PETRA's BLOG: March 2013

27 March 2013

SNOWWORLD - INDOOR SKI RESORT

The snowpark. Looks nice even it was not shaped at all.

While I had visited Rotterdam with Steven in March, we went to ride in indoorhall, Snowworld.

It has all started with a flight. Yeeey :).

This was the second time I was in Swworld (about the first time you can read here, about the Trip to Snowtropolis, Germany indoorhall, here). According to pictures we saw on the internet, the park should be great. Unfortunatelly, the reality was little bit different. The obstacle themselves were ok, the snowpark was creative. But it was not shaped for a long time. It made our riding little bit more unconfortable, but still we could have some fun.

Snowworld has 3 slopes. The first one was for begginers, the second one was with the park. The third slope was for other skiers and in this time it also had a bagjump.

We were riding for 4 hours, made thousands of runs and went back home again. Another nice day of riding: checked!

Sliding the rail.

The snowpark from the bottom.

The part of the park from

TESTING OF OX AND SPRINGJAM

During the winter season 12/13 people could test OXskis in couple of Czech ski resorts (some picture visible here). In March, I helped Ondrej in Dolní Morava and Paseky nad Jizerou.

OXskis and Alpine Pro at Dolní Morava.

At 16th of March we went to Dolní Morava also with Dan and his tent of Alpine Pro.
It was said to me that Dolní Morava used to have the best snowpark in Czech republic. As we could see, not anymore. In this time, they are looking for somebody, who would be able to take care about the park. It was a pity, I was looking forward to check another park.
In the afternoon there was a contest in riding through artificial lake, water plash. No doubt it was the best part of the day, a lot of people was watching it and supported their favourites riders by making a noise :). Ondrej, as a succesful rider, won a flower-tea.

Water Splash and Ondrej.

Next day we visited Paseky nad Jizerou, where took the place 2 events in one time – One Day In by freeride.cz and Springjam. I didnt know what to expect, I had never been there before. This place is around 3 hours away from Prague. Truly said, it was really nice suprise. Moreover, bluebird made the day even better. The park was quite long with 2 kickers. Those were lil bit weird, narrow with almost no landing, but it was cool to see that shapers are trying to do their best and also prepare the park for the riders.

Once again, OXskis represent.

The snowpark in Paseky nad Jizerou from the top.

Chill before hitting the park.

I was jibbing all day. Organisation of the Spingjam was even more weird than kickers. No ridersmeeting, no information what, where, when, who… :) The good point was we were able to shred all day without any problems. Except me there were another two skiers, Verča and Lida. They were riding pretty stylish with nice tricks! Go girls!!

Around 15:30 contest had stopped. Lil bit later judges announced the winners. Steven took the third place in a cathegory snowboard men. In freeski men Fanda Jetmar won, freeski women I took the first place.

Another weekend, full of nice experiences was over. Already looking forward to the next one! :)

10 March 2013

LAAX I.

One of my goals this season was to visit Laax in Swiss. One of the best resorts in the world with awesome park, a lot of kickers and nice people. Me and Steven went there in the beginning of March.

OX team chillin - me, Šimba, Horác.

Because it was Friday with busy traffic, the traveling took us approximately 7 hours. After our arrival Richie showed us his work, Arena Flims. Interesting hotel which has rooms designed in style of some famous brands, such as Roxy, Nikita, Dakine, Eleven, Nitro, Vans...

One room in Arena Flims

Than we went by shuttle bus to Richie´s apartment. The LAAX winter resort in the Grisons is made up of the villages of Flims, Laax and Falera. There is a direct link to the ski area from all three locations. Laax has four snowparks and Europe's half pipe (from www.laax.com). Richie lives in Laax, 10 minutes away from a lift which goes straight to the park.

Medium and begginer line.

Next morning we took a shuttle, the cable cabin and chair lift to get to the park. The weather was awesome, without wind and any clouds, only bluebird, sun and perfect park.
Pro line starts with 2 obstacles with a stairs, 3 huge kickers followed by two obstacles and part of halfpipe. Next to it was some waves and next to the waves were 3 platforms with 3middle line kickers and 3 beginners kickers. It was also followed by rails – speed box or speed rail, wide box or tube and rainbow or kinked box.

Even we were riding Saturday and Sunday, the park was not full of riders at all. We never waited for a lift more than couple of seconds :). Monday was for us the last day of riding. In the morning the park was more full because that week was organised Dutch championship in snowboarding and freeskiing. During the night the shapers built three more kickers, little bit smaller on the pro line. That day I met Swiss girl Vera Ritler and Dutch girl Isabelle Hannsen. It was really cool to shred with them!