Burton Am Series Hits Bear Mtn. CA

There is a resort tucked away down in the southern tip of California that boasts snow features top to bottom, signature jibs, and logs and rails galore. If you head up from L.A. on a Friday, you might be lucky to make your way through the gridlock and up the long and windy mountain road in under 4 hours. Don’t forget your chains, and be prepared to cruise along at a blistering 10 mph. When you get to the top you’ll be greeted by warm temps and bluebird skies. The mountain regularly sells out of lift tickets on a weekend and you’ll witness kids who have trouble linking turns, but can somehow butter out a tail press on a box with a steez that is unmistakably SoCal. That’s right. I’m talking about Bear Mountain. Bear Mt. is known for hosting some pretty killer rail jams but on January 26th and 27th, Bear played host to a different kind of contest. The Burton AM Series held its second event in Big Bear Lake, CA and showed the locals what slopestyle and halfpipe are all about.

We awoke Saturday to beautiful clear skies and perfect temperatures. The slopestyle course was setup in the Central Park off of Chair 5 and featured rails, boxes, an up-log, and a booter, step up, and hip. The course allowed for multiple lines and some creative runs. 16 year old Nirvana Ortanez took first for the ladies with some impressive airs utilizing all of the jumps. Her run included a backside 360 tail grab, frontside 360 melon, and a huge method air on the hip. The men’s competition featured a little sibling rivalry with the Dawoud brothers from Mammoth Lakes, CA battling it out for their spot on the podium. Younger brother Jared prevailed with a cab 540 indy, frontside 360 tail grab, and a lofty frontside 720 stalefish straight over the back of the hip to take first place.

The halfpipe competition on Sunday was an interesting experience for all in attendance. We experienced about every type of weather imagineable in one day. We had pouring rain, calm wind, 40 mph gusts, snow, sleet, bluebird skies, overcast skies, and a full-on whiteout blizzard. Needless to say, this made it challenging for event staff, judges, and riders alike. The freshly cut Superpipe saw enough decent weather to get in a full contest with 15 year old Bryn Valaika from Laguna Beach, CA taking first for the women. 18 year old Nick Larson made the trek all the way from Golden, CO to compete and got his gas-money’s worth, landing a solid stand up run. His six trick run included a big method air on the first hit, followed up with a frontside 540 stalefish, McTwist, frontside 900 lien grab, backside 540 and another big lien air.

First place finishers at the Burton AM Series walked away with a guaranteed spot into the US Open in Stratton, VT – March 17-23, 2008 along with $1000 cash and a Burton snowboard. Second place took home $500 cash, Burton bindings and Anon eyewear, while third place finishers secured $250 cash and a Burton bag. Special thanks to event sponsors Burton Snowboards, SNOWBOARDER Magazine, and Sobe Beverages for making it all happen. Registration info and event details can all be found at www.burton.com/amseries. The next AM Series event is at Northstar, Feb 2-3 with another three to follow in Oregon, Michigan, and New Hampshire. Spots are still available. See you out there!

Men’s Slopestyle Results:

1. Jared Dawoud
2. Raleigh Butler
3. Alex Dawoud
4. Josh Warnick
5. Mike Brokeoff
6. Shawn Wayne
7. Kellan Broderick
8. Nicholas Sibayan
9. Cory Donaho
10. Nick Goulding

Women’s Slopestyle Results:

1. Nirvana Ortanez
2. Tammie Varner
3. Bryn Valaika
4. Melissa Evans
5. Indigo Monk
6. Jamie Madrid

Men’s Halfpipe Results:

1. Nick Larson
2. Nicholas Sibayan
3. Garrett Warnick
4. Josh Warnick
5. Rich Azevedo
6. Shane Heckman
7. Evan Heckman
8. Clayton Shomaker
9. Mike Brokeoff
10. Cory Whetstone
11. Nick Rockwood
12. Joshua Jaime
13. Joshua Arthur

Women’s Halfpipe Results:

1. Bryn Valaika
2. Indigo Monk
3. Jamie Madrid
4. Nirvana Ortanez
5. Tammie Varner
6. Julie Madrid
7. Emily Arthur
8. Piper Monk

FIRST STOP COPPER MOUNTAIN