Dropping into ‘08; the Landing is Soft and Deep

If you haven’t made it up to Vermont this season to shred some trees , you have been missing out on some of the best terrain and conditions the northeast has to offer. Stowe and Smuggs have received over 160” of total snowfall this season and Jay Peak has recorded 181″. With close to two more feet falling just before the New Year, we had to get up there for those steep, powdery tree lines. The snow was great on and off the trail at Stowe on January 3rd, with fresh tracks still available all over the mountain–my favorite woods off the gondola were especially good. Ryan Montani, N’East Media Sales Director, was also up north and hit up Jay on New Year’s Eve to find deep stashes off-piste. The heaps of snowfall and deep base have opened up endless possibilities in the backcountry. It will also help us survive the inevitable warm and rainy days.* When the next big storm hits, head up north and get some. Pray for snow. –Ricky (Photo: Courtesy Stowe)

* The past four days have proven this. Don’t celebrate the warm days; it’s like being happy your frosty, delicious beer got warm. Thankfully, temps are on their way back down and we can be out of this “January thaw.”

Main Event Series Kicks Off

New England’s Main Event Series kicked off with a bang this past Sunday at Crotched Mountain Resort in New Hampshire. Warm weather and soft snow brought riders out of the wood work, young and old, to qualify for a chance to win a wildcard in the Burton U.S. Open. With familiar faces and right coast ingredients, everyone had a great time.

The lobby at Crotched Mountain started filling up an hour and half before the resort opened. While kids waited to register, Josh Lempert from SnowGrind finally came down from the hill after working all night with the Crotched staff building the perfect course. The mini slopestyle event had one two level jump, a jib tank, a down rail, and a wave box to barrel bopper. The series original founder, Andrew Mutty, now Flow’s International Team Manager, came out to shoot photos and show his support.

From the minute things started, kids threw down impressive tricks. With riders attending from Waterville Valley Academy, Stratton Mountain school, and Okemo Mountain School, the bar was set pretty high. There was a clear progression of riding from last season mixed in with a lot of style. Justin Morgan blew everyone away when he did a corked out cab 720 truck driver, winning him the Snowboard Jones best trick award.

The sponsors made sure the event was a well oiled machine. The title sponsors Burton Snowboards, Flow Snowboards, Sobe Energy, Fuel TV and direct TV gave away a ton of prizes. Other sponsors include Dekal.com, Snow Grind, Anon Optics, R.E.D., Rye Airfield, Oakley, N’East Magazine and Future Snowboarding Magazine.

Heavyweight (Pro) Men:
1st Graham Hoffman (Flow Snowboards) winning $500 cash, a spot in the finals, and a backpack full of prizes.
2nd Sam Hulbert (Eastern Boarder, Crotched Mountain) winning Flow bindings, Anon goggles, and bag full of prizes
3rd Justin Morgan

Heavyweight (Pro) Women:
1st Jordan Parks (Waterville Valley Academy) winning $250 cash, a spot in the finals, and a backpack full of prizes.
2nd Taylor Owen winning Flow bindings, Anon Goggles, and bag full of prizes
3rd Elin Tortorice

Lightweight (AM) Men:
1st Eric Beauchemin winning a Burton Dominate board, RED Helmet and bag full of prizes
2nd Nick Doucette winning Burton Cartel bindings, RED helmet, and bag full of prizes
3rd Wes Walsh

Lightweight (AM) Women:
1st Jennifer Cohen winning a Flow Snowboard, RED Helmet and bag full of prizes
2nd Jordan Cudemii winning Flow bindings, RED helmet, and bag full of prizes
3rd Mackensi Quigley

Snowboard Jones Best Trick:
Justin Morgan with a Cab 720 truck driver winning a board, binding, shoes, goggles, and schwag from Snowboard Jones of Manchester NH.

For details on upcoming event dates and event photos check out www.maineventseries.com.

Keep It In The Country

On Sunday December 23rd Waterville Valley hosted the Keep It In The Country event put on by Dekal.com . The event was to support U.S. based production in the snowboard industry. In order for people to have jobs in the U.S. in the future, things need to change, hence why the event was had.

With Christmas around the corner and rain clouds closing in, everyone still came out to shred. The event was highlighted by Waterville’s sick park and brand new rebuilt Hubba street set (thanks to their new park manager, Luke Mathison). Everyone threw down, and certain riders went home with some great prizes. The sponsors hooked it up, Dekal, Waterville Valley, Vitamin Water, Lahouts Snowboard Shop, Eastern Boarder, Oakley, MCB Outer wear, Summit Racing Shop, and Armory Clothing.

Ten guys made it into the finals and four girls. Danny Toumaraine came out of now where and was killing it the entire time, all the judges were very impressed. He won the contest and went home with a board provided by Lahouts Snowboard shop, tons of Dekal product, lots of goodies from Eastern Boarder, and all of the other sponsors. Laura Roguski from Univeristy of Vermont’s Snowboard team shined out of the girls. She won and went home with a board herself, along with a bag full of high quality U.S . made schwag.

Men’s Winners:
1) Danny Tourmaraine (from Cranmore Mountain)
2) Tanner McCarthy (from Eastern Boarder)
3) Nick Doucette
4) Graham Banks

Women’s Winners:
1) Laura Roguski (UVM Snowboard Team)
2) Jordan Parks (Waterville Valley Academy)
3) Millie Chapman
4) Samatha Bouchie

ANDY FINCH: Swatch TTR World No. 1 position

ANDY FINCH: NEW SWATCH TTR WORLD NUMBER ONE AFTER SIX(6)STAR O’NEILL EVOLUTION AMPLITUDE STOMP-A-THON

Davos, Switzerland: This is what professional snowboarding is all about. Massive tricks. Even bigger air. And pro snowboarders stomping the unstompable. Andy Finch (USA) finished 6th overall in the Quarterpipe, but after taking the title at yesterday’s Halfpipe session, Andy has moved into the Swatch TTR World No. 1 position, just twenty points ahead of now World No 2 Torstein Horgmo (NOR). Kim Rune Hansen (NOR) stood atop the Quarterpipe podium, while Risto Mattila (FIN) grabbed hold of the number 2 spot. Peetu Piiroinen (FIN), who was expected to do very well, rounded out the podium with a third place finish in the Quarterpipe.

The O’Neill Evolution lived up to its SIX(6)STAR title as riders like Nicolas Mueller (SUI), Colin Frei (SUI), Andy Finch(USA), and Manuel Pietropoli (ITA) redefined the word amplitude, taking their Airs and McTwists to incredible new heights that were just not possible only a few years back. Kim Rune Hansen was amped after he stomped a huge chuck flip that sent the crowd wild and earned him 1000 ranking points and $15 000 USD, “I just won the SIX(6)STAR TTR O’Neill Evolution Quarterpipe and I’m so stoked! It feels so good. I did a chuck flip and went about 6.5 meters, I’m just so stoked.”

Manuel Pietropoli (ITA) also took home $6000 USD for the Swatch Highest Air with his solid 8.0 m Backside Air that impressed both the fans and the riders.

Risto Mattila threw down one of the biggest McTwists ever seen, launching from one end of the quarterpipe to the other as Peetu Piiroinen spun a clean and huge Backside 5 to secure his podium finish. Risto’s second place finish moved him into World No 6: “Today everyone was pushing it. The level of riding was so high. It was a contest for amplitude: That was the name of the game. Man, it was a fun a competition. I was fourth place until my last run, but I was able to stick my trick for second. I’m so stoked.”

There are tons of big movers and shakers in the rankings after a double-dose of Ranking points was unleashed on riders looking for that coveted TTR World No. 1 spot. Chas Guldemond (USA) remains in the Top 5, holding onto World No 4 with fellow American rider Tim Humphreys (USA) moving into World No 11. Local Swiss rider Iouri Podladtchikov (SUI) has moved into World No 17, with Swiss favourite Nicolas Mueller (SUI) sitting right behind him at World No. 18. 05/06 Tour Champion Mathieu Crepel (FRA) sat out of the Quarterpipe stompfest, but his Halfpipe run keeps him in the Top 20 at World No. 19.

The battle for Swatch TTR Tour Leader rages on at the upcoming Burton European Open in Laax, Switzerland which will hand out another double-dosage of 1000 ranking points with Superpipe and Slopestyle competitions for both men and women riders.

Quarterpipe Top Ten:

Kim Rune Hansen NOR Burton
Risto Mattila FIN FLOW
Peetu Piiroinen FIN Burton
Nicolas Mueller SUI Burton
Colin Frei SUI K2
Andy Finch USA Rip Curl
Tore Holvik NOR Bateleon
Arthur Longo FRA APO
Benoit Thomas-Javid FRA Rome
Olivier Gittler FRA Burton

Check out all the action of the Swatch TTR SIX(6)STAR O’Neill Evolution on freecaster.tv and loads of special behind-the-scenes content on the TTR video player.

ABOUT TTR:
Founded by Terje Haakonsen and industry innovators in 2002, the SWATCH Ticket To Ride (TTR) World Snowboard Tour is a non-profit, rider-driven organization representing the progression of snowboarding. The SWATCH TTR World Snowboard Tour is based on global grass root and key independent freestyle snowboarding events over a ten-month period from Southern to Northern Hemisphere locations. Events are rated via a 1-through-6STAR system, with points allocated accordingly, a SIX(6) STAR event holds the highest. Any rider participating in these events, from up-and-coming to professional talent, earns ranking points and a position on the SWATCH TTR World Ranking List. The top male and female rider based on an average of their best six results of the season is crowned SWATCH TTR World Snowboard Tour Champion.

Midwest Update: Day 7

It was a drawn out, biting cold and mindblowingly action packed week traveling with Level 1 productions. I’m sitting in an IHOP praying the laptop power adaptor I have hanging over my head in the ceiling won’t knock me out. In seven days we switched hotels four times and saw the world of “urban” sking push forward by almost two years. Most tricks on this trip had never been done before, my brain is still catching up.
Thanks to Tom Wallisch, Ahmet Dadali, Kyle Decker and Mike Hornbeck for thousands of photos, countless A roll bangers and endless motivated hard work. Time to catch a red eye to Boston and a short bus ride home.

Eric Pollard Signs with Bern Head Protection

The Oregonian legend, Eric Pollard is on Bern. Eric has been one of the driving forces behind skiing’s progression and resurgence and he continues to charge in all that he does.

Skiers the world over have seen Eric’s unique approach to skiing, his film projects, art and creative style on the snow. Bern is proud to welcome him into the fold.

“Eric is one of the guys skiing has looked to for the last five years to make the board-sport culture accept skiing as a legitimate action sport in terms of it’s style. That’s what everyone notices, originality is style.” Says Josh Walker, Marketing Manager, Bern Unlimited.

Eric brings great experience in branding and art with his collaboration with line, and he will be developing a signature helmet with Bern as well.

“I’m always careful to align myself with companies I believe in, Bern is a perfect fit.”
Eric Pollard”

Look for Eric in IDEA this winter, an Iberg/PBP flick.

Bern Unlimited makes all-season head protection for action sports. Check them out at www.bernunlimited.com and www.myspace.com/bernheadprotection.

2008 Main Event Snowboard Series

Wanted: Looking for the best male and female snowboarders that can throw down some game on the East Coast. The Main Event is pleased to announce this year’s event line up. Each mountain will be creating the perfect slope-style course to cater to the slew of up and coming snowboarders in New England. This season The Main Event competition will be held at Crotched Mountain January 6th, Ski Sundown January 19th, Mt. Snow February 3rd and Finals will be held at Waterville Valley on February 10th. Winners of the heavyweight division will receive a wildcard into the U.S Open, an invite to The Sludge Sessions Photo shoot, and a hefty cash prize. Winners of the lightweight division will be receiving tons of gear from our sponsors.

Registration starts at 8 am at each location and closes at 10 a.m. There is an entry fee of $25 on the day of the event. If you need a pass for the day the fee will be $50 to include an all day lift ticket. This is a first come first serve basis with maximum of 120 riders at each event. Make sure you get to the mountain early to secure your spot. The Main Event Series is brought to you by, Burton Snowboards, Flow Snowboarding, Dekal, Sobe Energy, Fuel TV, R.E.D., Oakley, Direct TV, Satorius Sports, R.E.D., Anon Optics, N’East Magazine and Future Snowboarding Magazine.

For more information on The Main Event, please visit www.maineventseries.com

N’East On the R’Oad

Lame title? Maybe but 23 hrs on a greyhound will seriously wreck your creativity quickly. Currently robbing IHOP wireless next to.. I’d love to say exactly where but that will ruin the surprise in the future. I will say I’m on the road with a Level 1 ski crew searching for the grimiest, gnarliest handrails somewhere in the midwest. Keep scoping the blog and more serious photos will surface once I fire up the inverter between missions.. You can sleep when you’re dead.

-A

Christmas Eve: Scarborough Style

Any sane person would have been quietly preparing the last of the holiday feast, wrapping presents or simply catching up on some vacation sleep. Any sanely-insane person would have actually been surfing instead of just watching the surf.. I fell into the last category, completely insane. Not having completed any christmas shopping, being soaked to the knees in 40 degree surf and having forgotten my gloves in the car I shot surf for four hours at Scarborough christmas eve. An impromptu poll of shredders on their way down the path agreed, this was a “just five more minutes” kind of day. Gorgeous. Enjoy.

-Austin

N’East on N’Shore

While the surf in the Northeast has been less than stellar until this latest storm, Hawaii hasn’t been great either. Luckily, “Hawaiian” 4-foot means double-overhead at Pipe, and the Billabong Pipeline Masters was still pretty dramatic this week. Though there aren’t any Northeast natives surfing this WCT event, the Hawaiian crowd is pretty stoked on N’East Mag.

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Winter Has Arrived in New Jersey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Shannon McSweeney

Communications Manager, Mountain Creek

973-864-8088

smcsweeney@mountaincreek.com

Winter Has Arrived in New Jersey

Mountain Creek Opens Tomorrow!

Vernon, NJ (December 7, 2007) — It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for!!! Skiers and snowboarders across the region will find it hard to sleep tonight…knowing ski season is here!

When Mother Nature conspires with the best snowmakers in the business, amazing things can happen! Thanks to this incredible teamwork, Mountain Creek is thrilled to announce that not only is Vernon Base opening with incredible conditions tomorrow, December 8th – but the new South terrain park will also debut — one week early!.

Thanks to ideal snowmaking temperatures over the past two weeks, Mountain Creek’s powerful SnowLab26 has put down a deep base of white across both Vernon and South peaks. With those snow guns working overtime, guests will enjoy 13 trails with a base depth from 16”-18”, up to 36” in some places – making for awesome early season conditions. Vernon will be serviced by the Cabriolet Gondola and the Magic Carpet, while access at South will be provided by the South Chair, and the new parks at South will have at least 15 features on the hill.

First chair is at 8am for All Access Season Pass holders and 9am for everyone else. Both bases will also be open Monday through Friday of next week from Noon until 9pm. Season Passes are available for pick up at the Vernon Base Guest Services office or the South Rental Shop. For more information on conditions, trails and features visit www.mountaincreek.com

ABOUT MOUNTAIN CREEK
Located less than 50 miles from New York City and owned by Intrawest, Mountain Creek offers skiing and snowboarding on 45 trails across four mountain peaks with a 1040′ vertical, serviced by 11 lifts, state of the art snowmaking and 100% night lighting. Both home to the East’s Largest Terrain Park and a true family resort, Mountain Creek is dedicated to progression, education and safety, boasting a wide variety of terrain, lesson programs and rental equipment. The resort also offers summer fun at Mountain Creek Waterpark and Diablo Freeride Park, as well as luxurious accommodations at Black Creek Sanctuary and the slopeside Appalachian hotel, which also caters to boutique meetings and conferences. www.mountaincreek.com

ABOUT INTRAWEST
Intrawest is a world leader in experiential destination resorts. The company has interests in twelve resorts at North America’s most popular mountain destinations including Whistler Blackcomb, a host venue for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Intrawest network also includes Canadian Mountain Holidays, the largest heli-skiing operation in the world, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida and Club Intrawest—a private resort club with nine locations throughout North America. In addition, Intrawest develops real estate at its resorts and at other locations across North America and in Europe. Intrawest is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. For more information, visit www.intrawest.com

Killington Rails to Riches

It’s super late.. or early.. depending on your age. Very tired so this is a quick update.

$15,000 in prize money was given away tonight for the Rails to Riches event in Vermont at Killington Resort. A couple pros were in attendance, fun was had and Meathead Films “Wanderland” wrapped up the night in the lodge.

Finalists images are attached below.

Results
Men’s Snowboard: Niko Cioffi
Women’s Snowboard: Colleen Quigley
Women’s Ski: TBD
Men’s Ski: JD Zidcat

More coverage to follow on Monday.
-Austin

When in Stowe // Timberholm.com

Moe Photo

It’s winter up there…if you didn’t know already. Stowe has been blessed with some early season white and the shredders were out getting their kits dialed. N’EAST bounced over to give a look for ourselves and get some much needed R&R while the rest of the crew was on location in Ireland shooting some of the BIGGEST Swell anywhere this year.
We found some fun early season pockets and a few rails and boxes to mess around on. The ladies got some turns as well while checking out the new construction at Spruce Peak. With relaxing a main focus of the weekend we lucked out and got rooms at the Timberholm bed and breakfast in Stowe. Owners Darrick and Rich have everything any powder chaser could want, comfortable rooms, an inviting common living area and some of the best home cooked food you could ask for (ask them to make the chili). It doesn’t get any fresher than hearty breakfast quiche made with eggs right from their own hens, we were quite full to say the least when we left. Check out the Timberholm at timberholm.com and tell them N’EAST sent you. Happy riding.

Snow. Again. Today.

Bomber early season continues here in Maine and New Hampshire. Portland has seen upwards of 10 inches, the resorts are getting hammered, driving is treacherous and there are more ski masks visible on the streets than a single level of Grand Theft Auto. Its going to be a white christmas.

Stay tuned for snowboard night shots tomorrow morning.

White at the end of the tunnel.

Only a couple things in the world sound better than:
1. avie bombs on a big day at a big mountain
2. the sound of snow plows dropping onto asphalt at 5am on a dump day.

Today was the latter here in Portland. I won’t lie, that first plow slam into the retaining wall beside the house made me wonder if someone was breaking into the house. Then I realized its winter, 5am and all I have to steal is an air matress. My snow caked window reassured me all was well and my air mattress would be safe.

Danny’s stuck at his house, the emails are flowing in, my cell phone went off more between the hours of 6-8am than it has in weeks and Portland is now white. Slap me in the face and call this winter. Enjoy the photos from my cheapskate walk to work. Anyone sane would drive or take a bus today. Thankfully for your entertainment purposes I’m crazy and my skateshoes are waterproofed. Bring it on.

Update 12:37 pm : Still snowing. Hard. If anything its picked up.

-Austin

Out on the Ire-land.

Back in August, N’East Mag locked down N’East Editor Jon Coen, Brand Manager Tyler Briggs, photographers Nick Lavecchia, Ann Coen, Snapwater and talent, Randy Gaetano, Josh Clements, and Jamie Moran to capture the best the emerald isle has to offer, which, on top of creamy delicious stout, also includes countless reefs with thick reeling barrels.

To our surprise and good fortune – we hit it right this time.

Unfortunately for any Guinness lovers in the group, the only foam they are sure to see will be the result of a 15 foot + long period groundswell that is slamming the coast of Ireland, and it is only getting bigger. Extended forecasts predict the swell to double in size over the coming days. The crew has already sent over some shots that are—to use the local language—Brilliant! N’East expects more of the same and look for the results of the trip in the Photo Annual on newsstands late February.

Orage Pros & Powder Tour

Head up to Stowe, VT on Saturday, December 8, for the Orage Pros and Powder Tour.

Snowrider Project comes to SugarBush

Save the Date as the Massachusetts Surfrider Chapter will be hosting a Snowrider Event at Sugarbush Vermont the weekend of February 24 & 25, 2008.

This is a killer chance for all East Coast Chapters to get together and build some camaraderie as they bring the message of the water cycle and “Sea to Summit” to skiers and riders on the slopes. All participating Chapters are encouraged to bring their Campaigns and stoke to the slopes. Each year we talk with dozens and dozens of skiers and riders hailing from all corners of the Northeast who want to get involved with their local Chapter. We would be stoked if any participating volunteers would host a table and sync up with the public. It’s also a great chance to do something fun and constructive with other members outside of your own chapter – think about a road trip and rip’n it up in VT!

There will be discounted lift tickets, reduced rates on lodging, an après’ party at The Castle Rock Pub with plenty of loot and give-a-ways for all those who attend.
Marc Angelillo and Carol Tobian of the Massachusetts Surfrider Chapter are coordinating this event and teaming up with Sugarbush Resorts, N’EAST Magazine and a number of green industry manufacturers for the event. Please let them know if you are interested by contacting them at m.angelillo@att.net or caroltobian@yahoo.com.

Don’t forget to check out the Sugarbush website at www.Sugarbush.com for the latest skiing and riding conditions. They are open top bottom and its good !!!

Little Slammer Ski & Snowboard Series and December Demo Day

DECEMBER FUN ON THE WATERVILLE SLOPES WITH LITTLE SLAMMER SKI AND SNOWBOARD SERIES AND DEMO DAY- December events at Waterville Valley kick off with the Little Slammer Park series for ages 16 and under. Little Slammer ski events will be held Dec. 1, Dec. 30 and Jan. 26. The snowboard series are on Dec. 2, Dec. 31 and Jan. 27. Kids have the choice of entering the Little Slam division for a great intro to competition or the Big Slam. The Big Slam division costs $5 to enter with prizes like goggles, snowboards and skis awarded and a 2008-09 sponsorship from Waterville Valley. All events will be held in the Little Slammer Terrain Park with registration from 8-10 am. Looking to give the latest skis and snowboards a test drive on the slopes? Waterville Valley gives you that chance on Sunday, December 16 along with representatives from Rossignol, Atomic, Volkl, Marker, Salomon, Head, Dynastar and more. There’s no charge to demo equipment if you have a lift ticket or Threedom pass, but you will need a license, major credit card and your own boots. Registration runs from 8:30-1:30 in the base lodge. Sunday, December 23, Keep It In The Country Rail Jam, brings snowboarders together in support of US based production facilities and products. There will be amateur and pro divisions with the pro riders vying for a $2,500 cash purse. The next day, the park hosts the first of the season United States Amateur Snowboard Association Slopestyle competition for all ages. From opening day through Sunday, December 16, the resort is also taking canned food donations to help re-stock New Hampshire food banks. As an incentive to donate cans of food, there will be a raffle drawn on the last day of the drive. A $100 Waterville Valley gift card will be the top prize and the more cans someone brings, the better their chance of winning the gift card. For every can donated, skiers and snowboarders will receive a WV raffle ticket - bring one can and you get one entry, bring two cans and you get two raffle tickets and so on. The month ends with a bang as Waterville Valley celebrates New Year’s with its annual fireworks over Town Square at 7:00 pm on December 31.

Red Dawn Productions brings to you the NJ Contrast Gallery 2007

Consisting of photos from April 16th, 2007 & October 20th, 2007, this gallery is photographic evidence that the Atlantic Ocean is in fact capable of producing Grade A tubes!

Photographers: Evan Conway, Ashley Fava, and Jon Hoyler
Location: New Jersey
Date: 4/16/07 & 10/20/07
Presented by: Red Dawn Productions

Mountain Creek’s New Look

Mountain Creek’s new look has something for everyone
Second early snowfall in two weeks for NJ resort

Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 11/18/07

BY JON COEN
CORRESPONDENT

If you didn’t feel it when you were surfing two weeks ago, you certainly must have felt it last week. The change in seasons is not a bad thing.

Any real New Jersey boarder knows that the waves just get bigger and now we have the added option of riding snow.

Mountain Creek opens Dec. 8, but on Thursday night, the Vernon resort already received its first dusting of snow. The crew at Mountain Creek is not only excited to have a better early season — the last two years have felt more like October than December — but for the new look of the hill. Mountain Creek only has 1,040 feet of vertical, so the JibLab makes up for what it lacks in elevation by turning Mountain Creek into the biggest snow park on the East Coast, with 85 features.

Does this mean that the occasional boarder or weekend skier is going to feel alienated by a resort of designed terrain?

Not at all.

Mountain Creek has broken down the hill into eight “districts” for all styles of riding.

Jumping Jack, Big Bear and Lower Kamikaze have been turned into nice jump lines with all sorts of hits — tables, step downs, hips, spines and step ups — while Upper Kamikaze is strictly for obstacles like old race cars, oil drums, drain pipes, barrels, trees and mini walls.

They’ve even created an entire street scene of urban influenced features, including every kind of handrail and ledge. Lion’s Den and the Lark/Exhibition/Cloud 9 region is a hiking area full of flat boxes, rollers, small jumps and mellow features for riders of all levels.

Old schoolers will love the Throwback District of mailboxes and rainbow rails. The biggest and most technical stuff will be at the Proving Grounds with a few large kickers and skateboard style features. Suppose you’ve never ridden rails or busted airs before? The JibLab took you into account too, with an Intro Zone for first-time park riders, with super-low boxes, flat rails, and rollers.

There is literally something for everyone.

Velvet. It’s so nice.

Velvet. Live auction, classy catwalk fashion throwdown, excuse to dress “seasonably elegant” and opportunity to support Portland’s own Rippleeffect. Corduroy Surf Boutique sent two surf inspired outfits down the runway and kept it fresh with surfboards displayed by wetsuit clad shop manager Chris Cary. Surprise of the night, a Redbull BMX street rider did a couple laps on the dance floor with his bike to a crowd ironically already jacked up on energy drink product. Check the pictures below for a brief glimpse into our exhaustive efforts to help raise money for an awesome local cause.

Oh and the afterparty at the White Heart was ridiculously great. High five. Congratulations to Corduroy/N’East skate and surf package auction winners. Enjoy the ride.

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