We are so stoked to hear that Grete is going to be part of the impressive Volkl FreeSki Team. Leaving Head Skis after such a great stretch in her career had to be hard. She should feel at home with teammates Ingrid Backstrom, Dylan Hood, and JF Houle. I am excited to see what she will be able to accomplish with a pair of the new Volkl Chopsticks. Stay tuned for updates on Grete’s new movie “Say My Name“.

Grete Eliassen Volkl Press Release

Everyone could use some organizational help, but skiers are notorious for being especially messy. Maybe it’s the wax scrapings all over our floor, or the gloves, hats and goggles strewn about to dry out, but for whatever reason skiers get a bad wrap for being disorderly.

In an effort to help you clean up, we’ve searched high and low for the best quality wall-mounted ski rack available. Check out our review of the winner after the break (or if you’re the impatient type, just go purchase one right now).

I really hate to report bad news, especially this kinda news. Freeski legend, CR Johnson has passed away today while skiing at Squaw Valley. As reported by FreeSkier Mag he was dropping a cliff at the Light Towers and went over the front on the landing. This sent him over the rocks leading with his head and neck. Ski patrol responded quickly but details of his condition at that point have yet to be released.

Peace be with the Johnson family and friends in this time of great distress. Our thoughts go out to the entire ski industry who will be deeply saddened by CR’s death. RIP

We heard some bad news over the weekend; a rider at our local area was killed in a terrain park accident. While the full details have yet to be released, it is clear is that he died of a severe head trauma, and that he wasn’t wearing a helmet.

Our thoughts go out to his family for their untimely loss, and let this be an all too real reminder that if you’re not wearing a helmet, you should be.  Look, there are hundreds of different helmet styles at varying prices from expensive to cheap from all of the major manufacturers, so there’s really no reason for you not to be wearing one.  Even the pros are doing it, so go pick one up that matches your style, and wear it, it’s the cool thing to do.

Go Helmet Shopping Now!

Put your skis away because TJ Schiller just closed down the sport of free skiing for the next couple of years. Last night at Winter X Games 10 Ski Big Air, TJ landed a double corked 1620. Yes that is correct, 1620. He just ruined the sport by progressing it way too fast. Because of an awesome couple of jumps by Bobby Brown, TJ had to settle for the silver but I am not sure he is that bent about it. WOW!
WATCH TJ SCHILLER’S 1620 X GAMES VIDEO

Results:
1) Bobby Brown – 100
2) TJ Schiller – 95
3) Elias Ambuhl – 90
4) Russ Henshaw – 89
5) Jossi Wells – 89

Day 1 is over and so are the X games for a couple unfortunate professional skiers. Since only the top 8 move up, the men’s slopestyle finals are going to be packed with the best. I wasn’t really impressed with the double flipping straight rail riding competition today. I am stoked to see Sammy and Tom throw down with more style Saturday. Check out the Skiing Slopestyle Men’s Final on ESPN 2 this Saturday, January 30 at 4 pm- 6 pm.

The women’s slopestyle field was quite a bit smaller so the finals were held today. Kaya Turski, Keri Herman, and Grete Eliassen rounded out the top 3 with no real surprises.

Men’s 2010 X Games Slopestyle Elimination Results:
(Top 8 Make it to Finals)
1 Andreas Hatveit, 2 Bobby Brown, 3 Russ Henshaw, 4 Sammy Carlson, 5 Tom Wallisch, 6 Phil Casabon, 7 Jossi Wells, 8 Matt Walker, 9 JF Houle, 10 Jacob Wester, 11 Elias Ambuhl, 12 Charles Gagnier, 13 Alexis Godbout, 14 TJ Schiller, 15 PK Hunder, 16 Colby West

Women’s 2010 X Games Slopestyle Final Results:
1 Kaya Turski, 2 Keri Herman, 3 Grete Eliassen, 4 Ashley Battersby, 5 Megan Olenick, 6 Sarah Burke, 7 Kristi Leskinen

Ture Lillegraven

Bad news already at winter X Games 14. Skier Simon Dumont was injured at the end of super pipe practice Tuesday morning. From what I have read it sounds like he misjudged a double flip and bounced all the way down to the flat bottom. Don’t you worry fans, Simon was checked out by medical staff and is said to be ready… for a day off and some good old fashion rest. Mr. Dumont is still scheduled to compete in Friday’s Big Air, Saturday’s SuperPipe, and Sunday’s SuperPipe High Air. I am hoping for a speedy recovery since Simon is my pick to win the newest event, Super Pipe Big Air.
READ THE EXPN ARTICLE

There is a new event for half pipe skiers at Winter X Games 14. Skiing SuperPipe High Air will feature the top six skiers in the world competing in a 30-minute jam format for highest air. Sounds like Simon Dumont will have no problems with this one. Should be a good show.Click Here For Winter X Games 14 TV Schedule
Thursday, January 28
12 pm- 3 pm Skiing Slopestyle Men’s Elimination (ESPN 2)
1 pm- 2 am X Center (ESPN 2)
2 am- 3 am Day 1 Latenight (ESPN 2)

Friday, January 29
12 pm- 3 pm Skiing Slopestyle Women’s Final (tape), Skier X Seeding Men’s & Women’s (ESPN 2)
7 pm- 11 pm Skiing SuperPipe Women’s Final, Skiing Big Air (ESPN)
12 am- 1 am X Center (ESPN 2)
1 am- 2 am Day 2 Latenight (ESPN 2)

Saturday, January 30
4 pm- 6 pm Skiing Slopestyle Men’s Final (ESPN 2)
12 am- 1 am X Center (ESPN 2)
1 am- 2 am Day 3 Latenight (ESPN 2)

Sunday, January 31
12 pm – 5:30 pm Skier X Men’s & Women’s Finals, Mono Skier X Final (ESPN)
7 pm- 10 pm Skiing SuperPipe Men’s Final, Skiing SuperPipe High Air (ESPN 2)
10 pm- 11 pm X Center (ESPN 2)
1:30 am- 2:30 am Day 4 Latenight (ESPN 2)

*Times and events listed are Eastern Time (ET) and are subject to change.

Via: EXPN.com

Skier: Dylan Hood Photo: Peter Morning

The Nimbus crew heads south for the winter and sure enough they find it. With a solid group of skiers and a couple Go Pro Cameras these guys are going to have some rad edits available for viewing soon. Photographer Peter Morning has also joined the boys to get some still pics. With a projected storm total at Mammoth of over 10 feet it shouldn’t be hard to get some amazing shots in the deep deep pow.

Something to mention is the fact that two new faces have joined the crew in Cali. Christian Sirianni is originally from Australia but has moved his residence to Mammoth with a mission to slay. Sharing a love of the K2 Hellbent Skis with Andy Mahre should help him fit right in. The other new face is that of Volkl Team Skier, Dylan Hood. Dylan moved to Oregon a couple years ago and was able to connect with Eric Pollard since they both ski Mt. Hood Meadows. After filming with Teton Gravity Research for the past couple years it will be awesome to see his skills pasted to the creative forefront that only Nimbus can deliver. Keep an eye out for Dylan Hood’s new website that is coming soon. Also check NimbusIndependent.com and ChrisBenchetler.com for new edits as they are become available.

(SEATTLE) K2 skis has added industry icon JT Holmes to its stable of athletes and will join legendary skiers Mike Hattrup, Reggie and Zach Crist, Kip Garre, Andrew McLean and Martin Volken to it’s BackSide Team. JT will be actively involved in product development of the “Side” skis (Darkside, Sidestash and Hardside), to ensure these skis continue to fit the style and performance needs of the big mountain skier.

“It’s a natural fit for JT to be on K2’s. His personality and style reflect everything that K2 is about and we are looking forward to getting him involved with the development of our BackSide products,” says Global Marketing Manager, Mike Gutt. “JT brings the team a youthful outlook and most importantly resonates with skiers who have been watching his skills and style over the past decade.”

Says Holmes on joining the K2 crew, “K2’s Backside series of skis are perfectly suited to my style. I ski forward, so I don’t need a twin tip. I enjoy clean landings. I need versatility. I spend a lot of time hiking in the backcountry, and both utility and weight are important factors that K2 addresses with the Backside series.”READ THE PRESS RELEASE