Westbound Boarder

StillNotSponsored.com has teamed up with Timberline Lodge to offer all of you shred heads out there an opportunity to attend Timberline Summer Snow Camp for FREE! To enter, upload a 30 second video of yourself explaining why you should be chosen to go to camp. You must be a beginner to intermediate skier or snowboarder and be able to attend the June 11 session. Winner takes a free camp session and a StillNotSponsored.com prize package. Enter by 5.31.10 at 8pm. Its that simple, what are you waiting for?

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!

If you’re still cryin’ about the fact that it is pretty much officially summer and the snowboard season is long gone (unless you are a proboarder, or you can afford a Timberline Lodge Summer Pass), well then, join the club. I am not afraid to tell ya’ll that I am quite partial to to my snowboard (don’t tell my wake or skate boards though), neither am I scared to let you know how I plan to wane myself off the slopes and into the beauty that is summer. Don’t get me wrong, I do classify myself as a sun worshiper so the transition from snow to sun is not as hard for me as I am letting off. So here is what I plan on doing this summer to keep my board momentum more than exponential.

1) Pick up SUP. Don’t know what it is? Read our rad article that spells it all out for you. I am planning on attending the next SUP 2nd Wednesday, let me know if you need a buddy.

2) Dust off my skate. It’s been a long wet winter for my longboard, but it is time to replace my barrings and bring on the speed wobbles. Don’t have a skate of yer own? Well check out Andrea’s skate, if this won’t convince you to invest, then I don’t know what will.

3) Attend the X Games (okay I wish): but my partner in crime, Andrea lives in the thick of it. That is right, the Summer X-Games take place in Los Angeles a the beginning of August 2009. If this comp is not motivation for you to get your extreme sports on, then something is seriously wrong with you.

4) Witness my friend get married in Utah and beg to visit the DC Mountain Lab. If you have not heard, check it out – and listen up as Roach is going to feature this bad boy Winter 2010.

Have a better idea? Let me know, I am always up for a challange. Otherwise, you know where to find me this summer, getting my board on…

Exit this epic snow season with a bang and getchya self to Timberline Lodge this Saturday May 24th. Atmosphere and Masa are bringin’ you the first annual Hips and Lips Contest where you get to, “come snowboarding with your friends, eat some chicken and get radical.”

You know you want to, so just do it. Bring $10 bones, buy a lift ticket (unless you are a spring passer) and the wiener will take it all home baby. What does that mean exactly? We’re not completely sure. What we are sure of, is that it will be a good time, hopefully a spring day and there will be prizes and goodies galore.

Check out the deets by clickin here, or just listen up. Registration from 9-11am. Jam Format from 11:30am-2pm. $10 entry. Wiener takes it all. See ya at the Hips and Lips Jam!

For those of you looking for adventure this summer, what better place to find it than at a world renowned snowboard camp. Attending snowboard camp (okay, they allow skiers too), is the best way to push your skills to the limit while snowboarding at America’s only summertime resort (Timberline Lodge).

On top of siiick summer riding, you get to board with the pro’s, improve you skate skills (something I never thought I would do until I attended Windells), demo the 2010 gear all the while getting a tan. Still need convincing? Check out our reviews of the funnest places on earth; High Cascade Snowboard Camp and Windells.

So quit dragging your feet and let us know what camp you choose, you can’t go wrong either way!

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.

Well it’s Wednesday, and for those of you who don’t know, it’s time to talk snowboard camp. We warned you a few weeks ago that each Wicked Wednesday Andrea, Rochelle (our NEW contributing blogger!) and myself are going to be giving you all the dirt on upcoming snowboard camps. Last week Andrea told you all about HCSC and today it is all about Windells!

As a Windells alumni myself, I am here to tell you that this camp is legit. It is all included – from unlimited professional coaching and video review, a weeks worth of lift tickets, unlimited 2009 snow and skate demos, 3 square meals a day, all of your transportation & lodging, state of the art skate facilities - these guys will even pick you up at the airport!

On top of all of the aforementioned perks, there is more. This place is truly known for their quality terrain parks and dedicated coaches. The camp diggers work tirelessly to groom, sculpt, salt and perfect the snowboard park of your dreams, so you can really take your riding to the next level. With a low coach to camper ratio – you are assigned a coach that will work with you every step of the way, wherever it is on the hill that you want to focus your improvement.

Have we convinced you yet to get off your home hill and visit the nations only year round ski resort yet? (That’s right, Windells takes place at Timberline Lodge in Oregon, the USA’s only resort open all year long!!) Well, wait, there is more. On top of having state of the art terrain parks at your disposal and access to a plethora of coaches, you will have the opportunity to ride with the best snowboarders in the industry! Pros that we know you admire, such as Eddie Wall, Danny Kass, Todd Richards, Hannah Teeter and Kelly Clark frequently stop by camp to ride with you and show you how it is done!

Whether you ski, snowboard are young, old, boy or girl, man or woman, like spring, summer or winter riding, there is a Windells session that is just for YOU!! So take your riding to the next level and join those who for the past 21 years have made Windells the breeding ground for the best snowboarders around! (Oh! FYI, 92% of X-games medalists have attended Windells) That is right, the pros – before they were so – came from near and far to attend Windells and gain the skills and confidence in order to put themselves on the snowboarding map!

So check out the Windells home page, and get your butt to camp, because who is to say that you can’t lead the same path the pros have been blazing for the past 21 years?

Well, its Wednesday, and you know what that means… another Wicked Snow Camp Review!  In case you haven’t been following along, we’re profiling one of the top snowboard camps for females each Wednesday, every Wednesday, and this week we’re profiling High Cascade Snowboard Camp (HCSC).

Thought you couldn’t snowboard in the summer?  Think again.  Thanks to the glacier Timberline at Mt. Hood, Oregon sits on,  riders from around the world can enjoy the resort all year round.  And one of the most well-known camps in Oregon is back again this summer with the 20th Anniversary of their Signature Sessions.

High Cascade is “an all-inclusive 9-day summer snowboard camp determined to show you the best time of your life.”  What does that mean, exactly?  Well, at HCSC you’ll spend 9 consecutive days riding with some of the best pros in the industry, including Darrell Mathes, Tara Dakides (!!!), Jamie Anderson and JP Walker. (I’m pretty stoked about Tara Dakides coaching this summer.  Being the woman to basically up the anti for lady riders nationwide, if there’s one thing that would push me over the edge to attend HCSC it’d be her.)

You’ll spend the morning riding with your coaches and then have optional sessions in the afternoon, and later in the day (this is my absolute favorite thing about HCSC) – you’ll meet up with your coach for video training where they’ll analyze your riding from the day and give you tips on how to improve.  Back in the day when I used to compete, I found that video training was one of the best ways to see how you think you ride versus how you actually ride, and then tweak your style based on that.

Another really cool thing about HCSC is that the camp has optional sessions just for girls, coached by girls, so if you find it intimidating to ride with guys, you absolutely don’t have to.  Sometimes it can be helpful to have a female coach because they understand how women learn and how they need to be taught.  They also have adult camps (this year June June 15 – 23 and August 8 – 15) if you’re 21 and up and don’t want to hang with the kiddos all week.  ALSO (yes, there’s more) they have awesome photo and video workshops if you want to learn the creative art of photo storytelling or filmmaking straight from the pros.

HCSC has a ton of fun activities in store, including dodgeball, trampoline sessions, paintball and white water rafting (check out what a typical day might look like here), but of course the focus is on the riding.  I must admit, the camp is a little spendy, but its pretty much all inclusive so you get a lot of bang for your buck. (Heck, just a summer pass at Timberline can run you nearly a grand!)  And from what I hear, HCSC is one of the best snowboard camps to stretch your ability and really get you to the next level.

Fore more information about HCSC, visit the Web site, and check out the dates and pricing here!

No plans this weekend? Get your competition on at Timberline Lodge this Sunday. For simply the cost of a lift ticket and a $5 entry fee (no entry fee if you are a Fusion Pass Holder!) you can compete in a one of a kind ‘J-Turn’ course. What is the ‘J-Turn’ you ask? One by one competitors charge down the hill with two gates at the bottom. When you reach the bottom, you make a hard carve up hill through the gates, attempting to travel the furthest distance up hill, and hey, you get two runs to work it out!

It will be fun, lighthearted and the perfect opportunity to ease yourself into the competition scene. So give the Fusion Series a try, take some pictures and share you experience with us. Oh! An added bonus, the winners take home some sweet prizes, so what are you waiting for?