With sunny skies and a few meters of new snow of the ground, it was time to head to the Whistler backcountry once again. The Pro Ride crew headed up early to find the perfect jump away from the crowds and chaos of the resort. We found a perfect spot in the sunshine, and the building of the jump began.
Looks like a good spot. And the sun's just coming up!
Don stoked! on how the jump turned out.
Megan finding her comfort zone in the air.
KT was throwing a variety of frontside spins all day.
Travis Rice once again made history on February 4th, winning the first Redbull Supernatural. A contest like this has never been held before, and will change all contests forever. The Supernatural combined everything that goes into a professional snowboard video part, and put it all into one 2 minute run. The course which was built at Baldface lodge, above Nelson BC, is like nothing you've ever seen before. Starting out with a man made big mountain pillow section, then heading into a 100ft X-games style big air jump with a pow landing, then finishing off with a jib garden.
Scotty Lago stating things off with a giant Method.
John Jackson with a BS Double Cork 10, which earned him best rick of the event.
With 93cm of snow over the last week Whistler Blackcomb has now had 6.4m (21ft.) of snow so far this season. It has been a big week for the Pro Ride crew... with all this snow we've had no choice but to smash powder laps everyday! Everyone is starting to get sore, but we're not ready for a break yet!
November 24th and Blackcomb mountain opens. The snow's building up here in Whistler and there's lots of exploring to do on both mountains. Rails, jumps, and pipes are being built in the parks, and it's looking like another big winter.
Here's Pro Ride coach Lisa smashing pow lines on Blackcomb's first day.
The most anticipated day of the year around the Pro Ride office is Whistler's opening day. And it's finally here. November. 18th, 1 week earlier then planned. With Red chair hit runs, and the Green chair park going, the day couldn't have been better. Yay! to another amazing season.
Coach Duncan couldn't wait for the mountain to open, so a small hike was in order. He went for snowshoe up Meadow mountain for his first turns of the season. After the first run of the season the hill just can't open soon enough!
This November, professional freeskier Mike Douglas will document Whistler Blackcomb’s transition to winter living at the patrol shack atop Whistler Mountain. Armed only with his computer, his camera and a sleeping bag, the "Godfather of Freeskiing" will document the inside story behind what it takes to open the Whistler Blackcomb ski area for the season.“Embedded is a once in lifetime experience. I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to step right inside winter at the beginning of the season when the stoke level is at its highest point,” says Douglas. “It will be a challenge to document the experience, but it's the kind of challenge I love. I can't wait to get up there.” Douglas will head up the mountain 6 days before opening day in November.
WHISTLER, BC, October 7, 2011– Pro Skier Callum Pettit, pro snowboarder Mercedes Nicoll and the “Godfather” of freeskiing Mike Douglas, skied and rode on Blackcomb Glacier yesterday enjoying some very early season powder turns. “Being able to ski this early in the season is unbelievable” said Callum Pettit “I can’t wait for Whistler Blackcomb to open.” The three athletes were joined by videographer Jeff Thomas and legendary ski photographer Paul Morrison, who were able to capture some footage of the incredible conditions. http://www.vimeo.com/30196505 La Nina, the weather system to thank for this early blast of snow, brought 1,567cm (617 inches) of snow last year, which was the second snowiest season in Whistler Blackcomb’s recorded history. Meteorologists are calling for another La Nina weather pattern this winter. La Niña – What is it?
The La Niña weather pattern typically means cooler than normal temperatures and consistent heavy precipitation during the winter months.
What does this mean for Whistler Blackcomb skiers and riders?
The new film produced by Brain Farm productions “The art of Flight” will premiere in Whistler Monday 12th Sept after 2 years in the making. It is the long anticipated follow up by the creators of “That’s it that’s All”
The new movie follows Travis Rice, John Jackson, Mark Landvik, Scotty Lago, Jake Blauvelt, Nicolas Muller, Gigi Ruf, DCP and Pat Moore across the planet to such locations as Jackson Hole, Alaska, Chile, Aspen, Patagonia and our very own British Columbia.
Some of the most advanced and progressive film making technology was used to capture the adventure making it a movie not to miss.
Whistler Blackcomb has just been named Best Ski Resort in the World and we certainly know why. With the largest ski terrain of any resort there is everything you could possibly want from steeps, trees, terrain parks, half pipes and groomers. With an above average snowfall for Whistler this predicted this year due to a La Nina weather cycle, we certainly have an epic season in store for us.
With snowmaking capacities at Whistler Blackcomb doubling this year, early season riding will be bigger and better. After the Olympic buzz, the Whistler Blackcomb Nintendo’s Terrain Park crews are working super hard to deliver an incredible set up this year. Blackcomb will see a 22 foot Super Pipe, which will be maintained by the 22-foot Global Pipe Cutter and the return of a 15 foot mini pipe along with a rail fleet in partnership with Arena Snowparks.
With snowmaking capacities at Whistler Blackcomb doubling this year, early season riding will be bigger and better. After the Olympic buzz, the Whistler Blackcomb Nintendo’s Terrain Park crews are working super hard to deliver an incredible set up this year. Blackcomb will see a 22 foot Super Pipe, which will be maintained by the 22-foot Global Pipe Cutter and the return of a 15 foot mini pipe along with a rail fleet in partnership with Arena Snowparks.
