by The Editors on December 2, 2013
A 16-year-old Vancouver, Canada snowboarder who was reported missing on the evening of Friday, November 29, 2013 was found dead by rescuers, according to a story in the Times Colonist.
The boy, a 16-year-old Brazilian exchange student, had been snowboarding with friends on the Heaven’s Sake run before he became separated from the group about 7 p.m. . . When the boy failed to meet up with the group, a friend became concerned and reported the disappearance to staff. . . Staff at the mountain began an initial search before North Shore Rescue crews and RCMP were called in about 9:30 p.m. due to worsening weather conditions that included heavy fog and sleet.
The kid was found shortly after midnight. He had apparently fallen off a run and hit a tree. He was not wearing a helmet. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
[Link: Times Colonist]
by The Editors on November 25, 2013
Tahiti’s Michel Bourez edged Fred Patacchia, Jeremy Flores, and Dion Atkinson to win his second Reef Hawaiian Pro and the first jewel in the 2013 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing at Haleiwa on Sunday, November 24, 2013.
“It’ still a new feeling,” Bourez said. “The first time I won it, I was super happy for making the tour and this time, you know, I worked so hard to make the final and especially to lead the Triple Crown and it’s a good feeling. They keep saying the guy who wins the Haleiwa contest has a lot of chance to win a Triple Crown.
The waiting period for the Vans World Cup of Surfing at Sunset begins today and will likely begin tomorrow, November 26, 2013. For the official word from the Triple Crown, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on November 23, 2013
Vans and Union Binding Company have teamed up on a binding to celebrates Vans 20 years in the snow game.
Joining forces with one of the leading binding producers in the industry, Vans and Union collaborate on a commemorative Vans 20th Anniversary binding, complete with Union’s proven Custom House construction. The limited edition Vans x Union collaboration celebrates a momentous occasion for both brands, as they acknowledge over twenty years of iconic Vans Snow heritage.
We’re always down for some old school styling. The Vans x Union binding is available now at Union retailers. For the binding and the official word from Van, follow the jump.
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on November 21, 2013
While the rest of the Northern Hemisphere has been slogging along through fall, the snow gods have gotten all over the Northern Cascades and dumped over 40 inches of fresh, winter snow on the shoulders of Mt. Shuksan. That means Mt. Baker Ski Area is ready to roll today, November 21, 2013.
According to Frequency The Snowboarders’ Journal it’s going to go a little like this:
With a 43-inch base at Pan Dome and 37 inches at Heather Meadows, Baker will be opening in style: all three lodges, at least seven chairs, all systems go for a pre-Thanksgiving powder feast. As always, we recommend easing into it. Plenty more snow is going to fall in the coming weeks, and early season conditions exist. Obey closed areas, be on the lookout for early season hazards, ride with care, and go get your fill—you can be sure we will.
Can you taste it? We know you can.
[Link: Frequency]
by The Editors on November 21, 2013
Hans and Nils Mindnich are officially on the Salomon Snowboards AM program. Which appears to be a good deal for everyone. Here’s what Salomon says:
Hans and Nils Mindnich happen to be brothers, but they also happen to be two of the most stylish up and coming snowboarders out there right now. When these guys strap in you never know what is going to happen, but you park it in a good spot to watch because one thing is for sure, it’s going to be wildly entertaining.
Sounds like high fives are in order all around.
by The Editors on November 20, 2013
Have to say we cannot disagree with Whitelines when they said:
Jamie, Jamie, Jamie, what were you thinking? All we can say is we hope the money was decent, because this has to be the most cringe worthy advert involving snowboarding we’ve ever seen.
Sometimes it’s just better to keep total and complete control over your brand than to cash the check, then again, cashing checks is what the Olympics are all about. Cha-cha-cha-ching.
[Link: Whitelines]
by The Editors on November 20, 2013
The Burlington, Vermont based design firm JDK has probably done more to shape the way we all view snowboarding than any other company ever. Their years of shaping the branding and visual design at Burton Snowboards have made them almost synonymous with the world’s largest snowboard company. And that’s only part of it. Look around in the action sports industry and JDK alumni are everywhere.
Lately, numerous changes have been shifting the balance of the company founded by Michael Jager, Giovanna di Paola Jager and David Kemp 27-years-ago, according to a Kathryn Flagg story in Seven Days. But what exactly those changes will mean for the principals are still a bit vague. One thing is certain, David Kemp has left the building.
The transformation is happening quickly, more than just the typical ebb and flow of business. Kemp declined to speak with Seven Days for this story; his two-line email response to inquiries read: “No, I am not available to be interviewed. I am no longer involved with JDK.” . . . That’s a monumental change. Again and again in interviews about JDK, former clients, friends and employees pointed to the partnership between Jager and Kemp as a main reason for JDK’s success. Their right brain/left brain pairing was primarily responsible for running the firm, especially after Giovanna Jager — a brilliant designer herself — stepped away from day-to-day business to raise the couple’s three children.
Michael Jager tells Seven Days that there will be official news after the New Year. Until then, just read this story and then come to your own conclusions. It’s much more fun that way.
[Link: Seven Days]
by The Editors on November 19, 2013
Signal Snowboards founder Dave Lee is reportedly helping peer-to-peer bike rental site Spinlister.com on a new venture to promote peer-to-peer snowboard rentals and sharing called Spinlister.com/Snow.
“I love sharing, that’s what life is all about for me – experiences and adventures – this is the opportunity that Spinlister gives the rider,” said Signal Snowboards Founder Dave Lee. “Local knowledge and the board you want to ride can change travel plans for the better. It’s the perfect time for a service that allows you to meet like-minded people and share or rent snowboards anywhere in the world.”
Guess the big questions is, how many people want to go meet a stranger at on odd location just to save a few dollars on snowboard rentals. Not us. And it’s the same reason we don’t buy much on Craiglist: we fear the freaks. Follow the jump for the official word from Spinlister.
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on November 19, 2013
Former intermountain sales rep TJ Bottom has been named North American Director of Sales of Zeal Optics.
“As a small brand, ZEAL is a family, and I am pleased to promote from within to fill this key role with a member of our team,” said ZEAL President John Sanchez. “TJ’s talents, connections, and drive are exactly what the brand needs to capitalize on its growth here in the States and the 19 countries we expanded to over the last year.”
For the official word from Zeal, follow the jump.
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on November 14, 2013
Right. You’ve already seen Eric “@ejackshreds” Jackson’s full part in Naturally, but we just blasted it to the big screen with our Google Chromecast and it looked all shiny and new again. You should try it, too. And turn it up.
