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

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

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

(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

Sage was rocking Rossignol and rocking it well for the last couple years. The Rossignol S7 complemented the way Sage skis and gave him the tools to confidently ski the biggest lines in Alaska. Now it looks like he will be rocking a pair of Atomic Bent Chetlers, but for how long? Because of the magnitude of this move there might just be a new Mr. Cattabriga-Alosa pro model ski in the near future. Only time will tell. For now we will ponder the fate of Rossignol and patently wait for new media from Atomic. Congrats Sage.

READ THE PRESS RELEASE

PK Hunder is finally back to his crazy life. So stoked that his neck is feeling better and he is skiing again. I wish I had a gym like the one in the video. It looks like such a fun time. Watch the video of the gym and the other of an early season ski day.
Watch the PK Hunder Videos

After years of sitting on the ColbyJamesWest.com URL, the man, the myth, yep Mr. West launched one bad ass website. So stoked that he came out swinging. I should not say anymore. Just go visit ColbyJamesWest.com.

Grete Eliassen, one of the most recognizable woman freeskiers in the world has been working for the past two years on a new video project titled, Say My Name. Grete is juggling school, the life of a professional skier, and to say the least some amazing causes. From being a representative of female athletes to visiting troops in Iraq this girl shines in so many ways. I am not sure how she does it. If you follow her on Twitter you find out quite quickly that she is an incredibly hard worker. There is nothing this girl cannot do. Check out the trailer and follow her on twitter.

Watch Say My Name Teaser

Grete Eliassen Twitter

Tom Wallisch. photo: Esteve Munmany

Russ Henshaw took number one at the first annual Barcelona Snow Show this weekend in Spain. It was a show down of double corks but that is what gets you paid these days. The video montage says it all. The setup looked awesome and with a 115 foot tall drop in there was no lack of speed. The only issue seemed to be the landing which didn’t hold up after a couple crashes. The event rolled on with Russ, Elias, and Tom killing it in the finals.
Results:
1. Russ Henshaw | 2. Elias Ambuhl | 3. Tom Wallisch | 4. TJ Schiller | 5. Andreas Håtveit | 6. Jon Olsson
7. Paddy Graham | 8. Patrick Hollaus | 9. Benedikt Mayr | 10. Noah Albaladejo

Watch the Barcelona Snow Show Video

Sounds like Jon has figured out how to choose the best riders in Europe to represent at the Jon Olsson Super Sessions for 2010. Who will be in the top spots? Will they be indeed the best? I am stoked to see how the rookies do. I think this will make the event better than ever. Read the entire press release.

So I think its about time to release some info about JOSS 2010.

I thought that I would start by announcing how Team Europe will be put together. This is not an easy task, no matter how I do it there will be discussions whether it was the right guys that got in. So I decided to go with a simple and fair formula, I want the best skiers to represent Team Europe at JOSS and I feel that this is the right way. READ MORE ABOUT 2010 JOSS