There's nothing better than a perfect powder turn, unless it's a perfect powder turn done in sunshine. As I was searching for a theme while watching footage I had captured over the course of two weeks, I realized EVERY shot I had featured the sun. That was enough, I knew I had to showcase Mission Ridge's most frequent and loyal local, that blazing ball of burning gas hanging in the ski that frequents our slopes more regularly than any other.

Mission gets over 300 days of sunshine each year, so enjoying your time here is not difficult. What makes Mission even more unique is that this sunshine is accompanied by ample amounts of incredibly light and dry snow.

During the filming of this video, I knew I had to ski a couple new lines to keep things interesting, and not just for the viewer's sake, but for my sanity as well. At 28 years old, I feel fortunate to be improving and pushing my limits every day while at the mountain. I need this constantly in my life to feel normal, to feel calm. If you get the chance, just ask my wife, she'll tell you that if I go a week without doing something that makes me scared, I begin to get rude and unruly.

There had been a line through Chute 2B in the Bomber Cliffs that I really wanted to try. After this line stared me down for the 100th time while riding the Liberator, I knew the anxiety I felt wasn't going to leave until I skied it. Finally the day came where everything looked good. To make a long story short, I'll just say I had trouble accessing that part of the mountain that I badly wanted to be in. That's when the ski patrollers stepped in and drug me to the top by snowmobile.

I couldn't believe my luck, and not only my luck, but the luck of all the others who requested that same ride up the mountain. Patrollers (who are freaking awesome by the way) spent hours shuttling people up to the best conditions I've had so far this year. The snow was untouched and the rocks I'm so used to massaging with my skis, were covered by a deep snowfall.

Standing on top of my line, with the sun and Bob (my GoPro) as my only friends to share in the moment, I dropped into my line for the first time. Enjoy the footage.

Hit up Mission Ridge on March 17th at 2:00 PM and enter/watch the Irish Death Rail Jam. This will be an open-jam format with a judged best trick and loads of prizes!

When: March 17th @ 2:00 PM

Where: Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort

Registration: 12:30 - 1:30 PM

Entrance Fee: $10

Requirements: Helmets

For more information, call: 509.663.6543 or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

This band is good, get here early, that's about all I got.  Here are some links to more information about the band:

http://www.soundonthesound.com/tag/smokey-brights/

http://www.facebook.com/smokeybrights

http://soundcloud.com/smokey-brights

http://smokeybrights.bandcamp.com/

Sixty Two competitors made up of both skiers and snowboarders took 

to the jam snow stage on Saturday Night, February 4th to throw down their best tricks hoping to win one or more of the prizes that were handed out by sponsors of the event such as: Coca Cola, Revolution Snow & Skate, Head, NW Riders, UnderArmour, Giro, Vitalire, Arlberg Sports, Burton, Defcon, Native,  Smith,  & Anon.  Wenatchee Worlds Dan Seabrook caught the action on film  , the full story can  be accessed by clicking here.  

Highlights include this shot of Keith Matsumura, winner of the snowboard was Connelly Brooks, Josh West was a standout on skis as well as Justin O'Hara.  More photos can be found on the Mission Ridge Facebook page or photostream.  B-Rad of Revolution, the best announcer in the NW -thanks! 

WENATCHEE — About 150 top youth skiers from around the Pacific Northwest will descend upon Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort this weekend for the resort's annual Diamond Star Growers Hampton Cup races.

Giant slalom races will be held Saturday and Sunday on the Skookum run located just above Midway on the mountain. The first run each day is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m., while the second run is set for 12:30 p.m.

Competing will be racers aged 13 to 20 years. They will be representing most of the ski areas in Washington state as well as ones from Oregon and Idaho.

"We're really excited about using Skookum because that's where our wiring (for timing needs) is and it's where we typically race," said Sue Johnson, race administrator. "Because of the low snow earlier this season we were using Tumwater instead."

Mission Ridge expects an extra 400 to 450 people on the mountain both Saturday and Sunday as a result of the Hampton Cup. Many of the racers will be accompanied by their parents and coaches and staying in local hotels for two nights, giving the Wenatchee area a nice economic boost.


Check the Mission Ridge Ski Team's website on Sunday night for a race story.