Get Your Otis On

If you have ever frequented W3 on a Saturday, then you might know Otis, the shop dog. He appears to be lean and mean, but is really a mellow man who works hard for his doggy treats. People have fallen in love with this employee and have even gone so far as to call and ask, "Is Otis working today?" And now his handsome mug is being put in ink onto the new shop tee's. The white, black, or baby blue shirt is available in both men and women's sizes. So while you're out doing your last minute Holiday shopping, get yourself a little something too, and get your Otis On!

Snowboard For Cheap!

It's Christmas time and we are all running around scavenging every penny so we can buy our loved one's super sweet gifts. In these rough times, our wallets are not bursting with dolla dolla bills y'all to hit the hills with. Boyne understands this and is letting us ride a day for super cheap! Friday, December 18th, both the Mountain and the Highlands will be running a special 6 for 1 deal. So gather up five of your shred head friends, or simply make some amigos in the parking lot and get out and ride for cheap, cheap, cheap!

Hit the Hills!

What a great weekend! Pando and Cannonsburg, Grand Rapids' local carving hills, both opened this weekend. Winter is officailly here. We are supposed to get dumped on some more this week, so tune up your boards and get your snowpants on! In need of warmer clothes? Pop into your local snowboard shop and get some goodies. Wearing the right clothes is key to having a good time on the hill. Layering is the best way to go. First, put on some first layer. The Women's Burton Expidition pant and top is so soft, you will never want to take it off! Next throw on a bonded fleece like the Burton North Star Fleece. Then, if you tend to get cold easily, check out the Burton Guardian Down Jacket or the Burton Bliss Down Jacket. Otherwise, throw on a shell, something you can make work for all weather conditions by layering up or down! Complete the look with some sassy pants, and when you hit the hills, you will be both warm and hot!

Winter Is Here!

Yeah! West Michigan, our snow dances have finally paid off. Overnight, an incredible amount of snow has fallen! Forest Hills and Grand Rapids Public felt so impressed that they closed school for today! First snowfall and first snow day! Cannonsburg and Pando are workin' out their snow machines and hope to be open soon. Cross your fingers they can make it happen this weekend, my board is getting anxious to make some turns. Until then, let's keep praying for the snow to abundantly fall and keep checking in on your local resorts!

Websites:

http://www.cannonsburg.com/

http://www.pandopark.com/

http://www.skibittersweet.com/

http://www.caberfaepeaks.com/

http://www.crystalmountain.com/

http://www.boyne.com/

Rail Jam!!

Anxious for the snow? Ready to rail some jams or jam some rails? Well, you don't have to wait much longer! Bring your board out of hiding from that dark basement closet and flaunt it at Pando on Sunday, October 25th! Burton, Pando, and W3 are sponsoring a rail jam that will be sure to increase your mood. Be there ready to ride at 1pm! It's the perfect remedy for a snow- sick girl! Feast on some fresh wood fired pizza, take home prizes, do some rail jammin', and flirt with some cute snowboard boys:) Let's get that rust off our boards and break in the new ones! See you Sunday!

I Love Free Things

Who doesn't love FREE things? Especially when it is a super sweet free thing! The all girls Stance video is now available to download and you don't even need to get out the credit cards. Go to www.stancemovie.com and download the flick right onto your computer! The film includes newbies such as Raewyn Reid and well known names like Gretchen Bleiler. The music is sweet and the tricks are sick. A great way to spend a half hour when you don't have that 9 dollars to go to the movies.

Pick It Up

Snowboard Magazine's Women's Annual issue is out on stands! Snatch it up for a good read that is all about female riders, product, and girl talk. When I read it, Gretchen Bleiler's part stood out most to me. An article she wrote herself is all about being you. It is normal to want to win, but that doesn't define you. She talks about where she was and where she is now. It is a powerful article that ends with an awesome quote by Marianne Williamson:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?" Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other children do. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsioulsy give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Snowboard Magazine's Women's Annual is good stuff and it only comes out once a year for us to enjoy-- so PICK IT UP!

Want to Live the Dream?

Do you need a change of scenery? Why not live the dream for a season. Keystone Resort in Summit County, CO is looking for employees. They will be stopping in W3 October 9th and 10th from 12-5 pm for recruiting. You can be a lift op, work in the lodge, or be a snowboard instructor. Wherever you are placed, one thing is true-- you get a 5 mountain season pass. That means you can ride at Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Vail, Beaver Creak, Heavenly (in Tahoe), and Keystone for free! You also get to ride everyday, what could be better than that? Keystone is sweet because they have night riding, so even if you are an instructor who works 8-4, you can get some turns in after your shift. Meet cool people, have an amazing experience, get super good at riding, and live the dream for a season! Sign up for an interview at skijob.com . What have you got to lose, the job market in the real world sucks right now anyways!

Upcoming Events

Stop by W3 Saturday, September 12 for a wicked Sample Sale! Sweet product at sweet prices. Get a new pack for school, new shoes, new shades, new fall wardrobe!

Don't miss the best FREE party of the year October 14! Burton W3 party at Monte's is a definite fun time. Party begins for ages 21+ at 7:30pm, but house gets full quick so for a secure spot stop by W3 for advanced tickets (no charge!). Expect drink specials all night, a Burton fashion show, tons of prizes, and a live DJ set with DJ Dav! Pull out your calender, set the date, and see you there!

Break Out The Dictionary

While shopping for Burton boards you will notice a lot of snowboard terminology. Don't get scared. Here is a break down of the features you may see.

EST: A binding system with channels instead of screws to give you unlimited stance angles and options to suit your riding style.

Pro Tip: This means there is a tapering of thickness of the tip and tail to reduce weight and swing.

Board Feel: This is the stiffness of the board on a scale of 1-5. One would be super soft, five would be super stiff. Softer boards are more desirable for beginners and park riders, stiffer boards are better for backcountry and speed.

Infinite Ride: They overbuild the board, then put it in a machine that breaks it in for you. This process results in consistency in pop and feel that will last season to season.

P-Rocker: Inspired by skating, the board has zero camber between the feet and the tip and tail lift up for a loose, soft, and effortless ride.

V-Rocker: A center rocker between the feet and one on the outside of each foot allows the board to rock slightly from side to side.

Pressure Distribution Edges: The edges beneath the binding area extend out which improves stability on icy, hard conditions.

Lightning Bolts: These are energy transfer lines that send the input from the channel to the edges for quick response and precision.

Read up on these terms to know what you want and what to look for in stores. Never be afraid to ask the sales clerk if you have questions, that is there job!

Start Shopping

Boards are in at W3! Snatch them up while you have the most options of colors and sizing! Ride Rome? You can pick up your Rome Women's Jett or Detail. The detail is mostly a park and rail board with brass edges to prevent breaks. It is soft for the park lovers to maneuver but the softness is also great for beginners to control. The Jett is comparable to the Burton feather, it is soft and directional to help initiate turns.

Have your eye on a 2010 Burton? There are plenty in store to suit any riders wish. Beginners look for the Feather which has Cruise Control tech, which means the board has a soft, forgiving flex, reduced camber, and upturned edges for easy turning. Girls wanting to get their feet wet in the park want to check out the Social. The social combines Cruise Control tech with V-Rocker to prevent catching an edge on a nasty rail. The Lux is a super nice, affordable ride. Features include Lightspeed base and Infinite Ride, which means it is already broken in for you so you will have a poppin' ride season after season. The Troop is a great freestyle board suitable for all terrain. It is flexy and has Pressure Distribution Edges for a fun press or floaty air. Ride like Gabi Viteri on the Blender. New P-Rocker technology lifts up the tip and tail giving it a skate like feel and the edges come detuned and rail ready. One of the best looking boards with the best name is the Lip Stick. V-Rocker Technology and Pressure Distribution Edges makes this board easy to press and almost impossible to catch an edge. Natasza Zurek took control of the GTwin to design a board that is soft and buttery, yet sturdy enough to stomp any landing. A great high end park board with the EST binding system for unlimited stance options. And finally, in the highest price bracket is the Feelgood. For Hannah Teter this board rocks because it is super fast, has a mid level flex, and new Lightning Bolt Technology which provides an energy transfer from channel to edge for quick response and precision.

And for those little ones wanting to get started early? Get those little girls started on the Chicklet which has Easy Rider tehch so edges are lifted off the snow to prevent nasty falls and whip lash. It is also super soft and flexy so the lightest of contestants can easily initiate turns and control their riding. Have a more advanced girl on your hands? Check out the Feelgood Small. It is a stiffer board with all the technology of the real Feelgood, just small!

Boards are here, which means the new season is here. Start saving now and get into W3 for your 2010 hardgoods!

Girls On Film

Tired of all the boys dominating all the snowboard videos out there? I am. RoShamBo was great a few years ago, but I have been yearning for more rad girls on film. Thankfully, we don't have to fret much longer. There are two videos this season that are sure to get girls who shred stoked for the season: PEEP SHOW and STANCE.

Peep show is a film about a bunch of girls who simply love to ride and just so happen to be extremely talented as well. The film includes Michigan born Marie Hucal, who is one of the best women riders coming onto the scene right now! Peep Show is brilliant because it is such an organic film; the riding is raw and exuberates pure love for the sport. The stars of the film, a bunch of friends who just wanted to film themselves and their similar riding styles, include June Bhongjan, Desiree Melancon, Esthera Preda, Laurie Gauvin, Magalie Dubois, Sara Phillips, Jess Kimura, Marie Hucal, Sandra Hillen, Izzy Lalive, Gabby Maiden, Bev Vuileumier, Claudia Biron, Madison Blackley, Ariane Moisan, Iris Lazz, and Maribeth Swetkoff. Keep an eye out for this progressive film and get inspired by chicks who can really shred! 

Teaser 1

peep show teaser from peep show on Vimeo.

teaser #2 

peep show teaser 2 from peep show on Vimeo.

!

Another women's video for the '09 season is Stance. Due to release in 40 days, Stance is for the drama lover inside all of us. It showcases intense music and artistic cinematography to create an impact. It is a film created to bring women off of the sidelines and into the spotlight of the mountain. These girls want to show the boys what gilrs can really do. The project includes big names like Gretchen Bleir, Hana Beaman, Jamie Anderson, Gabi Viteri, Kimmy Fasani, Liz Filzmoser, Jenny Jones, Torah Bright, Raewyn Reid, and Molly Aguirre. Check out the teaser!

What is great about these two chick flicks is that they are totally different. One is straight to the point riding, while the other is a more production based project. It is great that we are getting a taste of all kinds of riding styles without boys in the mix. Check out these GIRLS ON FILM!

Pump It Up!

Have you gotten lazy over the summer? Have you been watching too much MTV and eating junk food as you bask in the sun's rays? Well, winter is just around the corner and it is time to get fit for the season. In the September Volume 23 issue of Transworld Snowboarding, Jonas Michilot explains how he gets his legs back after summer, " I try to keep my legs moving all summer: skating, soccer, swimming, biking, climbing trees. I try to stay outside most of the time - shaving/leg waxing can't hurt either." While these are valid points Michilot makes, I think there is a bit more we can do to beef up those thighs.

One program I would recommend is Parisi. Parisi is a program offered at MVP Athletic Club in Rockford, MVP Fieldhouse in Grand Rapids, and MVP Holland. Parisi is specifically developed to train athletes. The student can tell the trainer which sport they would like to train for and the trainer will develop exercises to increase strength, power, and agility in the particular sport. These trainers are not afraid to be tough so be prepared to sweat!

I would also highly recommend trying yoga or palates. These two practices strengthens the core and improve flexibility and balance, all of which are guaranteed to make you a more solid rider. Get on the web and find a yoga studio near you! For more information visit: www.parisischool.com.

None of theses ideas suit you? At least get out there and get moving. Get a gym membership to work on exercises at your own pace, swim some laps in a pool while it is still warm out, or simply get on your pedal bike to work on your cardio and Get Pumped!

Feel Inspired

Being a snowboarder is more than being cool, fitting in, and looking good.  Its about making turns that mean something.  Whether you're a jibber or a big mountain rider, for women snowboarding is about being strong and confident.  For me snowboarding is my time to really be myself and forget about every care in the world.  The freedom the hill brings is inspiring. But we can't take that freedom for granted.  For our generation it is accepted that snowboarding is a sport.  The sport is showcased in local comps, the X-Games, and the Olympics. Women are still outnumbered by men in this area, but we are lucky to have women's specific hardgoods and softgoods available that improve our riding and style.  Yes we are lucky, but we can't forget where it all began.  

To understand and appreciate the true meaning of snowboarding we need to know the history.  Tina Basich's book, "Pretty Good For A Girl," highlights key moments in snowboard history.  The book talks about how snowboarders were first unwelcome at most resorts, then had to earn a badge to ride at some mountains, and later made it as a full blown sport in the Winter and Summer Olympics.  In this autobiography, Basich, one of the first women on the snowboarding scene, catches your interest from the very beginning by talking about her creative upbringing, and continues to keep your interest by inspiring women to ride out the trials and tribulations of life.  She is truly a pioneer and will make you want to ride harder this season than you ever have before.  Check out the book and get inspired!

Get Pumped!

It's still summer time and we are at the beach getting our tan on, but fall products will be in stores soon. How do we get out of summer mode and get pumped up for another season of riding? One way is to watch videos and read magazine articles. September's Transworld Snowboarding issue is a sure way to get stoked for the season. They hosted a competition for the snowboard industry's top four teams: Burton, Rome, Forum, and DC. Each team got their own mountain, two photographers, and a set limit of prep time to create an amazing set up. Then, each team had a week to capture their creativity and teamwork in photos and a video. The comp was called Transworld's Team Shoot Out. Each team had to bring one chick along, but Burton outdid them all and sent the whole women's team including Kelly Clark, Hannah Teter, Natasza Zurek, Spencer O'Brian, and Gabi Viteri. The women sported bright colored one-piece suits and laid it down for the camera for their shoot at Snowmass. In the end, the Rome team, featuring the talented Marie-France Roy, won the comp and the September cover of Transworld Snowboarding Magazine. The girls in this video and these pics will get you pumped up to get out in shred come snowfall. Buy the video on itunes now and be sure to check out http://snowboarding.transworld.net/teamshootout/ for more scoop on the event.

Try It On

School is just around the corner and we need to dress to impress. What are the latest back to school fashions? I stopped by W3 on 29th street and peeked into the fitting rooms. There I found my favorite 16 year old punks from Rockford, Brittany Morgan and Onalee Andrews.

In photo #1: Women's Burton Logo Tee in Amber, Women's Burton Premium Full Zip Spencer in Curacao, Burton Day Hiker 20L in Bright White/Mocha, Women's Burton Skyline Tee in True Black, Women's Burton Star Hoodie in True Black, and Burton Day Hiker 20L in Red.

Making an appearance in photo #2: Women's Burton Premium Square 2 Pullover in Bright White and True Black, Prema Hobo Purse, Anon Shockers in Black, and Anon Kennedy's in Black.

Struttin' it in photo #3: Women's Burton Colorado Thermal in Black Cherry, Women's Burton Boundary in Capers, Women's Burton Logo Tee in True Black Heather, and Women's Burton Premium Full Zip Hoodie in Bright White.

Stop by W3 to get your back to school style, packs, and maybe even a high five:)

Feed Your Brain

Looking for a good read? If you are a new boarder looking for some tips for getting started, check out Chickie Rosenberg's, "Snowboarding For Women: a guide for the betty shred wannabe." This book is geared to help women who hate the cold and have fears of stepping out on the hill for the first time. Rosenberg covers every aspect of snowboarding begining with what to wear, how to pick out your gear, and how to initiate the learning process. Rosenberg shares her knowledge from her numerous lessons that she has taught at Killington, Vermont along with her expertise as a level II AASI instructor to get the reader pumped up and confident about learning to shred. And experienced boarders will enjoy it too! You can never know too much! Feed your brain. For more on the book visit http://www.snowboardingforwomen.com/.