Holly's blog

Snowbird US Freeskiing Nationals: Photogs, Hotdogs, & PT Cruiser

Holly — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 01:16:17 -0400

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I arrived at the base of West Baldy and set up camp on he photog hump at the bottom of the venue at 9am. I as tired. North Baldy had been destroyed from the qualifier and skiing down with a backpack full of PBR tall boys, hotdogs and oh yeah, camera gear was no easy task when sleep deprived.

I had decided it was a good idea to sleep 4 hours Thursday night so I could get in a day of deep pow at Mount Baker on Friday en route to the Seattle Airport. This made for wet gear upon a late arrival to Salt Lake and lesser sleep Friday night. But who cared, I had made it to watch the finals with photog Re Wikstrom and we had packed a good picnic. It was my Spring Break '08 baby. My slogan: Girl Gone Wild. The catch: I felt nauseous.

My phone rang at 10am. Brianne Taylor had landed at SLC airport in full ski gear and was getting into her rental car. Or should I say red hot PT Cruiser. "Take the second Snowbird entrance and drive all the way to the front, park it valet," I had told her at the end of the directions to the Snowbird. The whole thing was so awkwardly funny.

Brianne made it up to the venue just in time to help Re and I polish off some more tall boys and take on hotdog duty so we could continue snapping shots of competitors. In my sleep deprived confusion I realized my memory card was full and switched it quickly for another one.

Where it went I don't know? In the snow? In the hotdog? Lost forever? Rookie photog move. If someone finds it let me know. it has the women's super final runs on it. so apologies to all the women out there, I failed you. Please don't hate me. For the rest of you enjoy the pictures.

Words n' some photos by Holly Walker

US Freeskiing Series: Crested Butte + Alaska

Holly — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 22:14:40 -0500

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Blazing into its third year, the Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Series (USFS) and Freeskiing World Tour (FWT) have become the largest cohesive competitive Big Mountain Freeskiing tours in the history of the sport, with the Subaru USFS featuring an unprecedented six stops. With two new locations added to the already impressive roll-call of resorts, both tours culminate at the ultimate big mountain competition venue of Alyeska Resort, Alaska, in April.

With registration for the Subaru USFS once again selling out in mere hours (Crested Butte registration to open in early January), anticipation mounts as sponsors, athletes, media and fans look forward to the 2008 calendar.

"The 2008 tour schedule is the most impressive I've ever seen," said veteran athlete and tour champion Drew Tabke, "I'm really happy to be going back to Squaw Valley, and I’m thrilled that MSI has lined up theAlyeska, Alaska, finals. That really tops it off. This is going to be a huge year for the sport of competitive Freeskiing!"

The Subaru USFS continues to bring fierce competition to the best Big Mountain Freeskiing resorts inNorth America. The 2008 season will include the Subaru U.S. Extreme Freeskiing Championships atCrested Butte, CO. A longstanding and well-known event, this will be the official stop on both the SubaruUSFS as well as the FWT. Eric “H” Baumm, CBMR On-Mountain Events Director, is thrilled to join forces with MSI for a stop on the tour: "We are so excited to be a part of the U.S. Series and the World Tour.Crested Butte will be a great place to showcase this event and the athletes that make these competitions so unique." The USFS, which is owned and operated by sports marketing and promotions company Mountain Sports International (MSI) and sanctioned by the International Freeskiers Association (IFSA), now boasts a bigger prize purse than ever before at over $100,000 cash.

Continuing to support the USFS is title sponsor Subaru of America. "Subaru has a long history of supporting organizations and events that resonate with our customers, like the 2008 Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Series and Freeskiing World Tour competitions," said Tim Mahoney, Senior Vice President and CMO of Subaru of America, Inc. "The expansion of the Freeskiing Series this year is a big compliment to the outstanding job that Mountain Sports International does in producing the tour."

Behind the scenes, the staff at MSI is looking forward to the best year yet. "We are so excited about the 2008 Subaru USFS," said MSI Winter Sports Director, Dak Williams. "MSI has worked very hard to establish the new stop at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, Alaska, the location for the 2008 World Championships in April. After receiving extremely positive feedback from the 2007 Tour, we will also see more support from our additional world class resort partners." Williams also extended his enthusiasm to the spectators: "We would like to invite everyone to come out and watch the best of the best in big mountain freeskiing battle for the title of USFS Champion and FWT Champion."

The newly redesigned USfreeskiing.com website will go live in a matter of weeks. New features include a "Community" section similar in format to myspace.com, where athletes will be able to create personal profile pages, as well as post photos and videos. Also look forward to completely new navigation and site design, making it fun and simple to access the world's best Freeskiing videos, photos, and stories.

Stay tuned as the 2008 Subaru U.S. Freeskiing and Freeskiing World Tour unfold. It’s stacked up to be the best season yet!

2008 SUBARU U.S. Freeskiing Series & Freeskiing World Tour SCHEDULE

Stop 1: Subaru Telluride Freeskiing Open, Telluride CO, February 7-10

Stop 2: Subaru Squaw Valley Freeskiing Open, Squaw Valley, CA, February 14-17

Stop 3: Subaru U.S. Extreme Freeskiing Championships, Crested Butte, CO, February 19-23 (World Tour #1)

Stop 4: Subaru Jackson Hole Freeskiing Open, Jackson Hole, WY, March 13-16

Stop 5: Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Nationals, Snowbird, UT, March 18-23 (World Tour #2)

Stop 6: Subaru Freeskiing World Championships and Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Series Finals, Alyeska, AK, April 9-13 (World Tour #3)

Special thanks to our sponsors:

Subaru of America

The North Face

Corona

Nordica

Coca-Cola

Powder Magazine

Emergen-C

Ski Press Magazine

Mt. Olympus water

Lynden Transport

Sports Insurance

Scott USA

Grabber

Skull Candy

Yakima

IFSA

Special thanks to our Resort partners:

Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

Telluride Ski Resort

Squaw Valley USA

Kirkwood Mountain Resort

Alyeska Resort

For more information log onto www.usfreeskiing.com

Siiick pow today!

Holly — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 23:07:04 -0500

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and i only managed to hit 13 rocks. good times!!!

let it snow let it snow let it snow.

White Trees in Whitewater

Holly — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

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Story and photos by Holly Walker

As this season approaches quickly and snow accumulates lower and lower on the Coast Mountain Range, I can't help but to look back at last season and the many amazing days of pow. I don't even know how many pow days I skied in Whistler during December. It was just enough to make me question a road trip to the Selkirk Mountains in Interior BC in early January to check out Nelson and Whitewater for the first time.

Crystal Rose-Lee and myself packed our ski bags and headed south down Highway 99 and across the border into the U.S. I had some business to take care of en route, so we took advantage of cheap groceries and even cheaper booze. On return entry into Canada 6 hours later, that booze was confiscated. we hadn't been out of the country long enough. Rookie move.

Saddened, our spirits picked up as we arrived to Nelson to find fellow freeskier Peter Valisek's house. Peter, his cat Rico and houseguest 'Cheddar' Ian Watson were waiting for us. After a good dinner and an even better night sleep we woke to a storm outside.

Crystal and I got back into the car and headed the short drive up to the mountain. We were both stoked by the snow falling outside and had never skied Whitewater before. We met up after one run off the Silver King chair with Nelson's photog Brian Ralph and Biglines' Anthony Bonello. At a resort with only 2 chair lifts, it is not hard to find your friends.

Brian Ralph

The boys took us up the Summit chair and off the backside to find amazing pow in the trees. Faces shots masked our smiles and though we never saw the peak that day, the endless trees kept us entertained. We ended the day with a ride in the back of a truck to the main base area in time for après beers at the Coal Oil Johnny's Pub inside the Skiers Lodge. At the days end there were no regrets and I hope this next season brings as much snow to the Selkirks as last.I might just have to make another trip.

Anthony Bonello

WHITEWATER STATS:

Average snowfall: 40ft/1,00ocm

Vertical Drop: 396m / 1,300ft

Ymir Peak: 2,398m, 7,867 ft

Terrain: 20% beginner, 40% intermediate, 40% expert

Lifts: 2 double charies, 1 handle tow

Open December 8 to April 9 2007

Lift rates: Adult, $46 / Youth, $36 / Junior, $28

Also has great cross-country trails

www.skiwhitewater.com

Info & Reservations: 1.800.666.9420

Nov 13: World Tour Registration + Comps Info

Holly — Thu, 8 Nov 2007 20:43:43 -0500

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2008 Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Series & Freeskiing World Tour Athlete Information

Dear Freeskiers,

Registration for the 2008 Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Series and IFSA Freeskiing World Tour goes live on USfreeskiing.com TUESDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2007, AT 6AM MST.

Be sure to register early to avoid disappointment! Last year�s events sold-out in mere hours. Mark your calendars; write it on your hand or on your bathroom mirror, whatever you need to do to remember it � but do not miss this date! The 2008 Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Series is going to be huge with a new event in Alyeska, Alaska.

**The first 75 athletes to register will receive a free DVD of all videos shot for usfreeskiing.com in 2007!

�The 2008 tour schedule is the most impressive I�ve ever seen,� said veteran tour champion Drew Tabke. �I�m really happy to be going back to Squaw Valley and Alaska really tops it off. This should be a huge year for freeskiing.�

The dates of each event are confirmed and listed below:

Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Series

Stop 1: Subaru Telluride Freeskiing Open, Feb 7-10

Stop 2: Subaru Squaw Valley Freeskiing Open, Feb 14-17

Stop 3: Subaru Jackson Hole Freeskiing Open, March 13-16

Stop 4: Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Nationals, Snowbird, UT, March 18-23

Stop 5: Subaru North American Freeskiing Championships, Kirkwood, CA, March 25-30

Stop 6: Subaru Freeskiing World Championships, Alyeska, AK, April 9-13

-Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Series Finals

Freeskiing World Tour

Stop 1: Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Nationals, Snowbird, UT, March 18-23

Stop 2: Subaru North American Freeskiing Championships, Kirkwood, CA, March 25-30

Stop 3: Subaru European Freeskiing Championships, Davos, Switzerland, Date TBD

Stop 4: Subaru Freeskiing World Championships, Alyeska, AK, April 9-13

-Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Series Finals

-Freeskiing World Tour Finals

If all of this news isn�t exciting enough, the newly redesigned USfreeskiing.com website will hit the world wide web mid-December. New features will include a community section similar to myspace, where athletes will be able to create their own profile pages. The new site will feature completely new navigation and design, making it easier and more entertaining to access the world's best freeskiing videos, photos, and stories. Stay tuned and get ready to design your own personal profile.

It�s going to be a banner year for the Freeskiing community �be a part of history in the making and register for the 2008 Freeskiing Series online this Tuesday, November 13, 2007, starting at 6 a.m. Don�t get left out in the cold!

Sincerely,

Mountain Sports International

www.mtsports.com

www.usfreesking.com

Questions? Please contact:

Sara Pinseneault

Mountain Sports International

Freeskiing Athlete Liaison

sarap@mtsports.com

Kashmir Alpine Adventures New Website

Holly — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 20:40:03 -0400

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The Kashmir Alpine Adventures

Greetings from Kashmir Alpine Adventures.

Its been a heard labor, but our new website is finely up end running for your convenience.

www.kashmiralpine.com

In the new KA website you will find these new additions:

Easy to use and secure online reservation for accommodation, gear, guiding and transportation.
Gulmargâ€™s trail mapâ€¦
Find a Friendâ€¦ for riders visiting Gulmarg alone and looking for a riding partner.
A huge photo gallery with new Gulmarg photos, Gulmarg like never seen before!

We are doing our best to bring you as much Gulmarg info as we can.

Please contact us shell you have any suggestions or in need of farther information.

Have a wonderful winter season!

Sincerely

Yasin Khan, Hamid Dar and Ido Neiger

snow@kashmiralpine.com

www.kashmiralpine.com

The Kashmir Alpine Snow Adventures

Message from Kashmir Ski Guide Association

Holly — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 20:32:07 -0400

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Dear Friends,
welcome to the latest news from Jmmu & Kashmir government and Jammu & Kashmir Ski Guide Association for Gulmarg Kashmir 2007-2008 winter season.
WINTER SEASON
Gulmarg Kashmir winter season will open on 1st december 2007 and close on 30 th of april 2008.The Gulmarg Ski resort remains open till snow finishes on Apharwat mountain.After april backcountry ski/snowboard touring nd camping is also possible,avalaunche risk remains high after march.
FIRST SNOW FALL 2007-2008
In Kashmir both North Himalayan ranges 5500 ft ALT and North Peerpanchal ranges 4800 ft ALT experienced first six inches of snow fall on 23 septenber 2007,which resulted drop in temperature. This time we have (-2)freezing temperature in night and morning in gulmarg.Last year first snow fall in Gulmarg was on 1st december 2007,we ski/snowboard from top of Apharwat to Gulmarg and Tangmarg.The main season of powder in Gulmargstarts from 10th of december up to end of march.
Last year in end of march snow condition was excellent to enjoy Himalayan powder dreams.
GULMARG GONDOLA (SKI LIFT) OPERATION AND TARIFF FOR 2007-2008 WINTER SEASON.
1ST DECEMBER 2007 TO 1ST JANUARY 2008
Phase 1st (approximately 9 am opening for the toutists)
Phase 2nd (approximately 9.30 am opening for the tourists)
1ST JANUARY TO 1ST FEBERUARY.
Phase 1st (approximately 8.30 am opening for the tourists)
Phase 2nd (approximately 9.30 am opening for the tourists)
1ST FEBERUARY TO 1ST MARCH
Phase 1st (approximately 8.00 am opening for the tourists)
Phase 2nd (approximately 9.30 am opening for the tourists)
1ST MARCH TO ROUND THE YEAR
Phase 1st (approximately10.00am opening for the tourists)
phase 2nd (apptroximately 10.30 am opening for the tourists)
TARIFF FOR 2007-2008 WINTER SEASON
Phase 1ST.
Single trip. RS .100 (APPROXIMATELY 3 NZ$)
DAY PASSES
Domestic skiers/snowboard RS .300.(app.10 NZ$)
Foreign skiers/snowboard RS.500 (app.19 NZ$)
WEEKLY PASSES
Foreign skiers/snowboard RS. 3000 (app.1000 NZ$)
Domestic skiers/snowboard RS. 1500 (app.50 NZ$)
2ND PHASE
Single trip RS. 250 for both domestic & foreigner
DAY PASSES
Foreigner skier/snowboard RS. 1000
Domestic skier/snowboard RS. 500
WEEKLY PASSES
Foreigner skier/snow board RS.5000
Domestic skier/snowboard RS .3000
SEASONAL PASSES
For both domestic and foriegner RS .18000
JAMMU & KASHMIR SKI GUIDE ASSOCIATION
We are the local Kashmiri Ski Guides of resident Gulmarg area north of Kashmir Sunmarg area and north east of Phalgam area of Kashmir.The ski guides in association are registerd by Jammu & Kashmir govt,and they are working under the rule & regulation of Jammu & Kashmir tourism department.
If you are thinking for ski /snowboard holiday this winter 2007-2008 in Himalayan powder,we organise both ski customise tour and ski package tour.
Please write us if u love Himalya and Himalayan people.
president
Billa Bakshi
Jammu & Kashmir
ski guide association.

Open Competitions on new Freeride World Tour 2008

Holly — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 15:32:30 -0400

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Hello all,

Here is an INFORMATION letter concerning the OPEN competitions that are part of the 2008 FREERIDE WORLD TOUR (FWT).

You have the possibility to take part in two Nissan Open in Mammoth ( California ) and Schruns ( Austria ). Those events are the first step to the new Freeride World Tour.

IMPORTANT NOTE: as the number of riders will be limited you have to answer positively to this email before October 20th 2007 otherwise you will LOSE your seat. (Weâ€™ll invite following riders in the 2007 FWQT ranking to replace any injured or absent rider)

PLEASE ALSO NOTE: that if some riders invited to the FWQT are injured and/or not able to make it, then following numbers will benefit of their place and have the opportunity to compete in the FWQT.

Also note that if you get a wild card or qualify yourself to the FWT during both Nissan Mammoth Open and Nissan Mammoth Quest, you would then collect points in both rankings !

Nissan Mammoth Open ( USA )

January 14th 2008.

- Travel: at your own expense

- Lodging: at your own expense (we will propose some to you)

- No entry fees to the competitions

- No Prize money

NISSAN MAMMOTH OPEN PROGRAM:

Monday Jan. 14th: as of 8:00am: accreditations on Mammoth Mountain parking close to the cable car.

Monday Jan. 14th: as of 9:00 mountain recognition

Monday Jan. 14th: as of 10:00 Nissan Mammoth Open. Male 1-5 and women 1-2 will get a ticket to take part in theNissan Mammoth Quest as of Tuesday Jan. 15th.

NISSAN MAMMOTH QUEST PROGRAM:

Monday Jan. 14th 09h00-19h00: Accreditations in Footoloose Shop.

Monday Jan. 14th 19h00: Riders Meeting - Presence MANDATORY.

Tuesday Jan. 15th 8:00am: mountain recognition + 1st possible competition day.

Thursday Jan. 17th: last possible competition day.

All male and female on the podium (ranks 1-3) will get a wild card to take part in the Nissan Mammoth Challenge(USA) (January 22nd to 26th 2008).

So youâ€™ll have to be prepared to change your flight and stay till Saturday Jan. 26th!

Ã¨ if you get a wild card, the FWT organisation offers you the accommodation during the Nissan Mammoth Challenge

NISSAN MAMMOTH CHALLENGE PROGRAM:

Monday Jan. 21st pm: accreditations @ Steve Klassenâ€™s Wave Rave shop. Presence MANDATORY!

Tuesday Jan 22nd: mountain recognition.

Wednesday Jan 23rd: 1st possible competition day

Saturday Jan 26th: last possible competition day

Nissan Open Schruns (AUT)

February 8th and 9th 2008.

- Travel: at your own expense

- Lodging: at your own expense (we will propose some to you)

- No entry fees to the competitions

- No Prize money

NISSAN OPEN SCHRUNS PROGRAM:

Friday January 8th: accreditations, probably at the Tourism Board. Presence MANDATORY!

Friday January 8th: mountain recognition

Saturday Jan. 9th: Nissan Open Schruns. Male 1-5 and women 1-2 will get a ticket to take part in the Nissan Freeride Quest Schruns as of Sunday Jan. 10th

NISSAN FREERIDE QUEST SCHRUNS PROGRAM:

Sunday Jan. 10th: first possible competition day

Thursday February 14th: last possible competition day

So youâ€™ll have to be prepared to stay till Thursday February 14th!

RULES: (proposed by the Pro Freeriderâ€™s Board / identical to the Verbier Xtreme rules)

MANDATORY EQUIPMENT : full face helmet, back protector, harness, avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel in the backpack.

3 judging criteria: line / fluidity / control

Only the top 5 male and top 2 female of each OPEN events will get a ticket to ride in the QUEST events the following days.

The riders taking part in the FWQT will get points as decided by the Pro Freerider Board (* see points system bellow).

After the two first laps of the FWQT, a provisional ranking will be established. The first 8 riders will be invited to take part in the 3rd and last FWQT lap which will be the Nissan Arctix Tromsoe (Nor) in March.

The best 4 riders of the FWQT 2008 will graduate to ranks 11 to 14 in the FWT 2009 ranking and will be invited to the first two laps of FWT 2009. (riders 11 to 14 of FWT 2008 will become 15 to 18 in FWT 2009 ranking)

(* points system)

1st place: 100pts / 2nd place: 80pts / 3rd place: 70 / 4th place: 60 / 5th place: 55 / 6th place: 50 / 7th place: 45 / 8thplace: 40 / 9th place: 35 / 10th place: 31 / 11th place: 27 / 12th place: 23 / 13th place: 20 / 14th place: 18 / 15th place: 16 / 16th place: 15 / 17th place: 14 / 18th place: 13 / 29th place: 12 / 20th place: 11 / 21stâ€¦ / 30th: 1

If you are INJURED (shit happensâ€¦) during the early season or if you have a trip planed on one of the dates of the FWQT Open and Quest events, please contact me ASAP!! (riders@freerideworldtour.com )

In the name of the Pro Freeriders Board and the organisers of the Freeride World Qualifying Tour, I wish you all a great beginning of season 2008.

See u on snow!

Ride Freesport Autumn Schedule

Holly — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 15:29:41 -0400

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RIDE FREESPORT - Autumn 2007 Film Premiere + Event News
RIDE FREESPORT FILM FESTIVAL - 22nd October, Prince Charles Cinema
The 2nd Ride Freesport Film Festival takes place on Monday 22nd October at the Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square, London. The event kick starts the winter season for the UK market and has grown since last year's launch with 4 movies being shown and 2 photographers being showcased.

British Freeskier, Pat Sharples, a film maker himself, will be presenting on the night the following line up: 1st A History of Ride (5 mins)2nd Monkey Vision 2 (15 mins)3rd Pally Learmond Photography (3 mins)4th Sticks & Stones (35 mins)5th Camilla Stoddart Photography (3 mins)6th The Journal (38 mins) All these screenings are to showcase the talent in British freeskiing and the cameramen and photographers that put their heart and soul into getting the perfect shots. Get the full details from the official film festival website: www.ridefreesport.com/film-festival/html/home.htm

IMPORTANT STUFF!WHERE: Prince Charles Cinema, Leicester Square, London www.princecharlescinema.comWHEN: Monday 22nd October, 8.30pm - 10.30pm (arrive between 7.45pm and 8.15pm to get tickets)HOW: Get to the cinema between 7.45pm and 8.15pm. Tickets cost £5 and include seating at the Prince Charles Cinema + entry to the After-Party at Zoo Bar in Leicester Square. There are limited numbers of tickets (515) and they will be allocated on a first come first served basis. To reserve and confirm your ticket requirements please email your list of names attending to filmfestival@ridefreesport.com. Payment is £5 cash on the door. Please bring exact money with you to keep the traffic flowing in the cinema without delay.AFTER-PARTY: After party location is the Zoo Bar on Bear Street in Leicester Square, just one minute walk from the cinema. The party runs from 10.30pm - 3am and you'll get free entry and special price drinks with your Film Festival cinema ticket. For information on this location go to www.zoobar.co.uk. The Ride Freesport Film Festival was produced with the valued help and support of our 2007 sponsors, the Ski Club of Great Britain and SkiTV.co.uk.

LONDON RIDE 07 - At the Metro Ski + Snowboard Show 2007
Ride Freesport is once again proud to announce the 4th edition of the London Ride event series. The London Ride 07, presented by Snow + Rock and Switzerland Tourism, will take place at the Kensington Olympia on Saturday 27th October and will be run in association with and as part of the Metro Ski + Snowboard Show 2007. Athletes from across the globe will compete in the Quarter Pipe event and show the London crowds the latest tricks on the freestyle ski scene. Qualification rounds will take place at the show from 2.30pm - 3.30pm and the finals will run from 4.30pm - 5.30pm. You'll get to see the top British riders go head to head with some of Europe's best athletes such as Saas-Fee Ride 07 champion Henrik Harlaut. All the action will be filmed for International TV distribution and a 24 minute TV broadcast is scheduled for release just after the event. For all event info and to watch last year's TV action check out www.thelondonride.com.

BRITISH SNOWSPORTS TOUR 2007 - Featuring the first ever Urban Ride

The 4th Annual BRITISH SNOWSPORTS TOUR 2007 will be moving around the UK from 30th October until 6th November. Top British freeskiers and snowboarders will be touring at each of this year's locations giving the low down on what's new and how to get more out of snowsports. Meet leading pros such as Paddy Graham, Pat Sharples, Warren Smith, Nick + Chris Southwell, James Webb, James Woods and many more to get the latest technique tips, freestyle coaching, equipment testing, movie premiere’s, advice on starting out as a beginner or becoming a pro and over £3000 of competition giveaways including holidays to Switzerland, DVDs, T-Shirts and Posters!

New for the 2007 Tour is the first ever URBAN RIDE 07 series. The Urban Ride 07 is part of the Ride Freesport events such as the Verbier Ride, Saas-Fee Ride, Davos Klosters Ride + London Ride. The Urban Ride 07 series will host a freestyle ski comp at each venue for pros and amateurs. The Urban Ride 07 champion will win a holiday for 2 people to Verbier, Switzerland, worth over £1000. There are also loads of runners up prizes from skis to DVDs to T-Shirts and Posters. Entry is only £10 per venue so there is nothing stopping all getting involved. Go to www.snowsports-tour.co.uk/urbanride.htm to register. Full details of the Tour and the Urban Ride can be found on website,www.snowsports-tour.co.uk.

SAAS-FEE RIDE 07 - Watch the full 24 minute TV programme online
Saas-Fee Ride 07 turned out to be an amazing event against the odds with a summer of random rain falls. The strength of the Saas-Fee Snowpark helped to complete the 5th Saas-Fee Ride with the winner, Henrik Harlaut, throwing down a super clean Switch 1260 mute. You can now check out the whole event with the 24 minute TV programme edit showing online at the following link:http://www.saasfeeride.com/action/videos07/index-programme_saas-fee_ride-2007.htm Enjoy!

That's all the news for now. Look forwards to seeing you at the film night the following Monday.

All the best,

Warren Smith

Alison Gannette Rippin Chix Steeps Camp Info

Holly — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 14:23:59 -0400

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HEAD/KEEN Rippin Chix Steeps Camp with Alison Gannett To benefit The Save Our Snow Foundation Feb 16-17th 2007 - presidents Day Weekend The camp sold out last year, so reserve your space early! Free Keens and Free Head and Karhu demos! http://www.alisongannett.com for more information Freeskiing champion Alison Gannett is proud to bring her infamous steep skiing camps for women to Crested Butte Mountain Resort again this season. Special guest instructors this year include Freeskiing champions and guests such as Carrie Jo Chernoff, Susan Medville, Tanya Christensen, Angie Hornbrook, Shelley Higgins and maybes from Wendy Fisher and Annie Dyar. Price is only $300 ($400 w/lift tickets). This camp is for real skiers wishing to improve their skills and confidence in a life changing weekend. Open to alpine and tele chix wishing to improve their skills and confidence on black runs all the way to those wishing to learn what it takes to win a Freeskiing Competition. Five levels are available: A level - Those who can ski black for several hours B level - Those who wish to start skiing double blacks C level - Those who ski double blacks but need confidence and tricks to negotiate rocks and stumps D level - Those who ski double blacks all the time and wish to learn to jump off rocks and ski fast E level - Those looking jump bigger cliffs, straightline and compete in extreme contests Learn Alison’s special step by step progression method to tackling the steeps, including her five ways to catch air, and special tricks to make the tough stuff like rocks, trees, powder, chutes, and moguls seem easy. Free pair of Keen's for each participant and free Head Fat Ski Demos and Karhu fat tele ski demos! Special thanks to Head, Keen, Sigg, Clif, Karhu, 22 Designs, Princeton Tec, Cascade Designs, MSR, Black Diamond, Pistil, Buff, and Osprey for providing demos, raffle items, and goodies for the campers! http://www.alisongannett.com http://www.chasingglaciers.com http://resourceeficiency.org http://saveoursnowfoundation.org Alison Gannett 101 Butte Ave – shipping PO Box 2828 - mailing Crested Butte, CO 81224-2828 970-349-2021 home office 970-209-8207 cell Alisongannett – skype account

Captain Jack Message

Holly — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 14:22:28 -0400

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Red Mountain had a faltering freeskiing event that I was invited to ressurect. I have directed all subsequent events, chosen the head judges, and hosted the athletes. This event is very successful and is the longest running freeskiing event in Canada. It is considered their championships. The junior division was an idea I spawned several years ago and was implemented by the planning committee as schedules and budgets were worked out. During the Red events competitors from the Fernie Ski Patrol liked my work. Lead patrolman and assistant weather forecaster for Fernie, Simon Fowler, invited me to come to Fernie to help organize and direct a freesking event. I have directed their events since. We have since inaugurated a junior event after several years of success. Staff personnel from Resorts of the Canadian Rockies and Lake Louise Ski Area witnessed my work and invited me to direct their faltering event. The junior event followed on the heels of the big event. I created a "tour" aspect for the combined point holders of both the Fernie and Lake Louise contests.I believe this will excite growth and prominence to the freeskiing culture, also. The junior division is the foundation and root of our sport. As a past high school teacher in History and Coaching the junior event was always the idea for the first expansion to these events. Ski area staff from ski school and special events made it happen. I am proud to have worked diligently with these ski areas and associated personnel. I have put my heart and soul into all of this I started working freeskiing events in 1992. I started as a sherpa, moved onto starter, coordinator,media liason and now event director. I have worked from Alaska to Argentina and everywhere in between.Our skiing industry is vast but the coincidental community is very tight. JSP, MSI, IFSA, ETC grand people all. As I secured these events I was able to select past world champion Jeff Holden as my head judge. We vowed to work through consensus as we steered these events. We select judges, determine venues, manage the comp and "get her done" with all due diligence. A couple years agowe brought on another fine person in Jimy Jack, the World Tour head judge and spiritual brother.We have all worked hard together and put our heart and soul into the freeskiing movement. In particular, my dear brother Jimy Jack (I like to be called Jack Jack) has served equally long and admirably and I've known him since the beginning. There are so many players in the sport that deserve mention in a letter like Jimy wrote and it would be impossible to be all-inclusive. However, I felt there was more to the three events (Red, Fernie, Lake Louise) story that ought to be known. Jimy felt terrible when I called him about it. I felt terrible about all of it. I appreciate his update. I thank all who have served. I look forward to seeing all of you throughout the winter."Best of luck, Think snow"Captain Jack

Jim Jack IFSA Message

Holly — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 14:21:16 -0400

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Hi everyone!

It is time to get ready for another season of skiing. Most importantly it is time to prepare for the season of competition and celebration!

This is my favorite time of year as it is for all of you. The colors in the NW are fast changing and there is already fresh snow in the mountains. Since I became involved in my first freeskiing event 17 years ago I have loved the feeling I get from them. Watching each other tear up a mountain with grace and precision and sharing all the enthusiasm and happiness the people have for the sport and the mountains. This has remained constant through years of change and evolution and the IFSA and its members have been rewarded with new events and venues and through the changes in technology that have allowed so many of our athletes to evolve in their skiing as well.

The IFSA has represented the athletes of competitive freeskiing and established the criteria and base line for all freeskiing events of its kind world wide for over 10 years. The popularity of our events and the growth and creation of new events each year is proof and testament that the IFSA is the foundation of competitive freeskiing. The skiers that have competed in our World, US, European and North American tours have proved themselves through multiple events annually. Earning the crown of any of our event series shows the world the level of commitment and skill necessary to be a true champion of the sport. The IFSA and its associated event organizers have committed themselves to maintaining our sports reputation and integrity by providing events that are exciting,fun and rewarding to both the athletes and the spectators. This year Mountain Sports International (MSI) is excited to announce a 6 Stop US Series that will take us fromTelluride, CO to a US series and World Tour Final in Alyeska, AK. MSI has also created new relationships with new sponsors to increase our total prize purse at many of our tour events. As our World Tour continues to take shape we will see new venues in Europe as well.

As you all may know, there is a new tour created by Nicholas Hale-woods(founder of the Verbier Xtreme). This new tour is called the Freeride World Tour. This tour or any of its events are not associated with the 'IFSA Freeskiing World Tour'. This tour is comprised of both skiing and snowboarding and will have its own judging criteria and points system. They are inviting top skiers from the official IFSA Pre-Qualified List based either on place or past performance. Somewhat an invitational tour for this year. the official 'IFSA Freeskiing World Tour' remains in place and the schedule is being worked out with usual stops at Snowbird, Kirkwood and now Alaska. Stops inSwitzerland and France are TBA.

The creation of new events in the scope of our sport is exciting for athletes and is proof that the IFSA and our years of multiple, annual events has stimulated the growth and popularity of freeskiing competition world wide. This year will be no different as we provide the best in freeskiing competition while rewarding and recognizing the best freeskiers in the world.

Other exciting developments for this year include more Junior Freeskiing events. These young athletes will take our sport to new heights and will gain the experience necessary to perform well in regional and world competition. Thanks to the efforts of organizers to include junior devisions at their events we have come to see Junior competitions needing their own events. Jeff Holden has been an integral part of this movement by hosting 4 junior events annually in Canada over the past few years. With ski areas creating young freeride teams the need for new events has grown. Something new this year is that our first stop of the US Series in Telluride, CO. will indeed include ages 16 yrs and older! Also the IFSA will host a Northwest Junior Freeskiing series (ages 12-17) with stops in Red Mt, BC. Stevens Pass, WA. and Crystal Mt. WA. Look for news and dates on the freeskiers.org web site as we move forward to motivate and inspire these young freeskiers.

I can not go with out also mentioning the release of Coreshot Films, 'LINESCORE'! This documentary of competitive big mountain free skiing is a must see and is the story of so many of us. It is truly awesome to have a film like this marketed through the industry revealing the commitment and the excitement we all share.

Feel free to contact me with any questions, concepts or ideas. I thank all the athletes that played last season and I am looking forward to sharing the spirit of the mountains with all of you very soon. Until I write again, all the best Fall colors and the earliest of winters!

Jim Jack
IFSA President

Where did all the skiers go?

Holly — Mon, 28 May 2007 17:10:37 -0400

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Shredded 3 cm's of fresh in Spanky's Saturday/Sunday...

Where was everyone else?

Major ghost town on the mountain.

Better see everyone on Sunday!!!

Tignes Qualifier Day

Holly — Mon, 9 Apr 2007 13:31:43 -0400

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So after a few awesome days in Verbier followed by a Chinese Downhill in La Grave, I made it to Tignes for the Freeride World Cup... the finals of the IFSA big mountain world tour.

Today was the Qualifiers on Chardonner peak and the top results are such:

Men (15 out of 30 made the cut)

1. Brice Rollet

2. Steve Leonard

3. Sylain Authier

4. Xavier Manjot

5. Henri Charrier

Women ( 5 out of 7 made the cut)

1. Melanie Martinot

2. Marion Josserand

3. Gamell Philipa

3. Holly Walker

5. Ophelie David

Tomorrow is Day #1 on Petit Balme....

Picture for Andre

Holly — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 08:56:28 -0400

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Its not much but all I have on disk from Cham so far...

this is coming into town from Geneva to Chamonix/Mt. Blanc.

Word up!

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Les Grands Montets

Holly — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 13:07:33 -0400

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Skied solo at Les Grands Montets today. Conditions better at the top then expected... went up the summit 5 times and cruised around the gondola zone a bit lower down. Off-piste is the softest by far, groomers icy and lots of moguls elsewhere. It's weird to have groomers and lift lines after Gulmarg, were the only reason you ever waited was because the gondola was broken or the workers were lazy. Oh and there are crevasses here! I went out of rope boundary and thought I was far from the huge glacier but almost ran into the world's smallest crevasse. Made me realise there are holes in the snow!

Also wished I had taken my camera up with me, the ski was clear and amazing views of Mt. Blanc from the summit. Plus I could have taken photos of gapers with harnesses... everyone is so hard core here!

Chamonix wooo hooo

Holly — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 12:43:11 -0400

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Almost had a heart attack carrying my gear in the Tube then through Kings Cross Station then Capital One train to airport transfer... to finally the airport!

Gone in to Geneva to find, oh wait you can guess... Australians! They were holding a Chamonix shuttle sign so I jumped in and presto, here I am next to the burnt down Cybar (which used to be the coolest internet cafe in Cham). Oh wait, this one that is now next door is sooooo great, well it must be, they charge x10 more than internet in London, and London is expensive after all.

Okay, now about skiing... get to ski tomorrow for the first time since March 17... but conditions look grim... barely any snow so am majorly skeptical.

I am staying at the Ski Station hostel, so if anyone wants to be my friend and ski with me I will be heading up in the A.M.

A bientot mes amis!

London's calling...

Holly — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 14:50:53 -0400

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So after 1 month in the Himalayas skiing in Gulmarg, 4 days on the beach in Goa and one night in the Delhi airport I finally made it to London... and a computer!

(India story will follow surely but extremely slowly due to camera photo download problems)

After 2 days in London doing banking, internet, laundry (stinking up my poor friend Rana's apartment as her long lost elusive adventure traveler friend) I have decided that London is calling me back to the mountains...

So tomorrow I head to Geneva and to Chamonix to visit Cheddar and Dave... oh wait, they are in Norway and Colorado respectively... so back to solo mission once again! Maybe there will be Australians in Chamonix to hang out with, they seem to be every where else I go.

Tomorrows mission: the London Underground, aka TUBE with 2 large ski bags. Aaarrrggggg. Either that or its another "world's most expensive taxi ride!" Yes admittingly, I broke down in Heathrow after 2 days of travel and no sleep and took a cab all the way to downtown London. And not just any cab, the big pimped-out black posh ones that fit all your gear and come with a geezer talking like the guys out of the movie Snatch. And £65 later, oh that's $150 dollars Canadian (choke), I made it to my friends flat. Yes, that is the same cost as my plane ticket to Geneva... so begins the bitter saga of the Tube and my gear. Wish me luck (and send me $... I am running out!).

Totally Tubular Bill. Bogus Ted.

Kashmir Packing List

Holly — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 21:54:08 -0500

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So I am almost done packing for my first trip to India.

Please let me know if I have forgotten anything!

I am more prepared than usual, as this is the first trip I have

bothered getting shots for... in my arm currently....

Hep A, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and still missing Yellow Fever (none available in Whistler).

In my ski bag and duffle bag (excuse crappy spelling)

1. -30 Celcius sleeping bag

2. Down slippers and flipflops

3. Down jacket, ski jacket and pants, wool longjohns

4. 2 pair skis, one with touring binding

5. Skins, shovel, transceiver, probe, compass

6. Headlamp, I-pod, digi camera

7. Diarrhea medicine, constipation medicine, peptobismal, emergen-c,

multivitimins, antibacterial cream, antibacterial wipes, antibiotics, malaria

medicine, gauze, tape, ace bandage, sunscreen, deet, sewing kit, advil,

losing track of other medicines, so many other pills

8. Jeans, 2 sweaters, 4 t-shirts, hoody, cargo pants

9. Adjustable ski poles, gloves x 2, helmet, boots, googles

10. Dromodory, crampons, backpack, thermos, water bottle, sneakers

11. Sunglasses, swim suit, board shorts, 3 hats

12. Stickers: doglotion, southamericaski, ski journal, smith

13. power converter, multi tool, knife, basic toiletteries, belt

14. plane ticket, 3 books, India Lonely planet, journal, passport

Am I forgetting anything???

Should I bring my harness? crampons? 60 Litre pack?

Hmmm... I hope I am under 100 pounds.

I am told internet access in Gulmarg sucks and won't have a laptop.

Will fill you in on the adventures when I can.

Oh and travelling to Kashmir with all your gear solo, priceless.

Heather Roberts is desparate for attention

Holly — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 14:43:27 -0400

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CHECK OUT WWW.VASTAWARDS.COM AND VOTE FOR HEATHER ROBERTS.

Here's what she has to say about that:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello Everbody! Hope everything everywhere is awesome.

Check this out! (And maybe vote for me while you're at it).

The ripping movie stars are: Sara Oakden, Greg Cambell(Smut), Oakley
White-Allen, Dave Wheylan, Dom Melanson, Malcolm Sangster and Dana
Flahr. (best skiers).

If the movie's aren't posted on the Vast Awards site yet you can vote
under the NOMINEES tab.

Take Care and Thanks so much!

Heather Roberts.

P.S. Also check out www.ifullrwasagirl.com and VOTE 4 ME!!!

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