anstadblaheia
Segal	Natalie	AUS	Jackson Hole
Slinning	Anne May	NOR	Aalesund
Wright	Crystal	USA	Jackson Hole
Walkner	Eva	AUT	Dachstein
Lercher	Sonja	CAN	Blackcomb
Paaso	Jackie	USA	Squaw Valley
Maxfield	Ashley	USA	Jay Peak / Peak
Hargin	Christine	SWE	Ramundberget
Wallner	Nadine	AUT	Arlberg

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Tempting Fear - S6 E07 - Salom Tempting Fear - S6 E07 - Salomon Freeski TV

From: salomonfreeski
Description:

Over the past 3 years he's logged first descents in a half-dozen countries, battled back to life from an accident that nearly killed him, and become the most talked about skier in the epicenter of all things extreme — Chamonix, France.

What makes Andreas most intriguing, however, are his thoughtful musings on meaning from a life on the edge - a willingness to enter mental spaces that few have ever experienced.

In Tempting Fear Sweden's soft-spoken Adventurer of the Year explores a place in which fear overwhelms all emotions, playing both friend and enemy in a pas de deux where death lies just one misstep away.

Awards:
“Best Action Film” - Adventure Film Festival 2012
“Best Story” - X-Dance 2013

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4 months ago
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Final Video Dispatch - Mission Final Video Dispatch - Mission Antarctic - The North Face

From: thenorthface
Description:

Get a taste of some of the incredible imagery captured on Xavier de le Rue and Lucas Debari's Mission Antarctic in this final video dispatch.

Watch More Videos By The North Face
4 months ago
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Mission Antarctic - Video Disp Mission Antarctic - Video Dispatch 2 - The North Face

From: thenorthface
Description:

Team snowboarders Lucas Debari and Xavier de le Rue had a little fun with their GoPro to create this second video dispatch from the Mission Antarctic expedition.

Watch More Videos By The North Face
5 months ago
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Mission Antarctic - Video Disp Mission Antarctic - Video Dispatch 2 - The North Face

From: thenorthface
Description:

Team snowboarders Lucas Debari and Xavier de le Rue had a little fun with their GoPro to create this second video dispatch from the Mission Antarctic expedition.

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5 months ago
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Mission Antarctic Teaser By Th Mission Antarctic Teaser By The North Face

From: thenorthface
Description:

“I went there out of curiosity, but I still remember that surprise on the first morning when I opened my eyes over the peninsula. Antarctica is the most powerful, beautiful, unexplored riding spot on the whole planet.” - The North Face snowboarder, Xavier De Le Rue.

From November 21st through December 21st, 2012, Mission Antarctic will be a journey of snowboard exploration. Team snowboarders Xavier de le Rue and Lucas DeBari will set sail from the Falklands, through the Drake Passage and around the Fjords of the Antarctic peninsula in search of the best lines to ride on the continent.

Click Here To Watch More Videos By The North Face
6 months ago
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Athlete Driven By The North Fa Athlete Driven By The North Face

From: thenorthface
Description:

The North Face exists to innovate for athletes. Conrad Anker and The North Face designed gear to get one of the toughest first ascents ever. We collaborated with Xavier de La Rue following his avalanche experience to build our most advance pack with avalanche airbags. The North Face keeps you protected in the world's harshest conditions. Get athlete driven innovation at www.TheNorthFace.com.

Music: 'Eyes Turned Skyward' An original music composition by Dynamite Laser Beam

Click Here To Watch More Videos By The North Face
6 months ago
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ABS Avalanche Airbag System ABS Avalanche Airbag System

From: thenorthface
Description:

The North Face snowboarder Xavier de la Rue and Action Sports Product Manager Austin Robbs explain the development and features of the ABS Avalanche Airbag System, found in the Powder Guide ABS Vest and Patrol 24 ABS Pack.

Click Here To Wath More Videos By The North Face
6 months ago
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Camera Crew Heroes - Jeremy Jo Camera Crew Heroes - Jeremy Jones Further Unplugged Episode 13

From: TetonGravityResearch
Description:

In episode 13 of Jeremy Jones' Further Unplugged, the Teton Gravity Research camera crew reveals how far they go beyond their comfort zones to film TGR movies. Different challenges emerge every day that force them to truly push their limits. Watch as these guys take you behind the scenes and show you the extreme risks they take in order to capture the perfect shot.

Further Unplugged takes you behind the scenes of Jeremy Jones' two-year snowboarding film, Further. Get an inside glimpse of what goes on between the lines as Jones and other top riders including Terje Haakonsen, Xavier De Le Rue and Josh Dirksen travel to exotic locations such as Japan, the Arctic Circle and the Wrangell-St. Elias Wilderness. Challenges arise around every corner as this crew attempts to push their minds and bodies further.

Click Here To Watch More Episodes Of Further Unplugged
7 months ago
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Camera Crew Heros - Jeremy Jon Camera Crew Heros - Jeremy Jones Further Unplugged Episode 13

From: TetonGravityResearch
Description:

In episode 13 of Jeremy Jones' Further Unplugged, the Teton Gravity Research camera crew reveals how far they go beyond their comfort zones to film TGR movies. Different challenges emerge every day that force them to truly push their limits. Watch as these guys take you behind the scenes and show you the extreme risks they take in order to capture the perfect shot.

Further Unplugged takes you behind the scenes of Jeremy Jones' two-year snowboarding film, Further. Get an inside glimpse of what goes on between the lines as Jones and other top riders including Terje Haakonsen, Xavier De Le Rue and Josh Dirksen travel to exotic locations such as Japan, the Arctic Circle and the Wrangell-St. Elias Wilderness. Challenges arise around every corner as this crew attempts to push their minds and bodies further.

Click Here To Watch More Further Episodes
7 months ago
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