China Snow Trip

The Quiksilver Snow Team in China

Snowboarding in China?

Click here to view all the photos from the trip.

Believe it or not, there is snow in China.  It may be man made, but it rides just like the snow they make in North America!  And thanks to Nanshan Resort and Mellow Construction, there is a World-class slopestyle event in China as well.
   
Just after 2006 became 2007, we  (JP Tomich, Hampus Mosesson, Jakob Wilhelmson, Austin Smith, and myself) made the 17-hour journey to Beijing China for the 5th Annual Nanshan Open.  We stayed a night in Beijing before heading out to Nanshan Resort for the event, where our gracious hosts treated us to 2-hour foot massages.  Things were looking good in China.
   
The next day we made a short trip to Tianamen Square before the journey to Nanshan.  2 short hours later, we were on snow.  And wouldn’t you know it, our house had it’s own Karaoke machine.  Hours of fun were had.  Let me tell you, if you have never seen Hampus and Austin sing a duet, you are missing out.  Not only did those two demonstrate supreme karaoke skills, but they also showed up to win the contest.  Hampus, being the veteran contest winner had a slight edge over not only Austin, but the entire field of competitors as well.  Austin just turned 18, has only been out of the US one other time before, and had been riding powder at Mt Baker for the entire time leading up to the event.  I don’t think he had even seen a jump this year before wee arrived at Nanshan.
   
Wind was a bit heavy for riders, but by the finals, the skies were clear and the wind was gone.  Everyone rode really well, and it was a tough contest.  In the end Hampus landed first with a B/S 900 indy double shifty.  Calle Olsen was second after he 270 F/S boardslided the box, and Austin Smith was third after throwing down insane runs all afternoon.
   
Many thanks to Steve Z and the Mellow Construction Crew.  Great contest and good times.