Britt Horowitz / Photo: Hailey Ronconi

Three songs got stuck in my head after interviewing Brittany Horowitz, a University of Vermont senior who somehow finds time to run the all-female Mascara Militia snowboarding crew: “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” by Cyndi Lauper; “Jamming,” by Bob Marley; and “Come As You Are,” by Nirvana.

It makes sense. Horowitz is a young Vermonter on a mission: to have fun and snowboard as much as possible, to inspire other young females to unite and feed off of each other’s energy, and to do it all with a punk-rock attitude that says, “Be you.”

Ride Vermont caught up with Britt as she was making final preparations for the Not Your Girl Rail Jam, held recently at Bolton Valley. She also happened to be recovering from a snowboard-related elbow fracture. Badass.

Ride Vermont: Where are you from and where are you now?

Britt Horowitz: Originally from East Quoge, NY. Now I’m in Burlington and going to school at UVM.

RV: Tell us about the Not Your Girl Rail Jam you helped organize at Bolton.

BH: It’s all-girls and open to skiers and riders. We aren’t out to make money so with this jam we are basically making it the purchase of a super discounted lift ticket just to give back to the snowboard community. [Entrants received an all-day lift ticket, plus entry fee, for just $20].

Any day on a snowboard is worth smiling about. Britt Horowitz / Photo: Shannon Scarbrough.

RV: What is Mascara Militia? Why did you start it?

BH: I always felt like I had no girls to ride park with. I’d go to competitions and only see one or two other girls there, and it was hard to get taken seriously. You can go online and find tons of videos of guys riding around having fun, but you can’t find any videos of girls.

Then I met a couple girls who ride Sugarbush and Bolton and thought, “We should form an all-girl crew and promote women’s riding.” We figured we could inspire younger girls and tell them, “You can do this, too.”

RV: Since then the Militia has grown, and you have something like a dozen girls in the crew. So who are these girls?

BH: They’re girls who just live to ride and are not only promoting women’s progression in freestyle snowboarding, but positive attitudes and good vibes. Not all of our girls are the best of abilities, but I’ve chosen them based on both ability and inspiring attitudes. Most of them ooze confidence and you can tell on-hill that other people look up to them.

A third of the Mascara Militia. L to R: Sullivan Mclaughlin, Victoria Ashley, Britt Horowitz, Jessa Gilbert and Bekah Ashley at Sugarbush. Photo Courtesy of Mascara Militia.

Some notable results for Militia members this season:
Jessa Gilbert: 1st Place, Loaded Turkey rail jam at Killington.
Bekah Ashely: 2nd Place, Loaded Turkey jam. 1st Place, Pipe Dreams at Loon Mountain. 2nd Place, Transworld Trans Am at Waterville Valley.
Britt Horowitz: 1st Place, People’s Jam at Sugarbush.

Photo Courtesy of Mascara Militia.

RV: It’s not all about competitive skill, so what else does it take to be in the Mascara Militia?

BH: We are not fans of girls staring down girls in the park, complaining about the results of competition, or talking trash about other riders. We are promoting friendliness and encouragement between girl riders. We aren’t looking at other competitors as competition, just potential friends!

RV: What lies ahead for Mascara Militia?

BH: We are trying to increase numbers at competitions and put out videos of girls throwing down. We aren’t quite a brand yet but we will most likely be selling gear later on, and the scraps of cash we make will go straight back to the girls for their competition fees, traveling, lift tickets, film equipment, etc.

Keep an eye out for Britt at Sugarbush, her adopted home mountain (she should be cleared by the elbow doctors any day now). And don’t be surprised if you find yourself muttering “daaaamn” when you see here in the park.

Front board at Sugarbush's People's Jam. Britt Horowitz / Photo: Shannon Scarbrough.

Swag ain’t just for the fellas. So in honor of our very special Ride Grrrl week here on Ride Vermont, we’re hosting a very special photo contest that’s just for the ladies.

We’ve got some sweet gear from Anon Optics and Burton/R.E.D. up for grabs, so read on to learn the rules and get ready for your close-up.

Pose it. Snap it. Share it. Win it. (Daft Punk remix coming soon.)

Here’s how it works:

Strike a pose: Snap a picture while striking the official Ride Grrrl pose (above).

Share it: Tweet your picture to @ridevermont and include the #ridegrrrl hashtag, or post it on our Facebook wall and tag RideVermont in the image.

Win some stuff: We’ll pick our two favorite images to win some free product (one winner will be chosen from each of the categories below).

BEST LOCATION…
In the lift line, on your Subie, with a Long Trail, hiking some backcountry line, at the summit of Jay Peak… the possibilities are endless. Impress us.

BEST RE-CREATION…
Maybe you dye your hair red for a spot-on replica, maybe you put your own spin on it. Maybe you’re an instagraming hipster, maybe you prefer shooting in black and white. Maybe we have no idea what we’re looking for. Get creative.

Submit your photo(s) anytime during Ride Grrrl week, through next Sunday, Feb. 12. We’ll announce the winners online Monday morning. Good luck.

Ian Spiro stylish in spring. Photo: Gary Land

We know what you’re thinking. This looks an awful lot like some of the conditions we’re seeing outside right now. But, true as that may be, the thing to remember is regardless of the conditions beneath your board, the fact that you’re strapped in is what counts. After all, no day on a snowboard can really be a bad day.

Come early spring, sugar season has two meanings in Vermont. Trees start giving it up, and the soft snow is equally sweet. But it doesn’t last long, so anything outstanding is usually checked off the ride list—like Gary Land’s photo of Ian Spiro dropping this Killington cliff/waterfall in 1995.

Each Thursday we present a photo from the annals of snowboarding history in Vermont.

Maybe you’ve heard of this girl. She’s a native Vermonter, raised on the slopes of Mount Snow and oh yeah, she’s freakin’ unstoppable in the pipe. Easily one of the most consistent female riders out there, Kelly Clark is a force to be reckoned with and she proved it yet again this past weekend by annihilating the competition in Winter X Games Superpipe in Aspen.

Check out her victory lap where she threw down a huge frontside 1080, hitting a new height record of 14′ 3″ outta the 22′ Superpipe. Yeah, that’s big.

“I approach every contest, every run, every trick in that moment, one run at a time,” Kelly told ESPN after her win. “I’m coming out here to achieve my goals, not to win the contest, that’s just a byproduct.” (A totally awesome byproduct, not like ones they make McNuggets out of.)

Coming off her recent Gold medal victory at the Dew Tour Superpipe in Breck, Kelly’s win in Aspen marked her fourth Winter X Games gold and the 13th consecutive competition she’s won over the last two years. Bad ass.

“I came off the best season I’ve ever had last year,” she said. “Honestly, I didn’t expect it to keep going. I’m kind of in awe of my streak right now.”

You’re not the only one, Kelly. Sick job and keep reppin’ Vermont with pride.

Local Stratton Mountain protege Mr. Forest Bailey threw down a sick couple of runs at the Winter X Games in Aspen, CO this week. And wouldn’t you know it, he took home the gold — not bad for an X Games Rookie.

“I definitely can’t believe it,” he told ESPN after Thursday’s final.

Bailey lead after Round 1, making it into the five-man final with Ryan Paul, Nick Visconti, Ethan Deiss, and Phil Jacques. His 270 to frontside on the cargo container was a highlight of the competition, and his win was doubly impressive because — in true snowboarder fashion — he missed practice on Wednesday and showed up on course just one hour before Thursday’s elimination round.

“I never thought I’d even come to X Games in my whole life, but I guess we’re here and I guess gold will do,” said Bailey.

Smooth, Forest. Take a look at the highlights from Snowboard Street and plan on catching Forest back at his home mountain for the US Open in March, unless he forgets to put it in his planner.

Doesn’t matter who you’re rooting for, when it comes time for Big Game Weekend there are always cheer-worthy deals at Vermont resorts allowing every pigskin-fan to score. (Not to mention, game-time is the best time to hit the deserted slopes for some private laps — that is, if you hate football or something weird like that.)

We’ve done the hard part and drafted some of the best deals from around VT, all you have to do is make the pick and “hike” to the hill. (Sorry, it’s all of those mind-numbing Superbowl commercials we’ve been subjected to over the years.)

Okemo
$99 Two-Day Weekend Warrior – valid for Friday and Saturday, Feb. 3 and 4. Print-at-home tickets must be purchased online at least 48 hours in advance.

The Big Game Sunday Solution – takes an additional $10 off Okemo’s already-reduced Sunday Solution rate. Valid 8am to 1:30pm for only $64 for Adults, $54 for Young Adults and Seniors, and $40 for Juniors. Available at any ticket window.

Monday-Morning Quarterback – On Monday, Feb. 6, the price of a full-day lift ticket will be charged at $1 per point, based on the total combined points scored during Sunday’s Big Game. Pray for great defense.

Stratton
The Super Bowl 2-Day Ticket – Buy one day and get the second day at half price. Lift ticket for all ages and is valid Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 4 and 5, for just $130.50. Book online.

The Super Bowl Sunday Four Pack – Get four all-day, any age tickets plus one cheese pizza from Double Diamond on Sunday, Feb. 5, for $199. Book online.

Mount Snow
All deals available at the ticket window. No price changes for Youth / Senior.
$99 2-day Super Sunday Plus ticket – valid Sunday and Monday, Feb. 5 and 6.

$59 Super Morning Ticket – valid from 8am to 12:30pm.

$25 I Hate Football Ticket – (Crazy, we know.) valid Sunday afternoon 1/2 day.

In a crowd- and judge-pleasing explosion of huge tricks that included a double cork 1260, into back to back 1080s, Iouri Podladtchikov managed to unseat the reigning champ Louie Vito in his final run down the 22′ superpipe. With the crowd on fire, Vito came through with an equally massive run of double corks down the pipe, but it wasn’t enough to win the judges over.

Photo by Ben Sarle

This was I-Pod’s first Winter Dew Tour Superpipe win, so needles to say, he was pretty stoked.

Here’s some recap footage from the his winning run and the close second place run from Vito, courtesy of Alli Sports. Take notes. This is how the big dogs get it done.

And what kind of Vermonters would we be without giving a special shout out to miss Devin Logan, representing the 802 and taking home a second Dew Tour trophy for second in Women’s Freeski Slopestyle. Great job Devin and good luck in Snowbasin.

In case you didn’t see the Ski Superpipe Finals last night, it was a pretty epic showing. (And coming from snowboarders, that’s saying something.) After Eric Willett killed it on the Men’s Slopestyle Finals, Vermont’s own twin-plankin’ pro Devin Logan went on to take a close second place behind Tahoe’s Maddie Bowman in Women’s Ski pipe. We had the pleasure of interviewing Devin after she stepped off the podium. Stay tuned for that interview as the ladies dominate our blog all next week. (We’re pretty stoked for a little domination, who wouldn’t be.)

The night rounded out with a session of high-flying excitement from the Men’s division. But you knew that because you watched it live on NBC or at least backed it up on the DVR. Here’s the low down from the podiums.

1. Eric Willett, 2. Seb Toots, 3. Justin Morgan. Photo Courtesy of Alli Sports

Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle Final Results
1. Eric Willett :: 91.00
2. Sebastien Toutant :: 85.50
3. Justin Morgan :: 80.25
4. Aleksander Ostreng :: 80.25
5. Jake Aaronson :: 69.00
6. Antoine Truchon :: 66.50
7. Gjermund Braaten :: 60.75
8. Ulrik Badertscher :: 55.50
9. Charles Reid :: 53.00
10. Chas Guldemond :: 53.00
11. Mark McMorris :: 44.25
12. Staale Sandbech :: 41.50

1. Maddie Bowman, 2. Devin Logan (VT), 3. Brita Sigourney. Photo Courtesy of Alli Sports

Women’s Freeski Superpipe Final Results
1. Maddie Bowman :: 87.50
2. Devin Logan :: 86.00
3. Brita Sigourney :: 85.00
4. Annalisa Drew :: 75.25
5. Anais Caradeux :: 73.25
6. Ayana Onozuka :: 72.75

1. Torin Yater-Wallace, 2.Tai Barrymore, 3. Tucker Perkins. Photo Courtesy of Alli Sports

Men’s Freeski Superpipe Final Results
1. Torin Yater-Wallace :: 93.75
2. Tai Barrymore :: 88.50
3. Tucker Perkins :: 85.75
4. Justin Dorey :: 83.00
5. Kevin Rolland :: 80.50
6. David Wise :: 78.75
7. Joss Christensen :: 77.38
8. Duncan Adams :: 76.75
9. Taylor Seaton :: 76.50
10. Gus Kenworthy :: 76.00
11. Noah Bowman :: 73.25
12. Xavier Bertoni :: 46.25

Can’t make it to the mountain today? Tune into NBC for the thrilling conclusion of Men’s Superpipe Finals — LIVE at 3:00PM.

Eric Willett takes the win at Killington. Photo: George Watts, RideVermont.com

Breck-based shredder Eric Willett crushed it today at the Men’s Slopestyle Finals with a series of insanely big doubles on each of the three 60-70 foot booters on the course at Bear Mountain, Killington.

Up top, in the street-styled rail section, Eric laid down smooth front 270s on both down rails, gapping onto the second and off the cannon a front board switchout.

Willett sends it off the cannon. Photo Courtesy of Alli Sports.

We caught up with Eric in his post-win high to get a rider’s perspective on the east coast Dew stop.

Men’s Slopestyle
1. Eric Willett 91.00
2. Sebastien Toutant 85.50
3. Justin Morgan 80.25
4. Aleksander Østreng 72.25
5. Jake Aaronson 69.00

Well done fellas and good luck in Snowbasin.

Instead of boring you to death with a bunch of ranking stats and leaderboard numbers (sorry math nerds), we thought we’d just post up some of the highlights from yesterday’s Semi-Final rounds at the Dew Tour in Killington.

High winds put the Men’s Ski Slopestyle semi’s on hold and they’ll be wrapping up this morning before the the guys start calling their drops in the slopestyle course ’round 11:30. Ok, they don’t actually call drops. The Dew Tour’s more organized than that and would probably make a big stink if they went out of turn. Who knows.

We’ll have more live update coverage and heart-warming chit chat on twitter and the blog all weekend. See you at Bear Mountain.