Huge Day for U.S. Skiing as Both Bode and Lindsey Win

Beaver Creek, Colo. (U.S. Ski Team)-Bode Miller took maximum risk, but skied a flawless run to win the Audi Birds of Prey downhill in Beaver Creek, CO, on Dec. 2nd. It was the 33rd Audi FIS Alpine World Cup win of his career with a slim .04 margin over Swiss Beat Feuz. It was also a historic third win for Miller in the Audi Birds of Prey downhill and his first at Beaver Creek since 2006 when he and teammate Daron Rahlves went one-two.

Hours later, Lindsey Vonn captured a downhill win in Lake Louise, Alberta to create the first time two Americans had won downhills on the same day since Dec. 2004 when Miller won in Beaver Creek and Vonn (then Kildow) captured the first win of her career in Lake Louise.

Bode Miller Highlights

• 33rd career Audi FIS World Cup win for Bode Miller.
• 3rd win in Birds of Prey downhill (2004, 2006).
• First World Cup win since Wengen, Switzerland super combined in Jan., 2010.
• First World Cup downhill win since Kvitfjell in Mar., 2008
• Ted Ligety was 22nd with Marco Sullivan 28th and Erik Fisher 29^th.
• Last time the U.S. Ski Team doubled up with two downhill wins in one day was Dec. 3, 2004 when Bode Miller won on Birds of Prey and then Lindsey Kildow won her first World Cup in Lake Louise.

American Legends Hit Austria for ‘Woodstock of Snowboarding’

For the 12th time, Stuben at the Arlberg in Austria is hosting the biggest Longboard and old school snowboard event in the world. Snowboarding legends from the US, Japan and Europe will join the crowd of three generations of shred heads, riders, media and industry people, to celebrate the spirit of snowboarding. Among them “Godfather of Freestyle” Terry Kidwell, Mike Ranquet, who brought skate style to snowboarding, Japanese shred granddaddy Ishi Ishihara and many more.

The infamous Longboard Classic race will start 2.408 meters (about 7,900 foot) height on the Albonagrat. After the Le Mans mass start it’s all about getting the 1001 meters (3,200 foot) downhill back to the village, far from any kind of groomed slopes, where winners will be crowned in 3 different categories (Men / Women and Old School). To round the event off, there’s also the possibility to test longboards as well as new freeride equipment from selected brands.

Check out photos, facts and more at www.longboardclassic.com If you’re planning on going, attendees can be sorted by post code, city or names – making it very easy to car pool etc.

Shred White & Blue Sends some Call-outs

From California to Colorado and all the way to Vermont right now, the snow has been absolutely going off. It is one of those seasons you get to lay claim to, and try not to sound like you’re lying when you talk about how deep it got. With all of the fun so far, we just wanted to give a call-out to some of the folks out there doing their own special thing who keep inspiring us:

The Mountain Gazette – www.mountaingazette.com – is an amazing monthly collection of interesting voices from around the Rocky Mountain West. Now online and on Facebook, too, it’s a testament to the mag’s honesty that it has so many fans around the world, who all keep contributing stories about their adventures, as well as plenty of photos of their dogs.

Surfline.com is an addiction almost as deep as surfing itself. With one click you can watch other surfers bust big waves via video all day, plan your own surf trip from bus to bungalow, or just watch the wave cam for a couple of minutes (hours) and dream you are surfing yourself.

www.surfline.com/home/index.cfm

Just released last fall, GNAR is already one of the greatest ski movies ever, and probably growing fans by the hour. With three distinct acts, and the kind of engrossing narrative missing from most ski flicks, it’s a shredder’s mix of Lord of the Rings, Caddyshack and Blizzard of AAHHHs. You can watch the whole movie online at http://unofficialnetworks.com/team/

Wagner Custom Skis really do rock! As does the Telluride-based ski company’s sister snowboard brand, Winterstick. If you want the super personal treatment so that you can hit the slopes on something completely unique to you, this is who you want building your dream design. www.wagnerskis.com

Interski is something you probably never heard of, but it is the Olympics of ski and snowboard instruction, held every three years at ski areas around the world. The last—and only—one that the US has hosted was in Aspen in 1968. But US instructors play a crucial role no matter where the event takes place. This time they brought a whole wave of innovation to Interski 2011 in St. Anton, Austria, internationally updating every one else on how rocker skis are changing telemark to the latest in adaptive snowboarding to even how to teach freestyle to every level of ski class. This very cool group of people also had a great time off the slopes as the top picture of Glen Plake (who recently became certified as a ski instructor, as did Kimberly, his lovely wife) and PSIA-AASI Board President Eric Sheckleton shows above.

Owner Operator is a homegrown outerwear brand out of Rhode Island with some nice ideas about style on the slopes. Thanks to Steven Kimura for reaching out, and thanks to you for checking out their site: www.operatorusa.com

Also, thanks for all the stoke to Mike Horn and Justin Cash at the www.stokelab.com, to the Larson boys for the Shred Sightings, C-Dog and Wyatt for the race results, The Hawk for tagging the hell out of Wahoo’s, the Waltons and Schnitzspahns for catwalking in the colors, Scott in Carbondale for always representing, to Ben for all the Laguna sunsets, Colin for keeping the levers moving behind the curtain, and to our man on the East Coast, Alex, who is counting down the days until he graduates.

Snowboard Legend Shaun Palmer Speaks

Park City, Utah (Courtesy of the U.S. Snowboard Team)-He’s considered the “bad boy” of snowboarding and a legend in snowboardcross, but what you may not know is that Shaun Palmer has totally committed himself to riding this season. Palmer, who recently moved to Park City, UT to train during the pre-season at the USSA’s Center of Excellence, is ready to strap on his board and hit the slopes.

How’s the move from California to Park City?
It’s going pretty good. I like using the facility [Center of Excellence]. It’s a great gym and skate park, to have it all right here is pretty unique.

Tell us a little bit about your car, you have a pretty cool ride.
It’s a ‘61 Coupe de Ville that I have had since 1995. It’s one of the many Cadillacs that I have owned, but this one is good for the winter time. That’s why it’s out here.

After parking your sweet ride, what do you do in the gym?
I’ve been getting ready to go snowboarding and to get on the snow. I’ve been doing a lot of skateboarding and pumping tracks to get the legs ready before the season starts and working with Tschana [Breslin, the snowboardcross trainer].

How is it training with the young guns?
A lot of them are half my age, but I’ve been doing it for a while so it just seems normal.

When you aren’t making the legs burn, what are you doing?
Skateboarding and motocross riding. I also took a Moab, UT mountain bike trip for three days and it was a lot of fun.

Here until Thanksgiving, then what?
Right after Thanksgiving we head to Colorado for a camp. I’m excited and waiting for the runs to open up.

FOMO: www.ussnowboarding.com/athletes/athlete?athleteId=1192#

// Photo © FIS – Oliver Kraus

Pacific Powder: Here Comes La Niña

Pacific Northwest (Shred White and Blue)-It’s time to start waxing up the big boards in the Pacific Northwest, as the prediction for a strong La Niña weather pattern is gaining strength across the U.S.

Compared to the El Niño pattern that rocked the Southwest Rocky Mountains with tons of wet snow last season (and actually resulted in some deep powder poaching in the off-limits hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah), La Niña tends to send the deepest days to places like Crystal Mountain and Baker in Washington State.

Consistent with nearly all of the forecast models, La Niña is expected to last at least into the Northern Hemisphere spring 2011. Just over half of the models, as well as the dynamical and statistical averages, predict La Niña to become a strong episode (defined by a 3-month average Niño-3.4 index of –1.5oC or colder) by the November-January season before beginning to weaken. Even though the rate of anomalous cooling temporarily abated during September, this model outcome is favored due to the historical tendency for La Niña to strengthen as winter approaches.

Likely La Niña impacts during October-December 2010 include suppressed convection over the central tropical Pacific Ocean, and enhanced convection over Indonesia. The transition into the Northern Hemisphere fall means that La Niña will begin to exert an increasing influence on the weather and climate of the United States. Expected U.S. impacts include an enhanced chance of above-average precipitation in the Pacific Northwest, and below-average precipitation across the southern tier of the country.

For the surf set, La Niña can contribute to increased Atlantic hurricane activity by decreasing the vertical wind shear over the Caribbean Sea and tropical Atlantic Ocean. Conversely, La Niña is associated with suppressed hurricane activity across the central and eastern tropical North Pacific.

According to the AFP media services, World Meteorological Organization climate services chief Rupa Kumar Kolli said a “moderate to strong” La Nina, which appeared in July, was now well established.
Kumar Kolli told journalists that forecasts showed “rather a strengthening of this La Nina episode for the next four to six months.”

Hang on Shred America, it’s going to be another wild ride!

New Shred Styles for 2010

We’re stoked to celebrate July 4, 2010, and to wish the United States happy birthday as we look forward to our second year offering you the best in casual boardsports t-shirts.

Joining The Classic this summer are the Shred Flower, custom-made for surfing, skiing, snowboarding and all-around outdoor ladies in both blue and white longsleeve and pink and turquoise tank tops, and the One Nation, featuring our shred mantra on the same soft blue and white cotton shirts as The Classic.

We will start updating the Shred Sighting and Merchandise pages with photos ASAP. And you can still order any shirt from the merchandise pages (all sizes and styles will remain the same price on the website), and we will send you an e-mail to dial in your exact order before we ship. Or feel free to contact us using the e-mail below.

We love making clothes that make you happy. And we love joining you in celebrating American Boardsports! Hope your 4th is cool, and hot!

‘What is Ski Music?’ Part 1: The 8-Track Years

The Parking Lot (Shred White and Blue)—So there’s this ongoing conversation about what the heck ski music is anyway. Does it even exist? Is someone actively creating it somewhere? Or is it just whatever’s on the car stereo when you’re driving to the hill?

It seems as if there’s always been surf music, with its sunny guitar and that drum roll like a crashing wave. And skateboard thrash with its repetitive angst of insistent bass and strangled chords. And always the multi-sport friendly anthemic rock of Springsteen/Queen/Zeppelin and even Jersey pulp like Bon Jovi or whatever kind of hair metal you still get a secret charge from listening to.

But I couldn’t really tell you what defines ski music – now, or ever. Which is what got me searching my own CD (‘album’) collection, across the Internet and on the ever-indispensable YouTube, where it finally occurred to me, that like music technology (the aural delivery service, if you will), since 1970, what may or may not be considered ski music has undergone four distinctly different eras – encompassing 8-Track, cassette (oh lord, it’s the mixed tape), CD and i-Pod.

And you know what? There are a lot of great arguments for what American ski music just may be about. Here’s a little sample of the early years.

The 8-Track Years

Take it to the Limit: The Eagles
‘Cosmic American Music’s’ greatest progenitors, and the all-time gods of American album rock (because ABBA still kicks their asses in Europe), The Eagles were that perfect pairing of country plaid and blue-eyed soul. And out of all their hits, this was the one that let every skier feel as if every heartache could be burned out by a heavier foot on the accelerator – “You know I’ve always been a dreamer.”

Rock, Stein and the Bird
I don’t know Mark Johnson and have only once got to shake the hand of the great Stein Eriksen (who my father still claims as the greatest race and powder and bird-hunting – wink, wink – skier ever), but this film Mark made of Stein and buddies powder skiing in Alta is video proof of the truth that ‘the powder was always deeper in the early years.’ Powder on, ski gods!
January 5th, 1974, Mark, Stein and the Bird:

Hot Dog and the Return of Mitch Ryder
I will never be able to explain how Mitch Ryder of ‘Mony Mony’ and ‘Devil Blue Dress’ fame suddenly singing a Prince written song in a ski movie happened, but this one hits me every time. The video montage of Squaw Valley steeps and easy descending rhythm of this Hot Dog classic is what I still sing to myself on those bluebird days when I want to match a little mojo to my turn (especially as I wonder which local ski-skiing double is under all those hats and sunglasses ripping those local lines): Hot Dog/Mitch Ryder

Next, Ski Music: Cassettes and The Mixed Tape Years

//photo by Colin O’Brien

American Made: Telluride’s Wagner Custom Skis

Telluride, Colo. (Shred White and Blue)—High in the Colorado mountains in the storybook shred town of Telluride, Colorado, Pete Wagner is quickly building his own legend with a bomber brand of custom-built skis and snowboards.

In a craftsman-centered workshop powered completely by wind, sun and soul, Wagner Custom Skis and Snowboards are built to be tough, fun, and customer-centric in that every ride is built to the exact needs of the buyer. With fresh snow falling across the Rockies and the stoke starting to steamroll for the season just begun, we caught up with Pete to talk about his own personal mission to create a uniquely American ski and snowboard brand.

Shred White and Blue: So how did this whole custom ski idea get started?

Pete Wagner: While working as an engineer in the golf industry, I developed a custom-fitting system and software platform for designing, analyzing, manufacturing high-tech golf equipment. During this time, I bought a new pair of skis which received great reviews from various ski buyer’s guides, but never worked well for me. With so many choices when buying skis, how does one know that they’re buying the right product? I realized that I could apply my fitting system knowledge and design insight to help skiers find their perfect equipment.

SWB: With the big brands putting so many great skis on the market, why would I want a custom-built pair of boards?

PW: You want a custom-fit pair of skis because, like custom-fit ski boots, you’ll be more comfortable. This translates into skiing with better balance, control, power, and efficiency. Wagner Custom skis are ultimately about skiing your best and having more fun on the snow.

SWB: What role does Telluride play in the kind of skis you make?

PW: Telluride plays a big role in the durability and craftsmanship that is found in every pair of Wagner Custom skis. The terrain around Telluride is notoriously tough on skis because it’s steep and boney with lots of natural obstacles and features. In response, Wagner Custom skis are built by expert hands, in small batches, to precise tolerances from tough hardwood cores, oversized steel edges, and extra thick base material.  The results are incredibly durable, workhorse skis that can hold up to the abuse of the San Juan mountains, maintain their liveliness and energy over many seasons, and take more repairs and tunes.

SWB: Do you foresee a time when every major mountain or range has its own custom brand, as they seem to in Microbrews and often even apparel?

PW: My guess is that we’ll see a cycle similar to the shakedown of boutique snowboard factories in the 1990s. Many small custom companies will emerge and, overtime, the cream will rise to the top.  The best-managed companies will survive and the weaker operations will disappear.

SWB: By listening to what your customers are asking for, what have you learned about what skiers want most from a pair of skis right now?

PW: Simplicity is king right now. We talk to a lot of people who want one ski that can do it all over a broad range of terrain and conditions.  People don’t want to second-guess themselves about whether they’re on the right ski that day. People don’t want to travel with several pairs of skis. Many people are looking to simplify their quivers and fall in love with one ski that will work well in any situation.

SWB: What kind of boards do you build for yourself?

PW: I have 2 pairs of skis. My powder/AT skis are lightweight and floaty with a 172cm length and 110mm waist. My resort/hardsnow skis are versatile and nimble with a 175cm length and a 90mm waist.

SWB: What’s happening in the market right now that has you believing that you’re well positioned for the future?

PW: These days, people are being more thoughtful about the items they purchase. People want to be on equipment that will help them ski their best. People want to know where their products are coming from and they want to feel good about the companies they’re supporting.   Wagner Custom tries to be very transparent about who we are, what we do, and how we can help people have more fun skiing.

SWB: Bonus Question – Can I visit the factory?

PW: Yes! We’re proud of what we do and are happy to show it off. Because we don’t use molds, we truly create a new design for each customer (that’s a unique length, width, sidecut, tip/tail shape, camber, flex pattern , stiffness, materials layup, and graphic.) People are always impressed when they see our high-tech computer-controlled equipment, our ultra-premium grade raw materials, our solar-powered factory floor, and our precision-crafted products.

FOMO: Check out WagnerSkis.com