January Photo Winner Announced

This month's winner of "The Mountain Life" photo contest is John Gellings of Anchorage, AK.




















John's photo of splitboarders skinning above the clouds inspired an almost mystical mood amongst our judges. It also elicited comments about the beauty and grandeur of a great backcountry tour. John will be rewarded with a Venture t-shirt and pint glass, and will also be entered into the grand prize competition, giving him a one in seven chance of winning a brand spanking new Venture deck.

Other pics our judges found worthy of honorable mention include Eric Flygare's photo of splitters getting ready to drop in on a line in Northern Utah. Wish we were there!













Phil Simon's photo of topping out at Whistler Blackcomb also made us drool.











Barb Watterson's photo of Amy Flygare ripping a sick backcountry line elicited oohs and aahs.










Lastly, Ben Boccia's pic of a toy truck emblazoned with the Venture logo got a good chuckle out of the crew.











Many thanks to all the photographers who entered this month's competition. Clearly you're all getting out and getting after it!

If you missed this round, you still have two more chances to get a shot at the grand prize – a brand spanking new Venture board. Monthly competitions will take place from now through March 2009, with winners entered into a second tier competition, to be judged in early April. The contest theme is "The Mountain Life" and anything goes - lifestyle, action, scenic, humor... as long as it reflects life in the mountains.

Click here for details on how to enter.

Think snow!

Product Testing Mission

Our friends at Silverton Powdercats treated us to a day of awesome turns in the San Juan backcountry earlier this week. We used the opportunity to take the crew on a little product testing mission. Prototype boards for the 09.10 season were under foot - including some new rockered shapes. We can't say too much about next year's top secret board lineup at this point, but you can see from the photos below that we had a rockin good time!

Thanks to Jon, Todd and Tim at Silverton Powdercats for hooking it up (including a great lunch spread!). Check out their operation at www.snowcat-powder.com. And muchas gracias to photographers Scott Smith and Jason Ebelheiser for spending a powder day behind the lens!

December Photo Winner Announced

The winner of this month's photo contest is Natalie Cromwell.



Natalie's photo of fellow rider Chris Gallardo bursting from a cloud of cold smoke elicited hoots and hollers from our judges, who also commented on the photo's use of crisp black and white imagery. Natalie will be rewarded with a Venture t-shirt and pint glass, and will also be entered into the grand prize competition, giving her a one in seven chance of winning a brand spanking new Venture deck.

Several other photos earned our judges' accolades this month as runners-up, including Sam Kikuchi's photo of some determined hikers earning their turns on the Center Ridge at Alyeska Resort in AK.


Gene Sackman's very artistic black and white photo of Aspen trees taken near Telluride, CO also appealed. Can I get a copy of this to hang on my wall?



Kelly Chaffee's shot of a rider shredding a couple feet of freshies in the White Mountains of New Hampshire was noted for its great composition - our judges really liked the way the trees framed the rider. Yay for New England pow days!


Lastly, Dave Dunmeyer's shot of a Colorado local launching over a trail sign in downtown Pagosa Springs, CO was chosen for its composition and perfect timing. Too bad that's not a Venture under foot!


Many thanks to all the photographers who entered this month's competition. There was definitely some great eye candy in this batch!

If you missed this round, you still have three more chances to get a shot at the grand prize – a brand spanking new Venture board. Monthly competitions will take place from now through March 2009, with winners entered into a second tier competition, to be judged in early April. The contest theme is "The Mountain Life" and anything goes - lifestyle, action, scenic, humor... as long as it reflects life in the mountains.

Click here for details on how to enter.

Think snow!

Wolf Creek Pow

Just rode Wolf Creek today with four feet of snow and no people.  The snow set up just a bit so we were able to stay on top of it.  They opened Alberta lift at about noon and no one was over there.  Fresh lines in step bowl that blew overhead.  The water fall area has slid and is still boney but on either side of it is good.  Knife ridge stayed closed all day.  High winds and blizzard conditions made visibility poor but we managed to kill it anyway.  Should be good all week long.  Why aren't you riding?  J 

"The Wish List" Film Screening

Join the crew from Venture Snowboards as we sponsor a screening of the film "The Wish List" here in Silverton! The film features awesome backcountry ski and snowboard footage from Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Montana and British Columbia. Our Divide splitboard will make an appearance underfoot!

Event Details:
Steam and Steel Cafe
$5 cover
Beer, wine and food will be available for purchase
Doors at 6:30, film starts at 7 pm

For more info or to see the film trailer visit the Blacksmith Productions website:

www.blacksmithadventure.com

Season Kickoff Craziness

Our 4th Annual Season Kickoff with Ska Brewing was a blast! Some choice pics below of the Freeman Social and the winner of this year's limited edition Ska board!

Demo Tour Announced

Get a Venture under foot at one of our 08.09 winter demos! Demo tour dates are as follows:




For more info, visit our website: www.venturesnowboards.com.

Hope to see you on the snow!

November Photo Winner

The winner of this month's photo contest is Eric Flygare of Benson, Utah.

Eric’s photo captured the essence of the perfect powder day, with his friend Jenny Swanson emerging center stage from a cloud of the white stuff. One judge’s comment sums it up: “Cold smoke – Boom!” Eric will be rewarded with a Venture t-shirt and pint glass. His photo will also be entered into the second tier grand prize competition, giving him a one in seven chance of winning a snowboard.

Other photos that our judges felt worthy of honorable mention include a springtime photo of Amy Flygare shredding the gnar in northern Utah. Mmmmmmm, corn.

Mat Holgate's photo of his dog Nacho taking a leak after a day of face shots got a laugh out of our judges. Check out the snow beard and that back leg extension!













Jim Ferrigno's photo was noted for it's unique composition, although all the judges agreed it would be better with a Venture!











Finally, Skylar Holgate's photo of South America Snow Sessions coach Mauri Cambilla captured our attention for its great composition and rip roaring rooster tail. Too bad he's a skier...

Many thanks to the 20+ photographers who entered this month’s competition. If you missed out on this round, you still have four more chances to get a shot at the grand prize – a brand spanking new Venture board. Monthly competitions will take place from now through March 2009, with winners entered into a second tier competition, to be judged in early April. The contest theme is "The Mountain Life" and anything goes - lifestyle, action, scenic, humor... as long as it reflects life in the mountains. Click here for details on how to enter.

Think snow!

Telluride Is Open!

What better way to celebrate Thanksgiving then riding with a bunch of turkeys?

Paul Goodman BS Brodeo the mini jump

View of the Tride backcountry

Season Kickoff 12/6!

Venture Snowboards and Ska Brewing are once again teaming up to welcome winter in style with their Fourth Annual Season Kickoff Party scheduled for Saturday, December 6th.

For the fourth year running, the two homegrown Colorado companies are producing a small run of custom graphics boards and a special winter brew, both of which will be unveiled at the bash. This year's Season Kickoff features live music from James and the Devil and The Freeman Social, Ska drink specials, and tons of giveaways from Bubba's Boards, Inferno Snowboard Shop, El Diablo Snowcats, Pedal & Powder, Purgatory, Purl Wax, Silverton Mountain, Spark R&D, and Wolf Creek Ski Area.

The highlight of the evening will be the raffle for a coveted limited edition Ska/Venture custom snowboard. Emblazoned with the zany worm from Ska's Mexican Lager label and the distinctive Venture snowflake, this year’s decks are destined to become collector’s items for beer and snow lovers alike.

The Season Kickoff Party gets rockin' at 8 pm at Silverton's Pride of the West (1323 Greene Street). Cover charge is $6 and this is a 21+ event. Proceeds will benefit the Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies in Silverton. For more information call 970.387.5078.

YOU COULD WIN THIS BOARD!

October Photo Winner Announced

The winner of Venture Snowboards’ October photo contest is Josh Hejtmanek of New Castle, Colorado. Ooooo....spooooky!

Josh’s photo of a unique and snow-inspired jack-o-lantern really captured October’s spooky holiday spirit – and the attention of our judges. The carved squash was ablaze with Venture’s signature snowflake, which one judge commented “really shows Josh’s Venture pride.” His attention to detail was also noted, and his accuracy in reproducing the highly detailed flake. Josh will be rewarded with a Venture t-shirt and pint glass. His photo will also be entered into the second tier

grand prize competition, giving him a one in seven chance of winning a snowboard.

This month’s photo contest brought in nearly 30 entries from all over the world, including several submissions from our snow loving compatriots in Spain. There was a common theme for the runners up this month - like the winning submission they all had a certain glow about them...

Eric Flygare's photo of a warm campfire and an icy igloo was pretty captivating. Our judges thought the figure in the background looked a bit ghost-like. Maybe they just had ghouls and goblins on the brain thanks to Halloween...

Our judges thought that Shane Hopkin's photo was reminiscent of the work of Ansel Adams. Great contrast of light and dark, and look at all those stars!

We couldn't resist the opportunity to share at least one snowy pic with you. Ramon Mazkiaran's photo of a backcoutry treck inspired us to get out and get after it!

Many thanks to all the photographers who participated this month! If you missed out on this round, there are still five more chances to get a shot at the grand prize – which is a brand spanking new Venture board. Monthly competitions will take place from now through March 2009, with winners entered into a second tier competition, to be judged in early April. The contest theme is "The Mountain Life" and anything goes - lifestyle, action, scenic, humor....as long as it reflects life in the mountains. For details on how to enter, click here.

THINK SNOW!

September Photo Winner!

Our September photo contest winneris Amy Flygare of Benson, Utah. Check out her sweet line...makes you drool, doesn't it?

Amy’s photo won the judges’ approval instantly. “She looks so graceful,” said one. “She’s pointing it like she means business,” commented another. Others approved of the use of shadow and light, and the awesome backcountry setting. The judges’ only complaint was that Amy didn’t share the location of her photo - presumably to keep them from poaching her secret spot!

Congrats Amy! You'll be receiving a bunch of Venture swag in the mail, and your photo will also be entered into the second tier grand prize competition, giving you a one in seven chance of winning a brand spanking new snowboard!

This month's photo contest brought in more than 20 entries from all over North America, including submissions from New Hampshire, Montana, and British Columbia. Subject matter was all over the map. Below are three runners up that the judges felt deserved honorable mention.

Judges agreed that Mike Taormina's photo came with the best story. "This was the view of an early morning inversion atop lone peak in Montana, April of 2007. The best part of the day was that, down below, nobody knew it was a bluebird day up top. Patrol let myself and the other tram operator ride a normally roped off line referred to by them as "Tits Up." Negotiating the rock-lined chutes that took us into the fog you see in this picture was one of the great moments I have had on a board (It was indeed a Venture, which I was sold by Grizzly Outfitters there in Big Sky). Thanks for the great board, which stood up to the scree fields like a champ." Awwww...that made us feel all warm and fuzzy inside!

Tyler Kind got brownie points for including a Venture board in his photo but the backcountry flavor, composition, and scenery are really what got him honorable mention. Here's what Tyler had to say about his submission: "I broke my Arbor A-frame last winter at Silverton and bought a Venture Storm while there to replace it. The board is the best ride on the market and I continually spread the positive word about your amazing boards. This photo is me in the back country near Vail. I look forward to seeing you guys at Silverton once the snow sticks...Thanks for taking my riding to the next level!" You're welcome, Tyler!

Kyle Zimmerman's photo of his friend Brandon was just plain hilarious. It's entitled "Aunt Jemima Jesus," and here's how he describes it: "All you need on a springbreak trip to Silverton is long underwear and syrup...mmmmm." Mmmmm indeed Kyle!

Thanks to all the photographers who participated this month! If you missed out on this round, there are still six more chances to get a shot at the grand prize – which is a brand spanking new Venture board. Monthly competitions will take place from now through March 2009, with winners entered into a second tier competition, to be judged in early April. The contest theme is "The Mountain Life" and anything goes - lifestyle, action, scenic, humor....as long as it reflects life in the mountains. For details on how to enter, click here.

New Lift Installed in Telluride!

I went out with the top T-ride brass on Oct 1st to watch the heli drop the towers for the new lift in Revelation Bowl. For more photos check out http://www.snowboard-mag.com/node/32707