Portland Action Sports Complex and Resort!?

Ever wish you just didn't have to go outside to enjoy all of your favorite activities? Anyone out there rather fork over admission to do something that was otherwise free? Yeah, me neither. Just in case you did, nwbroweather put me up on these guys.

 Just look at this beautiful rendering.

After making sure it wasn't April Fools Day, I'd say they appear to be serious. Skateboarding, surfing, bmx-ing, white water-ing, all indoors. I know what you're thinking, 'Where's the snow dome?' Cheapskates. Initial impression: Looks cool, but don't hold your breath. Unless holding your breath for 10 years is no big deal, then go ahead. Your kids might dig it, though. It's like being outside only without such harsh realities as sun or rain. I bet there isn't much localism on that wave. I also bet they try to fund it publicly. Actually, this thing could be just in time. If it ever gets built, it'll probably start up right about the time my body starts shutting down. That wouldn't be so bad. If it had a snow dome. Then I could finally surf, skate and snowboard all in one day.

Final impression: Why doesn't the parks department just build a covered skatepark?

Shaun Palmer for Snowboard Cross!!

Team Good Ole is to announce their snowboard roster on Monday and there's not much suspense left. One men's halfpiper hangs in the balance (my vote's for Mitrani, but I'm never sure which one) and one boardercrosser. That's why I'm typing away. If there's anyone with any balls on that selection committee Shaun Palmer will be representing the stars and bars.

First off, he's got a closet full of red, white and blue suits already! Also, the man just competes. Flat out, every time. In a young man's sport Palm is in the mix with dudes half his age. Still, if you want personality, it's a no-brainer. I don't know who Nick Baumgartner is. I'm sure he's a good dude. Most snowboarders are. Palmer? Come on. Everybody who snowboards knows that name. There is no one I'd rather have represent me as a snowboarder on an Olympic platform (who actually has a legit shot).

I don't know who decides these things and I'm sure they don't weigh blogs too heavily in the process, but I gotta get it out. Shaun Palmer for snowboard cross 2010! Make some calls, cradle some balls, help me out people.

Board Exam: 09-10 Never Summer Heritage-R

The Rep Said: This one's got a lot of sidecut and it's his favorite board in the line this year. Let's see if I agree.

Stats/Setup: I'm around 6'1" and 170# with size 10.5 boots which are 32 Focus Boas inside Union Force SL bindings. I tested the 158 board.

First Sight: My bindings look sweet with that topsheet and it's average to a little heavy dangling from my foot on the lift

The Conditions: Resort, icy groomers to slushy pockets

The Ride: I wanted to test the board edge to edge since the rep made sure to note the sidecut, but this thing just wanted to haul. I obliged. So stable. Poppy takeoffs and damp landings. Enough to make me get all Keanu Reeves and let out a spontaneous "Whoa" a la Ted 'Theodore' Logan. When it did come time to test the sidecut, the thing went back and forth like a ping pong game sponsored by Cocaine No Name energy drink. The straight-line stability carried over to turns of any radius. The Vario Power Grip sidecut kept me upright through the icy spots. In fact, when I went back to a board with a normal, radial sidecut after this one and tried to rail a quick heel-sider, I immediately teleported to my back. Wiggly sidecuts are for real, kids. Take this board into the tightest trees and come out with a wide smile from the adrenaline, not the lacerations.

The places I didn't get to test this board were rails, pipe and powder. One I blame on Ma Nature, the others just don't seem compatible with the board (or my riding style, honestly). I'd agree with Never Summer's assessment of a 6 out of 10 on flex (1 being al dente linguine, 10 being hardwood flooring). Couple that with a directional shape and make what logical leaps you will. Never Summer's Rocker Camber system should increase flotation in pow, but I can't speak to it specifically. Some may take issue with its weight, but once I unloaded from the lift it was hardly noticeable.

I've always felt like I have a wooly mammoth between my legs.

Bottom Line: Freeride with a dash of freestyle. Straight bomb a run so fast your cheeks pull back or get after it in the trees like a couple of horny squirrels. The Heritage loosens things up from the Premier F1-R for those of us who like a little more play in the ride. For me, that's a step in the right direction. This is a board I could use as my everyday resort board. It evens out the choppy, icy, nasty conditions and has a nice, medium-firm flex. Jibbers need not apply.

Check out Never Summer's site for their take on things.

Robotfood Double Feature at Exit Bridgeport!

That's right snowboard fans, Fuel TV and Exit Real World are coming through with Afterbang and Lame, Friday, January 22. As an interesting aside, Afterbang is the last shred flick I ever bought on VHS. It's still hanging on, too. Back to the near future, pre-party starts at 4pm with snacks and drinks, small talk and aimless milling about. Store discounts, movie posters and Afterlame DVD give-aways encourage early attendance. The projector rolls at 7pm, so don't hit snooze too many times. By the look of things, this is going to be an every Friday type of deal. Check out Exit's site for all the bits and pieces.

Another Snowboarding Art Show in Portland

Hot on the heels of the I AM SNOWBOARDING art show the weekend prior, The Collection art show comes to Portland, Friday, January 15. This show is not entirely snowboard-centric, so don't be surprised when you show up and see shots of dudes being towed behind boats. Action sports, folks, we're all brothers and sisters. You might have heard of Mike Yoshida or Matt French. Their work will be among the fine examples on display. Saturday night Common Market will provide the beats and rhymes. Judging by the corporate sponsorship, you might snag a free beer. In any case, you'll get to check out some high-quality art or have said art look over your shoulder while you party. For more info check here or here. Also, thanks to frequency for getting the word out elsewhere.

I AM SNOWBOARDING Art Opening comes to NEMO, Portland

Did I catch Josh Dirksen mid-slap?

A snowboard party crashed into an art opening last night; Friday, January 8; at Nemo design's HQ in southeast Portland. Hoodies and beanies packed the hallway by the hundreds, all less than an arms length from a complementary cup of something alcoholic. Jeff Anderson was on everyone's mind as it was his memorial art collaboration for  was the root of all the good times. Two-artist collabos decked the hall and fascinated all.

A sampling of the art on display.

The place was crammed to the point of claustrophobia with snowboarders, artists, photographers, writers and all the usual Portland shred suspects. You couldn't drop a beer cup without some local shred head catching it and drinking the last sip. Rather than bore you with a list, I'll just refer you to Brooke's post on Yobeat, she took care of that for me.

The couple that I would like to comment on are Jamie Lynn and Terry Kidwell. Old-school and older-school. I had to stop myself from fanning out on both of them. Luckily, they were both locked in conversations with friends or other admirers the entire night. Terry is the common ancestor all freestyle snowboarders share. To see some of the boards he rode back in the day made me shake my head. Things like (roughly) symmetrical noses and tails and 4x4 inserts (mostly) that we take for granted were nowhere to be seen. You want one of the old sleds? Kidwell's auctioning them off soon.

 Terry Kidwell next to some dinosaur bones and a huge bottle opener.

Jamie Lynn, well, he's rocking out now, but the way he rocked out 10-15 years ago, that's what I'm talking about. The style - and of course the method - that everyone wanted. Now he's moved on to music and art. Not only was his band performing live, but he took part in the art collaboration, too. Talk about multi-talented.

 Keeping Northwest music alive, Jamie and Kandi Coded.

I never met Jeff Anderson. Unfortunately, he passed before I got into snowboarding enough to have a chance. My only experience of him is through photos, videos and now other amazing works of art. What an amazing person he must have been to have an event like this sprout up in his wake. Not only does he have wonderful friends that clearly mourn his loss, he has not and will never be forgotten. And they put together beautiful art in his name that brings people together. That's the kind of person to strive to emulate. To be remembered and loved after passing. To have stories told and glasses raised. Tears shed, but smiles spread. To have people come together and build a skatepark in your name. Jeff Anderson is Snowboarding. Jeff Anderson is Immortal.

I AM SNOWBOARDING will be on display at Nemo HQ until January 31 after which it will head to Colorado and SIA and the Winter X Games. To check out the art, buy a print or for other information check out iamjla.org.

Holidays, New Year and Then Some

We're officially into it, the teens. I expect it to be awkward. Change. Growth. Distractions. Just like any decade, I guess. Hell, I'm already 1 for 1 on writing checks, how bad could it be!?

This was actually my first holiday season without contact with my family. I've been stuck in airports and on trains for Christmas, but I always managed to find a way home. This year, I just decided to forgo the whole long-distance winter travel to a small town in the middle of nowhere scenario. Instead I went to Sunriver, OR where my friend and his family rented a vacation house for the week. I got to Skype with my family, which of course turned into my six year-old niece goofing off for the camera and precluding any real conversation. The family vibe was high at the rental home and it was packed with 14 of us, so it felt like 'home for the holidays' for sure. The bonus was two days of snowboarding at Mt. Bachelor, just an hour's drive away. Peep the pixels.

12/23 - The first day Northwest Express was running

12/24 - the first day Summit Express was running
Gotta get those lifts running by Christmas and we were there to use 'em!

After four days of Christmas cheer it was back home to Portland for a tic and then up to Bellingham, WA with my girlfriend for our traditional New Year's festivities: shredding Baker for New Year's Eve and ringing in the decade at a warm, boozy house party. This year that meant I got to hang out with some friends I met up in Baldface last year. Snowboard friends become good friends quickly and it's been great hanging out with Martin, Jeff, Jesse and all the rest over this past year. There's nobody I'd rather ring the new year in with than my girl and some of my best new friends.

With that, here we are. 2010. Keep reading the blog and dropping your comments. I can promise you nothing but the best of my abilities, which hopefully improve throughout time. Got anything you want to hear about, let me know. I've got a handful of board demos to tell you about in the coming days and another board demo to attend this weekend. This one's only Burton boards though. What should I try? I'd like to check out some different cambers, a Malolo if it's powdery, something jibby and loose to round things out.

Also coming up quick is my Level 1 Avalanche certification. My kit is complete except the beacon and a good pack. Which reminds me, I'll be introducing you to a custom backpack maker, too. He just happens to be my cousin.

After that, the Legendary Banked Slalom at Baker. More good times with the crew up there. Followed by an epic, three-stop shred trip: Salt Lake, Aspen and Jackson. Any of you live in those areas or have advice thereto, let me hear it. Especially Jackson, I'm going in with nothing but some lift ticket vouchers. Not quite seat of the pants, but not quite fully clothed either, if you smell what I'm stepping in. Baldface comes next, speaking of epic. That's about as far ahead as I plan. Some 'maybes' in there: North Face Masters at Crystal Mountain, Level 2 Avalanche certification, Ride Shakedown at Snowqualmie. Lots going down and I'll be sure to tell you all about it. Just like I told you about Cambodia. Yeah, you thought I forgot. I'm working on some big things there. Here's a taste.

Anybody ever see Tomb Raider? I haven't but apparently this tree figures in a scene.
Ta Prohm, Angkor Province, Cambodia

Here's to the best year yet. May all your powder be deep and safe. May your landings be as solid as your joints. And may you always have the prefect words when recounting your tales of deep powder and solid landings!