Summer 2015 at Windells

Being a part of Mt. Hood in the summertime is one of my favorite things in the world. The sunshine, soft snow, and all around stoke you feel through the community is one that cannot be easily mimicked. I've had the pleasure of being a part of Windells the past few years, and was thrilled to be asked back to help out with the adult campers this year. Everyday on the glacier is a blessing, and the fact that we are able to snowboard during June-August is so incredible, despite the low snow year. This summer was especially low on snow and i'm blown away at how well the diggers at Windells, as well as the rest of the staff handled the situation and in my mind, came out on top. Thanks again for another memorable summer Windells, Mt. Hood, and Timberline! Pray for snow this season!

Alaska Dreams... My trip to Haines and Heli Skiing with SEABA

For the most part, all of the stories you hear about Alaska are true. Its cold, wet, theres wildlife everywhere, its absolutely stunning and its mostly run by men. The terrain is unbelievable and it is a place many people in the outdoorsy world dream about going. I was fortunate enough to make it up there this April for some heli skiing, and it was everything I could have imagined.
Other than the ample amount of down time sitting inside due to weather, the trip was an experience I will never forget. There is something very humbling about being in those mountains, getting dropped off on top of knife edge ridges from a helicopter, and descending thousands of feet to basically sea level again. Alaska left me with an indescribable feeling of longing for more time in the mountains, but also a huge respect those pioneers who first started exploring around them, where one small mistake will cost you your life. You can bet that I will find a way to get back there every year from now on.. I suggest you do too.

Viking Surfs Alaska from erika Vikander on Vimeo.
 

SFS BIG Sky 2015

Mother nature has been extremely fussy all year, with unusual snow patterns, or lack there of, we have all been at the mercy of a nearly snowless year here in the lower 48. Due to the nature of our sport, we have absolutely no control over whether or not it will snow, or if we will end up having to compete on less than ideal conditions. Unfortunately for the Subaru Freeride Series and Big Sky, mother nature just couldn't provide the snow needed at the proper time to warrant sending 100 plus competitors down one of the most treacherous zones on the mountain, the Headwaters.
Given the fact I grew up in Montana I was looking forward to going to this event a little bit more than than the rest of the stops, and was committed to go either way. We showed up two days early in Big Sky and were greeted with less than optimal conditions on the course (which was closed) and the mountain all around. Later that day we received an email from the event coordinators saying that the event had been cancelled, and regrettably there was nothing that could be said or done.
Determined to make the most of our time there, we decided to tough it out and go ride and keep our spirits up regardless. Lamentably, for the Freeride series coordinators mother nature had a little surprise up her sleeve and the skies opened up and dumped about 2 feet of snow in a 36 hour period of time, and I got to enjoy one of the best powder days of my life.
The terrain there is unbeatable, and with access to some really steep open bowls, cliff drops, and chutes directly from the tram, we got "free refills" and I was literally getting faceshots on every turn on every run all day long. That made up for the lack of the event in itself, and although SFS did their very best to make the event happen, sometimes things just happen don't work out as planned. I was privileged to be asked by the SFS to participate in a promotional video for the Sony Action Camera while I was up there and had an absolute blast being a part of that. Everything happens for a reason, and I would have loved to compete and bump myself up the overall rankings, however, I am very pleased to say I still ended up in 4th place overall in the series, my debut year. I am looking forward to many more Freeride events next year, and positioning myself to try to qualify for the Freeride World Tour. Thanks to everyone at the SFS for all of their hard work, my sponsors, family, supporters, and all of the new friends I've made on this exquisite journey into a new realm of competitive snowboarding. I'm looking forward to heading up to Haines, AK next week to get my fill of powder for the season- stay tuned for the next set of adventures!

Filming with the SFS for Sony Action Cam

Lone Peak behind me

Headwaters Venue Monday 3/23/15 (2 days before the storm)

Mahalo vibes

Subaru Freeride Series Telluride

I have heard that the San Juan mountain range in southern Colorado is spectacular, but I've never been able to witness it for myself. It did not disappoint. In every direction you gaze are just the most majestic mountains you have ever seen. I was lucky enough to be able to go to Telluride at the beginning of March for the Subaru Freeride Series stop and although it didn't go quite as planned for me, the level of riding both skiing and snowboarding was mind blowing, and the scenery made it just that much better.
With just a visual inspection of the course the day before competing in the Main Event, it was difficult to select the right line, and have the confidence to ride it well given it would be the first time ever going down it. I admire those who were able to find the right line and "send it" in the sense that a lot of the competitors did. For me it was unusual to look at something from the bottom and then try to find my way to it from the top, where you couldn't see more than about the first 100 feet of the slope. Needless to say, I got a little lost on my line and was unable to put down the run I wanted, missing finals by just one spot. I was more than happy to be able to watch and cheer on the rest of the competitors, and work on my tan in the sunshine at 12,000ft! It was an absolutely perfect day for a final, and the energy levels were high. People were absolutely throwing down and it was a pleasure to watch. Congratulations to all of the competitors who were able to attack the mountain and get on the podium, that was a gnarly course!
On a brighter note, I was selected to be featured in the CORE SHOT video that the Freeride Series does with athletes to highlight the competitors and give a little behind the scenes look at who we are and showcases our personalities. Thanks for choosing me to be featured SFS and MSI! Take a look at the video below!
I can't wait for the next event at Big Sky, MT which is one of my old stomping grounds growing up! Be sure to stay tuned and check the SFS website (http://subarufreerideseries.com/)  for live streaming of the event and to see all of the athletes current ranking on the tour!

Rahlves Redbull Banzai at Alpine Meadows

This whole season has been a new experience for me. Having to mentally overcome knee surgery I think is the most difficult part of it all, the physical aspect is easy, but having to completely re-think the way I've lived my life forever and be "cautious" is something i've never had to do.
That being said its opened so many doors that I had so strategically left closed for a long time knowing that my true passion may lie behind them. Between the freeride series, getting out in the mountains and earning my turns, I feel that riding park may be a thing of the past for me (at least until the summertime.)
I was coerced into coming with some friends to do the BANZAI in Tahoe which is another event that I had heard of, but never thought I would have an opportunity to do with my heavy slopestyle contest schedule. Luckily I was able to sneak over to Alpine Meadows and participate in this one, and man was it intense! I've never done any racing on my snowboard, let alone racing with 3 other people next to me, down what was basically a Giant Slalom course covered with giant icy moguls! The event was all time and so were the people. The format was insane, I still can't wrap my head around it, but I do know that I somehow managed to get 4th for women! Congrats to everyone who participated and survived that icy hill of death! Special shoutout to Daron Rahlves for hosting the event and showing us all what a great skier he is by absolutely crushing the course on his warmup run.

Making new friends at the burrito stand 

Top of the course! 

Podium shot! 

Squaw Prom was all time. Thanks Kaya for the VIP hookup! 

Subaru Freeride Series at Snowbird 2015

As you may or may not have figured out by now,  Slopestyle contests have been a driving force in my life for the past few years. Its hard to realize that there are other aspects of snowboarding outside of what I like to call my "comfort bubble." After blowing my knee last year, I just mentally wasn't ready to hit big jumps and potentially risk another injury by pushing myself to do the Grand Prix in Mammoth. I opted out of doing the contest, and decided to sign up for the Subaru Freeride Series. It may have been one of the best decisions i've ever made, snowboarding or not.
The event took place at Snowbird,UT which is an absolutely legendary place to ride. Having grown up in Montana, I felt pretty confident about my ability on a snowboard and being able to handle this terrain.
The day of Semi qualifiers we were greeted with 80+ mile an hour winds, with gusts of up to 120! Needless to say it was pretty low visibility, and harsh conditions. The event coordinators at the Freeride Series did an awesome job holding off until we could see a little better and let us compete about an hour and a half after the designated start time. Having not rode the line I chose due to my lack of knowledge during inspection, I was so happy to just make it down the run in one piece. I ended up qualifying for finals in 6th position out of 7 girls, so I just barely made it!
The finals day we were on a different portion of the mountain called North Baldy, the hike to the start was unbelievably beautiful and serene. I was able to get a good line down in our one run inspection, and felt at ease for the rest of the day. We inspected at 8:30am and didn't end up riding until 3:45pm so by that time I was a little antsy to say the least!
The energy of the crowd and people at these events is something I haven't experience at a contest in a very long time. Huge smiles all around, people drinking beer, grilling in the sunshine, it was my kind of scene indeed. I was able to put down a solid run with a few airs, some technical lines, and a little rock hopping and put myself on the podium in 2nd place! I couldn't be more pleased with this whole thing and CANNOT wait for the next stops on this series- Next one will be at Telluride March 4-8th!
Huge shoutout to the Subaru Freeride Series and all of their sponsors! All of my sponsors and supporters who got me here, and my family that stands behind me every step of the way! Including my big brother and his girlfriend who came out to watch! Also a huge thanks to all of the hard working filmers and photographers who provided me with these awesome shots (Jay Dash, Sean Ryan and Amy Jimmerson)

Here is a full preview of the live webcast;

http://subarufreerideseries.com/2015/02/6737/     (my run is at 4:50:52)