BaseNZ.com - Wanaka/Snow/Life

NZSBU announced its 2010 National Team and Development Squad.

2010-07-04T15:15:00.000+12:00

Wanaka, New Zealand (28 June 2010) - The New Zealand Snowboard Union (NZSBU) this week announced its 2010 National Team and Development Squad.

Base is proud that a number of their Freeride Team Riders made 'the cut'. Carl Murphy, Mack James, Fraser Dowling, Conor Hayes and Tim Herbert.

The 40-member NZSBU team represents the pinnacle of New Zealand snowboarding today and embodies all areas of snowboarding from Olympians, World Cup Medallists, Ticket-to-Ride Competitors, magazine and movie stars to future hopefuls – a true representation of the sport.

The NZSBU National Team features elite riders representing New Zealand snowboarding heading into the 2010 Southern Hemisphere winter season. Returning members to the team include: Juliane Bray (Wanaka), Kendall Brown (Mt. Maunganui), Nick Brown (Queenstown), Mitch Brown (Mt. Maunganui), Shelly Gotlieb (Ohakune), James Hamilton (Auckland), Nick Hyne (Mt. Maunganui), Will Jackways (Wanaka), Jacob Koia (Arrowtown), Abby Lockhart (Wanaka), Carl Murphy (New Plymouth) and Stef Zeestraten (Christchurch). New to the national team this year are big mountain rider, Maria Kuzma (Wanaka) and Olympian, Rebecca Sinclair (Wanaka).

The Development Squad consists of riders who are on the pathway to the National Team and/or who are excelling with significant potential in their chosen pathway. The Squad members can represent New Zealand at any international level event, including Youth Worlds; Junior Worlds; US Amateur Snowboard Association Nationals; World Snowboard Federation; International Ski Federation or Ticket-to-Ride events.

2010 NZSBU TEAM

"The Squad" Team

Returning Members:
Ben Comber
Fraser Dowling
Connor Harding
Mack James
Stefi Luxton
Joram Makaru
Christy Prior
Liam Ryan
Ben Stewart
Benji Sutherland
Jay Walsh



New Members:
Jeannie Bamber
Phil Dominick
Fraser Dowling
Jasmin Gallop
Rebecca Torr



"Youth" Squad

Returning Members:
Melissa Albom
Hamish Bagley
Duncan Campbell
Conor Hayes
Tim Herbert
Seb Judge
Jake Mills
JJ Rayward
Kristal Roberts



New member:
Sam Christie

Snow Sports New Zealand is the official governing body and National Sports Organisation representing adaptive snow sports, alpine skiing, cross country skiing, freeskiing and snowboarding in New Zealand.

2010 freeski teams were announced

2010-06-30T15:37:00.007+12:00

Wanaka, NZ (29 June 2010) - After the best season in the history of NZ freeskiing it comes as no surprise that when the 2010 freeski teams were announced, all six existing national team members remained at the helm.

Base Freeride Team Members make the team! Raph Beazley, Beau James Wells, & Jackson Wells.

Mitchey Greig of Queenstown became the first freeskier to represent New Zealand at a Winter Olympics Games at the first-ever Olympic Skier Cross event. She is ranked 24th in the world.

After dominating the southern hemisphere season, winning The North Face Big Mountain competition at the Volkl Open and the World Heli Challenge, big mountain skier Janina Kuzma had a stellar northern hemisphere season too.

She was on the podium several times and ended her season ranked fifth overall on the Freeride World Tour and second on the Freeride World Qualifying Tour, earning a coveted spot on the Freeride World Tour next year.

After placing fifth in halfpipe at both the Volkl NZ Freeski Open and the inaugural Winter Games NZ, where he was up against the world's best, Lyndon Sheehan of Wanaka received an invite to the prestigious X-Games where unfortunately he injured his knee but he’s on the mend and will soon be ready to once gain show the world that he’s a force to be reckoned with.

Sam Smoothy of Cromwell ended his southern hemisphere season with a podium finish in The North Face Big Mountain competition at the Volkl Open, he went on to win his first competition of the northern hemisphere season at Engadinsnow in Switzerland. Unfortunately his season was cut short by a knee injury at the next competition. Even with a shortened season his results for the year were strong enough to earn his spot on the Freeride World Tour next year.

Byron Wells of Wanaka, has just come of a best-ever year. His podiums during the southern hemisphere season included a first place at the Queenstown Winter Festival Rail Jam, a third place at the Parklife Rail Jam Invitational and a third place at the Winter Games NZ Big Air competition. He had top ten finishes in several of the major Northern Hemisphere international competitions and In the best performance of his career, he took fifth place at the European X Games Superpipe. He was also on the podium in Superpipe at the Aspen Open, the largest open event in North America.

Over the past year Jossi Wells has been on fire. In addition to his Overall World Championship he came home with the 2010 AFP Superpipe Title, Silver in Superpipe from the X Games, the Overall Dew Tour Ski Superpipe Championship, a gold at the Austrian Open and a Bronze in Slopestyle at the European X Games.

Throughout the Southern Hemisphere winter he took first place in halfpipe at the Volkl NZ Freeski Open, first at the Parklife Rail Jam Invitational and a second in slopestyle at the NZ Winter Games.

Over the 2009 southern hemisphere season Jossi was honoured as the Central Otago Junior Sportsman of the Year, the Central Otago Supreme Sportsman of the Year, the Otago Junior Sportsperson of the Year, the New Zealand Freeskier of the Year and he was recipient of the Halberg/Westpac Trust Emerging Talent Award.

The New Zealand National Team is comprised of those at the pinnacle of International Freeskiing, gaining top ten results at international events. They positively represent and influence the sport of freeskiing on and off snow. They are committed as professional skiers and are respected by both their peers and public alike.

The makeup of the team is a world first, in that the team is selected across all disciplines including skier cross, big mountain, slopestyle and halfpipe.

The next tier down, the Development Squad, represents New Zealand's rising talent. These members have been identified by the selection panel as skiers with potential to someday become members of the national team.
2010 Development Team Members

Freeride
Tom Brownlee
Sam Lee
Cam McDermid
Fraser McDougall
Roy Schott
Neil Williman

Freeski
Sarah Albom
Olly Allan
Mikayla Austin
Rose Battersby
Raphael Beazley
Finn Bilous
Hank Bilous
Trent Francis
Matt Johnson
Taylor King
Elliott Mason
Hamish McDougall
Peter Oswald
Harry Pettit
Ryan Read
Callum Runnerstrum
Tom Scurr
Amy Sheehan
Matt Soundy
Ella Spittle
Beau-James Wells
Jackson Wells

Freeskiing continues to grow in scope and popularity around the world and is gaining recognition within the International Federation of Ski (FIS). New Zealand will host the first ever FIS Slopestyle competition at the upcoming Junior World Championships in August 2010 and Freeski Halfpipe has been approved by FIS and is being put before the IOC for inclusion in the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. The X-Games has now added a European stop and after its second year the Dew Tour is an overwhelming success.

Snow Sports New Zealand is the official governing body and National Sports Organisation representing adaptive snow sports, alpine skiing, cross country skiing, freeskiing and snowboarding in New Zealand.

Tom's Pre-Season Winter Hike in Wanaka

2010-06-16T11:03:00.000+12:00

Have you met Tom in store at Base2 yet? Check out an earlier post to see his smiley face! Tom went out and had a wee bit of fun in the snow over the weekend with his STOMP NZ Crew.

Thanks for the pics Tom.....

New Team Members check it!

2010-06-01T10:09:00.001+12:00

I'm slowly leaking out pics of our new staff.

we're hiring up a storm.... truly.. our humble business doubles (maybe triples) in terms of the manpower for winter....

so here is a preview of some of our new and awesome staff members (and a few familiar faces).

This is Sarah, our new Manager at Base2.

Check it, its Tom - newbie down at Base2

Woop! Woop! we're stoked to have Kelly back with us at Base!

Okay thats a start!

Yeow!

Busy.

2010-05-24T09:54:00.000+12:00

Some businesses in Wanaka start to wind down in April, May & June.

And some.... gear up and start going 110km/h... like us. There are many changes and great things happening as we've been gearing up for winter 2010.

Matt & Greg have been working really really really hard at loading up all the winter gear for 2010, hardware, and now introducing outerwear.

But we've been MIA on the Blog front and for that we slack and apologise.

We've been hiring, updating the online shop, attending tech sessions, receiving winter stock, and more. so hopefully when you come in store and visit online.. you'll see we've been putting in the hard yards.

In the meantime.... Take a look at how awesome Wanaka is looking.....

winter is here.... it isn't coming..... It. Is. Here.

peace amy

Nick Hyne reviews the Ride Machete

2010-05-06T17:00:00.000+12:00

The man himself, Nick Hyne, reviews the 2011 Ride Machete, don't know bout you but i want to ride one!

The Ride Machete is an amazing board - straight up FUN! I remember the first time I tried a Machete was on my first of riding for the season. I thought I would feel sketchy like usual and everything would feel hooky - not with the Machete - my first day back was magic. I am riding the 158 as my big powder board and it is by far the most stoked I have ever been on my powder board. You can bounce through the powder and the rebound is incredible - once again I will say it - FUN. The slight bit of rocker is stable for takeoffs but helps out a lot on landings, and feels amazing amazing to turn on too. The Ride Machete has won Good Wood awards and it is for good reason - it is a great board that most people who have ridden it, rave about.

--
Nick Hyne

2010 Machete Commercial from Ride Snowboards from Ride Snowboards on Vimeo.

Back Flip X 2.....

2010-05-04T18:41:00.001+12:00

Travis Parker and Ben Lynch filming for Resourceful Gnomes. Sketchy run-in, check. Launching thru trees, check. Right behind your friend, check. Of course it looks super easy.

Respect Your Elders

A movie about snowboarding and more

Double Gold for Carl Murphy at the USASA National Championships

2010-04-12T10:04:00.000+12:00

A note from Carl Murphy:

It has been an up and down few days since I last sent an update.

It started off on Tuesday with a mixed result in the WSF Adaptive Snowboardcross World Cup at Copper Mountain, Colorado, USA. After a great build up and placing 2nd in the Canadian World Cup, the USA World Cup proved to be challenging on many levels. Variable weather conditions and a talented international field was tough work and I came home in 4th position. I just missed the podium by 0.01 sec, so close yet so far. It was very hard to swallow, especially after all the hard work I have put in and the dedication Adam Dooney, my coach, has contributed towards my development. I would like to congratulate Tyler Mosher of Canada for coming in first, closely followed by Evan Strong, USA and Ian Lockey, Canada in third.

Over the next day or so I regrouped and focused on the next two races at the USASA (United States of America Snowboard Association) National Championships. In the Slalom I raced against some of the best adaptive riders in the world. I woke up in the morning feeling fired up after the last race result, confident and ready for the challenge. I ended up winning GOLD with a combined time of 52.77 seconds, almost 3 seconds ahead of second place, Evan Strong, USA, with a time of 55.62 and Tyler Mosher, Canada, in 3rd with a time of 55.77.

Today I lined up for Giant Slalom hoping to continue the moment from the day before. After coming in 0.07 seconds off first place after the first run I knew in the second run I would have to step it up. I lined up in the gate with some insightful advice from Adam, "smooth and fast". A fast clean run saw me finish with a combined time of 77.54 sec enough to win my second gold of the USASA National Championships by almost 2 seconds over Tyler Mosher, Canada, with a time of 79.49 sec. Ian Lockey, Canada, had the bronze medal with a time of 80.49 sec.

To sum up, it has been a great Northern Hemisphere campaign with a silver medal in an able-bodied event at Crested Butte, Colorado, second place in the WSF Adaptive Snowboard World Cup at Mont Tremblant, Canada and two gold medals at the USASA National Championships along with a 4th place in the World Cup at Copper Mountain, Colorado USA.

I can not thank everyone enough for all their support and help in getting me to North America this season. I am so happy with my results and can't wait to improve on them for next year.

I also would like to give a huge thanks to Adam Dooney, my coach and good friend for helping me out and taking his own time to work with me and my riding. Without his coaching and friendship my goals for the 2009/2010 season would have been so much harder to achieve.

I have attached a couple of photos from my podium results and look forward to seeing you all very soon.

Snow Sports Athletes Shine at Central Otago Sports Awards

2010-04-12T09:57:00.000+12:00

Wanaka, NZ (10 April 2010) - Olympic snowboarder Rebecca Sinclair, Queenstown ski racer Adam Barwood and longtime Wanaka snowboard coach Rachel Newton each captured top honours at the Trail Journeys Central Otago Sports Awards in Alexandra Friday night.

Snow sports athletes and coaches were finalists in five of seven categories, taking each of the first three awards presented for performances in 2009.

Olympian Rebecca Sinclair with Paralaympic Gold medallist Adam Hall take time to celebrate at the Trail Journeys Central Otago Sports Awards Friday night

Sinclair, 18, took home Junior Sportswoman of the Year following a string of top performances at World Cup level during the 2009 season, capped by her selection to the New Zealand Olympic Team in early 2010.

Barwood, 18, who is currently still racing in the U.S. and whose father Marty accepted the award on his behalf, took first in the slalom at the Pontiac Cup in Norquay, Canada. He is the reigning NZ National Junior Champion in Giant Slalom and Slalom and posted numerous podium results throughout the year.

Barwood nosed out Wanaka’s Byron Wells, whose top-10 finish at the Winter X Games was one of the highlights of the 2009 season.

Newton, who edged out Wanaka’s Bruce Wells for Coach of the Year, coaches numerous developing and elite-level snowboarders in both New Zealand and Canada. Her athletes are fixtures on the podiums at the New Zealand Junior Nationals and other notable contests worldwide.

In the Senior Sportsman of the Year category, three snow sports athletes were finalists, including recently crowned World Champion Jossi Wells, Paralympic Gold medalist Adam Hall and Olympian Tim Cafe. All three are likely repeat finalists next year based on their results in early 2010.

Wanaka’s Beau James Wells was named to the Roll of Honour for Junior Sportspersons for 2009 in recognition of his overall accomplishments for the year.

Article care of Snow Sports New Zealand

An Update from Adaptive Snowboarder, Carl Murphy

2010-04-05T10:49:00.000+12:00

Wow, it has been an awesome past few days. Filled with lots of travel, training and some great racing and awesome results.

After finishing off my race preparation, in Whistler BC Canada, Adam Dooney (my coach) and I left for Mont Tremblant in Montreal Canada for the 2010 Canadian Adaptive Snowboarding World Cup.

We arrived in Montreal to very unseasonal weather for this time of year with temperatures reaching into the 20's for most of the week. This made training and racing even more of a challenge. However, the warmth was very welcome after the cold of Colorado and Whistler.

The World Cup race was scheduled for yesterday the 2nd of April and the organisers did a fantastic job building a course, given the snow conditions in the summer type heat. The boardercross course was the most technical course ever put together for an Adaptive snowboard event. It was also the longest course we have ridden on, over 1min 30sec for the top riders. Endless features throughout the course made it a challenge for not only the adaptive riders but also the able bodied men and women also racing on the same course.

The race format was to be 3 runs your fastest 2 runs counted. The times are worked out with a classification system, similar to the system used in Paralympic skiing, with a percentage given to each rider against their disability. The more disabled riders get more of a percentage taken off their finishing time.
The decision was made early on race day that the race format would be reduced to 2 runs with the extreme conditions affecting the condition of the snow.

I was feeling confident as I lined up in the start gate for my first run. I had an awesome start with a good line through the top section of the course. However, I came unstuck halfway down the course having a massive crash seeing me flip upside down and bruising to my hip and pride!
Not to let it get to me, I made it to the finish but with a time not worth writing in this email! As the race format had now changed to 2 runs, with your best time counted, it was now pressure time. As I lined up in the gates for my second run in the back of my mind I knew a mistake in this run would have put me out of medal contention.

Fortunately I put in a solid, mistake free, run finishing with a great time. It proved to be good enough for second place, being only half a second off first place, yip, that’s only half a second!

So all in all it was a race full of serious tough competition and drama with lots of crashes and a few injuries. The Canadians put on a great event and I hope to be back there again next year for the World Champs.

Here’s what’s coming up for the following week:

- 6th April USA World Cup Copper Mountain CO
- 6th April USASA National Championships Boardercross
- 8th April USASA National Champtionships Slalom
- 9th April USASA National Championships Giant Slalom.

I will keep you all posted on my progress throughout the week.

Thank you all so much for your on going support.

Ride Shakedown Finals Video

2010-03-22T16:17:00.003+13:00

Check out the video of the Ride Shakedown Finals from last weekend. This looked really cool, Ride Snowboards did a really good job, loved the drummers. Here's hoping they can bring this type of thing to NZ soon! Look out for Kiwi Nick Hyne shredding it up.

Janina Kuzma Wins the Subaru North American Freeskiing Championships

2010-03-12T12:25:00.001+13:00

Janina Kuzma Wins the Subaru North American Freeskiing Championships and is Awarded backcountry.com's SickBird Award

The forbidden Cirque of Kirkwood Mountain Resort comes alive, as the showdown unfolds through finals of the fifth stop of the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour

Kirkwood, California (9March 2010) — Janina Kuzma’s airplane-turn into a tight choke in one of the steepest sections of Kirkwood Mountain Resort’s infamous Cirque called the ''Hidden Chute'' earned her first place at the fifth stop of the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour and she is now ranked fourth overall on the tour.

Janina Kuzma - photo: Julie Weinberger

Weather moved in during the final heats and Kuzma considered altering her game plan.

“I was going to change my line but I stuck with my guns, stayed on my feet and I’m really happy,” said Janina.

Her aggressiveness was further rewarded with the contest’s Backcountry.com Sickbird Award which honours the skier who most represents the sport’s heart and soul while ''going big'’. This is one of the few times a female has won the coveted trophy.

Janina Kuzma one of the only women to ever win The Backcountry.com Sickbird Award – Photo: Ben Meester-MSI

Behind Kuzma, going home with the second place, was Angel Collinson, of Snowbird, Utah, a rookie on the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour and in third place was Crystal-Rose Lee, of Whistler, British Columbia.

As the wind whistled over the razor-sharp rock spires of Kirkwood’s Cirque, skiers readied their gear and nerves for the fifth stop of the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour. This is one of the most-respected steep skiing contests in the world and the venue at Kirkwood Mountain Resort has become notorious due to its steep, technical slopes and because it is permanently closed to the public. This weekend marked the 13th consecutive year of the competition coming to Kirkwood and it was a true spectacle.

Athletes scoping their line Photo: Ben Meester-MSI

The Cirque is a 1,500-vertical-foot wall of rock which resembles some of Alaska’s most aesthetic peaks. It has ski lines that get upwards of 60-degrees in slope angle which means that if you could somehow stand still on it, your extended elbow would touch the mountain.

As the competition got going last Thursday, Kirkwood received two feet of powder. Event organizers saved the most challenging section of the Cirque for Sunday’s final which guaranteed perfect conditions.

Hundreds of spectators gathered at the bottom of the natural amphitheatre which afforded awesome views of the incredible skiing taking place up above. People arrived on skis or by snow cat and there was an air of festival. Until the weather moved in at the end, it was a massive California sun picnic. Between heats, long time tour competitor Ted Davenport thrilled the crowd by ski-parasailing from the peak and sliding to a stop in the finish area.

Thousands tuned in Sunday to watch the final round of The Subaru North American Freeskiing Championships LIVE on www.freeskiingworldtour.com.

For complete results, photos, videos, athlete profiles and more, please visit www.freeskiingworldtour.com.

Article care of New Zealand Snow Sports

Watch The Ride Shakedown Live Stream

2010-03-11T17:44:00.002+13:00

The Ride Shakedown is happening this Saturday 10am NZ time live from Summit at Snoqualmie check out the live webcast below

Ride Shakedown’s concept is a laidback, live-it-up event with minimal restrictions on the riders, assaulting two disciplines: the Big Air and the Rail Jam, featuring a rail with surface textures to be revealed only on the first day of competition. This year, the Shakedown will make its debut in the U.S. and $35,000 will be up for grabs. Watch the madness live... exclusively on FUEL.TV

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A Note from Wanaka Athlete Carl Murphy

2010-03-04T11:16:00.002+13:00

Hey,

I am just putting together some thank you cards for everyone that helped out.

Thanks so much for your help and the products were well received by the guests. We used the items from Base as spot prizes for all that attended.

I raised a total of $3500 so am stoked about that. Means I can now eat on my North America trip!

Thanks so much for helping me out. Its great to see some many local businesses getting behind a local athlete. It was a huge success.

I leave for America on Sunday and am away for 5 weeks. I have 2 world cup events along with the Canadian and USA nationals. All going to plan I will have a couple of medals on the trip home.

Thanks again and talk soon.

Carl

Oakley Goggles are In Store!!

2010-03-03T15:10:00.001+13:00

Hi team
the new range of Oakley Goggles for 2010 have dropped in store and they are looking super fly. The newest addition to the range the new Oakley Splice is looking super fresh and is based on the Crowbar shape and fit but has a new skeletal support system over the nose bridge area. This is intended to relieve pressure on the nasal passages to make breathing easier and increase airflow thru the goggle. The Splice also has a new semi flush interchangeable lens, this has optimized downward visibility which should be great for dropping those steep lines. This new lens setup has also made changing a lens way faster. Oakley have put some of the best and most out there colours in the Splice, check out the Kaleidoscope Block text with Fire Irididium lens - Bling!

The first signature Splice has gone to Simon Dumont who has come up with a very styley red based colourway called the Griffon Red. Check it out.

On other signature model changes Tanner Hall has updated his Crowbar colourway taking the rasta look a bit further, personally i think it's a better look than his last colourway.

Seth Morrison also gets an updated Signature Crowbar colourway and although it is an evolution of his last colour, this new colour is sick, I'm picking it to be a top seller.

Also getting in on the new signature colour action is Gretchen Bleiler who gets 2 new colours one Stockholm and one A Frame. Gretchen's A Frame is a nice matte white frame with a purple print design and a purple strap with gold icons, it has a nice luxury feel to it. The women's specific fit of the Stockholm gets an aqua blue treatment for Gretchen's signature version and has a real fresh look.

Shaun White is also rocking a new colourway for his signature A Frame's called Illusion stripe, looks pretty sweet I reckon.

Snowboard icon Terje has also tweaked his signature Crowbar and keeps the nordic theme from his old colourway but freshen's things up nicely.

The regular Oakley A Frame gets some nice colours, my pick as top seller is the Industrial Khaki and we've also got quite a few colours with the Fire Iridium lens as standard.

The Stockholm the new colour range is looking great with Lava Scroll and Arcade Plaid White the standout colours.

The Crowbar has easily been our top seller for quite a few years now and for good reason, it's fits great and looks rad. Plenty of sweet colours for this year too, you would have seen the Canada colour at the Vancouver Winter Olympics for sure.

A new addition to our range this year is the value priced Oakley Ambush which has a regular cylindrical lens but otherwise all the same goodness as the top end models. To get some pop on the hill you can't go past the Retina Burn colour, so Fresh.

All in all Oakley have come thru with a really dope range for this year, if you want to stick some on your head this winter check out the whole range here and give us a buzz (0800 BASESHOP) or an email shop@basenz.com

Don't forget we carry a full range of replacement lenses for all the Oakley Goggles we sell including replacement lenses for the new Splice, the Stockholm and the Ambush. we also have plenty of lens options including Fire Iridium, Blue Iridium and H.I. Yellow for most models.

Kuzma to Compete at Nissan Tram Face Squaw Valley USA

2010-02-26T12:04:00.000+13:00

Third Stage of the Freeride World Tour

Contest Day: 27 February

Squaw Valley, USA – February 23, 2010 – With one podium and one near miss at the first two stops the Freeride World Tour, Janina Kuzma has received an invite to the third stop which is scheduled for Saturday 27 February in Squaw Valley.

Kuzma on Podium at First Stop of Freeride World Tour in Chamonix

The pressure is rising with two out of four competitions already completed of the Freeride World Tour 2010. By the third tour stage, the leading candidates for the Freeride World Champion title will be looking to make a major impression on the infamous Tram Face in Squaw Valley USA, a face that has never officially been ridden before.

Strictly illegal to ski, the Tram Face is being opened specifically for the Freeride World Tour competition. Its steep and seemingly un-skiable pitch, permanent closure, and tantalizing location in perfect view from Squaw Valley’s Village and base area, have made it a coveted descent among the strong local freeride community.

Conditions are great this year with the El Nino weather pattern bringing huge amount of snow to the Californian resort, and history will be made when the world’s best freeriders will get the chance to challenge the steep rock face.

After two completed contests Kuzma is currently fourth in the Freeride World Tour Ranking 2010 For the Overall FWT Ranking Click Here.

About the Freeride World Tour:
The Freeride World Tour was launched in 2008 and after just two full seasons is already recognized by riders, the ski industry and the media as the pinnacle of the sport. In 2010, the best freeriders: men, women, skiers and snowboarders alike, will visit some of the world’s most renowned ski resorts in pursuit of the world title. The four-stop Freeride World Tour is supported by 18 Freeride World Qualifier events around the world where the same criteria for event organization, choice of locations, security, contest format, and judging is applied. The Volkl New Zealand Freeski Open held in August is an official qualifying event.

www.freerideworldtour.com

Article care of New Zealand Snow Sports

RECOMMENDATION FOR WANAKA SPORTS FACILITY

2010-02-25T14:33:00.000+13:00

The Queenstown Lakes District Council will be asked next week to make a milestone decision for the Upper Clutha Community. The recommendation is to confirm the preferred location for a future indoor recreation and aquatic facilities as the Wanaka Recreation Reserve (showgrounds site), QLDC Mayor Clive Geddes said.

“What this means is that this exciting and desperately needed project for the Upper Clutha can start to become a reality. The decision next week is only about the site and now we look forward to being able to progress the building design,” Mr Geddes said.

The process had already spanned more than two years with the Wanaka Sports and Aquatic Centre Working Parties formed in 2008.

“Discussion documents have been released, drop in sessions held. We consulted on this issue as a key project in the 10-Year-plan round last year, it’s time to move this project forward,” Mr Geddes said.

On behalf of the council and the Wanaka Community Board, Mr Geddes wanted to publicly thank the working parties and all those members of the community who had made submissions.

The recommendation included the development of a concept plan addressing the location of not only the indoor stadium but also a future aquatic centre the A and P Show and building, the camp facilities, the rugby club and others.

“Both council and the community board are really looking forward to working with the A and P Show, the Rugby Club and others to make sure that the development can meet the needs of all users,” Mr Geddes said.

An indoor events centre had the potential to service all needs, such as an indoor display area for the show and facilities for the camping grounds.

“The ambition here is to provide a structure that provides value for the whole community, it is a real shot in the arm for the Upper Clutha,’ Mr Geddes said.

The recommendation also stated that an option should be prepared that included the retention of a limited camping facility at the reserve and that the improvements to the existing pool be implemented.

The 10-Year-Plan had $10.6 million allocated to building the sports facility with a further $350,000 to upgrade the pool.

“If the recommendation is successful next week, we will look at doing the pool work from April this year and all going well start construction of the sports facility in 2013,” he said.

The decision about the site would initiate a new series of work streams with the community. The project required concept plans, facility-needs consultation, operational cost assessments, notification, designation and design.

“There is still a lengthy public process to be undertaken but the sooner we take the decision, the sooner we can get on with delivering a first class facility for the Upper Clutha communities,” Mr Geddes said.

ENDS

For further information please contact Mayor Clive Geddes 03 441 0499.

2010 Burton Snowboards range Now Available

2010-02-23T18:11:00.000+13:00

Hi Crew,

we have the new 2010 Burton Snowboards range now up to view online. We will be taking delivery of the stock in store just before Easter but we are taking pre orders on all products as we did sell out pretty early on quite a few things last year, like Ion boots, Chopper kids boards and Feather Snowboard packages for the girls. We will have some year ahead 2011 model snowboards coming in april/may also and we will put these up online as soon Burton release the specs to us. The graphics for the 2011 boards will be hidden until the 1st of August as we're not allowed to show them until then upon pain of death. Google them if you're curious, they not too hard to find.
Some of the 2010 range is available right now on order from Burton so let us know what you're interested in and we'll see if we can get it, they have quite a bit of stock so most of it we can get right now especially boots and bindings.
My picks from the range are the Joystick snowboard, i rode one of these last season and it was super fun, it has V rocker and was really easy to play around on and throw spins and butters, more solid then the Hero or the Custom even, but still a great ride over the whole mountain.
And the CO2 EST bindings, these things are so tech and light, like a top spec S class benz, everything new and tech all in one sick looking package. And if you're wondering about the new EST/Channel system, get on it, you won't regret it.
We have also added the Burton Clash and Bullet packages for the guys to go along with the Feather packages for the girls. These are hard to beat for value.
If there's anything we don't have (very unlikely ;-)) let us know and we'll try and get it for you.

Peace and good beats
Matt

http://www.basenz.com/shop/B39_Burton_Snowboards.html

Snow Park Season Pass Pricing Announced

2010-02-22T17:35:00.000+13:00

Press Release – Monday, February 22, 2010

Snow Park NZ Announces 2010 Pricing

It is hard to imagine with the great summer recently in Wanaka, that it is already time to start thinking about purchasing season passes for the winter.

Season pass sales will commence on March 1st through the new Snow Park NZ Online Store, and will end March 31st, linked through the current website. Three pass pricing categories will be offered in 2010: Early-Bird, Pre-Season and In-Season. Rates for Pre Season and In Seasons will be released at a later date.

SNOW PARK NZ – 2010 Early Bird Seasons Passes

PASS TYPE EARLY BIRD

ADULT $499

NZ STUDENT $399

CHILD – U18 $249

Local Child – U18* $99

Family Pass** $899

* Otago and Southland high school students will be able to purchase a $99 seasons pass by collecting a form from their school or by emailing us at info@snowparknz.com for a form.

** Family pass is only for Otago/Southland Families and conditions apply

Snow Park’s goal is to make it as affordable as possible to ski and ride at one of the Southern Lakes friendliest resorts. Our expanded night riding program to have Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights this year makes our pass one of the best value passes on the market.

New this year for Otago and Southland families is the Family Pass, $899 for 2 adults and 2 children. This represents the best possible value for local families.

Added value to all seasons passes this year is free trail access to the Snow Farm, and 20% discounts on day passes at Treble Cone, Ohau and NZSKI.com resorts.

Ongoing terrain developments and new investments will ensure more terrain and new exciting features that will open early and be maintained throughout the season.

Passes can be bought from our website www.snowparknz.com or from our new office on the corner of Helwick and Dunmore streets.

Snow Park Seasons Passes On Sale Soon!

2010-02-22T11:44:00.000+13:00

Press Release form Snow Park -

LAKE WANAKA, New Zealand – Snow Park NZ announces season pass pricing on Monday, February 22^nd for the 2010 season with passes on sale Wednesday, February 24^th.

Snow Park’s season passes will prove to be one of the best values in the country. With an extra evening of night riding on Saturday night, skiers and riders have even more options each week to decide when they want to ride. We will be adding a loyalty discount for anyone who had a seasons pass in 2008 and 2009 to show our thanks to our regular customers.

“We are incredibly excited about 2010. Adding another night riding session each week and maintaining our commitment to snow making make this pass one of the BEST VALUE PASSES on the New Zealand market. Combined with traditional sunny Snow Park days, lack of crowds and shorter lift lines than other resorts in the region, and the Snow Park season pass is an unbeatable product. Your going to get more time on snow for your dough” – Sam Lee, Snow Park General Manager.

An exciting new offering this year is Snow Park’s family pass. As financial pressures remain on families, we will be offering a family pass for two adults and two children (additional children can be added to the family pass for $99). Increasing the value of this pass even further, it provides access to Snow Farm cross country skiing for the entire season.

“Snow Park is such a fun place to come ski and snowboard. Our hospitality facilities, family atmosphere and reliable snow conditions mean no matter when you come up to Snow Park, we will deliver great times and good memories “ Sam Lee, General Manager.

There you have it team, snowpark is looking good for winter 2010, if you want to get your shred on with no lift lines and plenty of space, get your pass on Wednesday.

Matt

3 Day Online Sunglass Sale Starts Tuesday 23rd

2010-02-19T16:51:00.000+13:00

That's right team we are taking 25% off all sunglasses for 3 days only starting next Tuesday the 23rd of Feb. This is an online only sale so don't pop into the store, you gotta check them out online. We have a huge range in stock with all the new styles from Smith, Oakley, Dragon, Von Zipper, Arnette, Anon and Electric. Move fast on Tuesday as the good stuff will go quick.

To check out the range and pick your favorite pair ready for Tuesday have a look here

http://www.basenz.com/shop/C65_Sunglasses.html

25% OFF All Sunglasses 3 Days Only

Online/Phone sales only

Starts this Tuesday 23rd of Feb 2010

#the sale is on stock that is in store only.

A note from Base Team Rider, Tim Herbert

2010-02-18T14:50:00.000+13:00

Hey

I Had a comp this weekend and I had to wake up at 5:00 am because the resort is about 1 and a half hours from where we live. I was gutted because the jumps in the park were so flat and the pipe was out of shape. I crashed second run in slope because i was over correcting my back 5s because i wasn't used to the takeoffs and I got 3rd in pipe. I have to say winter park is in my top 5 for worst mountains ever Because every time im there its crap weather the takeoffs are flat and too thin and the pipe is out of shape and under vert. I'm amped that I might be competing in a rev tour a boreal but its not confirmed yet.

Were scheduled to go to woodward tomorrow and im going to get back rodeos down on trampoline so I can transfer them to snow. Also this house is like a prison because i have been grounded for a week for coming home 16 min late and there is nothing to do here accept eat, sleep, watch movies and go on facebook... thats it!

Cheers Tim

Support the Fundraising Auction for Disabled Snowboarder Carl Murphy going for World Cup Gold

2010-02-17T12:31:00.000+13:00

Auction Items include a framed signed 2009 All Black Jersey, 2010 Cardrona Seasons Pass, $1,000 Architectural Services and many more great items and spot prizes.

This auction is a fundraiser for NZ Snowboard Team member Carl Murphy. Carl competes on the Adaptive Snowboard World Cup circuit, for athletes with a disability. Carl snowboards wearing a prosthetic leg specifically designed for snowboarding. Currently he is ranked second in the world in adaptive snowboard cross, gained here in New Zealand at the World Championships in 2009. He will train and compete in the USA and Canada in March and April this season at two World Cups, before returning back to Wanaka for our winter. Carl will also be in Whistler to support adaptive teammates Adam Hall and Peter Williams compete in the Paralympics next month.

Fundraising Auction Night - 6 pm Thursday 25th February 2010 at Lone Star Café & Bar, Wanaka.

A fantastic evening starting with a complimentary drink and nibbles, followed by the excitement of the auction. Other auction items include a Green Stone Carving by Drax (Nick Draxal - freeski coach), Wanaka Helicopter flight, Aspiring massage, Lone Star Dinner for 2, Beauty Therapy voucher from Pure Skin Therapy, Oakridge romantic dinner for 2 including bottle of bubbly and soak in the hot pools, Relishes Café Voucher and many more items up for grabs.

Do you need to be in Wanaka to bid??? NO. Show your support by registering your Telephone bid prior to the auction. Phone Carl on 021 02985200.

Loads of spot prizes will add to the fun of the evening, so please come and join us.
Thanks to all who have donated items for auction. Support those who support us......

If you would like to donate to Carl's fundraising but not wish to bid, you can donate online to Disabled Snowsports NZ - add Carl Murphy to the information line and we will make sure he gets it. Donate On Line

If you cant attend but know someone that might like to please pass on this email.

Thanks for your support.

See you there.

For more information on Carl and this event go to www.snow.co.nz/carl or email carl@snow.co.nz

New Zealand's Janina Kuzma, Ranked Third in Freeride World Tour

2010-02-16T14:29:00.000+13:00

Fieberbrunn, Austria - With a fourth place finish at the second stop of the Freeride World Tour in Fieberbrunn, New Zealand’s Janina Kuzma has moved up to the number three spot in the Freeride World Tour rankings and has received a wild card entry for the third stop at Squaw Valley .

On the challenging north face of Wildseeloder, 14 riders competed for a purse of 8.000 Euro and points for the overall tour ranking.

A perfectly sunny day and a layer of fresh snow made for great, yet difficult conditions, as the base was rather shallow. Therefore aggressive, fluid skiing was in demand.

Defending Freeride World Tour champion, Ane Enderud had the best run of the day followed by Janette Hargin of Sweden. Austrian Lorraine Huber placed third.

The third tour stop follows at the end of the month in the United States where riders will get to ski the legendary Tram Face in Squaw Valley.

Teammate Sam Smoothy also competed but took a fall and sustained an injury to his leg, which resulted in a helicopter evacuation to the hospital.

Article care of Snowsports NZ

A note from Base Team Rider Tim Herbert

2010-02-10T13:45:00.002+13:00

Hey

I've been training at copper for the week and its been pretty crappy weather we really need some snow because riding the trees is very difficult when you have to avoid rocks as well. next weekend i have a comp at winterpark for slope and halfpipe it should be fun because winter parks slope course is so dope. and the other week were were on our way back from the gym with 10 people in the car and we stopped at a red light and a cops truck was waiting behind us and as soon as we pulled out of the light the lights were flashing behind us but the police man let us off with a warning because he said when he was in college he had way more then 10 people in a 5 seater car. our councilor Eric is going to help us build a rail setup in the back yard

Cheers Tim