Nikita Chikita

The road trip to Mammoth from Tahoe was awesome.  Halo, Diana, and myself caravaned down there and stopped at a skate park and hot springs on the way down.  A few beers later and some rips, we were ready to hit the road again.  Nikita Chikita was a lot of fun this year...a challenge as well.  Since I broke my neck, the northwest hasn't had a jump over 25 - 30 feet, so going to the comp was really intimidating.  Getting the right speed during practice was impossible.  The second jump had a giant wedge to a short steep landing with very little table top to clear, so it was sending the girls easily past the landing to the flats.  One girl was taken to the hospital on a back board during practice.  This caused the jump to be closed for the majority of practice and watching her go through what I did, deterred me from wanting to hit the big side of the second jump.  I had planned on hitting the large side of the first jump, then the small sides of the last two.  Oh how quickly my mind changes.  Once the comp got underway, just about every chic in the pro was hitting the big sides.  How could I enter a comp in the pro division and ride like an amateur? So of coarse I had to go and hit the big sides to make sure I didn't make an ass of myself.  I am so glad that I did.  The pressure of the comp helped me overcome some jumping fears that developed from my injury.  I did not place well, but I was proud of myself personally and Ashley Thornton.  Ashley placed 4th at the comp and I think that is oober.  Thanks to Diana and Shred Betties for being so supportive.  Diana is a killer team manager.  

Tahoe

I was planning on competing in the Nikita Chikita at Mammoth Mountain, so I decided to drive down to Tahoe prior to the comp to visit friends and get some shredding in.  After rolling in late at night, we got to ride Squaw Valley thanks to some help from Candice. The pow was incredible that day.  I totally understand Tahoe now.  Big storms followed by lots of sun.  We were there early and the snow was good until about noon.  It started to get warm and the snow was getting really heavy.  We  checked out Donner pass with the hopes of building some stuff the next day, but with the snow warming up so quickly, the avalanche danger was really high the next day.  Friday I had planned to go to Kirkwood for a photo shoot with shred betties, but on my way there from north lake, the highway was closed because of an avalanche.  I would have had to go all the way around the lake to make it there, which would have been a 4 hour drive. I was bummed that I didn't get to go to the shoot with my fellow lady shredders, but everything happens for a reason.  Noble and Driver were nice enough to invite Jeff and I to hit feature with them that night.  They set up a wall ride on a post to a high bridge.  I am really grateful for the experience.  Riding with a bunch of legit guys was really intimidating, but I am glad I got over my fears and joined in on the fun.  We had wanted to stay through the week, but mother nature brought us some rain instead.  It was dumping at Hood, so we called it, and drove back to Hood for some major freshies.  Thanks to Christine and Candice for letting us crash.  

PB&J at Snoqualmie

The PB&J was a super fun event.  The set up was awesome.  There was a box line set up as a flat down with a gap to the down.  There was a corrugated pipe that was set up as a down feature.  The last feature was a pole jam into a down box.  The girl turn out was really good.  I have to say after doing comps in the northwest for a few years, there is more and more of a girl turn out every year.  I think that is awesome.  I had first place going into the finals, but I ended up with 5th in the long run.  There was a group of chics from Canada rolling through. The level of riding for girls snowboarding is stepping up every year.  

Mission Ridge

Mission ridge demo days was a great time as usual.  Even though there is some work involved, it is always sweet to be there and see lots of familiar faces.  The ride booth was crowded as usual.  There was a chinese down hill that was really interesting.  There was a mogal field that was a bling spot at the start of the run.  I guess the guys run was a total white out and dudes were falling all over the place.  I wish I was there to see that.  The girls run was a little more mellow, and Raelyn gave me a run for my money.  She was on my tail the whole time.  Thanks to Kyle's mom for being so hospitable.  Staying at her house is always a treat.  

The Legendary Banked Slalom at Baker

I was really fortunate this year to by having an opportunity to compete in the legendary banked slalom at Mt. Baker.  I've always heard really great thing about the competition, but never competed.  It is pretty hard to get in for locals and almost impossible for non-locals without an invite.  Thank you to EVO gear for inviting me to take one of their two spots.  The weather the first day was typical northwest weather.  The skies were grey and the snow was blowing.  I'd never competed in a banked slalom, so the only thing running through my head was, "GO FAST!"  The first couple of turns were really tight, so when I gunned it out of the starter booth, I pulled off a beautiful cartwheel.  I am pretty sure that cartwheels aren't part of banked slaloms.  The US Forest Service put a slight damper on my day as well.  Oh well, maybe the next day would be better.  Saturday was a much nicer day.  The sun was bling'n and the course was icy.  My goal for the day was to stay on my feet and avoid aerobatics  Unfortunately my time was slightly too slow.  I have to say I am not too bummed.  My time still topped some pro's and the women that made it to the finals have been doing the slalom for years.  One of the ups to the banked slalom was the awesome food.  At the top of the course there was a roasted red pepper cream cheese dip with crackers, fresh fruit and chocolate fondue, and sourdough with cheese fondue.  There was also a salmon feed on Saturday, which I think caused the food poisoning that haunted me all Saturday into Sunday.  I have to say that food poisoning is the most horrible thing ever and I would never wish that upon anyone else.  The banked slalom was an amazing time even with the lows.  I saw a lot of familiar faces from EVO gear, POW gloves, and Spacecraft.  Hopefully I'll have a crack at the course again next year, minus the food poisoning.  

SIA R.I.P.

This January 24th-27th was the last year that the annual Snowsports Industries America show was held in Las Vegas, NV.  It went off with a bang!  Wed night was the 10th annual Rider's Poll awards.  The event was slightly thin of people because Snoop Dogg was playing at the Rain club at the Palm.  The event was also slightly boring considering Travis Rice took every award except Rookie of the year.  The most excitement came from the success of Lucas Debari winning rookie of the year.  Lucas is a killer rider from the Mt. Baker area.  Northwest rider representing.  Anyway, some how I managed to get into the Snoop Dogg show as well.  That was a killer show even though Snoop didn't get on stage till 1:14 am and had a half hour set.  The next night was the last night of the SIA. Method man played at the Hard Rock.  The show was sweet and it was great to get to hang out with some of my fellow Shred Betties...D, Megan, Diana, and even though he is not a betty...Tim.  There were tons of familiar faces and the fun was endless.  I don't think that SIA will ever be the same.  May it R.I.P and put your serious face on for Denver SIA.  

Hood River Show

I spend the last week learning all about the 2009-2010 Ride products.  I am going to be helping take appointments at SIA so this was basically a training session for me.  I have to say, the week was a blast.  The ROME guys always keep things interesting, and Pat and Kyle know how to party.  Sunday night Hells Bells was playing and the show was sick.  They are an all girls AC/DC cover band that sounds exactly the same.  I was at the bar getting drinks when an AC/DC song came on.  I thought they popped a CD in till the band  came on, but then I looked up at the stage and there was a chic on stage rock'n out.  I head banged so much I had an afro by the end of the night.  I must say though, I really appreciated being able to head bang.  May the good times keep on rolling.