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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Yep, there's only 3 days left to enter our Find the Money Line contest.

Pretty easy stuff. All you gotta do is buzz around our new zone map, find the money line logo, and enter to win.

Why Find the Money Line? Because that's exactly what we'll be doing with our Big Mountain Experience trips lined up for later this winter. Pray for some snow and when it comes, we'll be getting lots of it!


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Amped & ready for our 3rd season of operations, Backcountry Snowcats, is giving you a chance to win a piece of the action. Located on the Hurley Pass north of Pemberton and south of the snowmobiling hub of Bralorne, Backcountry Snowcats has more epic ski & snowboard terrain than we know what to do with, and is always scheming new ways to get you to the goods. Hence the creation of their unique new Private Big Mountain Experience package - guiding small groups of 3-4 riders, with safety training and mountaineering techniques in the mix. Using Snow Cat access, sleds & ski touring to cover more ground, you're looking at an epic weekend of money lines. It’s an experience unlike anything you’ll find at other cat boarding or heli operations, and Backcountry Snowcats is looking forward to hosting the first takers this season.

To launch the new package and wet your appetite for winter, our 'Find The Money Line' Contest could be your ticket to $1000 in Backcountry Snowcats credit this winter. First explore the 15,000 acres of powdery bowls, chutes and glades with the new interactive maps, then Enter to Win.
Not a bad deal eh?

Someone is going to score $1000 towards a trip at Backcountry Snowcats, and you can chose to apply it to the package that suites you best. It’s enough to cover a 2-Day weekend trip, with 2 nights at the Backcountry Snowcats Lodge, snowmobile or Snow Cat rides to and from Pemberton, 2 days cat skiing/riding, and hearty catered meals during your stay. Or bring some friends and put the prize bounty towards a Private Big Mountain Experience or Custom Trip.

Check out our new site, enter the contest, and with any luck you’ll be shredding at Backcountry Snowcats this winter.



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I've been back in Alaska for a while now. Not permanently, mind you, but mostly. In and out. I spent 3 weeks in the Tahoe area.. that was fun. Been back and forward between here and San Francisco for most of the year.

Moving there in January.

Alyeska already has 300+" through November. Let's hope for another amazing December, especially now that they semester is up.

Being in San Francisco is going to be nice. Only live about a 20 minute walk from the beach, like a 5 or 6 minute bus ride.

Yup.

Live is good. Life is good.



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And the icing on the cake… rumours have it Doglotion.com will present the
World Premiere of Paul Cotton’s ‘Gaper Day 2007’ short film; a mockumentary of the biggest Whistler-end-of-season ‘celebration’ yet. Daffies, twisters, rock grinds, one-pieces, stretch-pants, Mexican wrestlers – exposed on the big screen like never before.

DETAILS

When: 2 shows (7 & 9pm), on Friday September 28
Where: MY Millennium Place Theatre, Whistler
What: Ski & Snowboard Film premiere of 'Lost & Found'
Bonus: World Premiere of Paul Cotton's Gaper Day 2007 short film.
Tix: $9.99. All ages, available in advance at Ticketmaster.ca or
at MY Millennium Place Theatre, in person or by phone 604 935 8410. Get them in advance, sold out in years past.
After Party: "Fire, Ice, & DYNAMITE" The Party. At the Longhorn Saloon.
Swag give-aways, DJ, drink specials, bring it on.
They're welcoming FIREBALL to their family of drinks, and the FIREBOMB specials will be going down hard.
No cover charge. (Sorry no minors). Bonus points and anyone rocking a Fire, Ice & DYNAMITE costume.
Need inspiration? Think Willy Bogner film with breakdancing monoboarders in one-piece suits.
 
And someone's going home with a pair of new
DYNASTAR TROUBLE MAKERS!

About the film...

LOST AND FOUND is the story of the extraordinary season of 2006.07 as seen through the eyes of world-class skiers and snowboarders. With global drought persisting and ski resorts closing around the world, athletes are forced to follow the snow, sending them deep into the uncharted north country of Alaska and Canada – including of course – the
Whistler area. Filmed almost entirely in North America, LOST AND FOUND is a testament to the terrain and conditions that only exist in the Western Hemisphere.

It wouldn’t be complete without mind-blowing performances by some of our favourite Whistler athletes, Ian McIntosh, Dana Flahr, Kye Petersen, and Victoria Jealouse. McIntosh returns to try one-upping the films best breakthrough performance in last year’s film – his own – while Flahr is pumped on his return from injuries, and it shows. Once again, the Whistler crew pretty much shows the pros how we rock here in Whistler, and well, how last winter rocked us.
This film will take you into the vast, unexplored Tordrillo Mountains of Alaska, proving that some of the best big mountain riding in the world is still completely undiscovered. Athletes take advantage of the bountiful winter in British Columbia, hit disturbing park features in Aspen and score over-the-head powder pillows at Skeena Heliskiing.
The winter of 2007 was feast or famine; LOST AND FOUND documents the feast.

Sponsored by: JEEP, The North Face, Rossignol, Dynastar/Lange, Powder Magazine, Recco, Apple, Outside Magazine, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Burton
Local Sponsors: DYNASTAR, Glacier Shop, Rossignol, Whistler Blackcomb

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  Cypress Mountain’s New “Lions Express” High Speed Quad Chair well underway!

 More Lifts, More Terrain, More Vertical, More Excitement!

 WEST VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – Cypress Mountain is pleased to announce the  Lift Towers for the New “Lions Express” High Speed Detachable Quad Chair were flown into place today! This is a major milestone in our expansive summer development program!

“Where the Sunrise Quad was previously located, Cypress is installing a brand new High Speed Detachable Quad Chair, appropriately named the “Lions Express Quad Chair,” said Joffrey Koeman, Director of Sales & Marketing. “This new high speed lift will wisk our guests up Mt. Strachan in only 4 minutes and getting them closer to the breath taking view of The Lions, a Vancouver Landmark located within Cypress Provincial Park. The previous ride time was approximately 10 minutes.” said Koeman. 

Also underway are 9 new Ski Runs on the east facing slope of Black Mountain representing a 40% overall expansion to the Ski Area. To service this new area Cypress is relocating the Sunrise Quad Chair and re-launching the chair as the Raven Ridge Quad Chair. This will be the first major expansion of terrain on the North Shore since Sky Chair was opened in 1987!   

For this upcoming winter season Cypress will have 51 Ski Runs accessed by 9 lifts!  To see all the plans for the coming year or to purchase winter season passes please visit www.cypressmountain.com

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The Liquid Boardwear winter website is alive! Now you can get your fix of the new products, team rider blog updates, and get involved with the sponsorship program. We have taken the site to new heights.

 

Liquidboardwear.com is the central hub for the brand. Follow the team throughout the season via their blog pages. Who knows what you’ll find there.

 

The sponsorship program has been updated and improved. Now you vote on the best footage posted and invite your friends to do the same. We have enlisted a slew of industry insiders as judges to critique the footie and help determine who the next team rider is going to be. Two new riders will join the team each month based on the footage uploaded.

 

And then there is the product. Check out our entire product line, and determine what kit you are going to rock this year on the hill.

 Go check it out.  www.liquidboardwear.com

About Liquid Boardwear:

Liquid Boardwear is focused on supporting upcoming riders.    Liquid Boardwear is a convergence of tech and style. It’s a company reflective of its passion on snow, building real life clothing for real life riders. 

 

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The parks are getting blanketed again, and the big mountain terrain is getting prime…

With 3 months left in a winter season that extends to June 3, Whistler Blackcomb surpassed its annual average snowfall before the end of February. As of February 20, the resort had received 1026 centimetres or 404 inches of snowfall this year, with the annual average sitting at 1,006 centimetres or 396 inches. Now days later it’s already up at 1041cms or 410 inches, and to top it off… there’s up to 80 cm’s (32 inches) in the forecast for this week!

Record breaking snowfall in November, solid snowfall throughout December and January, and currently tracking to be the second snowiest year on record by the end of February, Whistler locals are enjoying an epic season. February has seen more sunny skies in the earlier part of the month, until deep winter returned to the resort this past weekend, and it doesn’t look like it’s ready to quit any time soon.

Here’s the forecast… http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/weather/forecast/index.htm

 

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Marty Guatrey – Lead hand & grooming the B Park since 1990. Marty started in Lake Louise, made the move to Whistler & has been working in the Parks in winter & Bike Park in the summer. Marty likes working with the younger crew & enjoys skiing what he builds. “I love building jumps. It’s challenging to build & progress with the skiers & snowboarders needs. It’s great to watch people having fun & enjoying my work & I do have a beautiful work environment”.

Oleksander Iskat – Works opposite shifts to Marty & leads the team on Marty’s days off. Olex has been grooming in the Park for 5 years & also has been a key member of the Bike Park in the summer. “I get to build what I want to ride & have the freedom to build an idea. I try to make everything I build as safe as possible. I may not ride the biggest hits but I’m happy to see people progress on our features”.

Jason Josling – 2^nd year in the park grooming. J was mostly in the Terrain Garden last season and now grooms the main Nintendo Park & helps out in the Highest Level when needed. “I’m still learning but feel I’m 100% better than last season. My job takes precision, a skilled eye & attention to detail. I try to make everything safe, rideable & fun”.

 
 left to right: Oleksander, Lucas, Kirby, Marty & Jason

Lucas Ouellette – 1^st season grooming & worked on the Parks day crew last season. Lucas is mostly in the Terrain Garden but is also working on the secret jib & jump section in the Highest Level Park “I like building stuff & hitting it the next day. It can be lonely @ times yet peaceful inside the snow cat. I crank up the punk rock tunes & build the jumps.”

Kirby Litzenberger – 6 seasons @ Whistler & specifically grooming the super pipe. Kirby took a couple of seasons off but we are stoked that he is back on our pipe team once again. Top riders know when Kirby has cut the pipe, it rides perfect. Kirby built his first pipe in 1988. “It takes vigilance to build the best pipe possible. I want to build & maintain the best pipe. Being rated #2 for pipe is not good enough. Southern Cali is all hype”.

Tim Austin – 2^nd year Grooming the Parks & also came from Park day crew. Tim rides what he builds & rides hard. Tim started grooming the Terrain Garden his first season & is now involved in the main Nintendo Park grooming team.

Andy Morrison – Our longest serving groomer with over 16 years of grooming experience, Andy works on the winter & summer Glacier half pipes. Andy has been pipe shaping for over 5 years & has used the Pipe Dragon & the Zaugg Pipe shapers.

left to right back row: Lucas, Oleksander, Marty. Front row = Kirby & Jason

 

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snow is finaly on the way, hope we get loaded in the next few days...
looking forward to go riding in fresh pow pow...

may the powdergood be with you :-)







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YEAH, YEAH, YEAH!!!

Ni!

KNIGHTS OF NI:

Ni! Ni! Ni! Ni! Ni!

ARTHUR:

Who are you?

HEAD KNIGHT:

We are the Knights Who Say... 'Ni'!

RANDOM:

Ni!

ARTHUR:

No! Not the Knights Who Say 'Ni'!

HEAD KNIGHT:

The same!

BEDEVERE:

Who are they?

HEAD KNIGHT:

We are the keepers of the sacred words: 'Ni', 'Peng', and 'Neee-wom'!

RANDOM:

Neee-wom!

ARTHUR:

Those who hear them seldom live to tell the tale.

HEAD KNIGHT:

The Knights Who Say 'Ni' demand a sacrifice.

ARTHUR:

Knights of Ni, we are but simple travellers who seek the enchanter who lives beyond these woods.

HEAD KNIGHT:

Ni!

KNIGHTS OF NI:

Ni! Ni! Ni! Ni! Ni!...

ARTHUR:

Ow! Ow! Ow! Agh!

HEAD KNIGHT:

We shall say 'ni' again to you if you do not appease us.

ARTHUR:

Well, what is it you want?

HEAD KNIGHT:

We want... a shrubbery!

[dramatic chord]

ARTHUR:

A what?

KNIGHTS OF NI:

Ni! Ni! Ni! Ni!

ARTHUR and PARTY:

Ow! Oh!

ARTHUR:

Please! Please! No more! We will find you a shrubbery.

HEAD KNIGHT:

You must return here with a shrubbery, or else, you will never pass through this wood... alive.

ARTHUR:

O Knights of Ni, you are just and fair, and we will return with a shrubbery.

HEAD KNIGHT:

One that looks nice.

ARTHUR:

Of course.

HEAD KNIGHT:

And not too expensive.

ARTHUR:

Yes.

HEAD KNIGHT:

Now... go!

so hilarious!

I laugh ever harder each time I watch it. I wonder what happened to the Knights of Ni in the end. When the police inspect the shrubbery it looks as though it was first trampled and then left derelict. Maybe the Knights were arrested. I hope not; they are the funniest characters in the whole movie, apart from Tim the Enchanter and the killer bunny which likes to sever off people's limbs with it's vicious long pointy teeth. I went to a dance last week but it was horrible; nobody wanted to dance and the music sucked! The least they could have done was play some rock but all they played was hip-hop and rap, neither of which I can stand in the least (except Eminem). I have no idea why no-one wanted to dance with me, apart from the fact I was wearing my yarmulkeh....I don't see why that should be such a major turn-off for people, except if they find Jewish people to be 'offensive' in some manner or form. There were a lot of people there I didn't know, which was kind of annoying yet fun because I got to act like a total douche and no-one will ever know! It was great! That part was great but the dance overall sucked badly....if that youth group ever puts on another dance I will not go because it was soooo bad. Not only was the music bad but the dj was terrible and kept making the music all weird sounding. Hopefully there will be a heavy metal dance/concert sometime soon that I can go to! 

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Well, here i go again, i dont usually update this very often so, thaught i'd give it a go again ;) This year i live in Ålesund, on the north-west coast of Norway, pretty far from were i live. I attend something called a "Folkehøgskole". I have practically taken a year off between college and high school. So i live in a dorm, and have a lot of fun really. The school is a travel school, and my destination is North-America, so ill be going there in march :D really excited! Now im at home in Tønsberg for my christmas holiday, so it is a lot of partying, and catching up to do with my friends and family back home. But school starts again 3rd of january, and I can't wait! hehe. Snow this year is bad! and havent skied yet, and there is not much snow anywhere! f*ck global warming!! But im going to trysil for my wintervacation, hoping to do a lot of skiing and snowboarding and partying than! :D :D well, that was a little update in my life nowadays :D so if theres anything more, dont hesitate to ask :D later! Hanne :)

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LOS ANGELES - ESPN Winter X Games 11 announces new sports, new athletes and more coverage going into the eleventh annual event. In addition to Skiing and Snowboard and ESPN‚s announcement last month of Snowmobile Freestyle being added to the sports lineup, Winter X Games 11 will include its first ever disabled discipline, Mono Skier X. First introduced as a demo event at Winter X Games Nine, this year‚s event will be modeled after Winter X mainstays, Skier X and Snowboarder X. It will feature the top 16 disabled men and women racing in individual sit-skis in heats of four. Snowboarding will add the discipline of Snowboard Best Trick Showdown, and Moto X will not be in the Winter X Games lineup but remain a pillar in summer and international events. Fifteen hours of live programming on ESPN and ABC will be offered as well as Winter X Games 11 coverage on ESPN International, EXPN.com, ESPN Classic, ESPN360, SportsCenter and ESPN2‚s X Center.

“As we move into the eleventh Winter X Games, we couldn‚t be more excited with our lineup of sports and the new group of athletes we have participating with Snowmobile Freestyle and Mono Skier X,” said Ron Semiao, senior vice president, ESPN Original Entertainment. “We are dedicated to bringing a variety of original and compelling content to the sports fans and confident with these sport additions we will do so at Winter X Games 11.”

The annual Winter X Games is the premier action winter sports event in the world and showcases more than 250 of the world‚s top athletes including 28 Olympians who competed in last year‚s Winter X Games 10 prior to traveling to Turin, Italy. In addition to Snowboard SuperPipe (added in 1998), the Olympics added Snowboard Boardercross an event that has been part of Winter X Games since the beginning. Last month, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that Skicross, known as Skier X in the Winter X Games, would be added to the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. Skier X was introduced to Winter X Games in 1998 with 30 competitors and was the first competition of its kind for the sport of skiing.

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