IFSA National Event Registration

I know it seems early, but registration for IFSA National competitions occurs this week. 

Quick explanation:  IFSA big mountain competitions are part of our program.  Athletes are encouraged to participate but it is not a requirement.  This season, we will attend regional competitions at Stevens Pass, Alpental and Crystal Mountain.  Regional events are typically one day events, but could be two day competitions.

There are two National events hosted at Whistler (Feb. 8-10^th) and Crystal Mountain (Mar. 7-9^th).  These three day events have qualifying rounds and those that make the final could gain more IFSA points towards international rankings. 

As a team, we have a quota for a few athletes we can register before the open registration.  These events typically fill up quickly and space is limited.  If you are interested in attending a national event, please follow these instructions: 

1)      Let me know you are interested in a National IFSA competition and which venue you prefer (Whistler or Crystal)

      2)      Sign up for IFSA membership at:  http://www.freeskiers.org/general/memberships-2013
      3)      Send me your IFSA athlete number by Thursday morning, December 5^th.

 Important dates:

1)      IFSA will send me our team quota on Thursday, December 5^th.  Team registration (where I register the allotted athletes for the national events) begins at 6:00 PM.

      2)      If you are interested in a National event and are not registered under the team quota, you can register during open registration.  Open registration begins Monday, December 9^th at 6:00 PM.

Grand Opening

Mother Nature and Stevens Pass have teamed up for the early opening.  Stevens Pass will have limited operations this weekend.
Go get your stoke on!

Swap Meets

Islander Middle School, Mercer Island Nov. 1st.  3:00 - 7:00 PM Nov. 2nd. 8:30 - 2:00 PM Newport High School 4333 Factoria Blvd SE   Bellevue, WA 98006 Nov. 8th. 5:00 - 9:00 PM Nov. 9th. 9:00 - 5:00 PM

First Rail Jam of the Season

Saturday, October 5th at Stevens Pass.  9:00 - 2:00 PM.  $12 - or free to bike park and 2013-14 season pass holders.

With over two feet of snowfall in early October, we’ve decided to take advantage and use it efficiently! Join us this Saturday, October 5 as we host a preseason jib park at the top of Hogsback Express Chairlift. This pre-season rail park is open to all skiers and riders and will be just what you need to calm your winter nerves. The features and terrain will be tailored to intermediate skill levels. The snow is thin down low so everyone must download to get back to the base area

IFSA Posts Event Schedule

The International Freeskiers and Snowboarders Association proudly announces the 2014 Junior Big Mountain Freeskiing event dates. The 2013 IFSA NA Junior Series wrapped up with a total of 31 independently run events culminating with the first ever Junior NorAm Championship.

Almost all of last year’s events will be returning to this year’s line-up and there will be a few new events to bring the 2014 series to a total of 38 national, regional and championship events. The schedule is preliminary as IFSA is fine tuning inspection dates and a few events are yet to be finalized.  Please keep an eye on www.freeskiers.org or the IFSA Facebook page for the final schedule.

Looking Ahead, Looking Behind

Many view the Labor Day weekend as the end of summer.  And, while the sun is out and temps are warm, it's hard to think of snow.  Yet, the signs are here.  Labor Day kicks off ski and snowboard sales.  The mailman delivers the first issues of your winter sport magazines.  Snow-sport movie trailers start landing in your email.

As we look ahead to the upcoming season, I'll take a moment to look back on the past season at Stevens Pass and share a few stats:

• Total Snowfall: 541"
• Highest Wind: 80mph, April 10th
• Lowest Temperature: 8 degrees, January 13th
• Highest Temperature: 56 degrees, April 2nd
• December 8th: 39" new snow in 12 hours, 48" in 24 hours
  Snow totals by Month:
• November: 56"
• December: 207"
• January: 77"
• February: 82"
• March: 75"
• April:  44”

Happy riding!

New High Speed Quad

Stevens Pass is installing a new high speed quad to replace the Jupiter Chair.  Check out the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGwBd4_IGao

Crystal Mountain IFSA Freeski competition

Crystal Mountain Freeski /Big Mountain competition:  Saturday, February 16th

Click here to register:  http://crystalmountainresort.com/Events/1336/The-Crystal-Mountain-Triple-Crown-Day-Two-Washington-States-Junior-Freeride-Championship

• Select Program Type – Freeride Competitions
• Select Event – Chose category
• Choose Triple Crown date you are registering for
• Verify Checkout Summary
• Continue through Checkout
• Let me know you’re competing

Jim Jack Cowboy Up Freeride IFSA - Video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gfo3bhB497M&feature=youtu.be

Upcoming Events

Jim Jack Cowboy Up Freeride IFSA competition:   This Saturday and Sunday.

Year-end competition and BBQ will be Saturday and Sunday, February 9^th and 10^th. 

                Saturday:  Slopestyle  (Terrain Park)  9:30 AM
                Sunday:   Freeride (Big Mountain) competition  9:00 AM 

Freeride Competition:  IFSA regional at Crystal Mountain

                Saturday, February 16^th. 

Slopestyle / Skier Cross / Air Bag at 49 Degrees North

                Saturday and Sunday, March 2^nd and 3^rd. 

Free Ski Competition

IFSA competition at Stevens Pass:  Feb. 2^nd and 3^rd.  We encourage athletes to compete. Register today if you are interested.  They will only take 100 athletes and that includes snowboarders.  Saturday is qualifying.  Finals on Sunday.

                Step 1:  Go to the IFSA membership site:  http://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1149290

                Step 2:  Complete the registration.  An annual membership costs $65.  A one-time event membership is $10.  (“Athlete one time competitor fee”)  This will give you an IFSA membership number you’ll need to register for the competition

                Step 3:  Register for the event at:  https://www.athletepath.com/ifsa-regional-competition-series/2013-02-02.  Cost is $60.

Half pipe opens

Washington's only half pipe opens this weekend at Stevens Pass.

Not sure you have the skills to ride it?  No worries.  Just "easy style it".  That means, start small and work your way up.  And, by "up", I mean "up the wall".  Get the feel for making turns as your head up the wall and build from there.

Remember:  The half pipe can be safe and isn't for park rats only.  It's a fantastic training tool.  Spend some time in the pipe and see how much better you ride all over the mountain.

Opening Day!

Stevens Pass:
The 2012-13 season starts tomorrow, Tuesday, November 20 at noon. Operating hours will be from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. tomorrow and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.  Tickets will be just $20 for guests on opening day.

Dry land training: The fun kind.

We are very excited to expand our program to include dry land training this season.   

Balance, fitness and body awareness are critical to improving as an skier or snowboarder.  We are pleased to offer professional coaching indoors on an Olympic trampoline. 

Training will be offered at SkyMania in Kirkland.  Our trampoline coach is a Level 3 U.S. Freestyle Aerial coach and passionate skier. 

Space is limited for each session.  You must RSVP in advance.

Our training begins at 7:00 PM but we ask that you arrive by 6:45 to get signed in.  Complete the waiver online in advance. (click on the link below) 

https://skyzoneseattle.pfestore.com/waiver/

Bring socks, sweats or shorts and a T shirt.  The facility is in a warehouse and it may be cool this time of year.  Bring water. 

Cost:  The first session is a mandatory introduction and orientation:  $40.00.  Subsequent training sessions:  $25.00 

Location:  SkyMania – 11801 NE 116^th Street, Suite B.  Kirkland, WA  98034   (right off 405 at 116^th, next to Subaru)  425-825-7599.  For more information about SkyMania visit:  http://www.skymaniatrampolines.com/

We have a lot of great events and opportunities this season.  Looking forward to sharing it with you.

Swap Meets

Swap Meets

If you missed the Ski Fever and Snowboard Show last weekend, there are still opportunities to get in on some used gear.

Tacoma Ski Swap:  Nov. 2nd - 3rd.  University of Puget Sound Tennis Pavilion
www.tacomaskiswap.com

SPVSP. Nov. 2nd - 4th. Red Hook Brewery, Woodinville

http://spvsp.org/Ski_Swap

Mercer Island Ski Swap:  Nov. 5th (8:30 - 2:00).  Islander Middle School Gym

http://www.mi-s​kiswap.com

Newport Snowsports Swap: Nov. 9th - 10th.  Newport High School, Bellevue
http://skiswap.info/

Nacho Ordinary Slopestyle

Slopestyle is my favorite freestyle event to watch.  It combines great riding with jumps, aerial manuevers, hard features like boxes and rails and, of course, style.

Spend your Cinco de Mayo at Stevens Pass for the Nacho Ordinary Slopestyle contest.  It's open to all ages and sure to be a ton of fun.

Register now at the link below:

http://ridestevenspass.com/news/2012/04/19/nacho-ordinary-slopestyle

Afraid to Bail

It was a big jump, over 40 feet from lip to knuckle.  The in run was long and steep, but not enough for a 10 year old to generate enough speed to clear it – at least not on a warmer day when the snow was slow.  Starting on the hill above the run in, he skated, then tucked through the line up carrying enough speed to air over the normal take off point.  Approaching the jump, he prepared for his maneuver.  Then, abruptly, the skis were thrown sideways and as he made an emergency stop inches from the lip.

Disappointed, he slowly skied back down the jump ramp and to the side of the run.  Head hung low, he slowly side stepped up lip of the landing and gently skied to the waiting area.

Moments later, an older and heavier rider got into his tuck and gunned it for the jump.  Good speed, good pop, but not enough. Coming down hard on the knuckle, his knee buckled.  His friends were there first, but patrol and their toboggan were needed to get him to the aid room.

It’s easy to get big air.  It’s also easy to get disappointed when other riders are taking it higher or farther.  Given the choice between short term disappointment and a season ender – make the smart choice.  Yes, skiing and snowboarding are risk sports.  Injuries can and will occur.  But, know your limits and know your game.  Scope it out, check your speed, make a plan and be aware of changing conditions.  If you’re not feeling the love, call it off.  Don’t hit the (insert the feature of your choice here).

We can all learn a lot from the 10 year old who bailed at the last second.  He’ll ride the rest of the day and the rest of the season.  And, I’ll put money on him learning more tricks this season than the kid on crutches.

Happy (and safe) riding!

Are you a young rider who thrives on steep terrain?  Then check out the upcoming freeride event at Crystal Mountain.  The competition is Saturday, March 24th.  It's open to girls and boys, ages 11 - 18.  Here is the link for more information:

http://www.crystalmountainresort.com/Events/1336/The-Crystal-Mountain-Triple-Crown-Day-Two-Washington-States-Junior-Freeride-Championship

Swap Meets

Swap Meets

Seattle SkiFever & Snowboard Show:  Oct. 28th - 30th     Washington State Convention Center
     http://www.skifever.org/

 

Mercer Island Ski & Snowboard Swap:  Nov. 5th     Islander Middle School, Mercer Island
     http://www.misd.k12.wa.us/schools/ims/imspta/skiswap/

SPVSP.  Nov. 4th - 6th.  Red Hook Brewery, Woodinville

     http://spvsp.org/Ski_Swap

Newport High School Ski Swap:  Nov. 11th - 12th     Newport High School, Bellevue
     http://skiswap.info/

Seattle SkiFever & Snowboard Show

The Seattle SkiFever & Snowboard Show is October 28 - 30th at the Washington Convention Center.  For more info, visit http://www.skifever.org/index.php?CategoryID=3