All the latest snowboarding news brought to you by ShredTheSnow.com http://www.shredthesnow.com http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1862 2008-11-04 -   Volcom is proud to announce that Gigi Rüf will be rocking Volcom outerwear and riding Volcom snowboards for the 2008/2009 season and beyond.     Gigi has been a part of the Volcom family for more than 15 years. The young Austrian made his first trip to Volcom when he was just 12 years old. At that time Volcom Art Director, Ethan Anderson sent Gigi home with a hand made Volcom card. In the card EA wrote “Christian aka Gigi- Thank you for coming to America and hanging out. You rule. You are the future keep it up. Ethan”. The future is now.     Gigi is on top of the snowboarding world. At the end of this past season he ranked in the top 10 of Transworld Business’ Exposure Meter and was also in the top 10 in Snowboarders Rider of the Year issue. To see Gigi in motion check any one of his multiple video parts including the opener of Absinthe’s latest release “Ready” and Pirate Movie Productions “Overseas”. The loop jib is a must see.     There have been few riders over the years whose riding style, technical ability, fluidity and creativity come together as perfection. Gigi is one of those few, watching him ride is always exciting and inspiring as he opens up new lines with an uncanny mountain sense. It must be instinct, considering his roots run deep in the heart of the Alps.     “Gigi has a timeless style, creative mind, and unbelievable personality. We are really excited to see what the future holds.” –Billy Anderson, Volcom Snow Brand Manager     “Gigi has been a part of the Volcom family since the beginning and I’m really stoked to see him now 100% Volcom Snowboarding. This is a major plus for the company and very motivating as we plan for the future. Yea Gigi!” –Richard Woolcott, Volcom CEO http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1862 http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1889 2008-11-03 - WEST DOVER (November 1, 2008) – Mount Snow offered its first lift-serviced terrain of the 2008-2009 ski season this morning, opening the Discovery Shuttle lift at 8 a.m. and offering guests a terrain park with over a dozen features. The opening marks the first lift-serviced terrain in Vermont for the 2008-2009 season. Lift tickets were sold for $10, with all proceeds donated directly to the Guy Hawkins fund. Over $1,800 was collected and will assist local cancer patients and their families. Approximately 300 skiers and riders showed up for the “Tricks for Treats” jib session on Launch Pad, enjoying a free barbeque, free Halloween candy, and music. A costume contest was held, and Rory Bruder won a snowboard for his ice cream cone get-up, while Ashley Coulthard won a pair of skis for his “ski bum” outfit. Mount Snow will fire up its fan gun snowmaking machines on several top to bottom trails tonight, continuing to stockpile snow in preparation for lift service from the summit. Mount Snow was the first mountain in New England to open with top to bottom terrain in 2007. http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1889 http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1890 2008-11-03 - Just a quick update from the heads at Sessions. Nate Farrell and Andreas Gidlund are now on the Sessions Pro team Nate Farrell Andreas Gidlund Brett Butcher is the new Team Manager. And we have a new sessions blog…. www.sessionsteam.blogspot.com (here) http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1890 http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1891 2008-11-03 - “1000 at f5.6: A Scott Serfas Photo Exhibit” What: ExhibitHost: Scott SerfasStart Time: Friday, November 28 at 6:30pmEnd Time: Friday, November 28 at 11:00pmWhere: Red Bull Headquarters and Lounge Click (here) to warp over to scottserfas.com http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1891 http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1880 2008-10-30 - http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1880 http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1881 2008-10-30 - http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1881 http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1882 2008-10-30 - PORTLAND, OREGON – October 23, 2008 Grenade Gloves, one of the fastest-growing names in action sports, is celebrating its successful global film tour, The Boned Age, by bringing the film home to the Pacific Northwest for the final two stops on the tour. When:On Saturday, November 1st, the Grenade crew rolls into Seattle for an autograph session at Zumiez at the Southcenter Mall from 3pm-5pm, followed by the showing of The Boned Age at The Skate Barn at 9pm.  Address: 2900 Lind Ave SW Renton, WA 98057; free and open to the public. On Sunday, November 2nd, the Portland homecoming features an autograph session at Clackamas Town Center’s Zumiez store from 3-5pm, followed by the film showing and costume contest at 7:00pm at the Clinton Street Theater, 2522 SE Clinton St. The film showcases the top names in snowboarding performing stunts on the most dangerous mountain runs and customized snow parks.  The cinematography is awe-inspiring; shot with super-16mm high definition and matched only by the tricks pulled off by the infamous Grenerds. “The Boned Age includes plenty of wipeouts, skits, and the freshest tricks in all aspects of the sport from Magoon creating new rail combinations to EJT–Experimental Jump Technologies,” says two-time Olympic silver medalist and Grenade President Danny Kass. Joining Kass in the all-star cast are Scotty Lago, Benji Ritchie, Gabe Taylor, Kyle Clancy, Lucas Magoon, Travis Rice, The Dingo and Dave England of MTV’s Jack Ass.  The film’s title pays tribute to the 1994 cult classic film The Stoned Age, and features its own version of the infamous “Blue Torpedo” wagon and “gnarly eyeball” seen in the original.  See the new HD trailer for The Boned Age here and see even more here. The international tour is hosted by Danny Kass and The Dingo and various stops have included athlete appearances, contests, giveaways, free Grenade Army enlistment and after-parties featuring DJs and musicians Feli Fel, Lil Jon, Shawty Put, Mr. Choc, DJ Revolution and Tina T. http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1882 http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1883 2008-10-30 - ARTEC TEAMS UP WITH SONY FOR 5TH DESIGN CONTEST Win a personally designed snowboard and a Sony PSP-Set Begunje, Slovenia, November 2008 – Artec Snowboards is proud to announce the launch of the 2009 Artec Snowboards Design Contest. We are proud to be teaming up with the generous folks at Sony Playstation again this year, and the stakes are as high as ever for the 5th edition of this innovative competition. Last year’s winner Philipp Uhlig and Artec’s Blaise Rosenthal Here’s the deal: we’re looking for artistic souls to take on our creative challenge and design a snowboard topsheet graphic that ties in with our progressive design philosophy and technology. History tells us the winning entry will need to be truly inspired and original, so be creative and unleash your imagination. The winner of the Artec Snowboards Design Contest 2009, selected by a jury of Artec team riders and designers, will receive a one of a kind Artec snowboard featuring the winning topsheet graphic design. Plus, the top dog will also walk away with a Sony PlayStation® Portable (PSP) Slim & Lite and the newest adventure for PSP - LocoRoco 2. That’s a whole PSP mobile entertainment system right there, people. Our 2nd and 3rd place finishers will also be in line to receive top prizes, with each of the runners-up receiving an Artec Snowboard and the latest Sony PSP game - LocoRoco 2. And check this: the top three designs will be exhibited in the Art Gallery at the Artec Snowboards booth at Ispo Winter 09. Head over to artecsnowboards.com and download a blueprint design template and get to work. After finish the design you can simply upload it on line together with your personal data. Carefully read our Blueprint design guidelines to ensure you meet our specifications. There are no limits to how many graphics you can upload. The deadline for all graphic submissions is midnight on January 5th, 2009. Now go create something. http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1883 http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1884 2008-10-30 - JP Walker and Nick Dirks are officially on DaKine. Stay tuned for all the details as they’re released. Or go to dakine.com (here) for more where this came from. JP Walker. PHOTO: Andy Wright Nick Dirks. PHOTO:Liam Gallagher http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1884 http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1885 2008-10-30 - http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1885 http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1886 2008-10-30 - On October 17th, a wine and cheese gala launched the latest exhibit at theworld renowned Whyte Museum in Banff, Alberta Canada. Out There Adventure Photography is an exhibition of contemporary photography documenting people¹s travels and adventures in the Canadian Rockies. Mark Gallup is one of the featured photographers in this exhibit. Framedside by side with other adventure photographers such as Pat and BaibaMorrow, Will Gadd, Chic Scott, Sharon Wood (first Canadian women to climbEverest), Barry Blanchard and Bob Sandford. All Banff and Rocky Mountainlegends. You may not have heard of all of them, but you know their photography andamazing adventures documented in mountain journals the world over. Attached is your personal invite to the exhibit next time your in the Banffarea. As well as a few samples of Mark’s images on display. … In a packed room, Curator and Director Craig Richards read thisstatement to a crowd of Banff’s social elite and the who’s who of CanadianMountain Culture. Quoted from an e-mail sent to him from Mark Gallup. … “I’ve partied in Las Lenas like it was 1999 (and, come to think of it,it was 1999); taken a piss on countless peaks that have never seen a humanfoot print; bellied up to a Bell 407 in Belle Coola; shit my pants inFrance; jigged when I should have jagged in Japan; felt pain in Spain; gonethe wrong way in Norway, well, you get the idea. But like the fable ofDorothy and her fuzzy sidekick Toto, Once and awhile, I like to click myheels 3 times and repeat over and over again, “There’s no place like home.” http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1886 http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1887 2008-10-30 - Thule’s new Ascent series is designed to reflect the styling of today’s vehicles and handle the carrying needs of active outdoors people and travelers alike.  The four boxes in line, ranging in size from 11 to 17 cubic feet in maximum carrying capacity, include a true ski carrier, luggage box, crossover wagonbox, and a multipurpose carrier.“Roof top boxes continue to be popular with travelers, as they are an easy way toquickly add storage capacity when needed,” said TJ Hanson, Thule VP Marketing.  “TheAscent series is loaded with key features that fit the needs of almost any traveler and atprice points for almost any budget.” The Ascent series features Diffuser Technology that channels air flow under the boxand reduces wind resistance and noise, while providing torsion stability.  The boxes alsofeature Thule’s fast, easy and intuitive Quick Grip mounting hardware, dual sideopening, and Thule’s One Key System featuring the No Go Locking Mechanism, thatonly allows for key removable once the box is closed and locked. Ascent 1100 Designed for skiers and the city dweller with garages to contend with, the 1100increases the height above the load bars by only 11.2 inches.Dimensions- 88.5”L x 28.5”W x 12.4”H, 31 lbsMSRP- $299Available- Now Ascent 1500 The 1500 is the first dual side opening luggage box to be on the market and is sizedspecifically for the average consumer and all of their personal cargo needs, fromcamping to golfing to country side excursions.Dimensions- 65”L x 35”W x 16.4”H, 35 lbsMSRP- $359Available- October 1, 2007 Ascent 1600 For the CUV/Sport Wagon, the Ascent 1600 is proportioned to the smaller car designsin this category.Dimensions- 76”L x 33.1”W x 16.4”H, 37 lbsMSRP- $379Available- Now Ascent 1700 The Ascent 1700 is a multipurpose box that can accommodate anything from kayakpaddles to skis to luggage.Dimensions- 91.5”L x 31.5”W x 15.7”H, 40 lbsMSRP- $399Available- Now With the introduction of the Ascent series, Thule will discontinue its Cascade series ofroof top boxes. About Thule Inc.Thule Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary within the Thule Group.  It is the leading USmanufacturer of car rack products, with production sites in Seymour, Connecticut andChicago, Illinois.  Thule’s product line features multi-purpose roof racks, roof top boxes,rear mount racks, and accessories for outdoor equipment including bikes, skis,snowboards, kayaks, canoes, and surfboards.  For more information visitwww.thule.com. http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1887 http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1888 2008-10-30 - The guest experience at Copper Mountain continues to evolve for the 08-09 winter season and will feature a number of new choices in programs, events and unique mountain experiences including Woodward at Copper, the US Snowboarding Grand Prix, Roll Your Own Sushi, the newest trail at Copper – Black Bear Glade, a GPS tracking system for youth ski and ride school lessons and more. WOODWARD AT COPPER…Woodward at Copper – the first skiing and riding training facility dedicated to Park and Pipe progression – opens January 2009 with Winter Camp Days,  the One Hit Wonder session, as well as Drop-in sessions.  On tap for this summer is the Woodward at Copper Summer Camp with week-long sessions, The Barn indoor training facility, summer Terrain Park and more.  www.WoodwardatCopper.com FREEDOM TO THE GUEST…Shouldn’t a ski vacation be fun?  Shouldn’t you have the freedom to make your own vacation experience?  The answer is YES.  Copper Mountain is putting the freedom back into skiing and riding this season with the Tucker Mountain Snowcat, the Beeline Advantage, Free Tips from Ski and Ride School Pros, Flexible Lesson Times and Kids Night Out.  In addition, make sure to check out Roll Your Own…Copper invites guests to break out their creativity and learn the fine art that is rolling sushi.  Perfect for a group of friends or someone looking for a bit of enrichment while on vacation, Storm King Lounge’s “Roll Your Own Sushi” program helps guests find their inner chef. TWO NIGHT STAND…because we’re not that kind of mountain!  Still want to save on lodging at Copper even though you already have your pass or lift tickets?  With the Two Night Stand lodging package guests who book before Nov. 23 can save 15% on lodging, starting from $54 per person, per night.  This package is based on double occupancy in a silver hotel room, rates vary by arrival dates and room types and do not include taxes, surcharge, or booking fee.  This offer is not valid with any other promotion and expires November 23, 2008.  Other restrictions may apply.   Please call your Copper Vacation Specialist at 866.534.7444 to book. US SNOWBOARDING GRAND PRIX, DEC. 12 – 13…In its 12th year, the US Snowboarding Grand Prix, televised on NBC Sports and Versus, is the exclusive snowboard tour in the nation, featuring the top riders in America, including Copper’s Clair and Dylan Bidez, vying for $300,000 in cash prizes.  Copper will also host the Paul Mitchell Progression Session on Dec. 13.  www.ussnowboarding.com/grandprix http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1888 http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1877 2008-10-29 - Ladies, grab your gear, head to the hills and dial those moves you want to show off this coming season. Nikita is bringing the Chickita to the USA and Europe once more and we’re ready for a good show. Dates have already been confirmed so there’s no excuse to miss out: Nikita Chickita USA 21st February 2009, Mammoth Mountain Nikita Chickita EUROPE 18th April 2009, Serfaus, Austria Nikita Chickita is an open-invite slopestyle contest, notorious for the relaxed and fun atmosphere. Up for grabs will be cash and prizes galore for both the top Pro and Am riders. As in previous years the top Am rider will receive a one-year sponsorship with Nikita. Ana Rumiha and Alice Gong, European and USA winners respectively from 2008, have had great times being a part of the Nikita family! Nikita is stoked to let you know that Lomography is on board to sponsor both the USA and European Nikita Chickita contests with their awesome cameras. We’re already jealous of the lucky winners!!  Osiris and DaKine will also be flowing sweet product to all the ladies at the USA event. Cooler and Onboard are part of the action as media partners for Europe. Transworld Snowboarding and Venus Zine will be reporting from the USA.To sign up for the USA event go to: http://signmeup.com/site/reg/register.aspx?fid=FQ2V8K7 Check out http://www.nikitaclothing.com/nikitachickita for footage from last year’s event in Austria, and go to www.nikitaclothing.com to see what’s new at Nikita. http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1877 http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1878 2008-10-29 - Waterville Valley kicks off 08-09 Events with Rome’s Premature Jibulation, “No Correct Way” and Eastern Boarder Video ShowsA packed season of events at Waterville Valley starts Saturday November 15 with the first stop of the Rome Premature Jibulation Tour. Boxes, rails, bonks, hot dogs, girls, guys, and tons of product from Rome will all be present and accounted for. Bring a skateboard, as the Waterville Valley mini-ramp will be set-up to keep you loose between Bring a skateboard, as the Waterville Valley mini-ramp will be set-up to keep you loose betweenheats. Passes will be $10 for the day and will include food, drink and of course fun. The event will be free. Riders will be broken up into three heats of all ages, girls, guys and will compete in a 20-minute jam session. 5 of those competitors will be picked from each heat to represent in a 15 rider final. Prizes include Rome boards, bindings, boots and outerwear, along with a ton of other loot for the legendary product toss. Check last year’s video (here). After the Rome Premature Jibulation head to Biederman’s Deli in Plymouth, NH from 6-9pm for the showing of Rome’s “No Correct Way” and the Eastern Boarder Video (here), sponsored in part by Waterville Valley. Waterville Valley Packed Event Schedule200811/22 Opening Day12/7   Grand Opening Jam Little Slammer (16 & under)12/29  Little Slammer Snowboard 20091/3    Transworld Trans Am1/17   Volcom PB & Rail Jam1/25    Little Slammer Snowboard Finals1/31   USASA Slopestyle2/1     B4BC Rail Jam & Ultimate Pink Raffle2/7    USASA Boardercross2/27  Airing for Autism2/28  USASA Slopestyle3/1    Billabong Flaunt It Womens Series3/7     Nitro Snowboard Event3/8    USASA Superpipe3/13- 3/15 Burton Demo Tour Super Stop3/14  Burton Am Series Superpipe3/15  Burton Am Series Slopestyle3/17  St. Patty Day $17 lift tickets!4/1    Dollar Day!4/4    Pond Skimming/ Slopeside Spring Concert All events are subject to change. For the lowdown on all of our events check out www.snowboardwaterville.com (here) http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1878 http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1879 2008-10-29 - Tyrol Basin will be OPENWednesday, Oct. 29th & Thursday, Oct. 30thHours - 5 pm to 9 pm 1 run with hike-up only $10 Tickets(Season Passes are accepted) Call 608-437-4135 or go to www.tyrolbasin.com for more info http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1879 http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1872 2008-10-28 - http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1872 http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1873 2008-10-28 - Be there or be square. http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1873 http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1874 2008-10-28 - Wrightwood, CA (October 27, 2008) – Mountain High (here) has launched its 2008/09 website, front loading the season with a brand new look and tech additions such as a deal finder and upgraded video player. The acclaimed easy navigation and layout of mthigh.com return, along with gas calculator, live webcams, interactive trail map, and up-to-the-minute weather and snow conditions, among other features. With Mountain High’s new deal finder, riders can find the best money saving ticket deals based on their ability level, number of days on-snow, and night riding preference. Also new, the site’s video player was developed by MobileRider and features Mountain High video content (here) such as the 2008/09 park feature video and a classic season pass spoof. Check out how much cash can be saved by riding at Mountain High versus other Southern California resorts with the gas calculator. The feature works by entering current gas cost, car type, and location, then calculating the round-trip expense to several local areas. Best of all, mthigh.com is updated daily during the season with new photos, weather info, snow conditions, and live webcam images for the best look at current conditions on the mountain. Check out the new site at mthigh.com and keep an eye on the home page for the announcement of Mountain High’s opening day. Don’t forget, Mountain High’s $299 anytime season passes (regularly $599) are on sale until October 31, 2008. Get yours today at mthigh.com (here). http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1874 http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1875 2008-10-28 - ECHO MOUNTAIN FEATURE UPDATE – BURTON STAIR SET The Burton Stair Set is the newest and by far the biggest addition to the park at Echo Mountain this season, bringing the street to 10,500 feet. With 25 stairs worth of ledge, straight rail and hubba, this unique feature promises to provide the platform for plenty of bangers this coming season. Not to mention all you jib heads out there can now get the same gnarliness and consequence without having to deal with the police on the street. Standing on the deck looking down at the lexan and steal covered logs, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment as visions of trick after trick quickly cloud the eager pre-season mind. To the right is a straight log that has been halved and covered with lexan creating a 10” wide ledge complete with steal coping. To the left is a 4’’ square, steal rail set into a log bringing the metal from the street to the trees of the mountains. Splitting the Stair Set in half, the hubba ledge screams combos with 8” ledges on both sides of a super wide, polyurethane coated log. With the temps dropping and the snow guns blasting, it’s only a matter of time now. Soon the hammers will be dropping and Echo Mountain along with Burton will present Colorado with its first true street style stair set! Oh, and we can’t forget to say a huge thanks to Echo’s crew of highly skilled and dedicated carpenters including King, Collin and Jeremy for making this amazing feature possible. Check back right here every two weeks for more Echo Mountain feature updates and don’t forget to keep your eyes open for further section updates from the Echodemic Vol. 1. Lastly, be sure to pick up your 2008-2009 Unlimited Echo Mountain Season Pass for the low price of only $149 available for a limited time only! Can’t wait to see you up hear, -Echo Mountain Staff Click Here to go the Echo Mountain’s Web site http://www.shredthesnow.com/news-details.php?id=1875