Photos: Colin Maycher
This past weekend Snowbird played host to the inaugural North Face Masters big mountain snowboarding contest. You may have read the press release posted here yesterday but just in case here’s what really went down.
Things were supposed to get started on Saturday, however, due to low to no visibility the comp was pushed to Sunday… a good call to say the least. Can you say “bluebird”? As the clouds broke over night we were graced with a cloudless mid-winter day with temp’s uncharacteristically warm for the Wasatch. One thing though–all the fresh snow that fell the past few days was ripped into oblivion courtesy of the gale force winds that came through over night. This meant the riders had to step it up. Ripping this kind of terrain in Utah pow is one thing; dealing with a wind-scoured moonscape is another. Some were able to adjust; some got adjusted them damn selves.
With a field of riders from all over the States and Canada it was Crested Butte loc’ Cliff Dimon who took the cake for the men with lines that were borderline painful to watch. It seemed that putting yourself somewhere between a pickle and a painwich is what the judges wanted to see. Yeah, it’s always entertaining to see someone almost die, but as far as true big mountain riding, well, I like to see someone just annihilate the face top to bottom as opposed to purposefully putting yourself on disasters doorstep. Enter the Canadians. Between Martin Gallant’s inventive lines, Dave Short’s peacefully smooth style and Justin Baun’s scorching speed, personally I was far more impressed with their overall flow, but hey, that just me. I’m also the kind of guy who would rather see massive alley-oops than McBallerina moves in pipe contests but we all know that won’t win you the X Games gold. My point is, everyone’s perception of good riding is different. Incidentally, mine just happens to be correct. HA!
Really though, this was such a sweet contest and props to all of the riders out there who stepped it up and got wild despite the less than idea snow conditions. And to The North Face for shooting some life into the all too underappreciated big mountain contest scene–THANK YOU! Keep in mind this was only the first of two contests’ to be held this season with the second at Aleyeska Resort in Alaska April 2-6.
Winner Cliff Dimon's scetchy line
The course
...and crowd.
Dave Short
Brought to you by The North Face
...and Snowbird
3rd place winner Martin Gallant with 4th placer Justin Baun.
Shorty again.
The North Face crew.
Girls who yelled real loud.
The famous tram at The Bird.
Gallant droping a cliff only him and Baun stepped to. The opening pic is of him by the way too, Martin that is.
This guy got just absolutely horse whipped. I have probably watched the vidoe I have of it 30 times now. Maybe I'll put it on You tube for the rest of the world to take pleasure in his misfortune as well.
Chris Coulter with a backside five–stomped. That will get you 20th...??????
I don't know where this dude is headed. He probably didn't either.
Justin Baun...
...riding away from the days biggest air.
