Sven Thorgren (SWE) and Celia Petrig (SUI) won the 2012 Protest World Rookie Finals in Ischgl, Austria, and were crowned WSF 2012 World Rookie Champions with a special prize giving ceremony including live music and special guests. It was the largest edition ever of the World Rookie Finals with more than 90 riders and 20 national teams.

Despite of bad weather conditions, it was possible to complete the event in Ischgl and to crown the WSF 2012 World Rookie Champions. Several program variations took place to face the heavy snowfalls and low visibility conditions but in the end all the riders were able to hit 2 runs during the Rail Session on Friday, and one run in the slopestyle on Saturday. Sven Thorgren from Sweden resulted the best male, while Celia Petrig was the best girl: they won title of WSF 2012 World Rookie Champions and got amazing prizes which will support their snowboard careers. Among the groms, Norwegian ripper Fridtjof Tischendorf resulted the male winner for the second time in a row, while Swiss Romana Petrig was the best girl. The grom champions got "Golden Tickets" to enter every World Rookie Tour event in 2013 free of charge.

"I feel soo well, coudn't be more happy!" stated the new WSF World Rookie Champion Sven Thorgren after the prize giving. "I want to say thank you to all the staff that organize these events, it was great to ride the Rookie Fests and it helped me a lot for my snowboard career. So, all you kids out there, keep riding the rookie fest events because they are awesome and they will help you in your career."

During the prize giving ceremony, Austrian punk band "Sempre Caoz" played the World Rookie Tour Song, written during the Music Workshop with riders and with some people from local social organization "Lebenshilfe Tirol". The song was used in the soundtrack of the official video of the event as well: check it out! Other side activities included in the event program were a SafeSex Workshop for the older riders organized by Gummi Love, and an Avalanche Clinic by PIEPS for the groms.

Many other prizes were assigned to the top riders of the event: 2 all-inclusive snowboard trips to Australia, a video shoot with Pirate Movie Production, several invitations to Onboard and Cooler photoshoots, 5 invitations to the 2013 Halfpipe Rookie Fest in Monte Bondone Italy, avalanche tranceivers by Pieps and many other goodies.

Watch the overall video report from the 2012 Protest World Rookie Finals here: http://vimeo.com/40417866

Watch the complete picture gallery from finals and prize giving here: www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.408405229172304.104557.127519233927573&type=1

With the event in Ischgl the World Rookie Tour 2011-2012 came to an end. Stay tuned for updates about the Summer and Southern Hemisphere rookie events starting next July: they will kick off the World Rookie Tour 2012-2013!

Atlanta's Ambush Skateshop has a sick little promo.

The new TC Mixtape is here and clocks in at over 9 minutes of radness.

On Saturday, 14th of April 2012, the Spring Classics will kick-off on Kaunertal Glacier in Tyrol, Austria. Until the end of May, a great number of events and sessions will go down on the brand-new setup at the Snowpark Kaunertal.

Again, the latest snow falls have covered Kaunertal Glacier in fresh white. The Schneestern shape team is delighted at the perfect conditions, since this winter season had brought along quite a great amount of snow to Snowpark Kaunertal.

The action starts on Saturday, 14th of April! The re-construction of the brand-new and amplified setup is completed and Snowpark Kaunertal is ready for the Spring Classics 2012. Until May 28th, the two pro kicker line, two new medium kickers, various bumps and eleven jib obstacles can be rode in one and the same run.

Great fringe events will diversify the spring action on Kaunertal Glacier. The Opening Day rings in the Spring Classics with a great welcome barbeque session and „free Würschtl." One week later, the Line Team Days kick off on Kaunertal Glacier. You will have the possibility to test the brand-new Hardware from Line of the upcoming winter season 2012/2013 and join in the coaching sessions with some of the Line teamriders. Also the party will not be missing, when the Line guys enter the valley. On April 30th 2012, with the traditional Pleasure week one of the greatest highlights starts on Kaunertal Glacier.

The very first „The Parkflicks" spring clip is online right now! The snowpark filmer has already been up on Monday, 9th of April to check out the construction of the park. Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vrNtvGb9zo

Even after the Spring Classics, Kaunertal Glacier will still have something to offer with its 36 kilometres of slopes and 8 lifts. No matter, if the snowpark will fall into summer dormancy after the 28th of April, the slopes can be rocked until the 10th of June.

Spring Classics 2012 programme:

14.04.2012 ------------------- Opening Day – Welcome Würschtl For Free
21.04. - 29.04.2012--------- Line Team Days
30.04. – 06.05.2012-------- Pleasure Week
05.05.2012 ------------------- Spring Rail Session presented by Pleasure
05.05. – 11.05.2012-------- British Snowboard Test
12.05. – 13.05.2012-------- freeskiers.net Spring Weekend
17.05.2012------------------- Barbecue Session
19.05.2012------------------- game of go-shred
26.05.2012------------------- Soccer Tournament
27.05.2012------------------- Butter bei die Fische
28.05.2012------------------- Last Spring Park Day

More info about the Spring Classics on www.snowpark-kaunertal.com and daily updates on www.facebook.com/snowparkkaunertal.

Mountain High Resort in Wrightwood just announced it will RE-OPEN this Saturday and Sunday from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Yesterday's storm left the area with four inches of new snow and forecasters are calling for another six tomorrow meaning conditions could be exceptional this weekend.

Says John McColly, VP of Sales and Marketing, "This will be the last hoorah of the season so come and join us. Please use any remaining tickets or vouchers you may have because they will expire at the end of day Sunday.”

The majority of the West Resort will be open and discounted tickets will be just $45 for Adults and $25 for Children ages 7 to 12. Kids six and under ski FREE when accompanied by a paying adult.

Before buying a day ticket, guests should think about getting a Season Pass. For just a little more they can ski & snowboard all of next season plus get these exciting benefits http://www.mthigh.com/season-pass-sale . Prices start at just $349 for new passes and $299 for existing pass holders from Mountain High or any other California Resort. Click here to learn more http://mthigh.com/season-pass-sale

All roads are open & clear and with gas prices going through the roof there's never been a better time to choose Southern California's closest winter resort. See just how much you'll save by using the Gas Calculator at http://mthigh.com/gas-calculator

Let's go shopping! Mountain High is offering accessories, outerwear, and apparel for up to 50% off. For more information or to schedule an interview, please call John McColly, VP Of Sales And Marketing, at 760-316-7803 or john@mthigh.com.

Coaching, contests, and chilling in the spring snow: through April 15, 2012, freestyle camp SPRING IN THE PARK is on at Terrain Park Zugspitze. After the Rookie Contest on Easter Monday and the Red Bull Best Trick Session yesterday, the camp on Germany's highest mountain is still in full effect until Sunday. Get up-to-date information at terrain-park-zugspitze.de!

The spring camp SPRING IN THE PARK 2012 for freeskiers and snowboarders at the Terrain Park Zugspitze has been on since nearly two weeks. After sunny days in the first week, heavy snow falls delivered fresh powder at the weekend. On Easter Monday, the participants of the Rookie Contests first warmed up with some powder runs before the competition started at noon. Due to high wind and changing weather, the kicker session had to be shortened and everyone focused on the rails instead. The winners got day tickets for Zugspitze and non-cash prizes by K2 Skis and K2 Snowboarding. At the Red Bull Best Trick Session on Tuesday, the participants also showed their skills and presented the moves they had learned at the coaching with K2 pros.

The freestyle festival at Terrain Park Zugspitze proceeds until Sunday, April 15 2012. Every day, there's free coaching with K2 riders, photo sessions, BBQ, and test centre with the latest hardware by K2 Skis and K2 Snowboarding. Still, all riders who verifiably travel to SPRING IN THE PARK 2012 with a go-shred.com lift will obtain reduced 1-day lift tickets, available from the go-shred tent at Eibsee station.

For further information on SPRING IN THE PARK 2012, please visit terrain-park-zugspitze.de and facebook.com/zugspitze.de

Canadian Nick Moore gets a handful of good tricks in China. I especially like the wallride 50-50 and his ender.

Trauma has a quick clip of Julien Merour.

Creative shots, a lot of sun, fresh snow and an excellent, varied location: the finals of the BURN SNOWPARK RALLY 2012 in cooperation with VÖLKL at Zillertal Arena (AUT) were the perfect finish to the "Alternative Photo Challenge”! At the snowboarders' category, Mike Wechselberger, Thomas Tramnitz and Tom Klocker (AUT) won the final mission "Versus”. The Swedish team of Andreas Bryngel, Jonas Zeidlitz and Victor White (SWE) took first place at the freeskiers'.

The six crews who had won this winter's three online missions came together at the big finals of the BURN SNOWPARK RALLY 2012 in Zillertal Arena (AUT) from March 29 to April 01, 2012. On Friday straight after breakfast, they got their mission "versus” which asked them to show one spot in two different pictures: the first picture was supposed to be the opposite of the second one. With initially mixed weather but great snow conditions, the participants first checked out the locations. They were supported by pro photographers Lorenz Holder, Christian Boehm, Klaus Polzer (all GER), Johannes Sautner (AUT), and Jason Horton (GBR). In addition, Burn and Völkl pro riders Olivier Gittler (FRA), Chris "CK” Kroell (AUT), Aline Bock (AUT), and Caja Schoepf (GER) as well as several Völkl rookies backed the crews. At the Hotzone.tv Snowpark Gerlos and the excellent backcountry of the huge Zillertal Arena, the crews quickly found great spots for their shots. On Friday afternoon, they began to build kickers and to shoot the first pics. On Saturday, Zillertal Arena rewarded them with bluebird, giving the teams the chance to realize their photo ideas at ideal conditions. Due to the inventive and photographically impressive results of their mission, the jury found it extremely hard to choose the winners in both categories.

Snowboarding: massive spot, massive riding!
The judges praised the picture shot by snowboard winner Mike Wechselberger as "a great interpretation” of the mission: "We really like the opposite of long lens vs. fish eye. The massive spot gets presented in very distinct and interesting ways. Also the riding is massive, and the lighting is no less than amazing. No doubt, this crew is a well-deserved winner!”

The Polish crew with Marek Ogien Michalski, Michal Ligocki and Tomasz Wolak took second, putting a lot of "versus” into their shots: black & white vs. color, straight air vs. inverted trick, or bad weather vs. good weather, to name but a few. Third place went to the Austrian crew of Martin Fabian, Christian Fessl, and Michael Hoerschlaeger.

Freeskiing: action vs. slam!
At the freeskiers', the Schwedish team of photographer Andreas Bryngel took the victorious shot. The judges liked their interpretation of the mission: "The two photos show clear opposites, like action vs. slam or day vs. night. The framing and the lighting are done really well. Furthermore, we liked the action and the funnily faked slam. From a professional photographer's perspective, there is still some room for improvement in the shots, but as the Burn Snowpark Rally is a contest for amateurs, this didn't come with too much deduction.” Second place went to Austrians Dominik Steindl, Simon Pfurtscheller and Lukas Schenk. The jury praised their shots for the very high level regarding photographic skills. Their compatriots Felix Pirker, Maximilian Noppeney and Andreas Herbst got third.

After the prize-giving and the party on Saturday night, fresh snow welcomed the participants on Sunday morning, giving them the opportunity to enjoy the great backcountry of Zillertal Arena without pressure.

All awarded photos and more information: www.snowparkrally.com. For up-to-date information on Zillertal Arena, please visit www.facebook.com/zillertalarena.

RESULTS - FINALS OF THE BURN SNOWPARK RALLY 2012 SNOWBOARD
1) Mike Wechselberger, Thomas Tramnitz, Tom Klocker (AUT)
2) Marek Ogien Michalski, Michal Ligocki, Tomasz Wolak (POL)
3) Martin Fabian, Christian Fessl, Michael Hoerschlaeger (AUT)

FREESKI
1) Andreas Bryngel, Jonas Zeidlitz, Victor White (SWE)
2) Dominik Steindl, Simon Pfurtscheller, Lukas Schenk (AUT)
3) Felix Pirker, Maximilian Noppeney, Andreas Herbst (AUT)

Media contact:
Ring PR • Gerti Ring
Phone: +49/(0)861/9096381 • E-mail: gerti@ring-pr.de

The 2012 Canada~Snowboard Parallel Giant Slalom Championships took place in near perfect conditions over the last two days in Nakiska, AB. Caroline Calvé from Aylmer, QC, and Jasey-Jay Anderson from Mont-Tremblant, QC, were both winners this afternoon.

Anderson is a multiple Canadian Champion, as well as the Olympic gold medalist from Vancouver in 2010.

Michael Lambert from Toronto, ON, followed Anderson in the big final and Darren Gardner from Burlington, ON, won the small final to take third.

In the women's event, Cassandra Wager from the USA came second followed by Ariane Lavigne from Lac-Supérieur, QC, in third.

Canada~Snowboard Parallel Giant Slalom Championship results

Junior:

Women 13 to 14:
1st Katherine Andrews (ON)
2nd Britlyn MacLaren (ON)
3rd Sally Keating (ON)

Women 15 to 19:
1st Cassandra Wagar (USA)
2nd Jung-eun Lee (KOR)
3rd Ji-hye Lee (KOR)

Men 13 to 14:
1st Riley Kilmer-Choi (ON)
2nd Daniel Weigert (ON)
3rd Jake Fach (AB)

Men 15 to 19:
1st Indrik Trahan (QC)
2nd Jack Keating (ON)
3rd Mathieu Waechter (QC)

Senior

Women:
1st Caroline Calvé (QC)
2nd Cassandra Wager (USA)
3rd Ariane Lavigne (QC)

Men:
1st Jasey-Jay Anderson (QC)
2nd Michael Lambert (ON)
3rd Darren Gardner (ON)

Source: http://www.fissnowboard.com