Westbound Boarder

Day 2 of the SLC Dew Tour did not disappoint. BMX Semis went down on the dirt and in the vert. Before the street skate semi finals. These guys continue to amaze. Salt Lake also provided two locals to compete in the contest. A standout rider for me was Milton Martinez because of his creativity using obstacles throughout the course that others just passed by. He also climbed into the stands and dropped into a ramp from about 10 feet above. The Jam session is definitely the best format for this event. Jam session style is how skating happens in the real world and its great to watch these guys feed of each other.

The most exciting event of the night was definitely the FMX Speed and Style contest. Four guys at a time would race through a course with one huge ramp for four laps. The competitors got points for the place they finished and style from judges. It was incredible to see these guys fly through the air of downtown Salt Lake City.

After the FMX guys wrapped up their event the crowd migrated around the course to the stage to watch a band from SLC perform. The Used put on a great show and put a great cap on the events of the day.

Tomorrow is day to see the big names in Skate Vert and the BMX guys hit the dirt for the Big Air Event. More to come. . .

So I moved to SLC last year and have loved every minute of my time here, this city is awesome. Great weather, which means there is always something to do. Something I have been hearing about all year leading up to this summer were all of the free concerts that this place has. I don’t know if it is because most of the families here have more kids than fingers, so free summer activities are pretty appealing, but whatever the reason is there really are a ton of free outdoor concerts.

Since I have already googled the hell out of these concerts I figured I would share what I have found so here are some details on the free summer concerts that are found around SLC.

Cool Concert Air Series: Saturday nights at Snowbird on the plaza and hey, coolers are welcome!

2011 Twilight Concert Series: Downtown SLC at Pioneer Park, as this concert is downtown and free the crowds can overwhelm and you cannot BYOB, but it is downtown so you can post funk, right?

Canyons Ski Resort Summer Concert Series: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the concerts at the Canyons. With an awesome grass hill to set up your chair and picnic, it is the perfect atmosphere. Park at the bottom of the hill and take up the (free) cabriolet and don’t forget to BYOB if you want!

This is the short list of the free summer concerts in the SLC area, hope to see you there!

Winter is finally and unofically over. I say finally, not because I am glad it is over, but because I got more riding in this season and saying it is finally over, tells what a wonderfully long season it was. For those of you who do not know, I moved to Salt Lake City (from Portland) last October. There were many reasons for the decision to pick Salt Lake, but 90% of the reason came down to the epic epicenter of snowboarding that Salt Lake City is; and the greatest snow on earth did not dissapoint. Snow records were beat across a number of Utah resorts this season which not only gave me some of the highest quality POW riding I have ever experienced, but also my longest season on record.

Another reason I concede to summer is the fact that Snowbird Ski resort finally closed for the 2010-11 winter season, making the end of the ski season official (in Utah, anyways). After operating a record 202 days (only beating the old record in the 2004-05 season by a single day) and smoking their previous snow fall record by nearly 100 inches of fresh! During the 1983-84 season 688 inches of snow fell, with 783 cumulative inches falling this season. To say they went out with a bang on the 4th of July this year would be an understatement. Also, Snowbasin (one of my favorite resorts in Utah) for the first time ever re-opened their lifts for weekend opps the last few weeks of June due to a high summer snow base.

To say the least, I was definitely spoiled my first winter in Utah. Now that all of the ski resorts are now closed, I don’t mind trading in my board for a measly 4 months and enjoying the summer mountain biking, trail running and camping. See you on the slopes in October (fall steeps hikes at the Bird anyone???)…let the countdown begin.

Thanks to the Snow Gods, a record-breaking snow year hit Utah this winter which means only one thing for the spring riding. Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort is aiming to extend weekend winter operations through the Fourth of July, conditions permitting (of course). This would mark the third time in the resort’s history the season has closed on July 4, matching the 1995 and 2005 record. The extension would also mark 202 days of skiing at Snowbird this season, surpassing the 2005 record of 201 ski days.

The resort has received a year-to-date total of over 760 inches of snowfall, beating the average annual snowfall by well over 250 inches, and breaking the previous snowfall record set in 1984 by 72 inches. Daaaaang.

Only downside is lift tickets are not cheap, as the resort is still charging $64 bucks a pop, but in my opinion, well worth the winter fix when it comes to being able to ride in June! I have taken full advantage of the extended season and plan to ride all the way through the 4th, hope to see you there!

Contributing Writer Rochelle shreddin Mineral Basin at the Bird May 21st

In case you have been wondering why we have not been as attentive to Westbound as we normally are, well, we have been a little busy. At least Andrea has. As part of her MBA program she has be working really, really hard in Rio de Janerio, Brazil on a project for he 2016 Rio Summer Olympics. Don’t believe me? See for yourself…Seriously she has been working but thank fully she found some time for Hang Gliding in Rio.

Andrea Hang Gliding in Rio de Janerio, Brazil

In case you have not read it for yourself…I am quite the fan of Kevin Pearce. Back in January 2009 when he almost beat Shawn White in the Winter X games, I could not wait for their match up in the 2010 Winter Olympics. As we all know that match up was never met. However, since KP’s injury he has made some incredible strides and I am always sure to catch any article or interview with the guy. So check this one out, at the OutsideOnline.com, well worth the read and a really great picture of what he has been through and where he is today. Mucho love you you KP, Westbound is your biggest fan.

We were able to show face at both the Breckenridge and Ogden Winter Dew Tours this year and had a blast. Check out a few of my favorite pics from the extravaganza:

The pro ladies dog piling Kelly Clark after she landed the second ever comp 1080 (after she landed the first comp 1080 in the pipe at the X-games).

Meeting my man KP....again

Dew Tour winner, Louie Vito!!! (Oh, and my husband on the left)

Have we got the steez for you…one of our fellow shredders, readers and supporters Dan got his hands on his very own Zoptop. What is a Zoptop you ask? Well, here is what Dan had to say after sporting the Zoptop around the streets of SLC for a few weeks…

Looking for something new that will make your outfit POP?  Searching for style that is not already being represented by everyone in your social group?  Are you waiting for your opportunity to be OG in your neighborhood?  ZopTopz has the Lid for you. From the sharp rigid peaks of the mountains to the loud crash of the Ocean waves, right on your hats brim.  ZopTopz has all different styles to make your ensemble stand out!  When I wear my ZopTop out I get all kinds of remarks and my girlfriend is stoked because they now make them in pink.

Pro: It is certain to catch the crowds attention.

Con: It is certain to catch the crowds attention.

This video showcases Dylan Thompson and some of the sickest urban shredding I have seen. A must watch, well worth the four minutes.

Dylan Thompson in “THE ARENA” from FODT/COLE TAYLOR on Vimeo.

Right now, I’m sitting at Starbucks (they’re already playing Christmas music – go figure) surfing the web, and I thought I’d share some of my faves with you!  Enjoy!  And… Happy Holidays??

• Top 5 Moments in Snowboard History: Earlier this month, EternalSnow.com took a moment to share their top 5 moments in snowboard history.  From the start of snowboarding with Sherman Poppen and his “Snurfer” (yes, snurfer – wasn’t a typo) to snowboarding being invited to join as an Olympic Sport in 1998, snowboarding has come a long way.  And, you know, I think I’ll take a moment to interject some of my own favorite moments – the support the entire snowboard community showed for Kevin Pearce following his injury, Shaun White’s Secret Halfpipe, and the coolest trick ever.  And the 1998 winter Olympics were cool and all (I was, what, like 11?) but I don’t think anything can top the Olympic games in Vancouver last winter.  In ’98, snowboarding was still seen as the “offspring of skiing” (I mean, hey, the IOC still recognized the FIS as snowboarding’s official governing body!) but I think that snowboarding has grown in mainstream popularity every Winter Olympics since, and I think this past year was monumental in that it really surpassed skiing in terms of popularity and finally gained the recognition it deserved.
• History of Women in Snowboarding: I stumbled across this cool video from TTR on the History of Women in Snowboarding.  A great view!  Wow, we’ve come a long way…

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