Nov 23, 2010

BYRON: BOARDS, BABES AND BEACHES

I have just returned back to Melbourne from my home away from home- the Beautiful Byron Bay. I try and make it there about five times a year, always trips to recharge and see family and friends. I call it my HAPPY PLACE. 


While I was there I went to Mum's place in Lennox Head, a quiet version of Byron bay about 15 minutues drive out of town, it's a sleepy surf town with a great break and only a handful of shops and a cool old pub! It has a great break, so If surf is average elsewhere, Lennox point is a cool place to be. Locals dominate in the world wide competition, with many annual competitions like the Rusty Gromfest and an all girls event being held there too.


If your looking for the complete lifestyle package; a beautiful town, chilled out surf culture, great food and down to earth towns people, look no further than Byron Bay, NSW.


Home of McTavish surfboards, and the famous most easterly point of Australia, where Dolphins swim through the waves at ease amongst the surfers. The Pass, Wategoes, and Tallows beaches are all epic surfing locations that on most days will not disappoint!








Nov 11, 2010

VAIL MADNESS



I was lucky enough to spend two weeks At Vail, and boy was I blown AWAY!
It has 7 miles of mountain front, 7 back bowls, 3 terrain parks, 300 days of sunshine a year.
Boasts 5289 acres to explore during summer or winter seasons. Vail mountain is the ultimate place to shred or ski!

I tried and tested all 3 terrain parks, and discovered that Vail has all you could ask for in terms of variety and caters for all skill levels.
Under the Eagle barn chair is the beginner park which is named Bwana and Pride Terrain Park.
Then there is also the landing pad, located in Golden Peak under the Riva Bahn chair. This is a really great place for safe learning as it has been engineered for you to ride the trick out and if you land on your feet and it absorbs your impact if you don’t.
Best of all is the Golden peaks Park, which is located in Golden Peak village under the Riva Bahn, chair 6.

This has a 450' Superpipe, kink and straight rails, boxes (C box), snow features, a 24' disco box, battleship, Water tank jib, hip jump and a pretty high wall ride! There are also the big jumps with 30', 40' and 50' step down jumps.

Located just below the Superpipe there are small to medium jumps, which are great for practicing tricks, a learning line of box top rails, and short steel rails. which perfectly suits my riding abilty! Last but not least there is a 13' mini pipe. HELLS YES!



Nov 10, 2010

ASPEN- HELLS YES!


Aspen is made up of four of the most incredible Mountains to Ride and Ski:
SNOWMASS
ASPEN
BUTTERMILK
HIGHLANDS

I was in Aspen when the X games were kicking off, and Buttermilk was the place to be!
Buttermilk hosts the ESPN Winter X Games and being voted #1 by Transworld Snowboarding Magazine Reader’s Poll for best park and pipe.
And in the anticipation to the event I couldn’t help but wonder if Shaun White will dominate and take out the Mens Competition in the 22 foot super pipe final.
Womens Superpipe contest is a little harder to judge who will come out on top.
Hannah Teter, local lady Gretchen Bleiler or Kelly Clark could all take out the prize.

I won’t be around to watch the Mens Ski Superpipe but if it’s anything like last years performance I wouldn’t be surprised if Tanner Hall dominates again.
I’ve always enjoyed watching Nate Holland in the Boardercross as he has killed it the last 5 years in a row. I hope he gets up!
View from the top- EPIC.
The town's not too shabby either.
If your in the Aspen village be sure to check out The Little Nell for an afternoon après-ski scene where you can do some celeb spotting and it wont hurt to stay on for some cosy late night drinks either!

Other places to check out are 39 Degrees at Sky Hotel , Eric's bar, Paradise bakery for the BEST bakery treats and fresh lemonade going round town.
Be sure that you ride on the Snowmass or Buttermilk if your a boarder, don't make the mistake I made as a first timer to Aspen and ride on their 'precious snow' at the Aspen Mountain. You will be hanging your head between your legs, as you are the only one on the gondola carrying a board.