Volcom Avalanche 2009 – El Colorado

While riding and coaching with some Evolve Chile campers in the park here in Valle Nevado yesterday I overheard something about a Chinese Downhill going down later that day at the next resort over, El Colorado. I decided that I would have to go check it out, so made the traverse from Valle Nevado to El Colorado. Being as I haven’t learned to speak much spanish yet I figured it would be an adventure at the very least. After making it to the base of El Colorado I managed to get registered, along with the other 180 ski and snowboard participants. It was difficult finding out exactly where the route for the race would be, but I got off the chairlift and saw a skier immidiately hit a tuck, weaving between families, out for some afternoon turns, so I followed. Well it turns out skiers are quite a bit faster than snowboarders, go figure. He lost me before the bottom, but I got the general idea of the route and new it would be an exciting race.

It started at 5:00pm, as the mountain closed, with the skiers and they were out in full force. There were over a hundred skiers ready to go fast, some more ready then others, with full speed suits and 220+ sized skis. I was a little worried about how the start would be announced, given the language barrier, lucky for me it was just an airhorn that was used to get things started. From the top it looked insane with a few skiers out in front in full tucks drafting off each other, with a giant swarm of over a hundred skiers following behind. I was so pumped up at this point and knew this would be a race unlike anything I have ever seen or participated in before. So there we all were, about 80 snowboarders, spread out over the 100 meter starting line. The airhorn sounded and I jumped out as hard as I could and went straight into a tuck. After the chaotic bum rush onto the slope I was in one of the top couple spots and immediately started drafting behind the rider in front of me. It was a super long run, almost 2 miles, from top to bottom, and two local Chilean riders, Iñaki, Tomas and I were in a heated battle all passing each other swapping first, second and third several times before making it to the bottom. I was in third while heading into the final stretch, where there were the only two sharp turns in the course, and my magnatraction helped me to get into the number one spot coming out of the turns, holding it through the finish line.

Damn was I stoked, it was the fastest most exhilarating race I’d ever experienced, and my heart was pumping and lungs burning. In all the excitement it dawned on me that I was now stuck here at the base of this mountain. My hotel was up over the mountain in the valley on the other side, the chairlifts were all closed and it was a twenty minute drive up crazy switchbacks and I knew nobody with a car. The awards were cool, there was a DJ bumping beats and the place, El Montane, was packed with local mountain folk having a good time. I walked away with a new surfboard, 100 Mil ($200 US) and a case of Redbull, oh yeah and a beer shower, something similair to when people spray champagne on eachother. It was worse though some dude just threw two full beers in my face, at first I thought maybe it was the local tradition but the homie Porodo later informed me it was a little hostility toward my gringo ass from some bummed local; it was all good though.

Now stuck soaked in beer, with all my snowboard gear and a surfboard, I was pretty helpless. I luckily had meet some guys, Danny from the US who was staying with a local Chilean, Porodo and they were both super cool. Porodo tried finding me a ride back to Valle Nevado, with no luck offered to let me crash at his spot just a minute walk away. It was cool, we headed back to his spot after the awards, where he cooked up some bomber BBQ and was just super chill and hospitable. I had just meet them an hour or two before but snowboarders are, a lot of the time, just homies by association. I hitched a ride back in the morning and meet back up with the Evolve Chile crew for another good day riding Valle Nevado.

Evolve Chile Freeride Camp- Surf Edit

Coaching at Evolve Chile Freeride Camp has been so epic. We took a couple days off from shredding the snow and took it to the water. It was so sick to get a little surfing in between riding two amazing mountains, Termas and Valle Nevado. I also rode my first legit face on a short board, stoked to get out and do some more surfing when I get back home.

Home Sweet Home

Here’s a little vid featuring my bro Aaron, some good homies, and I riding at my home mountain last year. I love Montana! Hope you enjoy.

Think Thank´s ¨Cool Story¨ Drops August 18th

Think Thank´s new vid ¨Cool Story¨ was premiered twice up at Mt. Hood last month, for both HCSC and Windells. The flick turned out dope and everyone I talked to was super pumped on it. Make sure to get your copy when it hit´s the shelves on August 18th.

¨Cool Story¨ action hereos Jesse Burtner and Jason Robinson

Jesse ¨Birdman¨ Burtner

Jibbing at Valle Nevado

Here´s what you do while waiting for the snow to fly down here in Valle Nevado. A snowstorm rolled in this afternoon and if it keeps up we´ll be shredding some good pow tomorrow.

People Crew at Snoqualmie

Here´s an edit from People Creative riding Summit at Snoqualmie. Make sure to get their new flick ¨Nice Try¨

First Day in Valle Nevado

The Andes are off the hook. The drive up to Valle Nevado from Santiago was insane. Amazing views, sketchy drivers going fast on the steepest, most windey switchbacks ever. Once at the mountain it feels like you´re in another world, the peaks and valleys look sureal. The lodge is on the edge of the best looking slope to ride, that goes down far into the valley below, with the ski resort rising up high above on the other side. Everywhere you look there are huge snow covered peaks, many prime to shred in the right conditions. It was really windy and the snow was hardpack so after a little exploring we decided to just play around in the park, which was fun. Hopefully it will snow while I´m here and we´ll be able to take advantage of all this amazing terrain.

Please Spay and Neuter Your Pets

I´m with Bob Barker on this one; please spay and neuter your pets. Here in the streets of Chile there are crazy amounts of stray dogs. In the two weeks that I´ve been here I have literally seen over a hundred strays. Many seem happy and even appear to have other dog companions that they roam around with in search for food and shelter. Others are less fortunate and are obviously sick or injured, or both.

How The Northwest Was One – Teaser 2

The Northwest snowboard scene is snowboarding at it´s finest. Check out the new teaser from the Wild Card crew. These guys are the Northwest.

The Radisson is Rad Son

We are taking a little break from the riding the mountains, here on the beach in Concon. We`ve done a little surfing the past couple days which has been super fun, despite today being a bit cold. Staying at the Radisson has been; well pretty rad. Today I saw a seal doing some fishing, while I was chilling in my room. The pool/spa is so tight, it`s filled with 85 degree salt water, which was new for me, but so soothing and peaceful. The views are spectacular and the place is straight pimped out. Check it out for yourself below.

- Virtual tour of the pool/spa
- Virtual tour of the lobby
- Virtual tour of the exterior