White out! Snowboarders defy the elements

It was all about altitude and attitude as the first Glass & Powder Boardshop Slope-style session got under way at Wintergreen Resort on Sunday, January 30. Snowboarders of all ages and skill levels came together for a collaborative snowboarding competition at the resort's Terrain Park.

Bitter cold, harsh winds, and even a blinding fog didn't seem to faze the 68 boarders divided into six divisions, who were judged over two heats on style, tricks, transition/composition, and intensity.

The weekend's "all fun, no pressure" competition was the first of three events slated for the next few months by Glass & Powder and Wintergreen, who hope the Slope-style competition will help create camaraderie between area snowboarders and their families.

Arguably, the best part about Sunday's Slope-style event (aside from the Punch buggy-turned-board-jump) is that everyone went home a winner. Although first-, second-, and third-place winners for each division were awarded goods from sponsors such as Burton, Dragon, and Red Bull, everyone who competed in the event walked home with a bag full of cool stuff.

One of the "master" competitors gets big air in the final heat.

Glass & Powder Board Shop sponsored the event; wind and fog made a guest appearance.

Drop it like it's cold... err... hot! One rider shows what he's got.

Best seat in the house: Glass & Powder's treasurer and co-owner, Sandy Appelman, and Wintergreen's Jason Schetrumpf were judges for the day.

"Show me the Coffee!"- Scott Dickens, an owner of Glass & Powder Boardshop and the announcer for the slope-style session, remained in good humor despite being very, very, very cold.

Into the mist: Boys in the "grommit" category (ages 13 and under) get ready to take the downhill plunge.

Since skiers were spectators, Lucy and Frank Manheim of Fairfax watch the action.

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