The Snowboard Test

This just in from Westbeach…

Following the success and hideous hangovers of the past two years, Westbeach will return to the Pfiffalm in Feichten to feed the hungry masses for a third year. As those who have been before know, the night generally ends with your belly full of beer, pig or chicken, or in the case of this drunken reveller…

‘All I can remember from last year is eating and drinking too much and before I knew it I was spinning around on my back on the floor!’

That’s if you can remember leaving, of course… Be there on Monday 5th May from 7pm, or be missing out on the best spit roast you’ve ever had…

Imagine, if you will, that you’re Kaunertal, a small resort nestled in the Austrian Alps. You’re famed for your high altitude, excellent snow record and the finest late season park in Europe. As a forward-thinking resort, you decide to hold a backcountry freestyle competition called ‘Hidden Kickers’ at the end of April, in the same vein as Travis Rice’s Natural Selection. Surely you’d have though that by that time of year, long after the other resorts in the region had shut, you’d be blessed with good weather?

Not so. It seems like the weather gods threw a huge spanner in the works, by dumping over two feet of snow in the last week.

Now, let’s imagine that you’re one of two hundred people who are set to go to Kaunertal for The Snowboard Test, some time in, ooh, I don’t know - the next three days? While you’d undoubtedly feel sorry for the Hidden Kicker competition, you’d also be PRETTY DAMN STOKED THAT WE’RE GOING TO GET FRESHIES NEXT WEEK!

Ahem. I apologise for my outburst… See you in Austria, where I’ll be dancing like this

Lock up your daughters. Lock up your pets and while you’re at it see if you can find somewhere quiet to hide for the evening of Tuesday 6th May as the ‘Trouble in Kaunertal’ The Snowboard Test Analog party returns for one night only - but don’t just take our word for it, the press release goes on to say… “Last year we went all Mexican and there was Tequila everywhere. This year following the success of the Analog snow team movie ‘Trouble in Japan’ the party goes all Japanese with Combat Sushi and Sake fun…. ’Trouble in Kaunertal’…. It is, are you?”

See you at the Zapadello bar on Tuesday 8th May.  

Been looking for a reason to come to the test but weren’t quite sure if you should? Let the British snowboard industry explain why a trip to Austria is the most essential part of your season!

JOIIIIIINNNN USSSSSSS…

Thanks to Lockdown Projects for the excellent video…

We’re stoked to announce that Red Bull will return as drinks sponsor for The Snowboard Test 2008. In addition to sending MC/DJ Jay Stephenson out to entertain the crowds on the hill during the day, they’ll also sponsor the football and make sure we’re all properly hydrated thanks to free Red Bull and Red Bull Cola during the week. You’ll see the Red Bull van buzzing around town, too.

We’re super happy to be working with Red Bull again, and would like to thank them for their support of what is coming to be known as the most fun week in the British snowboard calendar! 

People are starting to get in touch looking for transfers from the airport. Just so you know, we aren’t offering any official transfers  - I organised something last year, but had to cancel three days before the event due to lack of interest. Of course, once it was called off, twenty people phoned and said ‘oh, I wanted a transfer, how do I book it?’

So, if you need a transfer, or have space in your car, or even if you’re driving from the UK and need someone to ride shotgun, post a comment here. Hopefully, that way people can start to hook up and get it organised.

Failing that, you could always look around when you’re on the plane for other likely candidates and ask them. And failing that, check out the Austrian National Train company for instructions on how to get to Landeck. It’s twenty minutes form the test village at Feichten and someone should be able to come and get you. Please email me if you need any more information.

Anyone remember the Analog party from last year? No? Me either. I remember it was a whole lot of fun and that there was an absurd amount of tequila involved, with Danalog on the mic shouting ‘tequila, tequila, tequila!’ over and over. And something about kicking the crap out of a paper dog, but that could easily have been another night…

Anyway, Dan from Analog (Danalog) has announced that they’re going to be hosting another party this year, on Tuesday 6th May, so prepare yourselves. He also sent some photos from the last event to try and fill in the blanks a little. Whether they’re a warning or a promise, I can’t tell you, but it’s definitely going to be a lot of fun.

Jonny Barr, one of the longest serving snowboarders in the UK, got the cover of the Sunday Times last weekend and The Daily Telegraph during the week - and the story? Scotland’s best season in recent years. Over the last month or so it’s been pounding up there, so much so that Onboard even sent a team to cover things! If you’re in the area, it’s definitely worth checking here for the latest conditions 

So, I was idly checking out the Spring Classics website when I can across this weather page… It’s snowing in Kaunertal - and snowing hard. Thinks continue to look good for The Snowboard Test. If you haven’t booked yet, now is the time.

In addition to all the hot product you’ll be seeing at The Snowboard Test, The Vans Waffle booth promises to be one of the best attended stands in Kaunertal. Vans will be putting on free hot waffles, with plenty of maple syrup for the first three days of the event - Sunday 4th until Tuesday 6th - along with Westbeach and Signal, who will be serving bacon sandwiches and coffee respectively

Vans legendary waffle sole is being recreated in food form - and with the partying that’s sure to go on during The Snowboard Test, we’re all going to need it.