The Burton U.S. Open Men’s Halfpipe qualifiers started today. Story taken from Snowboard-Mag.com.

Check out this halfpipe run…

As the first rider dropped into qualifiers, a dark and ominous cloud rolled in. The riders were actually stoked as the faster snow allowed for some serious snowsliding action. Sergio Berger (SUI) kicked things into high gear with a frontside 9, frontside 7, Cab 7, ending things with an air-to-fakie into an inverted 5. He threw the 1080 on the first hit of his next run, but unfortunately couldn’t quite top run #1.

Markus Malin (FIN) was on fire with both runs, throwing a big ol’ method, crippler 7, Haakon Flip, frontside 5, backside 5, and air-to-fakie into a frontside 9. He would change it up on run #2 with a last-hit cab 10.

Daniel Friberg (SUI) had a run that included a backside 7, frontside 5, backside 5, frontside 9 to backside 7; while Kodai Wantanabe (JPN) kept things thoroughly consistent with huge backside tails into back-to-back 7s to frontside 9.

When the smoke cleared, Markus Malin sat atop the standings, with Kodai Wantanabe and Sergio Berger rounding things out in second and third respectively. Keep an eye on these three as they go head-to-head with the big dogs during Saturday’s semi-finals.

Here is the press release for the Slopestyle Pre-Qualifiers

Results:
1st - Markus Malin (SALOMON)
2nd - Kodai Watanabe (BURTON)
3rd - Daniel Friberg (BURTON)
4th - Sergio Berger (QUIKSILVER)
5th - Justin Lamoureux (BATALEON)
6th - Mitch Allan (OAKLEY)
7th - Mitchell Brown (BATALEON)
8th - Tyler Troy (MOUNTSNOW ACADEMY)
9th - Matt Wallace (BILLABONG)
10th - Peetu Piiroinen (BURTON)

If you can’t make it to Stratton, you can always catch the Slopestyle, Halfpipe and Big Air finals on NBC’s US Open highlights show, airing Sunday March 18th from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm EST.
There will also be free webcasts of the final events on www.burton.com.

TV Schedule:

The Burton Global Open Series presented by Motorola announces live event webcasts on www.burton.com and a 90-minute US Open show on NBC. Web and network broadcasts will feature footage from the Slopestyle, Halfpipe and Big Air competitions at the 25th Annual US Open Snowboarding Championships taking place from March 12-18, 2007 at Stratton Mountain, Vermont.

US Open television broadcast on NBC
Sunday, March 18: US Open Highlights Show 1:00-2:30 p.m. EST

WEBCAST SCHEDULE:

Friday, March 16:
Slopestyle Finals 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm EST

Saturday, March 17:
Halfpipe Semifinals 9:00 am - 12:15 pm EST

Saturday, March 17:
Halfpipe and Big Air Finals 11:00 pm - 1:45 am EST

March 8, 2007, Portland, OR- Hello Pollack and Pettibon: Salomon Snowboards is hosting their 4th annual Snowboard Artwork Contest. The contest is currently open for submissions through March 31st at http://www.artworkcontest.com/.

The past three years have marked rich collaboration and an unprecedented creativity in our board graphics, thanks to the creative veins of our riders/artists/friends. Every product we design at Salomon Snowboards follows our Design for a Better Ride Philosophy. Accordingly, the graphical approach meets the same lofty standards. We want our boards to look as good as our technical know-how will have them ride. We’ve partnered with artists such as word renowned street artist Koa who helped develop this year’s Sanchez Board, San Fran based Evan Hecox, and Fernando Elvira. Last year we used our rider submissions to create the Salomonster graphics on the Prospect. The search continues for more upcoming artists who inspire us.

The Salomon Snowboards artwork contest is going on through March 31st. This year’s user friendly website will feature gallery space for artists to showcase their work throughout the year, with or without entering the contest. Designs will be judged by a Salomon jury. Three designs will be chosen and the artists will receive 1500 EUROS as a reward. Two other entries will be noted for their innovative approach to graphics. Artists will receive 500 EUROS and a Salomon Snowboard. For rules and guidelines go to http://www.artworkcontest.com/. Must be over 18 to participate.

No friends on a Powder day!! Check out this company perk. Burton snowboards has gone shredding.

Burlington, VT (February 14, 2007) - It says it right on the front door of Burton’s Global Headquarters in Burlington, Vermont: ˜We are closed if two feet falls in 24 hours’. And that’s exactly what the world’s leading snowboard company will do on Thursday, February 15 thanks to a blizzard that’s currently blanketing Vermont with several feet of fresh snow.

Nothing makes me happier than giving the people who work here the opportunity to experience the essence of a sport that they are making accessible and fun for so many others, says Jake Burton, Founder and Chairman of Burton Snowboards. Coincidentally, the Burton senior management team spent last night at the top of Stowe Mountain Resort in the ˜Stone Hut’. Waking up to a foot of fresh snow (and plenty more coming) might have made for some cancelled meetings and an unproductive day at the office, but we all work pretty hard around here and riding is our best source of energy.

Burton’s CEO Laurent Potdevin sent an email titled ˜Powder Day’ to Burton’s 400-plus Vermont based employees announcing the good news. It’s dumping so much that we will be closing the office tomorrow (Thursday) all day to allow everyone to get to the mountain and ride, said Potdevin’s email. Stowe is getting pounded - grab your board and get to the mountain.

The heavy snow hitting all of Vermont is also a huge bonus for the upcoming 25th Annual US Open Snowboarding Championships, taking place at Stratton Mountain Resort from March 16-18. Natural snow will help Stratton build epic slopestyle, halfpipe and quarterpipe features for top riders like Shaun White and Kelly Clark.

Mandatory ride days are not the only unconventional benefit Burton offers its employees. Free season passes at several Vermont resorts, generous product discounts, progressive new parent policies and the option to bring your dog with you to work are just a few of the perks of working for Burton.

Burton’s Burlington Headquarters also features a flagship product store with the largest selection of Burton products in the world as well as a history wall showcasing snowboards from every year since 1977.

When you’re in Vermont, be sure to drop by Burton Headquarters - as long as it’s not on a powder day, in which case you’ll find the doors closed and all the employees up on the hill.

www.burton.com

story taken from Future Magazine

The 22nd Mt. Baker Banked Slalom was held this last weekend at the Legendary Mt. Baker. At the end of Hwy 542, one of Washington’s best kept secrets is host to one of the most famed contests in the snowboard community.

This famed race has seen many famous faces in snowboard history. The late Craig Kelly won it three times, Terje Haakonsen has won it six times. Some of the 2002 and 2006 US Olympic team members were there to stake their place in Banked Slalom history as well. Riders like Kelly Clark, Gretchen Bleiler, and Seth Wescott were a few that showed up. Lucas Debari the local kid won the Pro Men series.

A brief history of the banked slalom by transworld snowboarding.

Terje making his run and FILMING it too!!

Jamie Lynn in the starting gate in 1999- Photo by Trevor Phillips

Official results from the Mt. Baker website

Photos are taken from Mt. Baker website and Transworld snowboarding

Mt. Baker, WA - Strictly for the ladies: join Barrett Christy, frequency TSJ, and friends March 18-22, 2007 at legendary Baldface Lodge for four days of powder, massage, wine tastings, fabulous gourmet meals and an exclusive retreat experience you’ll never forget. And now, with a special 15% La freq Week discount offered by Baldface to friends of frequency TSJ, Baldface is more affordable than ever.

With certified Baldface guides leading all to perfect terrain and providing snow safety, come experience some of the best turns of your life, whether an intermediate or advanced rider.

Limited spots are still available ” and these will go quickly” so call Baldface now and sign up: 250.352.0006. Or visit them online at www.baldface.net

All frequency TSJ’s women subscribers are automatically entered to win a free trip to La freq Week, so subscribe now at www.frqncy.com

Smiles are guaranteed: