Deserts Don't Snow

Terrain Park Progression

2010-03-14T19:08:00.000-07:00

Each time you get off the lift you see the same sign, “Terrain Park”, like a beacon beckoning you to get gnarly… This time you give in. Instead of the usual cruiser run, you strap in your back foot, give your snowboard a few hops and glide towards another attempt to slay jumps, rails, boxes or whatever else your local park has in store. When it’s time to start upping the ante, a little bit of

Video Post 2010 #1

2010-03-13T03:07:00.000-08:00

The internet eye candy circulating through my reader has been pretty sweet lately. From Bear to Breck to Germany, everyone and everything is in the best shredding shape of the season and here's your proof: Nike 6.0 The Farm from NiKE 6.0 on Vimeo. Take Nike 6.0, two custom rail courses, 20 of the best jibbers worldwide, and $10k; throw them all on an abandoned farm in Munich, Germany and you

The Business of Snowboarding

2010-03-10T21:20:00.000-08:00

What is really at stake when it comes to retail pricing? A recent upset in the retail realm has opened the eyes of the masses as to the deeper issues behind product pricing, leaving some butt-hurt and many relieved... Allegedly, Sierra Snowboards breached their contract with Burton when they discounted related products far too early and subsequently lost the business of one our industries most

Kombi Olsson Glove

2010-03-08T20:26:00.000-08:00

When Kombi asked me what product I wanted to test first, I told them to send me any glove from their line suited to the sunny spring conditions Bear experiences 95% of the season. The Olsson gloves are exactly what I've come to expect from a spring glove, plus a little extra. Kombi designed these under-the-cuff fingered gloves with the freestyle rider in mind. Subtle use of color (the glove

Bear Mountain, Is It Time for Change?

2010-02-19T14:48:00.000-08:00

It's been almost 60 years since Snow Summit paved it first trails. In that time the resort has seen its share of difficulties; from an endless struggle against sparse precipitation to holding onto and building on an already small customer base as resorts like Mountain High entered the competitive ring, Snow Summit and Big Bear Mountain Resorts have always managed to serve Southern California the

Kombi - Gloves for Everything

2010-02-16T23:39:00.000-08:00

I've heard of Kombi gloves simply from being around over the years. They've been making gloves since 1961, so it's likely that at some shop somewhere you've seen them too... It's also likely that thanks to a barrage of snowboard magazine advertisements, and possibly because Kombi has traditionally held to ski clientele, you ignored them. Cold weather is the hardest part of snowboarding, and

Never Call Last Run - Call Last Trick!

2010-01-31T20:19:00.000-08:00

It was a little past 2 o'clock, and after a long day of riding, Burt decided that he had just about enough. He turned to his buddies next to him on the chairlift and said, "Alright guys, I'm pretty beat; Let's go for one more run and head out?" His friends, just as bushed, quickly agreed. They got off the lift and strapped in. Burt hopped up and before he knew it, he hooked his edge and was

QandA - How Do I Get Good at Snowboarding Fast?

2010-01-28T15:16:00.000-08:00

Q: I picked up snowboarding this winter and now I'm hooked. What are some tips on how I can get better fast? A: This is one of my favorite questions asked by riders just starting out. The bottom line: you can't get better fast. Everyone progresses at their own pace, and to "accelerate" your natural learning curve basically means you'll be visiting the hospital. There aren't any tips to

Why You Should Listen to Your Shop Rep

2010-01-27T10:29:00.000-08:00

It seems like everyone is an expert when it comes to snowboards these days: You've got your magazines and private sites posting up review after review (paid or unpaid?); then there are always your favorite pro riders, and if they are rocking it then it should be good, right?Of course your company reps are here to let you know about all of the coolest stuff Company-X thought up for this season...

Part 2 - Becoming A Certified AASI Snowboard Instructor

2010-01-22T10:34:00.000-08:00

A true snowboard instructor becomes one in order pass on not only a sport, but a lifestyle...In Part 1, you discovered your motives for wanting to teach snowports and were introduced to some of the ins-and-outs of joining the AASI. Hopefully you went out and found a job teaching or shadowing at your local resort, and in the meantime have been studying and practicing diligently in preparation for

DryGuy Thermanator Boot and Shoe Dryer

2010-01-16T00:05:00.000-08:00

Being that I never stop snowboarding and especially being that my last days on hill each season are often in the middle of the summer; stinky, sopping wet boots can be a real problem for me.This season I wasn't up for wearing damp boots on cold mornings, so when I found the DryGuy Thermanator on Amazon I decided to give home boot dryers a shot.The Thermanator had a few features particularly

Horsefeathers King of S.N.O.W. - Round 1

2009-12-23T17:57:00.000-08:00

For anybody new to the conversation, BestTrick.com and Horsefeathers are sponsoring this years King of S.N.O.W. competition. The contest, which is basically just a giant game of S.N.O.W., is done entirely online; just film your trick, upload it to http://www.King-of-Snow.com, and hope you've got the skills to climb the rankings. Prizes are given for individual round victories, and a final cash

QandA - When Should I Start Snowboarding Switch?

2009-12-18T20:20:00.000-08:00

Q: I am thinking of trying to ride switch, but I'm not sure if I'm ready or if I even need to. Any tips or advice?A: Even if you don't plan to ever set foot in a park, the best time to start snowboarding switch is as soon as possible! Riding switch is another skill, another trick of the trade, that only adds to the challenge and enjoyment of snowboarding.Once you start connecting S-turns and

Horsefeathers King of S.N.O.W.

2009-12-14T11:46:00.000-08:00

We've dusted off the cobwebs! It's mid-December, and we northern hemisphere riders are all warmed up! Our legs have gotten over the pain and soreness of those first days back on a snowboard, we've recovered our old bag of tricks, and hopefully some of us have added some new tricks to the list already.Since everyone is ready to go, it is the perfect time for this year's annual King of S.N.O.W.

Get on Shred Union!

2009-11-28T11:00:00.000-08:00

December is here already!From coast to coast, most of the United States is tasting finally the fresh stuff. Gear is being taken out of storage and dusted off; calendars are examined as folks begin checking off the days they will snowboard this winter.In preparation for getting turns this season some of us struggle with finding equipment, some of us struggle to find enough heads to make

Bear Mountain 11.19.09

2009-11-19T18:00:00.001-08:00

Bear Mountain, Snow Summit, and Mountain High are often the victims of an inversion, an unusual rise in temperature at increased elevation. This is why for the past couple of weeks it has a been a crisp 20ºF nightly at my house but a wopping 40ºF on the hill, far above snowmaking temperatures (especially with humidity, but that's another post).Last night there was finally a break, and good one

Bear Mountain 10.30.09

2009-10-30T18:01:00.000-07:00

Recently the Santa Ana winds brought a cold front to Southern California, which for us is the equivalent of the snowstorms everybody else got. Bear started snowmaking late October 27th, and stacked a fleet of up to 70 guns to make the Central Park run off Chair 5 completely rideable.Bear seems to be playing a different strategy this year, maybe because of the December opening last season.

War of Ages - Arise and Conquer

2009-10-23T17:39:00.000-07:00

Amazon.com WidgetsToday, new genres of music pop up like new ice cream flavors. Hardcore is one example. I remember making fun of my brother when he listened to hardcore; I would laugh and ask why he was always listening to screamo... I couldn't tell the difference.There is a difference though, and my eyes were opened the day my brother put War of Ages on during a road trip.Believe it or not,

3 Tips for Renting Vs Buying Your Snowboard Equipment

2009-10-22T17:05:00.000-07:00

Smelly boots, chintzy bindings, and rock-beaten decks; this is the common snowboard rental experience. How long do you have to use this second-hand crap anyway?Plus, renting equipment is generally a hassle and can get expensive fast. Wouldn't it just be cheaper and easier to invest in your own gear and pay a one-time fee?Keep these tips in mind as you consider whether or not owning your own

Part 1 - Becoming A Certified AASI Snowboard Instructor

2009-10-20T10:11:00.000-07:00

Most of us were once-upon-a-time taught by a snowboard instructor. At the time we were struggling to grasp the fundamentals of riding, not entirely sure how much fun this sport called snowboarding really was. While the instructor glided down the hill, often with one foot unstrapped, we were slamming to the ground every five yards. Back then, I would have given anything just to be able to ride

QandA - What Beginner Riders Should Look for in Snowboard Gear

2009-10-14T23:19:00.000-07:00

Great examples of beginner equipment: the 2010 Burton Blunt and Union Cadet binding.Q: I'm a beginner and I don't know what things I should look out for when buying a board, bindings, or boots? I guess any help is appreciated!A: Of course the easiest, fastest, and best way to get your gear would be to visit your local shop where the rep will hook you up with gear that a.) fits and b.) is

Snowboarding and Twitter

2009-10-04T23:02:00.000-07:00

By now you have probably heard of Twitter, a social media application that let's you review updates from hundreds or even thousands instantly; at the other end of the wire, hundreds or even thousands can instantly view your updates as well.Those who are already on Twitter, and get caught tweeting, are met with one of two mindsets: "What is Twitter?" or "I hate Twitter". The haters have an

Managing Fear

2009-10-04T10:26:00.000-07:00

Every snowboarder has that moment where a trick or a feature pops into our mind, but we are just too gripped with fear to try it out; even the greatest pros encounter things they feel unprepared to handle, and with a career/paycheck on the line maybe doubly so.One of the most common questions you will come across in any extreme sport is "How to hit ___" or "If there are any tips for doing ____".

Snowboarders Don't Workout - The Importance of Fitness

2009-09-22T19:58:00.000-07:00

Snowsports are most commonly associated with relaxing vacations, or for the younger generations as party central. Since the ideal day of riding for most is capped with an alcoholic beverage and a few hours in a jacuzzi, it is hard to see snowboarding as a sport that you necessarily "train" for. Yet, snowboarding is an immensely physical activity--think back to your first day of riding and how

Snowboard Magazines - Print v. Digital

2009-09-20T11:13:00.000-07:00

It's clear that future of media lies in the digitalization of content. While many will claim environmental inspiration, the truth is that many snowboard magazines are adapting to declining print subscriptions by offering their content digitally on-demand, but are digital subscriptions even worth it?So what are the benefits to snowboard magazines offering their issues digitally? Put simply, the