Post by: Steph Nitsch

Coming home to Seattle is always like a big family reunion. And like all good family gatherings that join loved ones together for a night of merrymaking and tomfoolery, traditions are strictly upheld: old memories are shared in the company of fresh kin, new stories are created and passed down to the next generation and you discover some eerie truths that leave you scared to be alone in the company of a relative or two. Of course, when Spacecraft and Japan-based Madbunny brought their family and friends together for an art show and fundraiser over the weekend in Seattle, there was only one slight difference –- the notorious relative induced more pain than fear after one too many foot-to-crotch kickings.

Kinda Donnie Darko-esque. Non? Greg Miller photo

Welcome to Seattle, Madbunny. Greg Miller photo

The Bali School Fund was the basis for Spacecraft’s evening festivities. Artists from across North America submitted work to be auctioned off in support of kids’ education in Bali, where Spacecraft sets up camp for a few months each summer. One-of-a-kind art blocks were up for grabs, Stefan Hofmann’s signature Spacecraft bunny figurines were waiting to be picked up by new owners and Madbunny’s canvases were colourfully displayed throughout the show.

Art, for kids’ sake. Greg Miller photo

Bunnies were everywhere in sight throughout the evening. From mad bunnies imported from Japan to wooden voodoo bunnies watching your every move, the little critters were anxious to dominate the night and throw down some bunny magic. Even life-sized costumed rabbits came alive to prey on unsuspecting little kids while sipping on brown-bagged 40 oz-ers. 

Magical bunnies. Greg Miller photo

Ryan “Uncle Ron” Miller taking over costume duty for the night and teaching kids valuable,
lifelong lessons: don’t talk to oversized rabbits with a nickname like Uncle Ron. Greg Miller photo

Pat Wright’s legendary photo booth proved, once again, that hazy memories from the night didn’t go unnoticed. Greg Miller photo

Spacecraft has long been a platform for artistic collaborations, creative endeavours and sticker warfare. Friday’s party debuted their annual Sticker Sheet project, which brings together a common theme on one page of portable and stickable art. This years’ sticker sheet features the artists who contributed their street work for the evening’s event and the good of the Bali School Fund.

And as the keg ran dry and the bunny costumes were cast aside to air dry, it was nothing but love for Spacecraft, Madbunny and all the artists and friends who helped send a few more kids to school in Bali.

Spacecraft sticker warfare. Greg Miller photo

Auctioneer, informant and Spacecrafter Ryan Davis. Greg Miller photo

Loyal fans Andrew Hart and Mario Hevia not taking any BS from the bunnies. Greg Miller photo

Post by: Meghann O'Brien

I recently had the opportunity to fly down to San Leandro, CA, where The North Face headquarters are located, to meet up with the rest of the action sports team for a research and development meeting. Leaving Vancouver it was pouring, and arriving in Oakland it was super hot, and I was very out of place in my winter coat. With an entire day to kill before meetings the next morning, I decided to do something that I don't really get to do that often anymore, and that was jump into a city by myself where I know nobody and nothing really about how to get around, and adventure on my own. I rode the subway into Berkley and found an awesome raw food restaurant and an incredibly cheap bookstore that was huge. 

The next day we woke up early as we spent the full day going over the 2010 product for the Cryptic line -- things were looking awesome. For me it was all so new; lots of new people to meet, and I was so stoked to see what the designers were up to. With a group of female skiers and snowboarders, we tried stuff on, went over any problems we'd had with our current outerwear, and brainstormed ways to make the new product even better looking and functional. It was awesome to know that they take what their athletes have to say seriously. I think it's part of why they put out such a good product and are so well received.  After all the meetings we went into San Francisco on this nice bus, and went to a Giants game. My first baseball game! When we got back, Jim Zellers had an ice cream craving, at which point we all piled into his minivan and drove around until we found some. 

On Wednesday we had a full morning of looking at backpacks, footwear, mountain bike gear, and website stuff before jumping back on our airplanes and flying home. I went home to more rain and was super out of place again in my sundress and moccasins, which got soaked! 

Ingrid Backstrom, Megs Pischke and her and DCP's little darling, Leighli.

Meetings...

San Francisco Giants game with The North Face crew: myself with designers Heather and Leslie. 

Baseball: expensive hot dogs, beer, and a lot of standing around.

Midnight ice cream mission: Ingrid, myself, and Kasha chillin on the floor of Jim Zellers' minivan.

Post by: Robin Van Gyn

This past winter I signed on to be an ambassador for a Vancouver-grown skin care company called Skoah. Located in Yaletown, Skoah offers facials as well as a full line of skin care products and a make-up line called Chikki Monkey. I know what you're thinking -- best gig ever for a 20-something outdoor sports lady on the move, uh huh.

Not only is the product totally phenomenal, but the company also gives back. Skoah created a charity called the Hopeful Hand, which benefits parents of ill children at the BC Children’s Hospital. Last week skier Sarah Burke and I were invited to model in a fashion show benefit for the Hopeful Hand, and of course we agreed. Strutting in one- or two-of-a-kind duds from One of a Few, we showed off our skin and standing talents to a packed room of Hopeful Hand helpers who showed up to support the cause. It was a sold out event and every attendee went home with a wicked gift bag of goods. Yes, you are correct, you did miss out!

No worries, there is still time to get down with the cause. Skoah is offering a Hopeful Hand facial, in which $10 of the price goes to the charity. Give your skin a work out and lend a hand while doing it. For more info visit www.skoah.com.

Post by: Natalie Gough

Closing weekend at Squaw definitely surpassed both mine and Bre's expectations. The park setup was beyond fun, with jumps of varying sizes, boxes and rails to satisfy anyone's needs. For being the last resort open in Tahoe, they definitely killed it. Bre and I met up with Tahoe locals Brendon Drury and Silver Serino, who were nice enough to take some park laps with us Canadian tourists.  

Getting a solid day in the park, and hit runs down the mountain, it was time to check out the annual pond skim. Make no mistake, this was a rather large pond surrounded by mass amounts of people, all gathered to party and watch the debauchery unfold on the freezing cold waters. After a farewell cerveza with the boys, it was time to say our goodbyes and meet up with the Whistler homies to begin our journey back home.

Squaw Valley closing weekend.

Bre with Tahoe shred locals Brendon Drury and Silver Serino.

Silver Serino, Back 5 sender.

Nat Gough, Front 5 sender.

Bre's obviously a pill-hittin' junkie.

Off-road style -- good thing for deck hook-ups!

Classic spring carve.

Nothing like end-of-the-season spring parties. That pond is massive!

Bre, Nat and Tahoe homies. Thanks for showing these two Canucks a great time!

At Jesmond's request to take his virgin ocean swim, and Chuntz's wish to go through the Redwood National Park, we decided to drive back up along the coast. Driving in darkness like a rally car -- windy road, along with teary moments watching Grey's Anatomy on our laptop, the night portion of the trip was more than entertaining. Crashing at yet another Motel 6, we were back enroute bright and early, our target set at Clam Beach. A successful ocean swim, some more kite flying, a couple family photos and Chuntz submarining his truck -- we were quite satisfied with our beach experience. On to the Redwood National Park!

Our decision to take the scenic route home up the coast was probably the best idea we'd had and I would definitely recommend it to anyone driving from Cali to BC. Many thanks to all those who helped us along our journey, making this last minute trip not only possible but certainly memorable! 

 
Best sandwiches ever! Beach Hut Deli, South Lake Tahoe.

Quintessential California sunset.

Clam Beach.

Jesmond Dubeau's first-ever ocean dip!

Family portrait.

Adam Chuntz putting his truck to the test.

In the redwoods.

For any Star Wars nerds, this is where they filmed the forest scene of Return of the Jedi.

Huge wood!

Playing footsies with Paul Bunyan.

Q: How badass is this car? A: Very.

Post by: Natalie Gough

With a 9 a.m. wake-up call, our early start on the mountain was the best thing we could have done. Soft, not too slushy, we were able to hit the features we'd been ogling the day before. A perfectly cut pipe, jumps with soft landings, a wide variety of rail features, how could you not have fun? Right?

This late in the season, the early start is key to avoid the slush fields that accumulate in the afternoon and claim many victims, myself included. Front 5, landing in mashed potatoes, only to get gobbled up 15 feet down the tranny and tossed into a Switch Front Flip, my back arching in ways I didn't think possible. With no injuries sustained, Bre and I had a good laugh at the circus routine I had just performed for everyone to see on the landing of Mammoth's bottom jump. I would, however, go up and have my redemption on that jump next lap...

Doesn't this shot make you wish you were shredding with Nat Gough in Mammoth right now? 

Ethereal sun ray plant.

Side launcher. Why hit a jump straight on when you can gap the sides?!

Looks like a massive 3D road pylon.

The victim.

The bad guy, err, girl.

Front 5 sender.

Danger: Water-gun war zone.

After a night on the town for our Whistler neighbour Andrew Geeves' birthday, we woke up to discover we were kicked out of the Motel 6. Another epic day on the slopes, minus a mild case of heat stroke, it was time for us to move on...

Happy Birthday Geeves!

Motel 6 pre and post party.

Luck being on our side, Breanna and I were able to catch a ride with Analog/Anon team rider Silver Serino back to Lake Tahoe. Upon arriving at the SASS house at Northstar, we were greeted with the most amazing family style dinner. Stuffed to the max, we would pack it in and prepare ourselves for our final day of Cali shredding.

Our sweet ride to Tahoe. In-N-Out round two!

Sunset over Lake Tahoe.

Not bad.

Finally a home-cooked meal -- SASS does it right!

SASS family reunion! Myself, pro skier and coach Michelle Parker, and Luke Shelly.