whistler

The 2nd annual showdown of the action-sports filmmaking industry’s top dogs is rearing its fire-breathing, flare-throwing head again. From cats on skis to epic backcountry powder stashes to blown up sleds, this is the ultimate event. 

With only 7 days to shoot, edit and produce a 5-7 minute extreme sports short film, film crews will be chosen to take on this never seen before challenge.  The only pre-requisites are each team must consist of both a skier and a snowboarder and each film must contain 30 seconds of park footage, 30 seconds of WB in-bound terrain, it must be shot within 100km of Whistler and 75% of all footage must be on snow. 2011 participating teams have been invited back, with more spots up for grabs for new competitors.
 
Teams battled it out for the grand prize of $15,000 with each team receiving $1,000 for participating. Once again reigning champions Voleuz took the top spot with their "The Art Of Flight" spoof "The Science of Airborning"

With the start of spring comes the annual Showcase Showdown, now in it's 15th year. The Showdown has gone threw many changes over the years. Starting as a small competition in the park, then turning into a pipestyle (think pipe and slopestyle together) and now as a main event finishing off with down in the village for all to see.

Pro Ride camper, women's first place finished and all around special person Jess Rich FS on the down bar.

Jesse Millen men first place finisher over the jump. FS 7 I suspect.

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.

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!

Willow eyes up a pillow line as KT looks on.

Chris dropping into a pow landing.

7th Heaven and Glacier chair just opend to finish off our first week of the season. 7th Heaven was beautiful and sunny, and Glacier had lots of pow, that had been secretly hidden away until today. Riding under the sunny skies has been amazing, but everyone is getting excited about the clouds moving in now. Sounds like there's going to be a bunch of snow for next week.

Campers Louie, Marc, Amit, Cathelijn (KT) pumped on the sun at the top of 7th.

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.

Opening day 2011/12 from ProRide Snowboard Camps Whistler on Vimeo.

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?

We’ve had 130cm of new snow come down in Whistler in the last 7 days and it doesn’t look like stopping anytime soon. On Friday the Pro Ride crew decided to make the most of it by building two kickers deep in the Whistler back country. As always the campers threw down some huge hits and nailed some bangers.

Check out these pics for a taste of jump day Pro Ride style!