Merry Christmas everyone

I’ve had a bit of a pick’n’mix few weeks out here in Breckenridge. I managed to avoid breaking my foot skateboarding like I did last November so I was able to head out to Colorado with the British team. The team consisted of Hamish and Lesley the coaches and then riders, Billy Morgan, Sam Turnball, Ben Kilner, Aimee Fuller, Katie O and myself. There were some others from the British crew out there already – resident Breckenridge rider, Nate Kern and Dom Harrington. It was a great bunch of people especially as the British freestyle skiers were also in Breckenridge with team coach Pat Sharples.

Lesley and Katie O - breakfast at the Blue Moose

As always the altitude was a little tough to deal with and lots of heavy breathing went on (not in a good way). The first week we spent time riding Breckenridge park and I did a lot more cruising than usual as I hadn’t been riding in a while. The girls got stuck in and it was awesome to see how much Aimee Fuller has progressed and to watch Katie O progress so much in the 12 days she was out in Breck – both girls doing 3′s, 5′s and 7′s. After watching these two along with India Stephenson who is solid on the big booters – I don’t think the future of female British snowboarding has anything to worry about.

Evening out at Bubba Gump

This year we couldn’t resist an evening out to Bubba Gump’s restaurant, touristy yes, a little cheesy yes, but some great food. I recommend a visit but be warned they quiz you on loads of questions about the movie Forest Gump.

Early morning at Keystone

As the Dew Tour started to show its presence in Breckenridge we decided to take daily trips to Keystone where it was quieter. They had a great set up of medium and big jumps and a long line of rails. It was impressive for such early season and I had some fun jumping days. Some great riding from Sam and Billy who I haven’t really seen snowboard before. Ben Kilner was boosting big airs at the pipe at Copper and in the grandprix event Dom Harrington threw down some really close double 10 attempts.

Jumps at Keystone

After several days riding at Keystone I left the lads to it and had a day off to met up with Ed Leigh from the BBC’s Ski Sunday who wanted to do an interview for an upcoming episode. Ed was covering the Dew Tour event and putting in a wee profile on skier James Woodsy Woods and myself. I think the plan is for it to be an introduction to snowboarding slopestyle – slopestyle being the new event in the 2014 Olympics. I’ll keep you posted on the Ski Sunday piece.

Kjersti Buaas being interviewed by BBC about me

However little did Ed and I know while we were gas-bagging the day away, young Billy Morgan was making a bit of snowboarding history. Billy landed the first ever TRIPLE backside rodeo. What?! I was gutted to have missed it but stoked the guys had filmed it and I still cant believe he stomped it. Massive well done! They posted the video on YouTube and it proved pretty popular. I think everyone was pretty suprised after a day or two to find the video up on front page of ESPN. It seems over 100,000 people have been introduced to UK shredder Billy Morgan aka the guy who did the triple backside rodeo.

Billy and Ben taking the lazy option

It feels like the end of the trip has arrived quickly and we are all heading back to the UK for Christmas. Pretty excited as I hear snow has fallen at home, no doubt melted by the time I get to Bristol but maybe I can make it up to the Lake District for a mini shred. Cant wait for Christmas but genuinely cant wait to get back out to the mountains, Europe has snow at last, wooo hooooo.

Merry Christmas everyone and see you in the New Year.