Red Bull Snake Run at Waterville Valley Superpost

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February 08, 2011

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For the photo album go here.

On Saturday February 5th at Waterville Valley the Red Bull Snake Run went down for the second year, bringing together mini groms, local heavies, and lots of good-hearted buzzards--the full spectrum of the NH snowboard community.

New Hampshire has been privy to a bevy of snowstorms recently, and the large supply of snow allowed Waterville's boarding park guru, Luke Mathison, and his crew to build the largest and longest snake run course the East has ever scene. Waterville has always had a keen knowledge of the importance of skating and its influence on boarders and so the Snake Run is at home on these NH slopes. It is a true skate-inspired course that you can snowboard on and have a great experience.

Tyler Davis exemplifying sunny day fun.

This year's course started off with a backside hip, which appeared small and mellow but was shooting riders cleanly high up in the air. It defied the general laws of physics and was incredibly fun. Mike Ravelson made it out of Plymouth alive to come ride and was boosting well over head high. After the hip, the course snaked back and forth down the trail, with banked ledges, a crooked rail, double-sided wallride, and the all-new Red Bull Jersey Barrier. There was lots of variety, and riding creativity was the theme of the day. From the six-year-olds clothed in 525 East sweatshirts down to their knees to the Plymouth State graduates in tight pants and flannel, there was a fun way to ride everything for everyone.

Charging hard, the 14 and Under Division were also carefree, fun-having, and all wearing hugely oversized sweatshirts--a tiny army under 525 East General Bill Enos. They spun, grabbed, and hiked up the course faster than any other group all day. Riding along with them was the Women's Division, who had brought their tool belts to lay down some definite hammers. Taylor Owen and Jordan Parks led the ladies' pack, per usual.

Mike Ravelson was using the hip for much more than the average variety of tricks. Here he tackles a one footer. That guy is good at boardin'.

The Open Division made riding the course look easy. Tanner McCarty was spinning on and off the Jersey barrier with his usual, effortless style and was trying some sort of moto-x barrel roll trick off the hip. Let's just say he landed it, because it was awesome. Brendon Rego and Mike Rav were boosting of the hip and Rego was slaying the rails, even though he "couldn't feel his legs," which is probably some sort of side-effect of hanging out at Plymouth State. Ben Ross was tweaking grabs like no other and Parker Szumowski was one of the hardest charging and most consistent riders all day.

Henry Padden pokes out some tail on the hip.

To round out the competition, the Washed Up Division took to the course, calling out mandatory methods on the hip and anything that wouldn't end in injuries on the rest of the course. Oakley's Mark Wakeling and Trevor Fitzgerald were sending lines down the course, each putting down a handful of floaty methods. Tom "Tomcat" Peplinski made his way to WV from Loon and threw the only switch method of the day it was nice. Randall Zimbone, new business owner and thus new Washed Up competitor, was going big all day and Waterville's Kevin Bell and Luke Mathison took laps on the course-a few spectators claim they saw Luke go sideways on a rail, too. Mike Azevedo, one of the most anticipated competitors, did not make it to the contest, even after half a dozen people tried to wake him up from his deep slumber with no success. There's always next year, Vedo!

Tanner McCarty on the crooked rail.

The day finished up on the deck of Buckets, Waterville's favorite apres spot and winners were announced, beginning with the youngest riders who are rising up the ranks of the New England snowboarding community. The anticipation mounted for who would be crowned the Washed Up winner--the godfather of Snake Run. It was none other than Tyler Davis, the marquee for washed up snowboarding ability, as Tyler is able to clear 60-foot jumps, but has to get home in time to grade high school English papers for his day job. As Tyler stood atop the podium in the fluorescent-print sweatshirt he won at last year's Snake Run, he accepted his laundry detergent trophy, winced a little bit, opened the cap, and took a swig of the blue Tide. Cheers, to the groms who are the future, the young riders who are making it now, and the slightly older guys who still have it in them. The circle of snowboarding is alive and well on the East Coast and each year Snake Run brings the community together.

Big thanks to Deb, Luke, Jamie, and Kevin at Waterville, Mark and Trevor at Oakley, Jeff at Forum, Piatek at Matix and DVS, Kovall at ASS Industries, Bub, Herb, Tommy and everyone at Eastern Boarder, Sandra at PBR, and everyone who came out and had fun boarding. Check the photo album, more photos on Waterville Valley's facebook page, and the video. See you next year!

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