Whistler Events

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"

Day 4 of Monster's "The Shred Show" and it's a mogul smashing day.
Or as the weather would have it, a day of avoiding large and rather firm mounds of ice. After the last few days of above zero conditions, todays, sub-zero temperatures turned all things on the mountain rock hard. But the show must go on.

Competitors raced head to head down the icy chutes to the kickers at the bottom. With the harder conditions it's less then inviting to want to launch yourself up into the air. So Monster energy started throwing out cash to all UFD (upside **** down) maneuvers. It's amazing how a few $20's can change the day. And with a hotdog eating competition and beer at the bottom of the course, the day was enjoyed by all who attended. Especially Zack Hale. The young jib prodigy took first place, not telling anyone of his GS background.

Looking down the course.

Method off the bottom jump.

Day 2 of Monster's "The Shred Show" and all eyes were on the boardercross track... well the beefed up boarderstyle track. In 2011 at The Show they introduced Boarderstyle, a hybrid of boardercross and park riding that rewards speed and style. It was an instant hit with fast action and mandatory airs.
With all the hype no one could stay away from the event. Even snowboard legend Terje Haakonsen. Terje came out with his legendary shred skills and made it all the way to the final heat, only to be narrowly beaten by New Zealand's Tim Jackaways.

Tomorrow the TTR slopestyle!!

Day one of the Whistler Ski and Snowboard Festival, by Telus, started off with Monster's "The Shred Show" Big Hip competition. The giant hip was sculpted down in the skiers plaza at the bottom of Whistler mountain for all to view.
The day started off with 2 hours of practice, and with this being a TTR event everyone came out to try and earn some points. After the sun went down the finals started with the top 10 qualifiers going head to head in a best 2 out of 3 jumps format.

In the end young local ripper Darcy Sharpe one with a FS doublecork 10, and a BS 9.
Antoine Truchon took second place, and Jon Versteeg took third.

Tomorrow it's the boardersyle race. Boardercross with a twist!

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 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.

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?