The Canyons will host the Canis Lupus Challenge, another event as part of Spring Grüv. In the old days, it was called The Natural (natural halfpipe) and the James Bond trail (for resembling a banked bobsled run). Call it what you will. Canis Lupus is a mile-long gulley that serves up banked walls, turn after turn and whoop-de-doos that will throw you off track if you are not prepared. There will be a few banked slalom gates at the top, then a "not-so-straight shot to the finish."

Event begins at 12:00pm. Cash Prizes for 1st Place! Registration will be limited to the first 75 entrants.

All pre-registered entrants must still arrive at Smokie's between 8:00am - 9:00am.

Event Schedule:
8:00am - 9:00am: Registration at Smokie's
10:30am - 11:45am: Course Inspection
11:45am: Riders' Meeting
12:00pm: Race Start
3:00pm: Awards on stage in the Resort Village

 More information at http://www.thecanyons.com/

The flat pan desert was laid out 35,000 below, deep red, burnt and cracked open as my plane banked towards the southwest desert that is New Mexico. Home to Nambe dish ware, the Zia sun symbol and one of four resorts that still bans snowboards on the mountain. Taos.  The locals who had dreamed of skiing forever without the attitude of the snowboard evaporated in December when the resort stated that they would be allowing the single planks on the mountain starting March 19, 2008.  Leaving three weeks to see where traffic is congested and improvements needed to make the transition smooth for the next full season.  The pioneer of snowboarding, Sherman Popper showed up for the ribbon cutting, joined by industry veterans, national magazines and reps from across the country.  The word has been out for months and both parties have been talking between themselves either venting or waiting for the day to ride.

Vocabulary Lessons

You can't be too careful these days.  Wrap your dome in a functional and stylish helmet from Smith. 

 http://www.skiutah.com/services/contests/contest.php?contest_idx=51

Forget Parks, Rails and Pipes: Travis Rice To Host 17 of World's Best Snowboarders in Test of Skill on Natural Terrain.

Quiksilver, the leading brand in boardriding, today announced that the inaugural "Quiksilver Natural Selection: All-Mountain Freestyle Invitational at Jackson Hole" snowboarding event will be held from January 30 to February 5, 2008 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. This innovative event is the brainchild of Quiksilver athlete and one of today's most versatile and accomplished snowboarders, Travis Rice, who envisioned a competition that removes the constructs of snow parks and half-pipes, and instead uses a natural-terrain course to bring out the best in riders' style and technique.

Travis, who is also an avid filmmaker, has posted a personal video announcement about the event here. To ensure fresh, untracked snow, the event extends over a seven-day holding period beginning on January 30, with the two days of actual competition to be determined by natural forces. The idea is to hold out for the best possible powder conditions so riders can carve fresh tracks. "We'll leave the course design to Mother Nature and let riders express themselves in an unpredictable measure of true, raw talent," said Travis. "To succeed here, riders must embrace the mountain on its own terms and get after it with respect, grace, artistry and fun. This is the return to the soul and roots of riding." According to Quiksilver CEO Bob McKnight, the event's goal is more than to simply showcase riding.

"This competition is about stripping away anything unnecessary, and exploring the basic, instinctual and powerful balance between mountain and rider," said McKnight. "Travis and the riders hope the Natural Selection will emphasize this aspect of the sport and return an organic, soulful approach to competition." 17 Riders - Seven Days - One Mountain While the event will feature an exclusive field of 17 riders handpicked by Travis coming together to test their skill in an all-natural setting, it's also an opportunity for the leaders of snowboarding culture to congregate in the name of fun.