686 is proud to announce the addition of iconic snowboarder Gigi Rüf to the team.
Gigi brings his own unique approach to snowboarding and will complement the entire global 686 team including snowboarders Forest Bailey, Sammy Luebke, Phil Jacques, Victor Daviet, Matt Belzile and Mary Rand. . . and more.
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The U.S. Ski & Snowboard and the United States of America Snowboard and Freeski Association sent out a press release today to remind everyone that they exist and still matter to snowboarding. Even though the Beijing Winter Olmpics aren’t until 2022 US Ski & Snowboard and USASA believe they’re still relevant to the sport. For instance:
One hundred percent of the regional snowboard events and 82 percent of the regional freeski events are produced by USASA. USASA produces more than 500 events at 120 resorts through their 32 unique series that engage the culture and community of both sports. In addition to the hosting of events, USASA also provides an education structure for the development of coaches, officials and judges in the U.S. hosted through in-person clinics and social outreach.
What they didn’t mention, but is also true, is that US Ski & Snowboard has nothing to do with the now bankrupt USA Gymnastics. For more information on exactly what U.S. Ski & Snowboard and the USASA do for snowboarders, snowboarding, and the entire industry please follow the jump.
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We were planning on doing these super list news link updates on the weekly, but last month seemed a bit shorter and our slow typing fingers failed the task. Take this as a catch up on all the news that caught our eye lately. we’ll attempt to do better moving forward. . . or not. Follow the jump for all the stories. Happy Friday.
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When Beastie Boy Adam Yauch got into snowboarding it was a big deal to a lot of people. Not that we needed validation from the cool kids, but where he went the hoards followed. Here, in a clip from their new Beastie Boys Book is a little back story on the boys, MCA, and his obsession with snowboarding among other things. Click play for five minutes of Beastie Boys flavor via Soundcloud.
[Link: Beastie Boys Book]
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Super action agent and former professional snowboarder Circe Wallace is reportedly blazing new business terrain in the cannabis industry with her latest venture, Hot Nife, according to a profile on Leafly.com.
“I see cannabis as an area of immense and incredible opportunity for women,” Wallace said. “I have to believe that shop owners and consumers will want to do business with operators who are honest and see the big picture. This business really is about relationships.” . . . Wallace is also channeling her experience from the snowboarding industry’s early days as she navigates the rapidly expanding cannabis sphere. “I think I understand how to ride the wave of taking a nascent industry into the mainstream,” she said.
No doubt. Plus weed is the new craft beer. Party on, Wayne.
[Link: Leafly.com]
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In January 2018 Jones Snowboards launched a grant program offering amateur riders the opportunity to go out on an expedition. Here’s how their first year went.
The first annual Jones Backcountry Adventure Grant that was awarded to Mount Baker local Corey Nolan. In April 2018 Corey used the grant to help fund an exploratory trip to Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska.
Looks like a pretty good use of some “adventure funding.” For the rest of the story, please click the link.
[Link: Jones Snowboards]
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Once again, a list of links to some of the stories we wish we had time to read and re-type. Follow the jump for all the details.
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We’re beginning to dream about winter and when we do we’re not thinking crowded resorts loaded with suburban brats acting rad. We’re thinking quiet forests, open glades, and rolling powder. And the board that gets us to it and through it during these flights is the Jones Mind Expander Split. It goes a little like this:
The new Mind Expander Splitboard was built for the creative rider who weaves nimble and playful lines as they slash through the backcountry. Designed by surf shaper Chris Christenson and Jeremy Jones, the Mind Expander Split features a Christenson Surf Rocker profile and a blunted nose for epic float in pow plus a full size tail for legit freestyle performance. The unique shape is matched with a short sidecut for snappy turn potential in tight trees and inner and outer edge Traction Tech for enhanced edge grip on icy skintracks or firm descents. For unmatched torsionally board connection in ride mode, the Mind Expander Split also features our Boltless Bridge and Karakoram Ultra Clips.
Really, what more do you need? Click the link for all the details.
[Link: Jones Snowboards]
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Each week we read more stories than we have time to post so we’re going to link them up with little or no commentary every now and again because commentary means caring and we don’t seem to have much energy pointed in the caring direction lately (sorry Stab High).
So for a few of the stories from the last week, follow the jump.
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How do ski resorts get more rideable terrain when most of their mountains are covered in trees? They can’t go in and clear cut it just yet, but with a little help from a tree killer known as the Spruce Beetle they can open up new runs no problem.
For example, at Monarch Mountain in Colorado they’ve just removed “thousands of trees” from their mountain that have been killed by the beetles according to a story in the Pueblo Chieftain and they couldn’t be happier about it. Who needs trees?
“It is kind of cool because as we’ve gotten into it and removed the dead trees we have opened up a lot more terrain, and that’s an opportunity for people to ski terrain they could not get to before. I think our guests will be pleasantly surprised,” said Randy Stroud, Monarch’s general manager.
Many of the trees are still good enough to be used for lumber, so that’s a plus, too. For the rest of the story, including the part about how clearing the trees is helping to eradicate the spruce beetle problem, and how school kids a learning about ecology through the tree clearing, follow the jump.
[Link: Pueblo Chieftain]
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