Odds are you’ve seen this image floating around Facebook today as die-hard skiers and riders in the Northeast are crossing fingers, toes, arms, legs and who knows what else in hopes they could be in for one more taste of winter.

Courtesy of The Weather Channel

If you look close (ok, really close) it appears this little something or other could drum up bit of accumulation (consistency: TBD) for Jay Peak and Stowe overnight and into Thursday. A little dust on man-made crust perhaps? Yes, please.

You may have noticed we’re avoiding the mention of a certain four letter word in this post… just trying not to jinx it. Jinx what? Exactly. The season end is nigh one way or another, but the chance of a few extra days on the board is definitely worth superstitiously tying yourself in a pretzel for.

We got a lot of interesting feedback when we posted this Dual Snowboards video on Facebook the other day. Some folks balked at the mere suggestion these are “snowboards”. Others chimed in welcoming a “new challenge” (with complete disregard for the socio/physio/or psychological consequences it may incur). It’s only right that as a newly-appointed official sport of Vermont, we too weigh in on the matter.

Dual Snowboards (dualsnowboards.NET)

First off, we’re not one to hop on the bandwagon and start $#itting on a new idea from the get, ’cause you never know; Jake Burton Carpenter expanded on the snurfer and look where that got him? These guys are blurring the lines between skiing and boarding and who are we to say it’s unnecessary. They could very well be on the cutting edge of the next big thing… or not.

Here’s our breakdown of the facts as we know assume them:

1. Independent Feet = Freedom?
Dual Snowboards is basically like having one mini snowboard on each foot, allowing for “more freedom” and the convenience of not having to unstrap to ride the lift or hike. Personally, we always thought the lack of poles/risk of ejection was liberating enough.

Despite the fact that karate kicking off a cannon rail is something we’ve always dreamed of doing, the inherent “vulnerability” of this setup is one (of many) qualms we already have about that-other-official-Vermont-sport. Slow down Bruce Lee, we’d like to keep all our eggs in one basket. IYKWIM.

2. Delusions of Grandeur
What you think you’ll look like:

Courtesy of Dual Snowboards Facebook.

What you’ll actually look like:

3. Perceived Awesomeness
“I’m always down to try something new.” That’s great and all, and we’re not saying it is (though it probably is) impossible to pick up, but for riders expecting a fluid transition, think again. At face value we’d liken it to learning to ride a bike with training wheels, minus the bike.

They say it’s a great workout for the muscles groups you use in snowboarding. Honestly, if you’re looking for a way to get in better shape for snowboarding, try snowboarding more. If you’re just looking for a new activity to do for a day of frustration and endless cursing, try skiing.

4. Science
We’re not scientists, but we can’t ignore the physics involved in sliding on snow. A lot of the time snowboarders forget how much the ‘snowboard’ helps their riding. That’s right, you’re not just that awesome on your own, bro. Think of it this way… Are you ready to throw away pop, flex, balance and any hope of floating pow?

Exhibit A: Snowboard

5. Dual “Snowboards”
What’s in a name? A heck of a lot, that’s what. It’s no wonder there’s so much initial pushback. Hardcore shredders see this as a blatant attack on the thing they cherish most and the best gosh-darned way to descend a mountain (in this sport’s humble opinion).

We understand there’s not a lot of options here… snowplates, snowpads, snowsoles. At least they’ve steered clear of “blades” — really, when has that done a sport any favors? We would just hope that with a spankin’ new idea, could come a spankin’ new product name, so we’d have some spankin’ new words to use when we’re yelling from the lift.

Now if you’re thinking “Wait, what was all that stuff about not $#itting on a new idea, blah, blah, blah?” Um, don’t forget we are snowboarders, after all — hasslin’s what we do. But we won’t blacklist it without a fair on-snow trial.

So if Dual Snowboards wants to send us a pair for testing (ATTN: Ride Vermont, 139 Main St. Suite 701, Brattleboro, VT 05301) we’d be happy to take ‘em for a few laps next season. We just ask to include a pre-paid return shipping label. It’s policy. (We even make grandma do it at Christmas.)

Prototype tests at Stratton, VT 1990. Photo: Hubert Schriebl, Rider: Tera Eberhard

There’s nothing like that time of the year when you can go blasting down the mountain in a t-shirt, no gloves, goggles (or snowpants for that matter) and know that even in the event of a massive digger, you’ll come out smiling. Spring riding is one way we cope with the seasonality of snowboarding in Vermont and just like foliage, maple syrup and Sports Illustrated, there’s a time of year when it’s best. Sure, spring conditions were basically the only ones we got, but whatever… good excuse to crush some demo boards anyway.

With Burton’s headquarters near the home of the US Open in Stratton, it simply wasn’t that rare a sight to see some of the world’s best snowboarders getting in some turns on prototype product, or for a photoshoot. Tera Eberhard was one of the first dominant women in snowboarding—and not afraid to compete in race and halfpipe events.

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

Jake Burton Carpenter, Photo: Hubert Schriebl

One of the things you quickly learn about snowboarding (or heck, doing just about anything) in Vermont is that the weather can change at a moment’s notice, and it often does. Being ready to jump on your board when Mother Nature gives the green light is the key to experiencing the best riding this fine state has to offer. Some seasons we get more green lights than others and sometimes (like this year) it’s gridlock or constant detours and delays. Point is, on and off the mountain, the way of Vermont is to always be prepared.

In 1989, you just never knew when a set of gates would be available to throw down. Likewise, a lot of riders understood a pair of gloves with padding up the forearm for proper bashing, were nice to have on hand. And in the event Vermont’s leash law was being enforced, it was good to know you were covered there, too. Jake Burton Carpenter, ready for either.

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

On January 19, 2012 the snow sports world lost an icon. Not yet at the prime of her career, Sarah Burke was a tremendous athlete and an all around awesome person on and off the snow. Sadly, as many before her, the world never got to witness the bounds of her potential. We can only assume there were none.

This Thursday, join your fellow ski and ride enthusiasts for the premiere of the Ski Channel’s latest film “Winter”. The event is in memory of Sarah and the proceeds will go to a foundation being created to honor her legacy.

The event will have free food, auctions and raffles with tons of cool stuff to win including a brand new Burton Process (155)  autographed by Kevin Pearce, helmets donated by Anomaly Action Sports featuring Shred Optics and Slytech Protection, and even a board ridden by one of the members of the Frends crew.

Grab your friends and come out for this event to help support a good cause.

WHEN: Thursday, March 15, 8:30 PM
WHERE: Savoy Theater, Montpelier, VT
WHAT: Film premiere of the Ski Channel’s “Winter” in memory of pro skier Sarah Burke. Free food, raffles and a silent auction for an autographed Kevin Pearce snowboard.
COST: $10, The first 40 tickets purchased will come with signed Kelly Clark postcards.

Check out the “Winter” Film Premiere event page on Facebook for more info and share it with your friends!

It’s cliche, but “all good things come to a close” and today it was Kelly Clark’s unprecedented 16-straight winning streak that reached its final stop. Kelly’s riding was, as always, a thrill to watch with massive air and stylish flow throughout her runs, but it was South Lake Tahoe’s Elena Hight who managed to squeeze an extra .31 points out of the judges and come out on top with a score of 86.50. Kelly held on to the second place position and twenty-year-old Ellery Hollingsworth followed in third.

Hot on their heels was 15 year old, Arielle Gold of Steamboat Springs, who took 4th and was also awarded the Nokia Newcomer Award. While she may be young, today this girl proved she can shred, so watch out ladies.

Elena Hight unseated reigning champ Kelly Clark, the first to do so since Fall 2010.

Kelly Clark took home second place.

Ellery Hollingsworth picked up third.

By the time the men stepped up, the sun was on full alert beaming down on the pipe and softening the pipe walls and slipping out riders left and right. Despite the changing conditions, Shaun White put down a solid first run of 90.44 that secured him the first place position. Louie Vito followed in second and local boy Benji Farrow, out of Ludlow, VT brought up third.

Shaun White had no problem clearing the 20 foot mark out of the pipe.

Louie Vito landed second place.

Benji Farrow of Ludlow, VT took home the bronze medal.

In traditional Open fashion, pipe poachers kept the crowd stoked up between runs, airing out with huge methods. Gotta love it. Here’s to another 30 years.

Even the dudes poaching were going HUGE!

After a crash landing during a whiteout snow squall on his second slopestyle run, Canadian-born snowboarder Sebastien Toutant turned out a banger run on his third and last attempt here at Stratton Mountain, scoring a 92 and a top podium spot.

Classic New England weather (don’t like the weather? wait a minute.) swept over Stratton Mountain during the 2-hour slopestyle competition. The snow squall blew over quickly, revealing sunshine for all the competitors’ third runs.

Norwegian rider Ulrik Badertscher’s first run, under a growing pall of darkening clouds, ended up being his best, garnering enough points to take second. His double front flip off the cannon box at the end of the course arguably received the loudest reaction among fellow riders in the start tent.

The only Vermonter in the competition, Hans Mindnich from Stowe, briefly held first place after his stellar run in the first round. After several years competing in qualifying rounds at the US Open, this was his first time making it to the finals. He ended up in fourth place and will take $3 G’s in prize money back home to Stowe.

Seb Toots was able to bounce back after this crash in the second round to end up in first place.

 

Maxence Parrot from Canada ended up in 10th place.

 

Vermont's Hans Mindnich (left) greets Chas Guldemond at the top of the slopestyle course.

 

Vermont Kevin Pearce, who suffered a serious head injury in the lead up to the 2012 Winter Olympics, landed a seat in the announcer's booth for Red Bull's live webcasts of the US Open on Friday. Watch the action at Redbull.tv.

 

South Lake Tahoe’s Jamie Anderson dominated the women’s slopestyle field once again at the 2012 Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships, scoring a 90.10. US Open mainstay Kjersti Buass, of Norway, took second place while Finland’s Enni Rukajarvi, who won the 2011 slopestyle comp, took third.

Slopestyle winner Jamie Anderson on course.

Jamie Anderson.

New Zealander Shelly Gotlieb took 5th place.

Canadian Spence O'Brien took 8th.

Ross Powers sending it at the 1999 US Open at Stratton. Photo: Jeff Curtes/Burton Snowboards.

It may seem like today’s snowboarding competitions are all about how many back-to-back flips or 1080s a rider can throw, but style points haven’t completely gone away. Used to be that just straight airing it with a hearty, tweeked grab could land the top qualifier spot or even a medal. (Unlikely we’ll see that at the 30th Anniversary Burton US Open finals this weekend, but you never know.)

In 2002 at the Salt Lake City Olympic Games, Vermont’s own Ross Powers threw a method on the first wall of the halfpipe that secured a position in snowboarding lore. Three years before that, however, he was showing his home crowd what was to come with this method en route to his first US Open Halfpipe Championship in 1999.

If we’re lucky, maybe Ross will make his way down south for the Washed Up Cup and duke it out for the biggest method with his fellow Open veterans.

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

When I was a kid growing up (yep, in Vermont) we’d be lucky if we could get the fuzz on the TV clear enough to watch our Saturday morning cartoons on a “local” station out of Maine. Nowadays, thanks to the advent of the world wide web, we can watch just about anything we want instantly and in crystal-clear high definition. And for us snowboarding bums stuck at work this week, it means we can check in on the Burton US Open action LIVE from our desks, with no bunny-ear tuning necessary.

If you didn’t get to tune in today, (or make it to the mountain… where it was a sun-drenched 50 degrees) the men and women’s slopestyle semi-finals were packed with monstrous runs on this year’s beastly course, crafted by the snow wizards known as Snow Park Technologies.

This ain't your grandma's backyard park. Photo Courtesy of Stratton Mountain Resort.

The Night Jam cometh. OOOAAAHHH! Photo Courtesy of Stratton Mountain Resort.

The Mini feature is mini by no means. Photo Courtesy of Stratton Mountain Resort.

There’s a lot left of the 30th Anniversary Burton US Open at Stratton Mountain and the good folks over at Red Bull TV are streaming it live for you at www.redbull.com/snowboarding-live during the following days/times:

LIVE WEBCASTS: U.S. Time Zones (EST)
Halfpipe Semi-Finals, Thursday, March 8 — 9:15 am
Slopestyle Finals, Friday, March 9 — 9:15 am
Halfpipe Finals, Saturday, March 10 — 9:15 am
Night Jam, Saturday, March 10 — 6:45pm

So when you get to work tomorrow, open up an extra window, turn the volume down and keep an eye on Louie Vito, Shaun White, Kelly Clark while you finish up those TPS reports for Friday.