I moved back to Vancouver last week leaving behind the sun and surf of southern California for snow and face shots back in BC. But winter hasn’t quite arrived here yet, none of the local mountains are open and the base at Whistler Blackcomb was pretty low. Regardless, I headed up to Whistler on Friday with SBC scribe Sara Tollestrup for our first day shredding of the season! Upon getting to the lift at Blackcomb we ran into recent Whistler homeowner Natasza Zurek and her boyfriend Steven, and father to the O’Brien sisters, Brien O’Brien. We waited to hook up with Mike Stastook and his Avenue Athletics crew including lone female shred Brooke Voight and we headed straight to the Blackcomb park.

It might have been rainy and the snow base was low but there was plenty of fun to be had on the various rails, boxes, picnic tables, a jump and hip. Brooke was keeping up with the boys laying down various 270 on combos and going for backlips on the down bar. After a solid shred session, Sara and I headed over to Blenz to hook up with SBC Women’s Annual contributors and pro riders to talk about the current issue and go over the plans for next year. The girls were hyped and a lot of great ideas were generated from the meeting plus it was a good chance to catch up with all the ladies.

Next up we headed to a local favourite, Sushi Village, for dinner and discussion with Natasza Zurek and Steve, COC’s Fabia Laura Gruebler, Jeff Keenan, and photographer Chris Owen. Capping off the evening Fabia and I headed to the Longhorn for Powder Mountain Snowcats' Miss Powder Mountain Contest. It was definitely good humour to see girls competing in karaoke, dancing contests, moustache contests, all and all good time!

Saturday morning before heading back to the city I hooked up with K2 Team rider Brooke Voigt, K2 Canadian Team Manager Lauren Howard, and K2 International Team Manager Kevin Winkel for breakfast. After, they cruised up the mountain in the rain while I got in my warm car and headed back to the city!

SBC's Sara Tollestrup was amped to ride

Natasza Zurek proving even pros ride in the rain

Brien O'Brien snowboards more than you!

Mike Stastook runs things at Avenue Athletics

Chair ride party: Brooke Voigt, Sara Tollestrup and Roberta Rodger

Meeting time! Jess Kimura, Sara Tollestrup, Natasza Zurek, Marie-France Roy, Roberta Rodger, Meghann O'Brien, Natalie Langmann, and Molly Milligan

The Miss Powder Mountain Contest got pretty wild

Fabia and Roberta had some good laughs that night

Breakfast time with K2 rider Brooke Voigt, K2 Canadian team manager Lauren Howard and K2 international team manager Kevin Winkel