Shaun White, X Games and More: Snowboarding News Roundup

Short post day today, as I didn’t have much time at the keyboard. Lots of news in the snowboarding world to report on, though:

Shaun White and Burton Snowboards sign a 10 year endorsement deal: That’s pretty crazy. According to Burton’s press release, the partnership deal is the longest in the history of snowboarding. Two of [...]

Fistfights and Shredding: The Return to Whistler

I’m writing this from Vancouver airport’s Air Canada lounge courtesy of Elite Steve, who managed to get me in as a guest. I must say, these lounges are pretty sweet; free Internet, booze and cheese abound. I travel a fair bit, but not enough to make Elite. Dammit!

(Observational note: I appear to be the only person in here with six days worth of facial hair growth, a snowboarding t-shirt and a can of Canadian by my side. Everyone else appears to be well-dressed, shorn and drinking wine.)

I’m obviously en route home from my latest snowboarding adventure: Whistler. We arrived Thursday and left Monday night. We’re flying the red eye back because we wanted to get another day of riding in. Talk about Highly Obsessed!

Here’s what went down in Whistler.

Whistler: 4.5 Feet in the Past Seven Days

The headline pretty much says it all. While most skill hills in Ontario are practically closed thanks to this insane January thaw, Whistler is having an epic winter. And it’s supposed to snow this week, too.
You ever have to watch it snow somewhere else, know that you’re going there soon, and hope to all things [...]

Snow is Big News Up Here

Web sites, television stations, newspapers and radio stations are all talking a lot about snow up here in Canada, both on the west coast and in Ontario. Among the stories making headlines:

Once again, there is no snow in Ontario: Blue Mountain is down to a paltry six runs today thanks to a completely insane January [...]

In-Bounds Avalanche at Big White

If you keep track of snow-related news, you may be aware there’s been an avalanche at Big White, a popular BC ski resort. The avalanche took place Sunday morning, while the resort was open, in-bounds.
In-bounds. It’s the first time an avalanche has struck Big White while the resort was open, and certainly the first I’ve [...]

The Economic Impact of Being a “Skier Only” Resort

Wow, even the Wall Street Journal has picked up the story of Taos, which announced last month it was going to lift its ban on snowboarders. According to the journal, the decision was rooted in pure economics:

According to the National Ski Areas Association, the majority of skiers who skied more than a day at a [...]

Throw Down in a “Skier Only” Resort, Earn Five Grand

I have to hand it to you, our readers. You are making great comments and sending along fantastic articles. This post is based on yet another great comment, one from bry who points out in a comment that Burton is paying $5,000 to the best video documenting an instance of “poaching” — that is, snowboarding [...]

Globe and Mail Travel: Follow the Snow

The Globe and Mail, Canada’s national newspaper, is running a special travel section this weekend on skiing and snowboarding. Among the highlights:

A look at what’s up at Whistler Blackcomb (a given, due to the Olympics).
A closer look at Telluride.
How to find and ski/ride a World Cup run in Canada.
Rescue at Chamonix, a first-person overview [...]

Some Major Alberta Resorts to Lose Jumps

I can’t believe I missed this controversy, which I just clued in to after passing through Afterbang tonight: Lake Louise, Nakiska Ski Area, Fernie and Kimberley Alpine Resort are all banning man-made jumps from their terrain parks.
My guess would be the resorts don’t want to assume the liabilities inherent in allowing your guests to [...]

Colorado Ski Area Improvements: A-Z

Statesman.com has a nice overview of improvements to popular ski areas in Colorado this winter. New glades at Copper Mountain? Cooool.