Just when you think it is all over, Mother Nature comes and slaps you in the face.  Jackson has been getting dumped on and we have been taking full advantage of it.  With a full reset in the backcountry, the bluebird crew has been filming  like crazy and getting the shots.  Big ups to all the riders that have been pushing it all season.  Check out some shots from our excursions.  

“The Guch”

“Little Big Hands”

“JahMakens”

Just a taste with many more to follow.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort presents the Third Annual Jackson Hole Mountain Festival, March 24 - 31, 2008. In addition to Michael Franti and Spearhead performing for FREE on Saturday March, 29, the Festival will include on-mountain events, live music, mechanical bull rodeo and endless specials!

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has the best snow conditions in the Rockies with over 250 inches of snowfall and an 90 inch base.  With nothing but heavy storms forecasted into our future, we are on track for a record season that locals and visitors will be talking about for years!

Enjoy deep discounts on lift tickets in March, as well as other Festival specials throughout the Resort. The Jackson Hole Mountain Festival is guaranteed to be a party you won’t want to miss! So log on to www.jacksonhole.com for a complete listing of events and updates.

New Site Reveals the History, Construction and Vision behind this new iconic ride

The countdown has officially started, larger and faster, “The Big One” is back, December 2008. Until then we will share our excitement through words, images, and video capturing the enormity of this project on tramformation.com . Launch content includes the incredible construction project to date documented by award winning film maker Peter Pilafian and will showcase the project continuing, the amazing people behind the machine and the incredible resort that houses the story. Coming to the site will also be unique competitions, incredible exclusives and more.

In the early 1960’s visionary Paul McCollister laid eyes on the rugged peaks of the Tetons and began to imagine the possibilities these mountains held. His vision turned into a reality that would revolutionize North American skiing. Rising 4,139 vertical feet off the valley floor, the Jackson Hole aerial tram brought access to unparalleled terrain and a skiing experience unlike any other.

Committed to the evolution of our founding partners’ vision, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is writing the next chapter or “Tramformation”. Midway through a two year construction process to build one of the most expensive, and technically challenging aerial trams in the US, we intend to ensure the new tram and Jackson Hole remain a focal point for those who love the mountains.

The new aerial tram at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort will be twice the size of the original, carrying 100 passengers, have modern, sleek cabins, a visually inspiring base terminal, plus be faster, more efficient and tougher than its predecessor.

As well as the journey, it is the destination that captures the spirit of the Jackson Hole tram. Soaring 4,139 vertical feet in 9 minutes is unrivaled in the ski industry, cresting the Tetons with an endless choice of mind-blowing ski routes below, not to mention incredible 360 views, and only a few fellow disciples to nod at before you choose your line. It is unlike any other experience.

Tramformation.com is not just for skiers and snowboarders, it is a MUST see for every mountain lover, engineer, adventurer and appreciator of mother nature at its finest.

After recovering from the contest and getting over being sick twice in two weeks, we are ready to take advantage of the high pressure headed our way.  With the lower elevations becoming sun affected, we are off to higher elevations to get some of that 400 inches that has fallen this season.

Jeff Kramer getting some of that hot pow and killing it.

Bluebird Skies, Pillows of Powder and Massive Airs Over Natural Obstacles Mark this Historic Day in Snowboarding

Jackson Hole, WY (February 6, 2008) - Quiksilver today announced that Travis Rice is the winner of the first-annual “Quiksilver Natural Selection: All Mountain Invitational.” The final round of competition, staged at Jackson Hole’s legendary Casper Bowl run, was held in sunny bluebird skies and pristine pow. Hundreds of spectators cheered each rider as they dropped from the top of the mountain into a field of soft, untracked snow and launched impossible airs over boulders and trees.

Rice was ecstatic after being announced the winner. He earned a check for $18,000 and the unqualified respect of his peers. Travis will be donating a portion of his prize money to the Jackson Hole search and rescue as well as other non-profit organizations in the community.

“Snowboarding is self expression,” said Rice. “For me the true reward was seeing everyone walk away with smiles of optimism. After talking with the riders it seems as though we have only scratched the surface of a new era. It’s nature that provides us with the most limitless canvas to challenge the way we ride.”

The top three winners received a custom painted bison skull, created by local artist Ryan Hayworth. Mark Landvik, who pulled a 720 to win the best trick award, received a snowmobile donated by DC Shoes. The total purse was $75,000 and all athletes were rewarded.

The event, which was actually the brainchild of Jackson Hole local Rice, has been the talk of the snowboard world because of the refreshing new format, the ideal setting and vibe, and the incredible array of talent from every part of the snowboard world who accepted the invitation to ride here.

“Pipe guys, free riders, and legends all came together because of this event,” said Brian Craighill, Quiksilver Snow Team Manager. “It was incredible to watch and extremely rewarding to be a part of this event.”

Over the two competition days, more than 20 cameras and a 2,000-foot cable cam captured the event in high definition under the direction of innovative filmmaker Curtis Morgan. Journalists from around the world also gathered here to experience it, and Fuel TV was on hand to record it for later broadcast.

“After Travis dreamed up this contest, I knew it would be a logistical nightmare; I had to figure out how we’d capture the action with the same intensity and artistry that the riders would bring,” said Morgan. “Our approach wasn’t just to cover an event, it was to bring the spectacle alive in a way that has never been seen before, in true cinematic proportion. In the end, we proved it’s possible and produced the first HD broadcast on real terrain with real riders.”

Photo: Mark Carter & Travis Rice by Jesse Brown

What an incredible, historic day of snowboarding day Casper Bowl. Blue skies, fresh powder and a hand picked collection of the best snowboarders in the world.

A moment of joy at the commencement of the first ever Quiksilver Natural Selection.  Big ups to Travis Rice, innovator and brainchild of the event.  Photo: Jesse Brown

What an incredible, historic day of snowboarding in Casper Bowl. Blue skies, fresh powder and a hand picked collection of the best snowboarders in the world. Don’t miss the awards and results tonight at the Mangy Moose in Teton Village at 10pm. In the meantime, click on the link to see amazing cable cam footage of Saturday’s competition at Dick’s Ditch.

http://www.quiksilver.com/frames/naturalselection08.aspx

Press Release Below:

Jackson Hole, WY (February 4, 2008) - Seventeen of the world’s best snowboarders rode hard during the first round of the “Quiksilver Natural Selection” in the second most epic powder conditions January has seen in 40 years at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. All competitors pulled off some amazing riding but only one prevailed in the lead: Quiksilver’s very own Travis Rice. Rice shred his way to first place by pulling out a variation of tricks including 360s, 540s and 720s all in whiteout, knee-deep powder conditions. The Dick’s Ditch contest is one of two runs in “The Quiksilver Natural Selection: All-Mountain Freestyle Invitational at Jackson Hole” held from January 30 to February 5, 2008. The overall winner will be determined by the best combined score from the two competition days.

Because of the difficult terrain and visibility, the event’s judges were forced to rely on a combination of first-hand viewing and footage from the more than 20 cameras perched along the Ditch as well as a 2,000-foot cable camera. After scrutinizing the footage and deliberating for more than a day, the judges announced the results last night.

This innovative event is the brainchild of Rice, one of the world’s most versatile and accomplished snowboarders, who envisioned a competition that removes the constructs of snow parks and half-pipes, and instead uses a natural-terrain course to bring out the best in riders’ style and technique.

Mother Nature Is a Real Ditch

Saturday’s competition was held in the 2,000-foot-plus long natural gorge known as Dick’s Ditch. The run had been closed for more than a week amassing 58″ of fresh powder on its hips, boulders and trees, creating an awe-inspiring natural half pipe for riders to attack.

Rice’s best run scored a 431 out of 500 points. Travis kept it together in the deep powder landings stomping a huge frontside-360 with a tree tap, then a large backside-720 and a mute-air over the cat-track hit. He then hit a frontside-mute on his fourth trick and finished things off with a clean frontside-540 and a stylish frontside-180.

“It was comedy, watching the snowboarders I most look up to riding nipple-deep kicker lines, just trying to hold a run together,” said Rice. “It was super fun.”

Runner up Mark Landvik threw down a smooth run to take second place.

Let me break down the contest for you. Travis Rice invites 16 of the best riders in the world to Jackson. Then he proceeds to break them off one by one on a mechanical bull the night before the contest. This was the determining factor on who gets to begin choosing the starting order for day one.

Guch trying his hardest to not get broken. Jesse Brown photo

Clancy. I think he broke his thumb. Jesse Brown photo

Romain. Ever see the volleyball scene from TOP GUN? Same here. ESKA photo

Rice. Fingering the crowd. ESKA photo

The panel of lovely judges. ESKA photo

The Man of the night. Mark Carter. Taking First Place in the Bull riding event.
WILLIE Photo

So Carter took first, Travis took second. And for third? Who cares? Just kidding GIGI
After travis breaks everyone off on the bull, he then proceeds to break them off at the bar.
We all head over to the World famous Cowboy Bar to watch Jamie Lynn’s band tear off our ears and shove them up our asses. They seriously rip.

Jamie Lynn. Not only is he a judge, but he’s also a member. (of the band) WILLIE photo

JESSE BROWN photo

Jamie’s Drummer. WILLIE photo

Jamie called us all on stage. We were supposed to sing with him, but none of us knew the words to “wake me up before you go go”. JESSE BROWN photo

Sammy’s hair. JESSE BROWN photo

Colin and Jamie. Willie photo

More moshing. JESSE BROWN photo

Does this look like a recipe for a nap? ESKA photo

Mike Parillo and the foul mouthed announcer. ESKA photo

Colin was pumped. WILLIE photo

WILLIE photo

Sammy aint cuttin his hair for the man. WILLIE photo

Tom Burt and Kramer. Two of the nicest dudes known to man. Tom is a judge. WILLIE photo

Gigi and PCP. WILLIE photo

Romain. With his shirt on. WILLIE photo

Me and Circe. Before I ruined the contest. Looks like she’s almost stoked to see me.

OK. Enough with the party photos. Let’s move onto day one. Which you might have heard, I ruined. Now let’s be honest. Who in their right mind would give me a mic in front of hundreds of people? Not me. Worst idea ever? Or best? They thought putting me with Todd Richards to announce the contest was smart. What the hell were they thinking? When you hire Willie McMillon to announce a contest, you’re not gonna get Tony Danza. Basically, I cussed up a storm. Jeff Moran counted 11 “F bombs”. I also said something about jamming cinnamon toothpicks in your boner hole. But I think the best quote was………Drum role please………

Todd—-”Stay classy Jackson Hole”
Willie—-”Go fuck yourself JH”
Let’s just say that comment didn’t really go over with “the man”. Jesse Brown photo

Todd laughed, he cried, he wished I was never born. ESKA photo

Lando has a mean ass method. JESSE BROWN photo

Guch right before breaking himself off on the infamous “Terje Booter” JESSE BROWN photo

Guch. What he describes as the worst pain he’s ever known. JESSE BROWN photo

Clancy was tearing shit up. JESSE BROWN photo

Clancy was taking some sweet lines off the catwalk. ESKA photo

Clancy big air through the trees. ESKA photo

Your trusty foul mouthed announcer signing off. I am still waiting to find out if I got fired from the event. I mean what the hell did they expect? It’s like giving me a grenade and then getting mad at me when I blow up a small village.

I would like to formally say sorry to anyone who I offended or made lose their job. Especially Wink INC, Circe Wallace, Lisa Watson, all the parents, 3 yr old kids, and the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. I won’t however apologize for being who I am.
My bad.

Current standings…
1st-Travis Rice
2nd- Mark Landvik
3rd- Mark Carter

STAY TUNED….

Toyota’s Creative Collaboration Project Partners With Quiksilver, Jackson Hole Snowboarders to Shoot, Edit and Premiere Snowboard Film During First 3 Days of Event

Jackson Hole, Wyoming (February 3, 2008) — Last night at the historical Jackson Hole Playhouse, a star-studded mix of professional snowboarders, industry legends, visiting media and local rippers gathered for a post-competition screening of the Toyota-sponsored user-generated snowboard film “You Shot This!” The Quiksilver Natural Selection partnered with Toyota’s creative collaboration project, HEYA and cinematographer Rich Goodwin (http://www.youtube.com/richiebeats69) to produce this 8 minute video, which cuts together over 4 hours of handheld video camera footage shot by 20 of Jackson Hole’s best riders over the last few days. The video, which is now posted on the Quiksilver Natural Selection website, provides some rare glimpses into the on-mountain exploits and après-shred shenanigans of Jeff Moran, John Rodosky, Owen Reed, Graham Scott, Rob Kingwill, Adam Dowell and other local legends. Visit quiksilver.com/naturalselection to see Jason Elms and his posse house jumping in Teton Village, comedy by the Jackson Hole High School snowboard team, Quiksilver team rider Travis Rice pulling donuts in his truck and unbearable amounts of fresh powder. While you are there, don’t forget to check out the updates, photographs and videos from the weeklong event going on now in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

18 of the world’s best snowboarders went hard on a snowy day at Dick’s Ditch.

Travis Rice was the highest finisher of the day. His best run scored 431 points. Mark Landvik and Mark Carter are in second and third.

Round 1 - Dick’s Ditch

1. Travis Rice Jackson Hole, WY USA
1st Run: 431
2nd Run: 339
3rd Run: 326
Best Run: 431

2. Mark Landvik 28 Juneau, AK USA
1st Run: 303
2nd Run: 319
3rd Run: 394
Best Run: 394

3. Mark Carter Ten Sleep, WY USA
1st Run: 299
2nd Run: 344
3rd Run: 385
Best Run: 385

4. David Benedek Munich, GER
1st Run: 384
2nd Run: 315
3rd Run: 384
Best Run: 384

5. Samuel Luebke 18 Truckee, CA USA
1st Run: 378
2nd Run: 330
3rd Run: 305
Best Run: 378

6. David Carrier Porcheron 27 Squamish, BC CAN
1st Run: 368
2nd Run: 366
3rd Run: 298
Best Run: 368

7. J.J. Thomas Breckenridge, CO USA
1st Run: 355
2nd Run: 331
3rd Run: 365
Best Run: 365

8. Gigi Ruf 26 Austria
1st Run: 363
2nd Run: 332
3rd Run: 333
Best Run: 363

9. Rob Kingwill Jackson Hole, WY USA
1st Run: 320
2nd Run: 352
3rd Run: 338
Best Run: 352

10. Colin Langlois 28 Morrisville, VT USA
1st Run: 351
2nd Run: 337
3rd Run: 295
Best Run: 351

11. Nicolas Muller Zurich, SUI
1st Run: 348
2nd Run: 332
3rd Run: 306
Best Run: 348

12. Kyle Clancy Alpine, WY USA
1st Run: 338
2nd Run: 345
3rd Run: 306
Best Run: 345

13. Wolle Nyvelt , AUT
1st Run: 295
2nd Run: 306
3rd Run: 338
Best Run: 338

14. Austin Smith 19 Bend, OR USA
1st Run: 327
2nd Run: 293
3rd Run: 282
Best Run: 327

15. Hampus Mosesson 25 Froson, SWE
1st Run: 316
2nd Run: 324
3rd Run: 298
Best Run: 324

16. Bjorn Leines 30 Salt Lake City, UT USA
1st Run: 304
2nd Run: 316
3rd Run: 314
Best Run: 316

17. Romain De Marchi Dardagny, SUI
1st Run: 307
2nd Run: 293
3rd Run: 240
Best Run: 307

18. DNF Bryan Iguchi Jackson, WY USA