RECCO brings back the King of the Hill to Valdez, Alaska, this spring. On April 3rd, big-mountain riding's most legendary event returns to Thompson Pass. Four generations of riders will test their skill sets from the backcountry, halfpipe, snowboard cross, and slopestyle on 4,000-foot vertical of undulating natural terrain, littered with halfpipes, fins, outcroppin... Read Moregs, cliffs and deep, pristine powder. "It's the craziest, deepest, powder you can find. It s the best place in the world to snowboard. It's pretty scary, and big, and fast everything is 20 times bigger than anywhere else in the world," said legend Mark Frank Montoya about the event. "These runs will demand massive airs, Cro-Magnon leg strength and cat-like board-handling agility. It's the ultimate test of a professional snowboarder in one run, pitting the hard-charging exuberance of youth with the accrued mastery of those with years of experience," emphasized Mark Sullivan (founder of Tailgate Alaska and organizer of RECCO King of the Hill.) From Shaun Farmer, Kevin Jones, Mike Basich and Seth Wescott to Travis Rice, Mark Landvik,

The Burlington Free Press reported yesterday that Burton is closing down the BMC, their Vermont snowboard manufacturing plant where the company produces all of their high end boards. The BMC has been a staple in Burlington for about three decades. Read the full, though brief story here.

UPDATE: The Video is UP! http://www.rallyfix.com/blogs/detail/Video-TANNER-FOUST-MULHOLLAND-DRIFT/122.html Tanner Foust drifts on Mulholland. We haven't seen much from Mr. Foust this season - and that's because he's in Europe getting ready to put the smackdown on the Rally America Rallycross series in NJ this fall. "I've been watching European-style Rally Cross ... Read Morefor years," said Foust. "I love the combination of dirt, pavement, jumps and door-to-door action it's like a real-life videogame.." Rally Cross promises intense crowd-pleasing action in a fan-friendly track environment. Six drivers line up to start at once, piloting high-horsepower compact cars through race traffic over a challenging short course that features jumps, unbanked turns, hills and transitions between pavement and gravel. For his first European-style Rally Cross event in April, in Portugal, Foust will pilot a 600-horsepower, all-wheel drive Olsbergs MSE Ford Fiesta. The same car he drove at X Games in 2009 to a bronze medal, and also the same model that rival Ken Block will be racing in Rally America stage rally and

Sure it's been plastered all over the BNQT network, but in case you haven't seen it, be damned sure to watch the teaser for Nimbus' new venture "en route departure" [sic, I guess]. The Nimbus Crew (Fujas, Benchetler, Pollard, Mahre, here augmented with luminaries like Ian Cosco, Anthony B, Bene Mayer, and Blake Nyman, is billing this film as being about more than "... Read Morejump after jump," which might be true for the full feature length which is coming out soon, but the teaser here is stacked with white hot action. With Nimbus, you are not really landing unless you are landing switch. For lots more sweet vids and updates and the full length feature coming soon,check http://www.nimbusindependent.com

Riding park can be intimidating for female snowboarders. Not only do the large jumps, street-style rails and looming halfpipe look gnarly, but the task of riding amidst young, talented riders, who are dropping and snaking every feature can cause mild panic attacks. But, lady riders want to get into that park, so that they can stand on a stop and drop before a jump lin... Read Moree, raise an arm if needed, and drop in. Sometimes they just need someone to help show them the way, give them the basic skills and park etiquette and then they're on their way. But, where can the average woman find this type of instruction and coaching? The options are limited. Except in New Hampshire, where Loon Mountain noticed a need for an outlet for park-hungry female snowboarders seven years ago and started Droppin' In, an annual weekend-long clinic for women of any age, from teen to seasoned adult, to come and progress their park riding. Whether someone has never made a turn into the progression park before or they are looking to dial intheir first 360, Droppin ' In has coaches that tailor the weekend to meet each rider's needs.

Launched in 2004, the Roxy Chicken Jams are the first and most prestigious stand-alone all-girls pro snowboarding events in the world. By bringing together the best riders, the best resorts and some of the biggest prize purses in women's professional snowboarding, Roxy fosters greater exposure and a higher level of competition for the sport and its riders. Each snowbo... Read Moreard season features two Jams: one in North America at Mammoth Mountain, and a European event held this year in Saalbach Hinterklemm, Austria. The Roxy Chicken Jam in Austria runs January 8-10, 2010, while the event in the United States runs March 25-28, 2010, crowning the Swatch TTR Women's World Champion. In addition to the 6-star superpipe and slopestyle competition, spectators will again enjoy a huge free concert in the Village at Mammoth featuring The Bravery and N.A.S.A.For lodging and info on Mammoth Mountain please visit http://www.mammothmountain.com/