This is the original business card we hit the road with in 1999

I started SBG with two good friends in the fall of 1998 as we prepared to hit the road on a snowboard roadtrip. It’s been more than a decade since I started cobbling together bits of code to make a website that would catalog our trip as we traveled from Alaska into Canada and then down through Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado during what was to be one of the best seasons on record.

We started out as what would later be called a blog

In the years since, Snowboarder Guide has taken a number of forms. We started out as what would later be called a blog, an online journal chronicling the story of three 18-year-olds on the road with the sole mission of snowboarding. The journal turned into reviews, and the resort reviews we wrote and published were some of the first available on the web. Over the next few years we moved into product reviews as well, and before the term blogging had even been coined, we had adopted a web magazine format.

We’ve been as small as two people, and at times had ten contributors. Maggie joined our team, first writing reviews, then articles, and then taking on the role of women’s editor and overseeing the female half of the product world as the industry recognized the need for women’s specific gear. We married in 2001, and celebrated 10 years this year. We’ve traveled all over the US, attended incredible events, hung out with legends and heroes, and made friends throughout the snowboard industry, and along the way we’ve had more powder days than anyone really deserves. 

In the process, we lost our voice.

In the mid-to-late 2000s, two things happened: snowboard blogging really took off, and the print snowboard magazines started to put some real money into their websites. SBG was caught in the middle, more than a blog, but without the resources or print-revenue of a magazine. Stretched thin, we adapted by posting more press releases (because it was free content and search engines loved it), and opening our review system up for public reviews. In the process, we lost our voice. We were still here, snapping photos at events, publishing press releases to the website, and moderating user reviews, but it was no longer our words that made up the bulk of the site. The personality and character that our readers trusted and came to our corner of the web for, vanished.

At the same time, I was being pulled away by my other project, teaching, coaching, and guiding with Steamboat Guides. Steamboat Guides is awesome, and I’ll still be on-snow with SG many days of the week, but SBG is back.

“Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection.”

We’re still hammering out a number of details for this season, but I thought it was time to start laying some of it out. As Mark Twain so eloquently put it, “Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection.” So here are a few of the changes:

Press Releases: We strongly feel that press releases are an important part of snowboard story, and so we’ll continue to post press releases. However, our goal is to do a better job of filtering the interesting and newsworthy (or things we want to make fun of) from the bland, generic press releases that fill up our inbox, and provide you that information with our voice. You can still read the standard press release at the bottom, but the top will be our words.

Contributors: Reviews and articles are back to a small team of on-snow reviewers. We hope to grow this and include more riders, but we’re starting small, and finding our voice again. If you’re interested in joining our team, feel free to get in touch.

Reviews: Reviews have been migrated out of the separate Censura review system and included within the main site. This makes for a site that runs faster, is actually searchable, and is far easier to update.

Review Scores: After ten years, we’re updating our review scoring. More on this soon.

A new look: This one is still a little ways off, but should be ready by the time snow hits.

SBG is a testament to years of hard work and great rewards, and is proof that if you work hard you can create something from scratch. It has been an incredible journey. I hope you’ll join us as we explore what’s next for Snowboarder Guide.

After all sorts of shenanigans on Thursday night, the Riders’ Polls went off without a hitch. We arrived a little on the early side, found a booth in the VIP section upstairs (thanks TW Snow!), and settled in with a few drinks.

Riders Poll Award Winners

Rookie Of The Year: Halldór Helgason (DC)

Men’s Rider Of The Year: John Jackson (Forum)

Women’s Rider Of The Year: Annie Boulanger (Salomon)

Men’s Video Part Of The Year: John Jackson (Forum Snowboards’ Forever)

Women’s Video Part Of The Year: Annie Boulanger (Absinthe Films’ Neverland)

Video Of The Year: Forever (Forum Snowboards)

Standout Of The Year: Xavier De Le Rue (Standard Films’ Black Winter)

2010 Legend Award: Tom Burt (Winterstick)

Men’s Reader’s Choice: Eiki Helgason (Rome)

Women’s Reader’s Choice: Marie-France Roy (Rome)

If I were able to I would add a SIA Party of the Year award to Transworld and the event sponsors: New Era, Matador, Vans, Aerial7, POW, Keystone, Breckenridge, Ball Park, Red Bull and Zumiez. Great night, looking forward to next year.

I’ll also be posting updates on Facebook and Twitter, so make sure and check out the action there too.

1. Airports: Day 1 of “30 Days on the Road”
2. Snow and Gore: Day 2 of “30 Days on the Road”
3. Gore Tour: Day 3 of 30 Days on the Road – Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
4. Jet Lagging | Day 4 of 30 Days on the Road
5. Steamboat or Bust | Day 5 of 30 Days on the Road
6. First Day on Snow 11/1 | Day 6 of 30 Days on the Road
7. One Day Off | Day 7 of 30 Days on the Road
8. Swollen in Boulder | Day 8 of 30 Days on the Road
9. N3L Optics | Day 9 of 30 Days on the Road
10. Keystone Opening | Day 10 of 30 Days on the Road
13. Copper Opening Weekend | Day 13 Of 30 Days On The Road
14 – 16. In Steamboat
17 & 18. Burton Learn To Ride Super Clinic | Days 17 and 18 of 30 Days on the Road
19. Steamboat Snow | Day 19 of 30 Days on the Road
20. Copper Play Day | Day 20 of 30 Days on the Road
21. Day Off
22. AASI Staff Fall Training
23 & 24. Resort Trainers Clinics
25. Copper Morning and Drive to Boulder
26. Backyard Bang in Denver
27 & 28. Boulder Chill and Drive to Steamboat
29. Steamboat Errands
30. Steamboat Opening Day | Day 30 of 30 Days on the Road

As with any other movie premier there was the crowd outside boozing it up, people waiting in line to buy tickets, and a bar to get your 1st drink as soon as you get in the place. After seeing and greeting loads of familiar faces (which seem to re-appear every season about this time of the year), I was off to my seat with a few beers in hand.

There is also a film festival this weekend here in Steamboat so the night started off with some teaser footage from local talent, both skiing and riding as well as filming and editing. This was a great preview for what was in store for the film festival.

Follow the link to continue on and read my full review of TGR Re:Session.

In a show that was half parody, half wannabe Hollywood, Todd Richards hosted and cracked jokes, while snowboard celebs Jamie Lynn, Tara Dakides, Peter Line, Danny Kass, and the Dingo passed out the trophies.

Travis Rice came out on top with 4 of the 5 men’s awards, and the only one he didn’t take home was Men’s Rookie of the Year which was given to Lucas Debari.

The night was finished off in style with some rock and roll from Kandi Coded, followed by a performance by Tweakbird. Thanks for the great party TWS!

Full Results

Men’s Rider Of The Year:
Travis Rice

Women’s Rider Of The Year:
Jamie Anderson

Men’s Rookie Of The Year:
Lucas Debari

Women’s Rookie Of The Year:
Raewyn Reid

Men’s Video Part Of The Year:
Travis Rice

Women’s Video Part Of The Year:
Marie-France Roy

Men’s Readers’ Choice:
Travis Rice

Women’s Readers’ Choice:
Marie-France Roy

Standout Of The Year:
Travis Rice

The following is a short summary of my experience with seven boards and six pairs of bindings. It is important to take into account that the amount of time spent on each board was too short to make any sort of permanent judgment. However, for the hour I spent per board, my first impression of each gave me clear guidance as to whether or not I liked it, what it was designed for versus the way it rode, and if I would recommend spending additional time on it or not.

I made the same runs on each board and bindings and they included park and groomers, powder and ice. To re-emphasize, for each board tested, I made sure I was aware of what the board was designed for and used that knowledge to help form my opinion.

Board/ Binding Combo #1- Burton Blender, Size 151, with Burton Lexa bindings:
This was the first board I wanted to test because there is a lot of hype around it. For all this board is talked up to be, it was a really bad ride. Even though the 151 is too long for me, and I do take that into account, I was highly disappointed in what this board had to offer. It is a camberless board that is meant to be a jibby and playful, with a spoon nose to make butters and wheelies more fun. With many colored poka-dots on the top sheet, it is a loud, attractive board. I liked the spoon nose and think that on a board with flex and camber, it would be highly innovative. But, the board felt how I imagine riding a piece of p-texed plywood would feel. It was not poppy, too stiff to have fun jibbing on, flat out scary with the no camber, and I just wanted to get off that battleship.

The Lexa bindings come in some very expressive, fun patterns for 08-09. I own and ride Lexa bindings and am drawn to the color waves they have for this next year. The fit is comfortable and despite the disappointing board performance, the bindings were great.

Board/ Binding Combo #2- Burton G-Twin with ICS, Size 146, with EST Burton Escapade bindings:
The G-Twin is a twin tip with twin flex, meant for freestyle. The board was consistent, poppy, held an edge well and was a fun to ride. I would have spent more time on it if I could have. The graphics were annoying, very weirdly cute, and strangely grew on me as I noticed different things throughout the time spent on it.

The EST/ ICS system was comfortable to ride and very light. The absence of a hard base plate and presence of foam padding makes the transition between foot and board less noticeable. I felt more of what was going on underneath me. I would definitely like more time with this system because I did not play around with how easy it is to change binding settings and perfect stance width/ angles.

Board/ Binding Combo #3- K2 Fling, Size 149, K2 Auto Agogo bindings:
I’m in love. Sick graphics, very modern mix of a wood and black top sheet with strings of color in-laid, and most importantly a board that is extremely fun, like the Va Va Voom, but holds an edge all-mountain. It was incredibly responsive and versatile because it was easy to play on but did not noodle-out when it needed to go through push piles or hold an edge in icy conditions. The Fling was the best board I rode during the two days and I couldn’t help but somewhat compare all boards to it after riding it because I was my optimal version of an all-mountain, do anything, hit everything board.

The Auto Agogo bindings need to be adjusted to fit properly. If not adjusted correctly, it is challenging to manage the independent pressure of the toe and heel strap. But once fit, they are convenient (you only have to ratchet one strap) and comfortable. I need more time with these bindings.

Board/ Binding Combo #4- Lib Tech Banana, Size 148, with Union’s Contact bindings:
The board is a blast to ride and the graphics are awesome because they scream craziness. The reverse camber is easy to get used to and softens up the board making it friendly for jibbing and powder. The Magne-Traction seemed to help with holding an edge on groomies and ice. I would consider this more of a light hearted, goof-off, go-play board for the everyday rider. Whether or not you can consider it an all-mountain board depends on what you want to do as certain types of turns are made much more difficult by the reverse camber. Personally, this is the type of board I would like to have in addition to an all-mountain one.

The Union Contact bindings have foam raised above the base plate to provide a totally cush ride. I have heard a lot about Union bindings and was really excited to try them out. Unfortunately, they did not have any women’s bindings available to test so I was on a pair of men’s bindings with the straps drastically shortened and the heel cup pushed forward. Despite the limited time and lack of women’s specific bindings, I still liked them and found them steezy and comfortable.

Board/ Binding Combo #5- Omatic Super, Size 149, Flux bindings:
After loving my first-year Tara Dakides Jeenyus board, I was interested to try her Omatic board. It has a good shape, attractive zebra-striped graphics, and is meant to be a board with personality. I felt quite the opposite on it. It was dead; there was no life, no pop, slow edge engagement (though it held an edge well, once engaged) and it was heavy. I felt that I was fighting the board the entire ride, rather than it complimenting what I was trying to do on it. I was ready to be off it 100 feet after dismounting the lift.

I am unsure which pair of Flux bindings I was on and did not pay much attention as they did not have a pair that would fit my foot properly (all too big). In regards to a review on this, the colors were decent and the straps fit well, but I am unable to truly give any more opinion about them.

Board/ Binding Combo #6- DC BFF, Size 150, Nidecker Princess bindings:
I recently saw this board at the DC party in Las Vegas (during the SIA trade show when they unveiled their boards) and have wanted to get on it ever since. There is nothing special about the graphics; it is a very plain-looking board that makes for a nice custom sticker backdrop. The 150 was much too long for me, but I still got a good sense of the board. The BFF is Kim Fasani’s pro model and I would guess it is a solid match for her because it is an aggressive, responsive board for bigger booters and all mountain riding. The tail is stiffer than the nose and it is very directional. I found it to be a board without secrets but with a lot of purpose. The time spent on it was a good experience.

The Nidecker Princess bindings are for a wide foot. They were slightly heavy, but seemed very durable and were not uncomfortable. I was unable to ride them on the Princess Nidecker board, but hear they are a good team.

Board/ Binding Combo #7- Smokin Paparazzi, Size 148, (personal bindings):
I wanted to try the Paparazzi based on local reviews I have heard. I found it to be very similar to another board that I rode and enjoyed for a couple of years. I was calling this board a mini-Fracture because of its consistently soft, flexy feel. The Paparazzi also has Magne-Traction. Minus the somewhat irritating (but at least new and different) graphics, it is a maneuverable, springy stick and I was happy to find the familiarity of a board that no longer exists.

I didn’t test any new bindings with this board.

Little 11-year-old Jed Anderson sat at the top of the park with his parents. Before his run in the qualifiers, he stepped off the packed snow and into the trees to relieve himself. Was it tension of the day or just time to go? Later, in the pipe finals, the wind was so strong that as he rode the pipe he was literally in a white wave of snow. At the bottom, blown to bits, he still had a huge smile on his face, even before the announcer said he would get a re-run. His experience that day, though it did not result in placing, call that a mistake if you like, was still a lesson in running with the “big boys.”

Fabienne had a harder time of it, probably a larger lesson for her and certainly more experience. During the finals she launched off the second jump and cleared the landing. Realizing she was going down, she rolled down the windows as fast as she could, only to still land very hard and get a concussion. She thought her name was Amanda for a while there.

Leslee Olson, always with a smile on her face, later told me that she was happy with her 10th place. She had just come from school in Oregon and the competition was her first time riding in awhile.

The Triple Crown, and snowboarding in general, is like a huge math equation. You have a rider with X amount of talent and ability; add that to Y which is the weather and the condition of the park/pipe, and Z which is the condition of the rider that day, both mentally and physically. The result is E, the experience, which, maybe isn’t always a mistake. Is there such a thing as a mistake in riding? The pros are really good at what they do, but still there are a lot of factors in their performances at any one time. The Vans Triple Crown was a bunch of good riders coming together, even those who didn’t make it past the qualifiers, who gave it their best shot. I was really struck by how real each of them are. Seeing them in the videos is different from being with them before, during and after a competition. They are people who are Awesome at what they do.