It was a cold evening in Vail Colorado for the 2008 Vail Snow Daze Rail Jam, With activities beginning shortly after 4 pm there was a great deal to see at this contest. The field was split into Amateur and Pro with the winners of the am division getting a shot to shread with the hot shots. The beginning of the event was a great show the amateur guys and gals killed it out there. As seen below Beaver Creek local Ben “Bennie” Hernreich cleans the dub-kink down flat down to catch the judges eyes.

and after doing so was very stoked (also referred to as excited)

The Skiers were also destroying the features at this years contest seen below locals “Coop Dawg” and “Johnny Blaze”show their skills on the down flat down rail, sooo much steeze!!!

After an hour of the amateurs killing it it came to be that The Rodriquez Brothers stood atop the amateur podium and moved into the finals. Ricky Rodriquez was standing a lil’ taller than his little brother today as the box for 1st was about 4 inches higher than 2nd.

above are the before victory shots of Billy and Ricky Rodriquez the looked just as stoked after they killed it out there.

The pro division was dominated by local pro Andrew “Droid” Steward, who was flipping off the Y-Rail at the bottom of the course and pressing his board in to all sorts of crazy contortions before spinning like a top back down to the snow. It really was a sight to see last Wednesday night as a variety of really incredible riders went at it for the number one spot. these riders included John Spriggs, Pat Milbury, Dave Lesh, James McCotter, Rob Bak, and many many others.

Seen below Billy Rodriquez is “handing the key to the city” to Andrew Steward

Andrew steward ended up winning the contest and his share of the 3000 dollars up for grabs. The Vail Valley local says he is looking forward to the rest of the season – “I don’t care what happens as long as I get to shread” – Andrew “Droid” Steward

The Vail Valley Challenge Cup will be held in the Vail Valley August 4th & 5th, 2008. The 2008 tournament will be the eighth consecutive year for the event. All USYSA non-premier teams (U11 through U14) and all U10 boys and girls teams are encouraged to compete in this Colorado event. All teams will play a minimum of three games. All teams have been given permission by CYS and WSSL to rearrange their league games to attend this Tournament.

Lodging for this event is open this year with teams being allowed to book directly at the condominium property or hotel of their choice. Properties such as Beaver Creek West in Avon (adjacent to the Avon fields) is one such option.

For additional information see http://www.vailsoccer.com

The 2008 Honda Sessions were rockin!! What fun to see all these pros competing for the $90,000 in combined prize money! The way it works is that each competitor gets as many runs as they can fit in 90 minutes, each going back to back against the person before them in order. In the end, only one run counts, so one perfect run is all you need to take home $35,000 first place bucks, ultimately claimed by Andreas Wiig (check him out in our slideshow as Mr. Pom-pom helmet, slide on his bum down the rail)

What do Lisa Lamanelli, Jim Gaffigan, The New Yorker Magazine, and Beaver Creek have in common? Why, this year’s Humor on the Slopes lineup of course!

Need a lift this winter? Join the laughter in Beaver Creek as the New Yorker presents Humor on the Slopes. Enjoy a weekend of highly elevated comedy with daily performances by New Yorker cartoonists; shows by comedians Jim Gaffigan and Lisa Lamanelli; a comedy-film sneak preview; famous cartoon caption contest and more.

Lisa Lampanelli will take the Vilar stage at 7:30PM on Thursday, Feburary 28. She is described as “Undeniable likability, a bawdy personality, and a story to tell. A cross between Don Rickles, Archie Bunker, and a vial of estrogen.” Tickets are $40.

Jim Gaffigan will take the stage at the Vilar on Saturday, March 1, at 7:30PM. He is described as “one of the most popular touring and recorded comedians in the country today, Gaffigan’s clever, quiet style has earned him an unprecedented number of appearances on both CBS’s Late Show with David Letterman and NBC’s Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” Tickets are $55.

Take it a step further, you say? For $195pp (vs. $330) Want the all-in-one with elbow-rubbing included? The V.I.P. packages is for you, including “V.I.P.” seats to the above two performances, in addition to:

• The V.I.P. welcome reception at the private Beaver Creek Club (Thursday 5:30 – 7PM)
• Ticket to “Cartoonists Unleashed” and a Comedy Film Sneak Preview (Friday, 7:30PM)
• V.I.P. party at the private May Gallery (Saturday, 6:30PM)
• The New Yorker gift bag

Cartoonists on tour with Humor on the Slopes include:

• Mat Diffee
• C. Covert Darbyshire
• Drew Dernavich
• Carolita Johnson
• mor Gerberg
• Paul Noth

For more information Call 888-920-2787 or visit beavercreek.com

Provided by Jake Mihalek, Concierge at Beaver Creek West:

Top 14 Things that are FREE

See more vacation tips at Beaver Creek West’s website.

1. FREE ski or snowboard tips are offered for intermediate and advanced skiers from Mid Vail at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Snowboarders looking for free tips depart from the base of Golden Peak at 11 a.m. Offered November 28 – December 16, 2005 & January 9 – February 4, 2006.

2. Never been to Beaver Creek or Vail? Join a knowledgeable guide for the FREE Mountain Welcome & Blue Sky Basin Tours designed to introduce you to the vast terrain and amenities of both Beaver Creek and Vail Mountains. The Beaver Creek Mountain Welcome Tour meets daily at 10:00 am at the “Information” sign at the top of the Centennial Express Lift #6. The Vail Mountain welcome Tour meets at 9:30 am at LionsHead and Vail Village, Blue Sky Basin tour meets at the Blue Sky Basin Information sign at the top of lifts #4, #5, & #11 and are available to intermediate and advanced skiers and riders.

3.The Gondola is FREE after 2:00 p.m. in the winter and in the summer after 5:00 pm Thursday thru Saturday – take a FREE scenic ride up to the top of the mountain to enjoy the views and activities at Adventure Ridge.

4. In the winter, on Wednesday nights, don’t miss the FREE concert series in the streets of Vail Village. Each week features a different act and provides family entertainment for all! Concert series dates: November 30 – December 14, 2005 and March 8 – April 19, 2006; 6pm – 7:30pm

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