“I’m so excited to be working with Oakley,” said Maddy. “I believe in the products and enjoy that they’re the best combination of technology and style. I am proud to be part of the team!”

“Oakley athletes have woven a powerful legacy across a myriad of sports since the brand’s inception in 1975,” said Patrick McIlvain, Oakley VP Global Sports Marketing. “Maddy possesses an uncontainable drive to be on the forefront of sport and style. This makes her exceptional an ambassador for Oakley who will lead the next generation of active women into new territory where performing beautifully is a natural part of everyday life.”

The mountain is still firmly in “fall” mode, construction is in full swing and the whole area is brown. One Steamboat Place looks awesome though, and they’re pushing hard to have it in usable shape when the mountain opens. Thanks to stretch of cold nights snowmaking has piled up snow along Stampede; one big white ribbon of white going from the base up towards the top of Christy Peak.

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“30 Days on the Road” is a blog series tracking my travel for thirty days in October and November; from leaving Alaska on October 27th until Steamboat opens on November 25th. Due to a series of cool opportunities I don’t have to be back at a “real job” until 11/26th, and after a summer that seemed way too long, I’ll be making the most of my free month with as much snow and snow industry fun as I can cram in. The goal is two-fold, first to get you pumped about the upcoming season, and two to help keep track of time as I wander aimlessly for a month.

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

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.

This is just the 4th time since 1980 that the resort has seen back to back December and January months of 100 inches or more accumulation; and only the 8th time since 1979/80 season that more than 100 inches of snow have fallen in January. Since the resort opened in November snow has been recorded 44 of 67 days (66%) with a season to date total of 244 inches (20.3 feet).

Riding took on a whole new meaning for 64 professional rodeo cowboys from around the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia as they participated in the 35th Annual Bud Light Cowboy Downhill in Steamboat Springs. The cowboys and cowgirls traded in their bulls and broncs for skis and snowboards in the legendary race series at the base of Mt. Werner.

The highlight of the 35th Bud Light Cowboy Downhill was the Stampede event. With the course cleared and only the jump to master, it was every cowboy for themselves as all the racers stormed down the mountain in the winner-takes-all race. Jed Moore proved he really was the fastest cowboy by taking first place in the chaotic Stampede event.

Save 20% on lifts, lodging and ski & snowboard rentals when purchasing the Champagne PowderTM Package! Last day for booking this package is January 30th.
Don’t miss the boat, reserve your Champagne Powder vacation today.

Buy Online or call Steamboat Central Reservations ® (877) 783-2628.

Santa at Steamboat

The resort is just shy of being 100 percent open. Mountain Crews, with a little help from Mother Nature, have opened 2,863 acres 150 trails and 12 chairlifts offering access to 3,668 vertical feet. Morningside is now open as well as Pioneer Ridge for hike-to-terrain. The mountain now boasts a 37 inch mid-mountain base depth and more storms are forecasted for the remainder of December, with up to 2 feet possible. So if you’re still looking for a holiday escape, Steamboat is the place to be. Keep up to date on all the mountain conditions by visiting www.steamboat.com.

POW POW PLATTER
Imagine an infusion of distinct individual snow flavors. Such is the case with the new Pow Pow Platter pass which offers one day of skiing at Steamboat, Copper Mountain and Winter Park for just $99.

The Pow Pow Platter is an ideal holiday gift, stocking stuffer or perfect way to usher in the New Year offering great value for skiing and riding at three of Colorado’s favorite resorts. The Pow Pow Platter is a photo id pass, is unrestricted with no blackout dates and days do not have to be used consecutively. One ticket is valid for one day at each resort. Simply put, $33 a day for three incredible resorts.

Skiers and Riders who dine on the Pow Pow Platter will enjoy Mary Jane’s world-renowned moguls and Winter Park’s extraordinary alpine bowl and back country Cirque; Copper’s Free Tucker Cat Skiing, free parking and Naturally Divided Terrain; and Steamboat’s western hospitality, famous trees and legendary Champagne Powder™ snow. Pow Pow Platter connoisseurs have access to a combined total of 432 trails, 8,493 acres and over 9,300 vertical feet of terrain at Copper Mountain, Winter Park and Steamboat.
Pow Pow Platters are on sale now and will be available while supplies last or until January 31st, whichever comes first. Platters may only be purchased online at www.PowPowPlatter.com or by calling toll-free 866-763-5958. Platters must be purchased 48-hours in advance and may be redeemed at any resort.

It is without a doubt that profile and involvement, have increased the radar these last three seasons. Chaos has worked steadily to create new inroads in the outdoors and snow markets. Last season CHAOS added more events, made previous ones better and brought in Chris Anthony as our official headwear spokes person. You can find Chris regularly on Fox News fitness tips, emcee for over 56 Warren Miller premier events, and fundraising for kid’s community programs. As of this 08/09 season Chris is also the official spokes person for SOS-Snow and Ski Outreach Society—one of our longest running partnerships. http://www.chrisanthony.com

Below are summaries of out top events and how to find out more:

USASA
USASA Championships are the world’s largest snowboard event and will be held from April 5th-10th, at Cooper Mountain Colorado. The event will feature 25 competitions in five disciplines including: Alpine GS, Alpine Slalom, Freestyle Half pipe, Freestyle Slope style and Boarder cross®. Riders between the ages of 4 and 74 compete. www.usasa.org

Vail Valley Foundation- BIRDS OF PREY and The AMERICAN SKI CLASSIC CHAOS headwear and Vail Valley Foundation have signed a three year sponsorship program for participant gifts, as well as co-branded event merchandise of caps and beanies available at retail during this upcoming 2008/2009 season.

The Birds of Prey-World Cup kicks of the winter season as the best and fastest the world has to offer in downhill skiing.

The American Ski Classic brings Skiing legends, sports, entertainment, celebrities and corporate America together on the slopes of Vail Mountain during the peak days of March. www.vvf.org

SOS
As Snowboard Outreach Society’s (SOS) Official Headgear Sponsor for 50 events in 2008/2009 season in snowboarding and skiing, every participant graduating will receive a custom SOS/Chaos beanie. SOS contributes to the community in a variety of ways: helping underprivileged and at risk youth through outdoor activities, bringing the exhilaration of snowboarding to the inner city and troubled teenagers, while hosting snowboard competitions to support these efforts. www.SOSoutreach.org

Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge
As the official Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge staff beanie and co-branded hat for approximately 30 national events this winter. Log on to Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge for a list of local events and activities. www.mountaindewvc.com

TGR-Teton Gravity Research-Films 2008/2009 Teton Gravity Research (TGR) is the premier action sports entertainment and production house. Chaos is the official headwear sponsor for 18 elite Mountain resorts showing of this year’s new epic in extreme and mostly insane vertical bound behavior. Founded in 1996, TGR’s elite team consists of award winning producers, directors, and cinematographers. This year, the CTR-Chaos Thermal Regulation collection helped protect the directors, producers and guides in their daily challenging conditions. www.tetongravity.com

Windell’s Snow Camp
CHOAS, threads for heads is the official thread at Windells for its fourth year. Not only are we a participant in this year’s greatest training ground for Snowboarding, freeskiing, skateboard, BMX and more we have flow team members active in attendance at the camp. www.windells.com

Powder 8, The New England Championships
Chaos is pleased to announce its continued support for the 2009 season. The first and most famous event in East Coast Skiing lore, The New England Championships is now entering its 6th year in Vermont and features the best technical skiers in the East. www.synchroski.com

Steamboat Tele Fest
Chaos is pleased to announce its continued support for the 2009 season. The wildly fun weekend of the regions best in in old school land new school telemark, laying down the turns in sunny Steamboat.

The Cold Smoke Awards
The Cold Smoke Awards is a grass roots winter mountain film event in Bozeman Montana. The event brings together the winter outdoor community in an exposé of various media work. The Cold Smoke Awards serves as venue for up and coming filmmakers, photographers and athletes to get their foot in the door of a growing Multi-media film industry. www.coldsmokeawards.com

To learn more about Chaos Headwear, our products and programs, log on to www.chaoshats.com

Chaos’ is quality, responsiveness and a vast array of headgear possibilities. The Brand is owned by Do-Gree fashions, a Mill locally owned and operated—with three generations of experience. Do-Gree Fashions in Montreal, Canada is able to respond quickly to both customer requests, as well as fast-paced market trends, both of which translate to unparalleled service. Designs from both CHAOS and sister brand MOON SHADOW vary from winter to four-season, urban to alpine, casual to high-end alpaca, all of which supply the men’s, women’s and youth markets. Materials include: merino wool, mohair, acrylic blends, cottons, angora, fleece, and technical fabrics from the New CTR-Chaos Thermal Regulation, Fits ALL 4X®, Polartech®, Windbloc®, Thermolite® and Outlast®.

“The start of the season is always a special time in a resort community such as Steamboat and a great reason to celebrate the opportunities and possibilities of the coming winter,” said Chris Diamond, president and chief operating officer of the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation.

Specially-priced $20 lift tickets will be offered ONLY on Wednesday, November 26, 2008. No season passes or value passes will be valid that day. Scholarship Day tickets may be purchased at the Main Ticket Office, open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are available in advance beginning Monday, November 24th.

“The Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club has played an integral role in the development of young athletes by providing the support they need in order to achieve their personal and Olympic dreams,” commented Diamond. “I encourage everyone to come out, make a few turns, kick off the season and support a very worthwhile organization.”

For the past 95 years, the SSWSC has been providing opportunities for young athletes to become successful competitors and to achieve their personal goals through participation in winter sports. The Club’s success is one reason Steamboat enjoys the moniker Ski Town, U.S.A.® The SSWSC is one of the oldest and most recognized ski clubs in the United States and was named the United States Ski & Snowboard Association’s Club of the Year three times in the past decade. Since the 1991, Scholarship Day has raised more than $525,000 for children participating in SSWSC programs.

Although a final decision about open terrain will not be made until tomorrow due to conditions, the resort anticipates the following trails for Wednesday: Preview, Stampede, See Ya, Sitz, Jess’ Cut-Off and Upper Boulevard to name a few. For those looking to get their jib on, a few rails and features are expected to be available on Lil’ Rodeo. The Christie Peak Express and Preview lifts will operate on Scholarship Day. Please note: no beginner or intermediate terrain will be available above the Christie Peak Express mid-station.

“Mountain crews have done a tremendous job taking advantage of variable conditions over the past two weeks,” said Doug Allen, vice president of mountain operations. “Forecasts are calling for additional snow and colder temperatures this week and crews will work to provide the best experience and most terrain possible. Winter always arrives in Ski Town, U.S.A.® and weather forecasters are calling for a La Nina winter, which bodes very well for Steamboat. So be ready for things to change quickly.”

As crews and machinery work in preparation for opening day, resort officials are asking that no vehicles be parked at slope maintenance and for the public safety, suggest waiting until Wednesday to access the mountain. Remember trails and lifts are subject to change without notice as conditions change.

“Everyone needs to ski and ride with care, within their ability levels, and remember, unmarked obstacles and other natural terrain features may be encountered at any time,” said John Kohnke, ski patrol director. “Skiers and riders should keep in mind that even though Wednesday is Scholarship Day and their season pass is not valid; if they are caught on a closed trail or skiing/riding in an unsafe manner, we will pull their season pass.”

Steamboat will celebrate the start of the 2008/09 season with the new Winter White Wednesday Celebration, which includes specials across the resort’s food & beverage, retail and Ski & Snowboard School outlets. In addition, free Steamboat Opening Day lanyards will be handed out to the first 500 people on Christie Peak Express.

As part of Winter White Wednesday, the Bear River Bar & Grill will feature 2-for-1 White Pizzas, $2 Bud & Bud Light 20oz. drafts and $3 White Out drink specials. Worried Men will perform live in concert from 1-4pm at the Bear. Purchase a snowboard or pair of skis on opening day from RideSports or Steamboat Ski & Sport and receive a free one-hour private lesson. In addition, when you spend $300 or $500, receive $100 and $200 respectively off your purchase. In need of a quick tune-up on your technique, the Ski & Snowboard School is offering season pass holders a special buy one ½-day group ski or snowboard clinic and get one free. Gondola Joe’s will kick-off the season with $3 Thanks-A-Latte White Chocolate Lattes on Wednesday. Finally for the cowboys and cowgirls at heart, $5 mechanical bull rides will run throughout the day in the Coca-Cola Gondola Square Adventure Zone. Additional restrictions may apply to the above programs and specials.

Starting Wednesday, November 26th, free parking will be provided in the Knoll Lot (within walking distance) or Meadows Lot (with shuttle service). From Dec. 1-5, the Meadows lot will be closed with free parking available in the Knoll lot. Otherwise, paid parking will be available starting Nov. 26th in both the Gondola Square and Ski Time Square Parking Garages for $15/day. Guests may drop-off and pick-up family & friends at the “Passenger Unloading Zone” on the right at the entrance to Gondola Transit Center or utilize the Ski Time Square drop-off location. However, no unattended vehicles will be permitted in either location. Additionally, the resort will provide a limited number of free 30-minute spaces reserved on the lower level of the Gondola Square Parking Garage for drop-off/pick-up of children in KVC and Ski School programs.

“We have made some improvements in the base area since last season, especially when it comes to what people are used to in terms of parking at the Meadows lot,” said Mike DeGroff, vice president of resort services. “With the new designated passenger zones, expanded capacity and improved vehicle flow, I believe folks will quickly learn how to navigate this area and ultimately the enhancements will provide a better overall experience.”

The Meadows parking lot and shuttle service has been redesigned to improve the overall experience, including a new and expanded vehicle parking orientation and designed shuttle stops. Due to expansion permit conditions, shuttles will now go to the light at Pine Grove and make a left, then enter at the main entrance. To improve shuttle access and turn-around times, designated shuttle waiting areas have been established for loading and unloading.

Experience Steamboat this season with a variety of winter vacation packages like Ski Free at Steamboat, which offers free skiing from Opening Day to Christmas Day when powderhounds book a minimum 3 nights lodging through Steamboat Central Reservations®. Steamboat Central Reservations, which represents the majority of the lodging properties in the area, offers a variety of packages and specials throughout the season. Call toll-free 800-922-2722 or visit steamboat.com for more information.

To stay up to date on Steamboat’s snow conditions visit steamboat.com, view the Mountain Cam, photo-of-the-day, movie archives and register to receive the Straight Talk Mountain Report. Snow conditions will be updated as conditions change and can be accessed by calling 970.879.7300 or steamboat.com.

Last season was one for the record books with more than 40 feet of Champagne Powder™ snow. With airfares dropping as fast as temperatures, don’t miss out on what is shaping up to be a fantastic season by taking advantage of the great values and special deals at Steamboat-Ski Town, U.S.A.®

In less than 20 days, Steamboat is scheduled to open Wednesday, November 26th with its traditional opening day benefit, Scholarship Day.

Steamboat is amazing. Last season was an epic winter, with the mountain receiving more than 500" of snow. The people are friendly, there is great terrain, and it's just a generally awesome place to be!

I do have to say, their park is pretty lacking compared to the other mountains in Colorado, but it's hard to complain when you're taking advantage of the rest of their terrain.