Apr 29, 2010
Author: Sara Tollestrup/Photos: Sara Tollestrup and John Scarth
It is a rare occasion when the weather forecast takes a turn for the better, but that's what happened on day 4 of Grenade Games. The forecast was calling for clouds, moisture and freezing levels at 1500 meters. Instead the sun came out and leaked through the thin layer of clouds. You know who didn't come out though? Danny Kass, and his quartet of commentators: Darrell "Trini" Trinidad, The Dingo, TM Kevin Casillo and Todd Richards. In truth they did make it out, though hung over and an hour late. Thankfully at the Grenade Games tardiness due to intoxication is not only an acceptable excuse, it is an expected one.
For the first time during Grenade Games VI the ratio of female pros to Monster Energy Girls tipped in favour of the riders on halfpipe day. Dom Vallee and Mercedes Nicoll looked right at home busting the biggest airs on the ladies side of things. The jam style format even brought ex-u-ditch competitor Annie Boulanger out of the backcountry. Also on hand were Japanese transplants Akiko Miwa, Yuki Furihata and Mari Mizukami and a half dozen other ladies. When asked how the day was treating her Mari said, in true Grenade Games form, she was having fun but couldn't wait to get her hands on a Kokanee.
Dom Vallee going big. Scarth photo.
Annie Boulanger getting ready to drop in to the pipe.
Yuki Furihata looking on her way back up to the top of the pipe during the jam session.
Akiko and Mari getting ready to slam back a couple of beers.
Mercedes Nicoll in action. Scarth photo.
Everything from lingerie and bikinis to Sorel boots and outerwear was strut down the runway at the Shick Fashion Exposed fashion show Friday night. Equally as impressive was the clothing worn by many of the guys and girls who attended the show. Snowboard boots and toques had been traded in for Salvatore Ferragamo pumps and Marc Jacobs fedoras. While it wasn't exactly fashion week in New York City, the show was entertaining. Particularly because of the live music from We Are the City and The Zolas.
Sauve dudes at the Schick fashion show.
I suppose you wouldn't need to wear anything under this one piece sleeping bag from Mountain Hardware.
I don't know about you, but I always wear a bathing suit instead of a first layer.
We Are The City and The Zolas rocking out together.
Baby it don't matter if you're black...
...or white.
The Zolas.
Most Radical Dude of the fashion show.
The Grenade Grand Finale Slope Showdown was a spectacle complete with DJ Mat the Alien on the ones and twos, a yellow Chevy Camero à la Fast & Furious up for grabs, and a mostly naked Kael Hill with nothing but a beer can covering his junk . Canadian riders Alex Duckworth, Breanna Strangeland and Molly Milligan, who were much more appropriately clothed, also took to the course in hopes of winning the overall "Raddest Chick" title. After a Grenade Games-esque mission of our own, since the top female was never officially announced during the awards ceremony, we discovered that this year's Raddest Chick was Izzy Lalive of Breckenridge, Colorado.
The Grand Finale Slope course.
Canadian shred taking to the slope course (L:R) Alex Duckworth, Breanna Strangeland and Molly Milligan.
The Grand Finale course after dark.
The perfect way to end an event such as the Grenade Games is of course a metal show. Enter the sounds of Savage Blade and a conference centre full of slighty inebriated snowboarders, Weekend Warriors and everyone in between.
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