Junior Freeride Tour Squaw Valley March 8-10

Blessed with 2 feet of new snow and then bluebird for the Sat/Sun of the show, it was needless to say a great time at the Junior Freeride Tour's stop this past weekend in Squaw Valley USA. As has been the case previously, the MSI folks did a great job putting on a fun event for all with the wonderful vibe of Squaw on terrific weekend for skiing as the backdrop. Magnificent!!

My son competed and just had such a great time. He really enjoys searching out a line, really thinking it through (form, line fluidity, safety, the gnar factor) and then hitting it. He was literally "chomping at the bit" for the show to start on Sunday because he was so psyched to ski his line. Now that's cool.

The venue(s) at Squaw were perfect for a Freeriding comp, many lines to choose from. As you will see from my video of all the skiers in the Finals, very few took the same line or hit the same air. It's that opportunity for freedom, creativity and originality that makes the comps really fun to watch. It's basically like watching your favorite ski movie.............LIVE!!!

Graham had a good weekend and finished 2nd overall!!! The following link is a composite of his 3 runs over both days. The part that video just really cannot capture (me with an Iphone, hardly technical or high quality) is just how intense the terrain and lines are. I also coach Graham so we inspect these venues together. There are times I wish I was not out there above these cliffs. Yikes.

sdrv.ms/ZHG98S

For example, on Graham's Finals run we spotted a 40 foot air off a cliff in to narrow(ish) landing zone. As we were inspecting, him on top of the cliff and me at the bottom landing zone, the Coach is telling him its a "GO" while the dad in me is almost shaking at how intense it is.

And the coolest thing is that there a bunch of kids out there that can really ski and are skiing these incredible lines. The following link is to a video that I took at the bottom of the nastiest section of the kids runs. Cant see the top from my angle so you will catch each competitor as they come over the roll. Great stuff........take a look.

sdrv.ms/WlJt8G

Here is a link to anuch of pics on their FB page and the final results. Have to give a shout out to Sklyar Scheid for attempting the backflip and if he makes it might have scored very high and to Emmett Seely who skied very nice the two days including the highest scored run of the 2 days and won the Freemountain award.

www.facebook.com/jrfreeskiingtour#!/medi...6917199381016&type=1

jft.rmvn.stackablehost.com/wp-content/up...inal-Results-PDF.pdf

We are looking forward to the Tour Finals at Snowbird coming up April 3-7. All of this gains Graham qualifying points for the FWT when he turns 18, and can go compete against current leader on that tour Drew Tabke!!

We also have started the Ski Shot 8 Freeride Team. Please checkout our FB page. Thanks TAY community!!

www.facebook.com/pages/Ski-Shot-8-Freeride-Team/561702940520155

Awesome! Congratulations to Graham (and you) those were some sweet lines. The goalpost shot is fantastic.

Awesome!  Congratulations to Graham (and you) those were some sweet lines.  The goalpost shot is fantastic.

Thanks Marcus. It's really all about Graham, I am just along for the ride!! Yahoo!!!

The goal post was a cool run and so glad Billy got a great shot of it. The landing was manky so it was a committed move to say the least. Fun stuff!!

A beautiful 2 days and Graham runs were great. Using both sides of the area were impressive.

The goal post shot was BIG!

way to keep em safe and score BIG!

congrats!!!!!from lot 4 crew to young G

Hey thanks everyone!!!

Especially all the Lot 4 bros. We are trying to really represent Alpy, and show everyone that the best skiers come from there!!! LOL. HAHA.

But just in case anyone is worried about bigger crowds.......don't. No one has ever heard of Alpental based on my trips to CO and CA this year. Literally not one person when asked about home area has ever heard of it.

And...........we follow up by saying if you come to WA, go to Crystal. LOL. Peace!!!