G3 Skigraphiks Contest
Everyone who's ever strapped on a pair of skis has looked down at the graphics and wondered if they could design something better. Once again, thanks to Genuine Guide Gear, they have a chance to find out - and potentially win a free pair of the skis they design. Genuine Guide Gear is inviting aspiring and professional designers and artists to submit their designs for a new top sheet on a G3 ski. One winner will be chosen for each of three contest periods: January 15 - February 14; February 15 - March 14; and March 15 - April 14, 2010.
"SkiGraphiks is back by popular demand and we are excited to invite everyone to play," says Naheed Henderson, G3's Marketing Manager. "This year's contest is boosted by more opportunities to win," she continues, "and the judging of this year's entries will be influenced by votes from the online community." Pleasantly surprised by the high number of entrants from around the world last year, Henderson anticipates the return of this popular contest will attract even more design entries this year.
To enter the G3 Ski Graphic Challenge, participants can visit www.genuineguidegear.com and click on the SkiGraphiks icon to review details on how to play, submit entries, plus review and vote on all contest submissions. G3 will take the lead from public votes to choose a winner for each contest period. All three winners will be awarded a free pair of G3 Tonic or Zest skis, printed with their unique graphic. The first (February 14) winner will also claim a free pass to the Kootenay Coldsmoke Powder Festival in Nelson, BC from March 4 - 7, 2010, including lodging, where they will be awarded their custom skis during a Saturday night event at the festival.
"We believe that skiing is a form of creativity," says Henderson, "and the design and look of skis is part of that creativity. And because our new ski production facility enables us to deliver ski graphic customization, we want to give everyone the opportunity to win the thrill associated with having that one-of-a-kind pair they've designed."
G3 has partnered with VentureWeb, a digital marketing agency based in Squamish, British Columbia, to deliver this year's SkiGraphiks contest. Designers and builders of the recently launched www.genuineguidegear.com website, VentureWeb has enhanced this year's SkiGraphiks site by integrating social media to make the contest more engaging for everyone. Site visitors will be able to comment and rate individual entries. "We're really excited to be part of a contest which inspires creativity, design, and passion in the ski industry," says VentureWeb's James Morris, "and our team looks forward to seeing lots of positive energy in ski designs once the contest kicks off."
Genuine Guide Gear is a leader in the backcountry skiing industry. They design and manufacture innovative skis, bindings, and other backcountry gear for winter adventurers, including a line of products designed specifically for women skiers. The company is based in North Vancouver, British Columbia.
VentureWeb is digital marketing agency based in Squamish, British Columbia specializing in innovative solutions for tourism and adventure sports industries.
For more information about Genuine Guide Gear or the G3 SkiGraphiks Contest, contact Naheed Henderson at 604.924.9048.ext231 or email naheedh@genuineguidegear.com
King and Queen of Coldsmoke
We need to crown the King and Queen. So for all those King and Queen wannabes we have a comp for you, that could lead to mega prizes. What does it take to be the King and Queen of Coldsmoke?
First Step: sign up for all the comps, Four of them; a winter Quadruple Crown so to speak. When you sign on for the King and Queen of Coldsmoke Comp you in effect sign on for; 1) The ROAM Randonee Rally 2) Valhalla Pure Boondocks Booter, 3) SCARPA POKER RUN and 4) Gerick's Dually Banked Slalom.
Second Step: start and finish in all 4 events.
Third Step: show up at the Suunto Happy Hour, where we will announce the King and Queen.
We will figure out who they are by tallying up all the scores and times for the three competition events (SCARPA Poker Run is not a comp… but you have to finish it) Then in combining your scores in the all the events, we will award a King and Queen of Coldsmoke.
Prizes for King and Queen are, a Whitewater Seasons Pass for 2011, and an Arc'teryx Set-UP (Includes Arc'teryx Gore Jacket and Pants of Winners choice, and Softshell Jacket of Winners choice). Prizes from our other sponsors will be up for grabs as well.
ROAM Randonnee Rally
Saturday March 6, 2010 | 9:00am
Back by popular demand and an athletes desire to burn lots of calories, the 4th annual ROAM Randonnee Rally - A Ski Mountaineering Race in the heart of the Kootenays. Token Kootenay terrain makes this a fun, scenic and challenging course.
We will have a wide range of categories
- Race
- Men
- Women
- Vet (50+)
- Recreational
- Men
- Women
- Vet (50+)
- Splitboard Rec. (A race division will be added with sufficient interest)
- Men
- Women
- Vet (50+)
This race will be used as one of the National Team Selection races (link) for the Canadian National ski mountaineering team, and it will be a part of the COSMIC Race series (link).
Race Meeting Time - Friday March 5th -5:00 PM - ROAM Shop - 639 Baker Street Nelson BC. 250-354-2056
Race Sign-on - Saturday March 6th 8:00 am Whitewater Resort-Cold Smoke/Mountain Gear Information tent
Race Start Time - Saturday March 6th -9:00 am by the bag piper at Whitewater Resort
Categories
Open Men's and Open Women's and Vet (50+) - Approximately 4500 Feet of Vertical Gain
Recreational Men's and Recreational Women's and Vet(50+) - Approximately 2000 Vertical Gain
- A 457 kHz avalanche transceiver which will be checked between 30 - 45 minutes before the official time of the start. It must be worn under the clothing for the full duration of the race and be in working order if/when checked at the finish.
- Skins for ascending. No snowshoes. Booting is only allowed where specified.
- An avalanche shovel with a minimum blade size 8" x 8" that has not been modified once manufactured.
- An avalanche probe. Minimum length 200 cm.
- Skis with metal edges or a split board. 160cm minimum for men, 150cm for women
- A backpack of 20 litres minimal.
- Helmets. Must be worn properly.
- Safety straps or brakes as required.
Course Description (routes will be flagged for reference on race day)
Open Coruse Option 1 (avalanche conditions permitting) : Competitors start at the day lodge and head up the Quartz ski way for about 500m to the bottom of Huckleberry trail where you de-skin for the first time descending about 150m until reaching Cat's Paw Nordic trail. Here you traverse along for 1 km staying to the Right when ascending up Evening Ridge Nordic trail, then ascend apx. 2000' up into the trees in a North Easterly direction to the top of White Queen Mtn. Here competitors de-skin and descend along the ridge heading East making a couple small ascents along the ridge until reaching the junction point where competitors descend the steep southerly aspect down Goat Slide trees into the bottom of Ymir Bowl keeping right until heading back into the ski area boundary. Continue down Sluice Box keeping left until reaching the connector to Lower Motherlode junction point where you skin up another 1300' until reaching the top of Motherlode, then competitors traverse around Powder Keg bowl half way until reaching the boot pack, here you would start a short 100m boot pack to the ridge, then a gradual ascent to the East behind Catch Basin and Prospector Bowl for another 1.5 km until you reach the col at West Ymir. Here you de-skin and descend into Ymir bowl keeping to the skiers right until you reach the creek following it until you enter back into the ski area boundary and down to the base area and into the meadow to the finish line. Apx 4200+ vertical gain over 7 km.
Open Course Option 2 : Competitors start at the day lodge and head up the Quartz ski way for about 500m to the bottom of Huckleberry trail where you de-skin for the first time descending about 150m until reaching Cat's Paw Nordic trail. Here you traverse along for 1 km staying to the Right when ascending up Evening Ridge Nordic trail, then ascend apx. 2000' up into the trees in a North Easterly direction to the top of White Queen Mtn. Here competitors de-skin and descend along the ridge heading East making a couple small ascents along the ridge until reaching the junction point where competitors descend the steep southerly aspect down Goat Slide trees into the bottom of Ymir Bowl keeping right until heading back into the ski area boundary. Continue down Sluice Box keeping left until reaching the connector to Lower Motherlode junction point where you skin up another 1300' until reaching the top of Motherlode, then competitors traverse around Powder Keg bowl half way until reaching the boot pack. Here you would start a short 100m boot pack to the ridge, then skin up to the west along the ridge until you reach the top, then de-skin and ski down the Elevator to the N looking towards the top of Summit chair, once you reach the lower 1/3 of that slope you traverse to the E through the trees to the bottom Blasters Ridge/top of Motherlode and continue down to the base area and across finish line. Apx. 4000' vertical gain over 5.5 km.
Recreational Course: Recreational competitors start at the day lodge and tour to the North up the Quartz ski way until reaching the corner. Here you continue along the ski way heading East to the top of Silverking chair and out of bounds continuing up to the ridge top for a 1500' ascent . Next, traverse along the ridge to the East until reaching Goat Slides trees where you de-skin and descend the steep southerly aspect down Goat Slide trees into the bottom of Ymir Bowl keeping right until heading back into the ski area boundary. Continue down Sluice Box keeping left until reaching the connector to Lower Motherlode junction point where you skin up another 1300' until reaching the top of Motherlode, then competitors de-skin and descend down to the base area into the meadow and into the meadow to across the finish line. Apx. 2800' vertical gain over 3.5 km
MAP coming soon!
*** Price Does Not Include Lift Ticket ***
Valhalla Pure Powderkeg Slopestyle
Saturday March 6, 2010 | 11:00am
A first of its kind organic timed slope style. It's organic cause; firstly you have to earn your turns, secondly you are using the natural setting and you do your tricks on descent off of the natural features and pillows. Designed with all those Nelson local huckers in mind. The Powderkeg Booter is a new venture which features a combined uphill/downhill, timed run. A short boot pack up, then down through the natural terrain park known as Powderkeg.
OK, so picture this, you're a competitor in the start gate. You hear the count down and you're off on 200 foot boot pack up to the top of the Powderkeg run. The hike up is timed though, so you gotta go fast. You sweat your way through the boot pack, get to the top, catch your breath, let the official know you're ready to drop in. You pick your line and launch off the top, you look for the natural features of the run and anything goes. Switch 720, Misty 900s, and I bet the judges will even dig an old school daffy! You get to the cat track/finish line. The judges rally to tally their scores. Yahoo! Catch your breath… get ready for your second run, and do it all over again.
This is a cool event for snowboarders, skiers and telemarkers will go head to head and compete against each other. There is no segregation on how you get down. Each participant will get two runs for a total opportunity to earn 175 points. Your first run is worth 100 points. 25 of those points will be given in terms of speed up the boot pack. The fastest one to reach the ridge will get a full 25 points, second fastest 20 points, and then on. On the descent you will be rated with a total of 75 points per run. The second run will be worth 75 points for your descent only, as there will not be a race to the top on our second run. Descent points will be awarded based on fluidity (max 25 per run), difficulty (max 25 per run), and landing (max 25 per run). The coolest runs of the day will win!
Categories:
- Open
- Men
- Women
- Masters (35+)
- Youth (13-18)
- Junior (7-12)
Comp Meeting Time - Friday March 5th - 5:00 PM - Valhalla Pure Outfitters - 626 Baker Street Nelson BC. 250-354-1006
Comp Sign-on - Saturday March 6th - 10:00 am Whitewater Resort-Cold Smoke/Mountain Gear Information tent
Comp Start Time - Saturday March 6th - 11:00am 1st Runs, 2:00pm-ish 2nd runs
Equipment
Required equipment:
- Skis, boots poles if you're a skier and boots and a board if you're a rider. Clothes are optional.
- Helmets are mandatory
To be determined. Check back soon!
*** Price Does Not Include Lift Ticket ***
SCARPA Poker Run 2010 - 5 Card STUUUUUD!
Sunday March 7, 2010 | 9:00am
A ski tour that's really a poker game that's really a ski tour, that's really not a race.
Here is how it goes: Hook up with a buddy(teams of two), and ski tour along a predetermined course via map, stop in at the 5 check points and get your ID card stamped.
Get to the finish and hand in your ID card. You will draw cards for every check point you made it to. In the end and the top 3 hands win. OK… maybe some can race for the fastest team gets a 6th wild card. In case of a tie, we will cut he deck, highest card wins.
All decisions made by the hard-ass judges are Final! Latest possible return time: 2:00 pm. Winners will be announced at 4:00 pm at the Suunto Happy hour. You must be present to win.
Here is what you are after…
- High Card: In a poker hand with no winning combinations of cards, the high card wins. That card is determined by the ranking above.
- One Pair: Two cards of the same value with three extra cards that do not combine in any desirable way.
- Two Pair: Two pairs of cards with the same value each pair having a different value. One extra card is present.
- Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same value with the remaining two cards not combining in any desirable way.
- Straight: Five cards of sequential value and differing "suits" (spades, clubs, hearts or diamonds).
- Flush: Five cards of the same suit that are not all sequential.
- Full House: Three cards of one value, and two cards of another value.
- Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same value with one extra card present.
- Straight Flush: Five sequential cards of the same suit.
- Royal Flush: A Straight Flush that consists of the five highest value cards, 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace.
Winning team - each team member gets; a pair of SCARPA Ski boots of their choice; an ARCTERYX Gore-Tex Jacket of their choice
Will be awards from SCARPA and other sponsors for 2nd and 3rd place too. But really everyone's a winner cause there will be draw prizes and beer drinking too!
*** Price Does Not Include Lift Ticket ***
IMPORTANT: This event leaves the ski area boundary, all participants will be required to carry avalanche safety equipment at all times
Gerick's Banked Slalom
Sunday March 7, 2010 | 12:00pm
What was once the Gericks Telemark cup has become the Gerick's Banked Slalom Open. The Kootenays have never been known for exclusion, and given how friendly telemarkers are, Gericks decided to open it up, and let all sliders into this feat of an event.
The race is a two up format, timed event. The course is a gauntlet of banks, rollers and a mix of GS and slalom gates that will be a speed labyrinth for all; skiers, snowboarders and Telemarkers alike.
The winner of each category has the lowest combined time of the two runs. Also tradition holds that we will be giving prizes away for dress to impress, so we will really see who is the man, woman or transgendered athlete in each category.
Sign up on line (link to registration) Pre registration is $25.00 on line before March 4th or $35.00 after on March 5th or on the morning of. The race will be underway by 1pm. Prizes to follow at the Suunto Happy Hour.
Categories:
Ski
Jr. mens/ladies
Novice mens/ladies
Open mens/ladies
Snowboard
Jr. mens/ladies
Novice mens/ladies
Open mens/ladies
Tele
Jr. mens/ladies
Novice mens/ladies
Open mens/ladies
*** Price Does Not Include Lift Ticket ***
Cold Shot Foto Face-Off, Winter Digital Photogs Unite
Friday May 14, 2010 | 7:00pm
ARC'TERYX, Kootenay Mountain Culture Magazine and Mountain Gear are proud to present the Cold Shot Foto Faceoff, a first of its kind winter sports photography contest for the Kootenays.
WHAT IS THE FOTO FACE OFF?
Five infamous photographers, and their chosen athletes, will be shooting for the four days leading up to the gala dinner and slide show presentation night. Past comps have hosted image makers like; namely Jordan Manley, Kari Medig, Steve Ogle, Bryan Ralph, and more.
WHEN?
During the 4th annual Kootenay Cold smoke festival, March 5-7, 2009. Slide shows will be shown during the Cold Smoke Buff-eh on the night of March 6th at the Mary Hall at Selkirk College. 820 Tenth Street, Nelson B.C. Doors open at 7:00 pm. Tickets available on-line as part of the Buff-EH, Foto Face-off, and Crazy Rager Afterparty or at the Whitewater Downtown office.
Tickets included in the festival package pricing or bought separately for $50.00. Price includes Cold Smoke Buff-eh (mmmm… food, lots of food), Cold Shot Foto Face-off and then raging tunes with an assortment of local DJs 'til the wee hours.
WHAT'S AT STAKE?
Besides Cold Smoke Foto Phenon fame, there are incredible prizes and cold hard cash to be won.
Invited Photographers:
COLD SHOT DETAILS
What it is
The five chosen photographers will be given 4 days to shoot and produce a 3-5 minute digital slide show set to fitting music. The dates set to shoot and produce a slide show are from 12:00 AM March 2nd until 10:00 AM March 6th 2010. Produced slide shows (pass in on a hard drive or a playable DVD) must be turned in by 10:00 am on the morning of March 6th 2010 at the Whitewater Resort Downtown office. We will show each slide show at the Cold Smoke Buff-eh starting around 8:30 P.M. $3000.00 cash and prizes are up for grabs for the top photography and slide shows. The slide shows will be judged, awarding the top 3. Also we will be giving away a people's choice award.
How
Images used with-in your slide show must be taken in the Kootenays. Let's just say you can get images anywhere from between Fernie to Grand Forks (east to West) and Galena Bay to the US border (north to South). Photos must be taken between March 2-6 2010. Photographers may be asked to show an image's meta-data to prove the images authenticity in relation to the contest rules and timelines. We won't ask for GPS co-ordinates of each image but if shots of the Eiffel Tower end up in your show then we will know you weren't listening to the criterion. Once these photographers have gathered up, edited, and compiled their good images, they will put them together in a slide show and set it to music. The final product of all this work is to provide a DVD that is playable in a simple DVD player. The software you use to produce the slide show is up to you. iPhoto, Pro-show Producer, Pro-Show Gold, Final Cut, Adobe Premiere, are all recommended, as long as you can output a DVD for us to play on a DVD player.
Themes
The theme of the contest is Winter Kootenay Mountain Culture, and images should revolve around this. Of course this theme is pretty open ended, but ideas for subjects might include: skiing, snowboarding, porcupines, mountains, snow, people (with or without facial hair, doing crazy things or simply having fun… or maybe not having fun), dogs, beer, air, dreamy snowscapes, oatmeal, sausages , clouds… really the sky is the limit, so let your creative prowess flow in the creation of this slide show.
Judging
We will have a professional panel of judges including; noted photographer and editor of Kootenay Mountain Culture Magazine Peter Moynes, renowned Fotog Bryce Duffey, and ARC'TERYX Creative Director Tom Duguid. Contestants will be judged on their technical ability to produce consistently great images that are creative, and unique. Good composition, artistic use of both natural or artificial light and produce images that exemplify Winter Kootenay Mountain Culture.
