Westbound Boarder

Kona Brewing, Co. and many others, are at it again. Bringing you another sick event (check out the infamous pond skim), The Backyard Bang Rail Jam, with beer, prizes and costumes to boot is happening this Halloween – Saturday October, 31st (for those of you who don’t know when Halloween is).

According to the press release, onlookers will be treated to am and pro athlete snowboarding antics, fun games and prizes from the respected sponsors; Bonfire Snowboarding, our very favorite Skull Candy, Mt Hood Meadows, Exit Real World and US Outdoor Store.

The event is free to spectators and those who attend are encouraged to visit the sponsor village where you can pick up your own fresh orchid lei, enter the numerous giveaways (free flight to Oahu sound appealing?!), all while sipping some liquid Aloha courtesy of Kona Brewing, Co., and a few bucks of course.

Our Contributing Writer, Rochelle, will be there to capture the event in mind and of course digitally. So if you see her representing Westbound Boarder, give her a high five, a hug, or a beer.

Who? YOU

What? Third Annual Backyard Bang Snowboarding Rail Jam

When? 10-31-2009 from 12pm-4pm

Where? Art Institute of Portland in the Pearl District @ NW 11^th and Davis.

Why? Be there or be square.

As the snow season is literally right around the corner, it is time to start thinking about season passes. As there are many resorts to choose from, we have decided to bring you the gist on the best resorts in your neck of the woods. Most of you already know, Andrea and I are located in Oregon and California, respectively. With that said, we have a number of resorts to suggest to you in far west states although don’t worry, we won’t omit the legendary inland resorts…

Oregon -Mt Hood:

Timberline Lodge: Despite what some may call it (Flatline), Timberline Lodge is known for their killer parks and extra long season. In fact, I had so much fun spring riding there this year and had such a long season (my spring pass was good through June 14^th!!!!), that I am going to be riding Timberline exclusively this season. On top of the epic terrain parks and extra long regular season, Timberline Lodge has partnered with Ski Bowl and is again (for the third year in a row) brining you the Mt. Hood Fusion Pass.

• The Fusion Pass: The Fusion Pass is an unlimited, all access pass to both Timberline Lodge and Ski Bowl. $449 (Adults, 23-64), $349 (Teen, 15-22), $249 (Junior 7-14).  Fusion Pass prices good through October 31st.
• Weekday Plus Pass: Ride unlimited weekdays for only $209.
• Flex 5 Pass: $175
• Flex 10 Pass: $325
• Timberline Only Pass: Don’t bother as it’s more than the fusion pass…
• Prices good through November 8th.

Mt. Hood Meadows: If you are looking to purchase a season pass to Mt. Hood this year, it is never too early to getchya pass on (they have been selling them for quite a while now).

• Group Passes: Buy your pass in a group of 2, 3 or 4 (depending on your age) for $229, $339 and $449, respectively.
• The Mt. Hood Meadows group deals (4×4, 3×3 & 2×2) are back and the best prices of the season are good right now through October 31st

Ski Bowl: Known for America’s best and largest night ski area, Ski Bowl is a must ride at some point in time. Not only are they located in the heart of Government Camp, OR, but they have some super steep and diverse terrain. At this time Ski Bowl is offering the Mt. Hood Fusion Pass, exclusively.

• The Fusion Pass: The Fusion Pass is an unlimited, all access pass to both Timberline Lodge and Ski Bowl. $449 (Adults, 23-64), $349 (Teen, 15-22), $249 (Junior 7-14).
• Fusion Pass prices good through October 31st. 

Snow Summit: I am not sure this is the best place to buy a season pass, although if you want to learn to ride this season, Snow Summit is the best and most economical place to do so. Also located in the heart of Government Camp, Snow Summit is literally two single runs and one chair lift.

• Season Pass Prices: $175 (13 & Over), $125 (12 & Under).
• Lift Tickets: All Day for only $25!

Central Oregon:

Mt. Bachelor: If central Oregon is the place you call home, then it is likely that Mt. Bachelor is too. Bachelor boasts the largest resort in Oregon and deserves every praise that it gets. With a little something for everyone; backcountry, terrain parks, the bunny hill, sky high summit riding and a variety of season pass options, Bachelor is guaranteed to satisfy you’re your Winter spirit. With unlimited season passes, 10 time passes and even passes that are used based on the quality of your experience you are sure to find a pass that fits your needs at Mt. Bachelor this season. Check ‘em out!

• Full Season Pass: $799 (Adults), $349 (Young Adult, 19-23), $249 (Teen, 13-18), $149 (Youth, 6-12)
• 12 Day Pass: $399 (All Ages – Watch out for black out dates!)
• Mid-Week Pass: $519 (Adults)
• Prices good through September 30th.

HooDoo: Also in Central Oregon, HooDoo is a smaller resort and more affordable too!

• $349 (19-25), $299 (12-18)
• Family Prices: 1st Pass – $515, 2nd Pass – $395, 3rd Pass – $285, 4th Pass – $245, Additional Passes – $185 Each.

Southern Oregon

Mt. Ashland: Although Mt. Ashland is not the largest resort out there, it is a great option (and the only one) for those living in Southern Oregon.

• Unlimited Passes: Adults ($449,18-64), College Students ($350), Junior ($315, 13-17)
• Week Day Pass: Adults ($249), College Students ($249)
• Prices good through October 15th.

Washington

Crystal Mountain: Not only is Crystal the largest ski resort in the state of Washington, but with the purchase of the Gold Full Season Pass described below, you also get 10 free days at other Boyne resorts.

• Unlimited Season Pass: $799 (Adult, 18-69), $699 (Youth 11-17), $50 (Child, 0-10)
• Prices good through October 31st.

Mt. Baker: Located in Northern Washington Mt. Baker is 2 hours from Vancouver, B.C. and 2.5 hours from downtown Seattle.

• Unlimited Pass Prices (with tax): $680 (Adult 18-59), $600 (College), $485 (Youth, 16-17), $273 (Child, 7-12)
• Prices good through October 31st.

Are we missing any? Let us know what Mountain you call home and we will be sure to give our readers the skinny on it.  Look out for Andrea’s Resort Picks tomorrow as she outlines the lowest pass prices of the season in the state of California!

The Podium

For those of you who missed the Mt. Hood Meadows event of the season, I am really truly sorry.  The 3^rd Annual Sno-Kona Pond Skimming Competition took place on April 25^th and it was absolutely hysterical. If you haven’t heard about it yet, the Sno-Kona Pond Skim is an annual event put on by Mt. Hood Meadows, Kona Brewing Co. and All About Hawaii Travel. Put these three businesses together and what do you have? Snowboarding, beer and, well, Hawaii – it really does not get any better.

To sum up the premise of this comp, each skimmer gets one chance to cross a 90 foot, 33 degree pond (check out the pics for yourself on our Flickr page.) If you successfully cross the pond on your first attempt you advance to the ‘skim-off’ for a chance to win a trip to Hawaii from All About Hawaii Travel. However,  the plot thickens – the ‘skim-off’ winner is judged based upon skim style, best Hawaiian costume, best showmanship and best crowd reaction.

This pond skimming business is not as simple as it sounds. Crossing a 90 foot pond is no easy feat and the trick to successfully crossing the pond is all in your speed. Mix the high speed and inexperienced skimmers (it’s not like you get a practice run or anything!), and what do you get? Crash’s, burn’s, flips, lost tops, wet cold people, shrinkage…the list goes on…use your imagination.

Bottom line, this is event is super fun to compete in and even more fun to watch… after you have already made a fool of yourself in the pond of course! Which is exactly what I did.  I accumulated all the speed I could muster and just closed my eyes (first mistake).  As soon as I hit the pond, I cruised halfway through, lost control (mistake numero dos) and then preceded to make a beeline for the edge of the pond and rode on out (mistake three, game over). At least my prayer was answered, ‘just don’t let me fall into this freezing cold pond!!!’

Octa Mom

Hawaiian Spam

Crash and Burn

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Even those of you who don’t ski or snowboard can enjoy this event. It’s free to sit and watch, there is beer, Hawaiian grub and from the splashes to the incredible costumes, your entertainment is guaranteed, or beer’s on Westbound Boarder. And to top it all off, there is not a bad seat in the house at this event, as our very own MHM diggers make stadium seating which surrounds the pond – giving you a perfect view of the pond, the costumes and all of the splashes!

Lance Helberg

Danielle Helberg

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Let us know if you were there this year, share your experience, pics, or humor – we would love to share the laughter. Until then, keep thinking about your costumes for next year, because you would be amazed what people come up with, check out the MHM professional pics taken by Randy Boverman!

Are you as stoked on this season as Mt. Hood Meadows is? Well, as an end-of-season celebration, Mt. Hood Meadows is offering you next year’s unlimited season pass, right now! If you purchase online by April 26th, an adult unlimited 2009/2010 season pass is all yours – and for only $399 bucks! Take advantage now as, from Mt. Hood Meadows themselves, “this is absolutely the lowest price you’ll be able to purchase your unlimited season pass for the 2009/10 season.”

The best news of all? If you are on the cusp of the next age group and will be bumped up before next fall, you can purchase now and save yourself $100 big ones. For example, if you are age 14 turning 15, or 22 turning 23, with your b-day between now and September 1 (when Meadow’s passes normally go one sale), you should definitely purchase your pass now, because you’ll be saving a minimum of $100 big ones by not going up to the next age group this fall.

You don’t need a group this time around, so save yourself the 3×3 or 4×4 hassle and buy online now. Although this promotion is scheduled through April 26th, it will go only until supplies lasts (or Meadows decideds to call it quits). So hurry up!

We love to hear from our readers, and we love it even more when our readers become contributing writers!  So with that, we are so excited to introduce to you Rochelle Baker from Portland, Ore. Rain or shine, you can catch Rochelle at the mountain any day of the week.  Though she’s only been riding for a few years, she’s progressed so much since her first day riding.  But hey, even the pros gotta start somewhere, right?  In this post, Rochelle writes about her first day on the slopes.

The day started early; right around 5a.m…. I didn’t sleep much the night before due to the excitement of this new and unknown adventure. Was only 19 and working as a receptionist a local salon at the mall. Was dating this boy I went to high school with. Rob. He drove a blue van that had the name BIG BLUE across the front windshield. This was my first trip up to Mt. Hood to snowboard, which now is my life… it all seemed so simple.

My cousin Danielle let me borrow her Chorus Determination board. I remember strapping in the very first time.

We practiced on a small hill by the Mt. Hood Meadows Express chair lift… I really thought I had it down after a few times up and down this tiny hill. So I buckled in and went for the lift. I had it… or so I thought. Little did I know, this was not a beginner lift, and suddenly I was knocked down by the chair and stuck in the powder below it. Oh was I embarrassed! Luckily I had Rob right next to me, who assured me that I could do it next time. I made my way down the hill, slowly but surely, and got on the lift once again. Up to the top we went…

Rob took me down a more advanced run this time which was a little tougher than what I was ready for. Spent the next hour on my butt and face; in tears, yet, determined to get this sport down. During the next few hours Rob patiently encouraged me to get up on my board. Finally, after many runs on my face, wet from head to toe, I learned to ride on the heel edge of my board. I’d point for ten feet then stop on my heel edge and do this over and over again as I made my way down the hill (just as all beginners do at some point!)

I rode like this for the next couple of years. Before long, I met another patient friend and he taught me to ride on my toe edge… it took a while. For whatever reason I was scared of my toe edge, and the thought of having my back to the mountain. Eventually, I was carving my way to becoming a better snowboarder. Heel, toe, heel, toe…

Now, snowboarding is just a way of life for me. Thankfully, I have now progressed into an all-terrain snowboarder. I now live for the fresh pow, the bowls, park, rails and especially the pipe; all things I never thought I would be able to do.

So consider this motivation for all of the beginners out there, who are wet from head to toe, scared of their toe edge, and experiencing sore muscles they never even knew existed!

Now, I live to ride!

It is hard to believe that winter has already come and gone. The good news is that spring is hear and so is the Mt. Hood Meadows event of the season! That is right, the 3rd Annual Sno-Kona Pond Skimming Competition will be here April 25th (or the 26th depending on the weather!).This event is brought to you by Kona Brewing Co. and All About Hawaii Travel, which means, Hawaiian music, drinks, food and costumes! Costumes?

All participants will receive one attempt to cross the 80-90 foot pond successfully, those who do so will advance to the ‘skim-off,’ where if more than one contestant makes it to the other side during the ‘skim-off’ the winner will be based upon the following: best skim style, best Hawaiian costume, best showmanship, best Best crowd reaction. Second and third place winners will take home their very own longboard, a skimboard, two backpack coolers and two beach chairs.

Haven’t convinced you yet? Well leave it to the grand prize. The top three skimmers, the best splash, best impression made by a women contestant, and best Hawaiian costume will walk home with a prize, one of which is a round trip vacation for two to Hawai’i!

Registration is $25 and includes your comp fee and a Sno-Kona towel, so hurry up as space is limited to 100 participants! I will be there, costume and all. So let me know if you plan on attending the event by leaving a comment or shooting me an email, (westboundboarder@gmail.com) because I would love to have a ‘skim-off’ with YOU!

The weekend I have been waiting for all winter is finally here! That is right; Burton Demo Days is coming to a resort near you (right here in the PacNW!) As Burton puts it, this is an opportunity to ‘unlimit your riding.’ Stop by one of the following locations and you can try the entire 2009 line of Burton gear, for FREE! Bring a credit card for a security deposit so you can, ‘truly understand what Burton EST’s supernatural performance can do to unlimit the way you see, feel and ride the mountain, you must try it for yourself.’

If you have been thinking about grabbing some new gear, there is no better time than the present (aka, the season’s end).  It’s also always great to try before you buy, so join me this weekend at Timberline Lodge where I will be picking out my new snowboard (I’m thinking the Stria, Blender or GTwin, but we will see ). So here are your local demo opportunities in Oregon:

• 3.14.09- Mission Ridge
• 3.14.09- Timberline Lodge
• 3.15.09- Ski Bowl
• 3.21.09- Hoodoo
• 3.22.09- Mt. Hood Meadows
• 3.28.09- Mt. Bachelor
• 3.29.09- Mt. Bachelor
• 3.28.09- Crystal Mountain
• 3.29.09- Stevens Pass

With over nine stops in the area, there really are no excuses not to attend Burton Demo Days! Let us know about your demo days experience by shooting us an email at westboundboarder@gmail.com.

So it’s your last chance! That’s right, another Mt. Hood Meadows Women’s clinic is upon us, and it’s the lase one of the season. Don’t be shy – get on the hill and perfect those tricks that you have always dreamed of doing. This Sunday March 8th is the day! So call Mt. Hood Meadows Ski School @ 503.337.2222 ext 222 to secure your spot!

It’s that time of year again, and well, the timing could not be better! Mt. Hood Meadows is bringing you, yet again, their Unlimited Spring Season Pass! For only $99 bucks you can take advantage of the rest of Mt. Hoods season, as it has really only just begun. This week mother nature brought the PacNW quite the storm, as over 5 feet of light, fresh powder has decided to finally grace Mt. Hood!

So just when you thought it was too late to take advantage of the ski season, think again! Purchase your Unlimited Spring Pass online and receive $10 bucks of added resort value and your pass will be valid as of tomorrw. So what are you waiting for? Get online, get your pass and get to the hill; because the fresh pow is calling your name…

It is a win-win for those of you who are able to play hookie, or just lucky enough to have the weekdays off of work. Tuesday’s through Thursday’s in February, Mt. Hood Meadows is offering $44 9AM-close lift tickets! So get on up to the mountain and take advantage of the first snowstorm in weeks. You can purchase your e-ticket in seconds, so what are you waiting for? Fresh tracks, here I come!

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