Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation announces 2011-12 programs, scholarship opportunities

The Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation has opened registration for the 2011 – 2012 Alpine, Freestyle, Freeride and Snowboard Programs. With a variety of options from the One-Day Program to the Full-Time Competitive Program, the Lake Tahoe foundation has something for all ages and levels of skiers and riders. Registration packets are available online, at the HSSF building, or by calling the HSSF administration office. Those who register and pay in full now will receive the early registration pricing; prices increase $100 on November 1, 2011.

“The foundation continues to strengthen its relationship with Heavenly and work with the community to provide skiing and snowboarding options to the local youth,” said HSSF president Jim Plake. “With the Blue Angel middle school program we’re reaching out to children who want to ski recreationally. But then with our Full-Time competitive program we’re also catering to those who are striving to reach the Olympics.” Read More

Snowshoes and Snowboards: A Backcountry Boarding Adventure in the Scottish Highlands

It was an unseasonably warm February morning when I set off with Jamie, fellow snow-hunter, in search of a mountain that still had a reasonable covering of the white stuff. Just a couple of months earlier, there had been so much snow that I hadsnowshoed around central Edinburgh, but since then, warmer weather had descended upon Scotland, and the snowline had rapidly retreated back up the mountains.

With a hefty amount of gear, including snowshoes, hiking poles, and avalanche transceivers, we set off from Scotland’s capital, heading north, up and in to the Highlands. We had no set plan. If we saw a mountain that looked liked it had enough snow to ride, we would stop, climb it and ride it. However, it was sometime before any snow was sighted at all. The thaw had really done its damage and we began to worry if we’d find anything rideable. But as we drove further north along lonely lanes, past cold lochs and through tiny hamlets, we began to see evidence of winter on the mountain peaks, and our spirits rose. Read More

This Weekend in Stoke: Snowboard on the Rocks drops in

Mmm... totally! "We are looking forward to 10,000 snowboarders getting together to celebrate the sport and the start of the new season," says Waide Hoyt, production manager for Standard Films. The company is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its Totally Board series tonight with the world premiere ofTB:20 at Snowboard on the Rocks ($25, get there at 6 p.m. if you're after autographs), and Hoyt's predicted head count won't be far off: Red Rocks Amphitheatre seats just shy of 10,000, and organizers say it's on track to sell out. "Everything worked out with Colorado hosting the world premiere, being such a huge hub for snowboarding," Hoyt says. Cheer extra loud when Kimmy Fasani's part comes on: She filmed it here in Colorado at Silverton Mountain, and Silverton will be among the local ski areas offering discounts to Snowboard on the Rocks ticket holders. Read More

New Trails, Snowmaking and Grooming at Sutton

Sutton (QC), Canada – For the 2011-12 ski and snowboard season, skiers and riders will be able to take advantage of several improvements at Quebec’s Mont Sutton, just north of the Vermont border, starting with the addition of four new trails.

Sutton is expanding its skiable acreage this winter by offering four new tree skiing runs to its trail map: Crocodile, Entonnoir, Extase and Seduction. All four will be labeled with a “triple black diamond” difficulty rating on the resort’s new 3D interactive trail map which will allow guests to share photos and videos directly on it. The new 3D interactive trail map will be available on www.montsutton.com in time for the beginning of the ski season. Read More

Snow lovers look north: what's on offer this season

I love this time of year, when one season has entered it's twilight and another is filled with expectation. When it comes to following the winter north, Australian skiers and snowboarders are spoilt for choice with North America, Japan, Europe and even the Middle East, India, Korea and China on offer.

There is talk of another record-breaking season, like last northern winter in the USA and Canada, when snow dumps were limitless and winter fought with spring for rights to the months of April and May. But then there is always "talk" before a winter with long term forecasts bantered about and hopes of colder temperatures and more precipitation. La Nina was the phrase of last winter and it would appear it is heading their way again. Read More

Hot Dawgz And Hand Rails September 24th 2011

This year’s 8th annual Hot Dawgz & Hand Rails presented by Red Bull, is set to take place at Bear Mountain on Saturday, September 24th, 2011 starting with season pass sales at 9 a.m., BBQ and Beach Bar opening at lunchtime, and the event kicking off at 2p.m. This unique, summertime snowboard competition features some of the best freestyle snowboarders battling it out for $15,000 in cash on a one-of-a-kind, man-made snow park utilizing 110 tons of snow.

This revolutionary event provides up close and personal, jaw-dropping tricks by 40 of the best jibbers insnowboarding including Bear Mountain’s Team Riders Scott Vine, Zak Hale and Desiree Melancon along with other top rail riders such as Brandon Hobush, Yale Cousino and , .

Hot Dawgz & Hand Rails is free to the public and promises to get you ride-ready with roll back pricing on Big Bear Mountain Resorts’ screaming deal season passes – your last chance to get the best rates for the 2011/2012 season! This ultimate pre-season party promises to get snowboarders and skiers pumped for the coming season with live DJ’s, movie premieres for Bear Mountain’s “People’s Park” and The People Crew’s movie “Good Look” as well as a vendor booth city, product giveaways, BBQ and Bear Mountain’s world famous Beach Bar. A full schedule of events and information can be found at BearMountain.com. Read More

Ice magic!

The local Interschools Snowsports competitors proved successful on the snow, bringing home a swag on medals from the National Championships.

The team of snowboarders and skiers was met with a dump of fresh snow, blue skies and came home with both a stack of medals and big smiles on their faces!

The Interschools National Championships, held at Falls Creek Victoria last week, is the climax of the Interschools Snowsport Championships.

No less than 10 students represented our local schools at the National Championships. They were Luke Harvey from Ulladulla Public School, Ethan Ford, Jesse Wood, Tina Taylor and Felicia Auer from Milton PS and Cassi Fortune, Saskia Auer, Liam Wood, Max Cunningham and Russel Fortune from Ulladulla High School.

These talented competitors brought home no less than two team medals and five individual medals. Read More