blondewithBO...

Angry shredding

2010-04-07T20:57:00.000-06:00

Forget all those articles and tweets about seasons ending - a lot of resorts are still open and will be many many days. Where there is snow, you can always buy some snowshoes and start climbing that hill, that's called 'earning your turns'. Jumps and rails can be built anywhere, even during the summer - check your local ice hockey ring for extra snow.

But if you're feeling kinda low, depressed and even angry about the winter's coming to its end, you're allowed. Angst is not only for teenagers, you're allowed to feel and look a bit emo in the slopes also (now we're not talking whether it is cool to do so...) There's even this one site called the angrysnowboarder - guess they'll like the next stuff?

As always, get into the mood through music. First song is my favorite from Finnish heavy metal band Children of Bodom (which has actually toured in the US also). And you can't be angry without SOAD and The Offspring.

follow these guys on Twitter

Then gear up! And channel all your frustration and angry energy towards those evil jumps, cornices, rails, walls and, I'm going to say it, moguls. Now it doesn't matter if you fall because you are unstoppable, made of pure steel! And these are maybe the last turns of this season so a broken arm won't matter as much as in January - don't ask an opinion from your mum on this one.

Neff Slick Jacket, Inside Gonzales Hoodie, Burton Full Zip Sleeper Hoody, ThirtyTwo Alpha Pants, Burton Bullet Snowboard, Dragon DX Goggles - Nimbus Co op/Ion, Skullcandy Hesh headphones

Looks depressive? Not fun? Yep, you are right. From now on I'm gonna stick to the neon colors - especially when during winter in Finland we get only like 4 hours of daylight. We need more colors, we already have the heavy metal.

What music makes you push your limits? I'm always looking for new tracks to love so leave your suggestion to the comment box or friend me in last.fm!

ShredderSunday - Enni Rukajärvi

2010-04-04T12:23:00.002-06:00

Last shredder was Peetu. A guy from Finland. In addition to the common homeland today's shredder Enni has one more thing common with Peetu. She won the womens TTR- tour - like Peetu won the mens. I'm not taking any sides here presenting only Finnish snowboarders but what can I do when they win everything?

(picture source)

Born: 05/13/1990
Hometown: Sotkamo, Finland
Sponsors: Roxy
Finnish champion 2009 in superpipe, slopestyle and boardercross
Rider profile on ttrworldtour.com

Video from Burton European Open winnning slopestyle run (in the middle part):

One run from the tour:

Last year she participated only couple of TTR-tours competitions and this year she won the whole thing. We'll see what happens in the future!

Gear geek

2010-03-26T11:10:00.002-06:00

Well I think it's time to reveal what I wear, use and prefer in the mountains. Adding to the fact that I love all things beautiful I'm also kind of a gear geek - performance and technical details are my best friends. I admit that I'm easily manipulated by price - the more expensive, the more quality you get. This may not always be true but I wouldn't buy anything under $100. Stupid? Yes, but I'm the one suffering from it.

So here's a summary what I own or have owned during my years on snowboard. I'll write detailed reviews about each in separate posts.

Jackets:

- Peak Performance Trango Jacket
- Norrona Lofoten Jacket
- Norrona Lyngen Jacket
edit. I can't believe I forgot to mention the jacket I have on the picture on the right.

- North Face Jitterburg jacket

Pants:

- Peak Performance Trango Pants
- Roxy Torah Bright Pants

Layers:

- Peak Performance Fleece
- Haglöfs earlier version of this fleece
- Haglöfs earlier version of these fleece pants
- Burton Player Hooded shirt
- Cross Fleece

Helmet:

- Giro G10 (there's actually a funny story behind this, I bought two in one season because I lost the first one when hiking in Chamonix...)

Goggles:

- Dragon x2

Backpack + avalanche gear:

- Dakine Heli Pro backpack
- Mammut Pulse Barrywox beacon
- Stubai Carbon Rapid probe
- Stubai Tecblade shovel

My most recent results of internet shopping - it's too easy.

Every piece is pure gold, unfortunately I don't own the Peak Performance jacket anymore. I fell on a bike in the icy streets of Finland in December and it got some holes - not waterproof anymore. Nordic brands rock and what's good is that for example backcountry.com sells Norrona way cheaper than in Europe. Time to do some internet shopping while I'm still here in the US.

How about you, do you choose style or quality? Or both at the same time?

Rude boy shredding

2010-03-24T11:14:00.000-06:00

Have you seen Rihanna's newest music video to the song Rude Boy? Well if no, here it is. If you start to dig the style, I suggest to look for singer-songwriter M.I.A.'s garderobe, everything Rihanna wears Mia wore years ago.

And then to the snow. We all thought that the spring was here, temperatures were 15-20 (Celsius, of course), students walked around in their miniminimini-shorts (well, they do it during colder times also so nothing's changed really) BUT yesterday winter showed us that it ain't over yet. Blizzard, I just love blizzards.

So if you want to combine icy cold and the atmosphere of Rude Boy, get these:

Roxy A-Frame oversized hoodie, Billabong Vanity Pants, Skullcandy G.I Rasta Headphones, Rip Curl Jersey watch, Von Zipper Chakra Goggles

I actually almost bought the Von Zipper goggles and will definitely buy the watch. Blizzard is a good reason to do some comfort-shopping right girls?

ShredderSunday - Peetu Piiroinen

2010-03-14T13:45:00.001-06:00

People just love themes. There's just something comforting on patterns and schemes. That is why we have theme-days on Twitter, on school, on cities. So I decided to have some of my own. The first was introduced already - every week has one specific source of inspiration, this weeks was Mario.

Following the trends Twitter has established, I labeled Sundays dedicated for Shredders. Here we go, first one is Olympics silver- medalist Peetu Piiroinen.

Born: 02/15/1988

Hometown: Hyvinkää, Finland

Follow on Twitter @Peetu_Piiroinen

Sponsors: Burton, Nike 6.0, Anon, Battery Energy Drink, Toyota.

Coming up: Burton US Open March 15-21
Article from Arctic challenge in which he is described "almost painfully shy" - quite an opposite to the American gold-medalist..: Whitelines.com
Short interview on Nike's website
Introduction video on Popmagazine

Latest video from Oakley Arctic Challenge which he of course won:

Arctic Challenge - Peetu Piiroinen TTR World Champion from ttrworldtour on Vimeo.

And the most heart-warming fact from his interview - favorite snowboard video segment is exactly the same as mine. Follow me around, the part of Heikki Sorsa and Jussi Oksanen with the song Don't cry out made by Shiny Toy Guns.

Spring Break! Time to shred!

2010-03-12T15:30:00.000-07:00

Hi ya'll!

Just one more time - good spring break to everyone. If you're somewhere in Keystone, Beaver Creek, Vail, Breckenridge - feel free to hit me up on twitter. Good riding company is always welcome. In the mean time, watch how it is done in Finland during big spring happening Wappulounas at Ruka ski resort. Snowboarding without clothes is totally normal.

Lonely Planet report from Finland - the land of naked snowboarders

Unfortunately I just got my new jacket (Norrona - Lyngen) so I'll be wearing this to the mountains:

Then some happyhappy riding (also done by Finns Heikki Sorsa and Jussi Oksanen) and music by Shiny Toy Guns. Enjoy!

They take a polaroid and let you go

2010-03-11T23:06:00.002-07:00

Something about the blonde - me. In the form of pictures.

Happy weekend to everyone, I'll be heading to Breckenridge, Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone - look for a tall creature on a snowboard. Or hit me up in twitter - I'm always up for a drink.

First some music from the time that everything was better.

The Rolling Stones - Under my thumb.

THEY ONLY WANT YOU WHEN YOU'RE SEVENTEEN

WHEN YOU'RE 21 YOU'RE NO FUN.

It's Maariooo (on a snowboard)

2010-03-10T09:28:00.002-07:00

A lot of things can give you inspiration. The so-hot-and-in fashion bloggers seem to dig it from somewhere that the sun don't shine so why don't we riders do it as well? Of course you don't NEED a reason do dress up with all the colors of the world but it is always nice to have a cool reference that shows your roots and background. In some circles it may be a positive thing, in others you may be branded way differently that you wanted. So be careful - know your audience, then target, position and hit it.

This weeks inspiration comes from the legendary console game Super Mario Bros. I truly feel sorry for all those born after 1990 - you don't know what you missed. Now we are talking about the Super Nintendo version, not about the later Nintendo 64 or Game Cube versions.

All the gear is found from usoutdoorstore, some even from the sales!

Guys collage actually leans more towards the shy brother, Luigi, with the green and blue shades. Mushroom- socks and über-cool (German for sooo-cool) watch are my favorites.

686 Snaggle Tooth 2 Jacket, 686 Mannual Motion Pants, Vestal Rosewood Acetate Watch, Eesa Dot Socks, Forum Manual Snowboard, Scott Degree Goggles, Armada Ski Beanie, Mario picture

Girls can be Marios as well - in every game the has to be the princess in trouble but who wants to shred in a dress? The Anon goggles are as 'mushroomy' as the socks in guys collection - an important element of Mario world. Suunto Lumi watch (actually a Finnish brand!) is described as a surfing watch but all I care is the looks.

Roxy Torah Bright Jacket, Burton Veda Glove, Bula Raven Beanie, Anon Realm Snow Goggles, Suunto Lumi Sportif Watch, Burton AK 3L Static Pants, Burton G Twin Snowboard, Mario picture

Now all you have to do this ride like Mario, board is your Yoshi of course. Jump high, fly in the air, spin your enemies down. Some spring events in Colorado actually give you opportunities to ride on water, I truly recommend it. You feel like a superhero! (or Jesus if that's your thing)

My mind is actually full of inspiration ideas but how about you? Want to throw me a challenge? I'll take it! Leave your suggestions for weeks inspiration in the comment box and I will make it happen.

The champion of the mountains - Ride with monoski.

2010-03-05T15:39:00.002-07:00

Put together an one-piece, bum bag, beanie with neon colors, Ridge Forrester (or Farrah Fawcett for girls) hair and killer riding style with feet as close together as possible and you have a classic from the 90's.

Still it feels like something's missing, it's too ordinary, it's too typical 90's.

....

I got it!

RIDE WITH MONOSKI and you're truly special.

(source)

This noble sport is hot and in again, thanks to the duel between Alain Duchamp and Hanzi von Spitzmark. If I were you, instead of watching Harry Potter or the hot way-too-young-for-me werewolf I'd go to www.dreaminginmono.com to enjoy quality drama placed in alpine environment. 8 episodes of competition, jealousy, romance and of course - riding with monoski.

How can you do it yourself? First I recommend some proper music. Play the top-single by Hanzi and for really getting into the mood Pandora - Don't you know. The Swedes produced some of the greatest 90's music.

PANDORA VS. UNITED DJ'S - DON'T YOU KNOW

Next, proper attire. Monoski needs something more than regular skiing clothing. Here's some suggestions:

Burton Jussi Anorak Jacket, North Face Recon SE Backpack, Dragon Original Gansta Goggles, Bond Edison Shell Pants

Airblaster Freedon Pullover Jacket, Helly Hansen W Silverrush Pants, Monstre FAT!- Monoski, Neff Joey Beanie, Dragon ROGUE-i Original Gangsta / Ion Goggles, Lyrics Beyoncè Single Ladies

Then just grab your monoski, go to the nearest place that has something you can call 'down-hill' and start your thing. If anything else, this brings you a lot of attention so I would recommend it for singles all over the world. What an ice-breaker.

Have you tried monoski? How is it? Who would you recommend it? And the most important question, which nation is the one and only Monoski-champion?

One-pieces baby!

2010-03-04T22:18:00.005-07:00

One-piece. Definitely one of my favorite words in the whole world - what the hell, in the whole universe. I bet that when (not if) the aliens arrive in our dear little planet they'll ignore everyone who's not wearing an one-piece. So I guess I'll be the first human to be captured wearing this one-piece that was probably last worn in the 90's by my friends father. Now it has a new loving home in my closet!

So why we love one-pieces?

1) Its all closed area - you can fall as much as you want and not get any snow in your private areas.

2) You don't have to worry about matching your pants and the jacket - somebody has already done that for you!

3) Way more attention received.

4) No need to worry about showing your butt when picking something from the ground (unless you purposely want to - that's your business)

5) Soft, warm, cozy.

Someone could argue that it is difficult to use the restroom or that the perspiration doesn't "leave the building" but hey, it is always about sacrifices. We women make them all the time with high heels and miniskirts so wearing an one-piece should not be that hard.

Style and high-tech from Norrona. ($1285)

I guess you can call this style as well. Burton Veil for women. (was $349.95, now $279.96!)

Burton has two options for men. I have actually seen the Jail House version couple of times!

DCShoes actually has some great one pieces, surprise for me.

In the case of DC one has to search for retailer for buying, the home site has only the models.

ha - somebody has solved the issue of pooping in backcountry.

Just add a zipper to your butt, that's clever! High performance by North Face ($999).

I've seen one-pieces in every brands winter collection for the past three years I guess. These latest examples from Norrona, Burton, Northface and DC are colorful, cool and comfy for sure but they don't rock like the original ones from the past decades. The best one-pieces can be found in flea markets, your parents' closets, E-bay and second hand stores. The smaller the town, the best color- and style options.

Ski resorts all over the world have theme days and holidays dedicated to this magnificent piece of outdoor wear. Konsta has some happy pictures from Verbier. I'd love to meet those people, they know how to dress right! In Finland the Spring Break isn't a week in beach getting hammered, it's four days in ski-resort Ruka getting way hammered - wearing one-pieces.

So after you've fallen love into one-pieces like me, gone through your grandparents' attics and storages, spent $1000 on one that doesn't let every drop of water in and buried it to the back of closet in the next winter - join this group in Facebook to show how proudly you wear your one-piece: A celebration of the one-piece ski suit.

And please, if you run into an amazing one-piece, at least take a picture and send it to blondewithbo@yahoo.com. If you're loaded the only option is to buy and wear it.

WWW 2.0 - Who what why? And make it 5'10

2010-03-04T20:44:00.001-07:00

I call this place my own web 5'10. It is full of colorful clothing, music and stuff from the past centuries, snow in its various forms, brands, drinks, after ski and après ski, dance moves, mountains, snowboards and snowgirls, crazy winter apparel, pastel shade longboards, sand and surf, happy faces, one-pieces, jumpsuits, acid-wash jeans, Nikeshoes, Pumashoes, Reebokshoes, tanktops, jerseys, colleges, Aussie-accent, coral colors, bum bags, florals, neon patterns, flash sticks, raves in the beach of Gili Trawangan.

Sorry for the word-burst but those are all the things I find important and relevant to my blog. I keep running into great pieces of skiwear all around the web 2.0 but I really feel there has to be a place to gather all these extremes to one place. So yes, this blog is about extremes - you won't see light blue shaded jacket and black pants but leopard-pattern anorak instead.

This is also about mountains from all over the world. Where I go, where I have been. The atmosphere, the clothes, the people and the A-ski. It's about cool stories from other people in the mountains that I find - web 5'10 is also about sharing. All the cool stuff I find is available from my Twitter-account, follow blondewithbo today.

When the mountains are blooming, growing green and attracting bikers, hikers and strollers, I go elsewhere. Sand, empty streets by nights, empty streets in empty cities. Surfing and longboarding are a great number two after snowstuff even though I'm such a rookie with those. I watch, enjoy and breathe the culture - skills come after that. But I already said, this is about superficial things, this is about looks. I let the pros do their thing and I focus on everything beautiful - let it be hoodies, beanies, skirts or lord help me, boys.

I may be superficial but how about you? What comes along with your dream blonde? Booze, booty, board, brains, boobs - vote for your favorite on the right. And yes, you can only pick one 'cause this is reality hun, you can't have it all (unlike I do).

Grab your skis, snowboard, longboard, surfboard, rollerblades (in 80's style of course), monoski or sneakers and follow me to the wonderful neon-colored world.