All The Other Stuff we would cram into 2 COOL 4 School!!! Read On & Have Fun:-)

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SnOwBoArD MaNiA

Surfing 16 Mile

by Shannan Stevens

When you only have snowboarded in Alaska, one can take what you have found for granted. Since Alaska is one of those places that has the hugest mountain ranges in the world, it is easy to forget we’re the best! Especially the vertical steepness in Juneu and Valdez where the World Extremes contest takes place. All the fresh untouched powder is thrilling to explore in the famous Chugach Mountain Range & all over Alaska! There is an enormous amount of untouched mountain ranges to go ripping down. The rush riding down the mountain is overwhelming & definitely worth the adventure! I thought it would be just another day up at Hatcher Pass, hanging with the guys, talking about our snowboarding adventures & catching rides up the mountain, but I was wrong.

I found myself cruising up there along the Little Susitna Rive, embraced by the Talkeenta Mountains in a black Chevy Nova with a totally gorgeous long haired buff young man named Jon. It was an all-around hard to come by girls fantasy. When we finally arrived to Hatcher Pass at the bottom of the 16 mile trail, it was no problem for us to catch a ride up to the mountain. Finally, we got to our destination after a slow ride up & piled out of the truck & clicked into our boards.

We just sat at the top of the 16 mile & admired the scenery around us, which viewed all the surrounding mountains & the valley below. "This has got to be the most beautiful day I have ever seen at Hatcher Pass" I said. As the snow was lightly falling, the sun was shinning on the mountain, reflecting on the powder making the snow appear as though it was sprinkled with diamonds. "Enough of admiring the beauty, we’re here to do some serious helaboarding" Jon said. So, we took off ripping down the mountain spraying everyone we passed with snow. We hit the first jump: it was awesome! I did a "540" & landed it smoothly. However, I was looking for something much more exciting. So, we hung to the far right of the trail to discover more daring jumps. The next thing I knew we were ripping it down the mountain at high speeds & it was off into the wilderness of Alaska.

I was so happy, do to the fact Jon was the first & only guy to take me snowboarding after my tragic car accident, where I lost my life & was revived. Ever since that wonderful day up at Hatcher Pass with Jon, I’ve got a new look on life. I can now appreciate the meaning of life & my surroundings in a respectful way....... & that is what means the most to me. thanks a lot Jon!.

Shannan will soon have her own Snowboarding newsletter. If you would like to contact Shannan, please send a letter to: P.O. Box 312, Manalapan, NJ 07726, Attn: Shannan Stevens & we will forward your mail.

Dan & Dave Do Korea

Now an interview with the fantastic duo..... Dan & Dave who are carving in Korea..... (dramatic music plays)

2 COOL: How & when did you get started snowboarding?
Dave: I first started snowboarding ‘cause I was bored skiing. It (snowboarding) seemed like a new exciting way to spend time playing in the snow. Dan: I sucked at skiing.

2 COOL: Did the equipment needed set ‘ya back a lot?
Dave: Not really my first board cost me about $50., since it was used... but the best stuff can be really expensive; my present set up (board, bindings & boots) cost around $1000. Dan: My first board came from Mom & Dad for Xmas, but I picked up the one I now ride from a whole-seller (check out the back of Snowboard magazine).

2 COOL: Has your family been supportive of your snowboarding or are they just out of it?
Dave: My family knows how much I love snowboarding but didn’t like the way I moved around bouncing from mountain to mountain looking for the ultimate ride. Dan: They gave me recommendations for my first job at a ski-resort, so I guess they did, but now they’re out of it for the most part.

2 COOL: Is Korea the first place you traveled to go snowboarding?
Dave: No Actually I spent 4 months with some friends in Australia & New-Zealand trying to do an endless winter thing, & I’ve ridden in British Columbia too. Dan: Snowboarding? Yeah, this is the first time I’ve ridden alien snow...

2 COOL:What’s your plans for the future?
Dave: To have my own snowboard shop, it’s been a dream for several years now, hopefully I can make it real. Dan: To own the "Bed & Breakfast" nest door to Dave’s shop & to fun it with my family...

2 COOL: What do you have to say to people who say snowboarding is not a true sport?
Dave&Dan: What defines a *true* sport? They hold competitions, you can win some cash, & it’s the newest addition to the winter Olympics! Sounds like a sport to us!!! 2 COOL: That it is I say.... BTW the highest US came was 6th place. How do you feel about the goldmedalist from CAN almost getting his medal taken away for pot smoking? Send your thoughts to our Discussion Room or Letters to the Editor Area. 2 COOL: Any advice to people just starting out?
Dave: Advice? Don’t give up. Try it & stick with it! It may be hard at first but keep working at it. Learn to turn before you decide if you like it or not. Dan: Start small, borrow or rent a short free-riding board & maybe take a lesson. Start with soft boots before you go all out & buy a race set-up like Dave’s. HAVE FUN!!!!!

Now... if you would like to bother Dan & Dave further.... you can Here I’m really bummed out because where I’m at (Jersey USA) there has been no snow at all! Oh well, maybe next year. Thanx Dan & Dave 4 doing the interview..... -Marie A.

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