Bellingham, WA - Apologies for the delayed update, but we've all been recovering from this event, and shipping the mad orders for the new hardbound edition (already almost sold out). Ah Christmas...

At any rate, the release of frequency TSJ's #5.4 Photobook, and especially the first-ever limited edition hardbound volume, was cause for much, much celebration. Starting with the staff's private holiday event with Jessie Lu, Katie, Maxx, Wibby, Laing, JG, and guests Justin Hostynek, Cole Barash and Jake Blauvelt arriving for sushi, sake and stoke. Later the crew moved down the street to the iconic Green Frog Café/Acoustic Tavern for both micro and macro treats. With an all-star attendance including: Colin Langlois, Patrick McCarthy, Mark Landvik, Mike Yoshida, Tarek Husevold, Ahmon Stamps, and Think Thank’s Gary Milton, and a stellar surf rock set by The All-Nighters (the alter ego of local speed metal deities Full Frontal Assault). Between full pours of strong IPAs, all in attendance gawked at snowboarding's first-ever hardbound periodical and swatted barflies and spilled beer away from their white-glove prize. While nearly all copies of this hardbound edition are sold out, a small supply remains available through the holidays. Get it today, and thanks to all who came out and made our #5.4 release event an evening to (kind of) remember.

Saturday November 26, 2006. Due to a post turkey day hangover my friend Katie and I roll into Summit-at-Snoqualmie around 10:30am. Not deterred by the fact it was a holiday opening weekend, we dealt with the Costco style parking and managed to find a spot. Looking out the window at the Pacific Crest chairlift, I witnessed a line resembling that of one when Star Wars was released. Usually I'd be swearing at lines like these but all that could come out of my mouth were phrases like, "mmm that's sexy" or "mmm ya that's hot". My excitement to ride Snoqualmie was hard to contain, especially after spending the last year lost at Mt.Baker. Snoqualmie is like my twin sisters eyes, I know every hill like it is my own. As the day began to wan we ran into good friends Shane and Josh. After a few runs through the rollers off of Dodge, we went to Wildside, where Shane spoke of a small jump. Armed with my Polaroid, I set up next to the jump, which appeared to have an ice/rock landing. Shane and Josh both successfully landed on the ice/rock landing. We all decided to call it a day. Nothing could have ruined that day, I was home again. Thanks Summit-at-Snoqualmie for the best Turkey Day weekend ever.

Growing up in Washington State, I have grown accustomed to expecting huge snow storms, but this recent weather pattern that has hit our neck of the woods is seriously out of control. Twelve feet of snow has fallen on the North Cascades in one storm, for all you math dorks out there that is 144in. -- or for our friends to the north that is over 365cm. To put it into perspective, Mt. Baker already has half of the base they received during their world record year of 98 and the resort has just been open a couple of weeks. Make your vacation plans now Santa got here early.

Reports began coming in from friends and the web that Whistler Mountain was opening a week early and after summer spent scratching a couple days at Hood, and requisite Mt. Baker pond skimming, this was not to be missed. With warming temps plaguing the few open Washington resorts, the decision was easy. Packing my bags, I made a few phone calls, blew off my previous plans and left B-ham way to early in the morning and arrived at Whistler hours before the lifts opened. Better than hours after. The snow was deep, light and plentiful. Dodging the mild lift lines was accomplished via uploading at the gondola mid-station: I was able to ride virtually all day without standing in any lines. Not bad for an opener anywhere, let alone the site of the next Winter Olympics. The whole resort had solid coverage and even afforded super long burn out pow runs all the way down to base. Pretty damn good for a Nov 18th day one.

The Blackcomb side of the resort opens on the 23rd and if the extended forecast turns out anything like its supposed to, its going to be a powder week in the BC mountains. Wax up those sticks and grab your snorkel.

Seattle, WA: This past Friday night Boise's alt-rock legends Built To Spill packed the Pyramid Ale House in Seattle. The big shindig, dubbed "Get Snowed In," produced a snow-dance of monumental proportions, and subsequently helping produce the massive amounts of snowfall recorded over the weekend. The result: Crystal Mountain and Mt. Baker both announced early openings (Wed for Crystal, Thurs for Baker) Thanks to Pyramid's Snow Cap ale, most of the sold-out crowd was whipped into a frenzy by the time Doug Martsch and Co. took the stage. This show brought shred and music fans together in support of good beer, great music, and a fantastic storm system. Co-sposnors included The Surfrider Foundation, The K2 Snowboarding, POW Gloves, The Summit at Snoqualmie, Crystal Mountain, Snowboard Connection, One Mountain Clothing, Casual Industries, and 107.7 the End. Prizes were tossed to the masses, kegs were killed, and shakas were tossed about. Snowboarding celebs like Eric Leines, Nathan Yant, and Monty Hayes were spotted giving it up to the snow gods. Whatever they're putting in that beer, it produced seriously funny feelings of winter euphoria. Another round please.