Mellowparks: The 10th Annual Red Bull Nanshan Open

This weekend is 10 years in the making for the men and women of mellowparks.cn, and a momentous moment for Steve Zdarsky, the Godfather of Snowboarding in China.

The 10th Red Bull Nanshan Open is taking place this Saturday & Sunday, January 14-15 with some of the top riders of the world flying into Beijing for their chance to win prize money totaling USD$50,000!

Attracting widespread international media attention and national TV coverage, mellowparks is making a huge impact on China’s snowboard scene and bringing it to international fame as Asia’s largest slopestyle event of the year with 5Star TTR status.

With event host Eric Zhu introducing riders and explaining each run’s tricks and falls, the event is sure to be pure, non-stop entertainment.  This year also welcomes back head judges Iztok Sumatic (SLO) and Ishi (JPN) along with a team of experienced judges: Ingemar Backman (SWE), Michi Albin (SWI), Scotty Wittlake (USA), and Alan Wong (PRC/USA).

With live TV coverage, the event rundown goes like this:

 Live TV coverage schedule of the 10th Red Bull Nanshan Open:

Saturday, January 14th, 2012

11:00-12:00 CST (1st run of Qualifier)

13:30-15:30 CST (2nd and 3rd runs of Qualifier)

Sunday, January 15th, 2012 

11:00-12:30 CST (Finals)

13:30-14:30 CST (SuperFinals)

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday & Sunday, January 14-15
• Time: Sign Up starts at 9AM, qualifier competition from 1PM-3PM
• Location: NanShan Park (click here for directions and park details)
• More Info: www.mellowparks.cn

Fun in the Snow: Nanshan Ski Village is OPEN

Nanshan Ski Village (photo courtesy of Mellowparks.cn)

Nanshan Ski Village officially opened last weekend, but I figured the slopes would be way too crowded on the opening weekend to even bother making the trip up.

But this weekend should be more bearable. I assume most foreigners already exited Beijing to spend the Christmas weekend back at home (like me) and most locals will be spending the weekend indoors. If I were still in Beijing this weekend, I’d definitely compensate for the fact that I’m not home for the holidays with a trip out to play in the snow.

And thanks to the guys at Mellowparks, they’ve also put up some kickers, boxes and ramps for those willing.

See map below for directions to get out to the Nanshan ski village (only an hour+ travel time from Beijing):

For all ski/snowboarding fans, save-the-date for the 10th Red Bull Nanshan Open:

Going strong for a decade now, the Red Bull Nanshan Open has become the largest slopestyle snowboard competition in Asia with 5Star TTR status. The event will take place on the weekend of January 14-15, 2012 and is an event that has been building momentum over the past years and guaranteed to be bigger and badder than ever.

Organizers Steve Zdarsky and Marco Huang are known to build Asia’s top terrain parks for the top snowboarders all around the globe.

Event Details:

• Date: January 14-15, 2012
• Time: All-Day
• Location: Nanshan Ski Resort
• Prize Money: USD$50,000
• Website: www.mellowparks.cn

LumDimSummary: 9th Red Bull Nanshan Open Results

Nanshan Competition Winners (L to R): 4th Place – Knut Eliassen (NOR), 1st Place – Janne Korpi (FIN), 2nd Place – Anton Bilare (SWE), 3rd Place – Sergey Lapushkin (RUS)

The sun was shining, there was absolutely no wind plaguing riders’ siiiick jumps, and the crowd was beyond stoked for their chance to witness the best Nanshan Open Competition to date!

Winner Janne Korpi from Finland swooped first place after “hitting all four 900s in his first two runs including a 360-off the downrail and front-flipping up the mini step-up”! Runner up, 20-year-old Anton Bilare, came a close second as “the only double corker of the event with a huge 1080 ‘dub-cork’ off the first kicker followed by a front-7 late cork, a tail-press on the up-cannon and boardside on the downrail finished off with a rodeo over the spine.”

9th Red Bull Nanshan Competition Results:

1st Place: Janne Korpi (FIN)

Runner Up: Anton Bilare (SWE)

3rd Place: Sergey Lapushkin (RUS)

4th Place: Knut Eliassen (NOR)

5th Place: Juuso Laivisto (FIN)

6th Place: Teddy Koo (JPN)

7th Place: Nick Brown (NZ)

8th Place: He Wei (PRC)

9th Place: Risto Matilla (FIN)

10th Place: Nils Arvidsson (SWE)

Overall, the competition was a fantastic event with a huge turn-out hosted by Mellowparks.cn and, as they somehow manage to do every year, this year’s Nanshan Open was the best one yet!

Congratulations to Steve, Olli and the Mellowparks team on pulling off yet another incredibly gnarley competition! (haven’t had a chance to use that word in awhile!)

Mellowparks Founder Steve Zdarsky proudly waving USD$30,000 in cash

…to be distributed among the winners of the Nanshan Open Competition

LumDimSum Snapshots of the 9th Red Bull Nanshan Open:

Top 4 winners announced!

9th Red Bull Nanshan Open Rider’s Pic with 4 winners

Mellowparks 9th Red Bull NanShan Open

China’s biggest snowboarding competition of the year and widely reputed with pro-riders as one of the most enjoyable competition trips in existence (I’m talking a week’s worth of luxury hotels, crazy parties, massages, sightseeing and not to mention great food with a big, final dinner at Hatsune!), Mellowparks 9th Red Bull Nanshan Open will held this weekend – Saturday & Sunday, January 22-23 at NanShan Park.

“A 4Star Swatch Ticket To Ride World Snowboard Tour slopestyle event, the competition offers up US$30,000 in prize money and 500 TTR points.”

Held in the NIKE 6.0 Nanshan Park, the event welcomes back last year’s winner Juuso Laivisto (FIN) along with a few other returning riders - Sergey Lapushkin (RUS), David Bertschinger Karg (SUI), Nick Brown (NZ), and Yongho Lee (KOR). With a total of 19 international riders (5 of which are returning), this is sure to be an incredibly siiiick event!

And BIG news this year-  snowboard legend Travis Parker will be joining Ishi (JAP), Marco Huang (CHI) and Alan Wong (USA) among the judges of this competition!

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday & Sunday, January 22-23
• Time: Sign Up starts at 9AM, qualifier competition from 1PM-3PM
• Location: NanShan Park (click here for directions and park details)
• More Info: www.mellowparks.cn

9th Red Bull Nanshan Open Event Rundown

Saturday, 22nd of January 2011

Open to 19 invited international pro riders and 7 qualified Chinese riders. Each rider will have three runs; the best 1 out of 3 counts, and the top 12 will progress onto Sunday’s competition.

09:30 – 11:00 Training
11:00 – 12:00 1st run
12:00 – 13:00 Lunch break and park maintenance
13:00 – 13:30 Warm up
13:30 – 15:00 2nd and 3rd runs
15:30 – 15:45 Announcement of 12 finalists

Sunday, 23rd of January 2011

Limited to the 12 qualified riders of the previous day’s event. Each rider will have two runs in the morning, the best 1 out of 2 counts. The top 4 will progress into the afternoon’s super finals for three runs each, best 2 out of 3 counts.

09:30 – 11:00 Training
11:00 – 12:30 Finals (top 12 riders, 2 runs each, best counts)
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch break and park maintenance
13:30 – 14:30 Super Finals (top 4 riders, 3 runs, best 2 count)
14:30 – 14:45 [live music performance]
14:45 Prize Giving
*all above time schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, uncontrollable forces or unpredictable difficulties*

JUDGING CRITERIA
Slopestyle (choose your line): Judges will be looking at technical difficulty, execution, amplitude, style and landing. Any trick not landed will not be counted.

National Qualifier: The 9th Red Bull Nanshan Open

This weekend the Nike 6.0 Nanshan Park will be hosting to the 9th Red Bull Nanshan Open National Qualifier, calling on China’s top local snowboarders to compete for the five remaining spots in the 4Star TTR 9th Red Bull Nanshan Open (Jan 22-23).

“The qualifier is free to enter and open to anyone, so no matter your nationality, age, or riding ability we encourage you to participate!”

The event will be giving out spot prizes from Nike 6.0, Dakine and Mellowparks.cn to their various category winners from Youngest Rider to Worst Slam, along with prized suitcases filled with cash to the first four rankings.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, January 15
• Time: Sign Up starts at 9AM, qualifier competition from 1PM-3PM
• Location: NanShan Park (click here for directions and park details)
• More Info: www.mellowparks.cn

Nike 6.0 ‘Five Gates’ Jam #2: The Cannon

After unveiling the first of ‘Five Gates’ obstacles – The Ledge by Mellowparks.cn‘s very own Liu Li, this Saturday, December 18 will reveal the second Nike 6.0 ‘Five Gates’ Jam #2: The Canon.

Riders are encouraged to use up the morning and warm up for the main event at 1:30PM which will be featuring great beats, sweet prizes and China’s top snowboarders!

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, December 18
• Time: 1:30PM
• Location: NanShan Park (click here for directions and park details)
• More Info: www.mellowparks.cn

Mellowparks’ Movie Premier Party

This Saturday, Mellowparks.cn is releasing their newest snowboard movie “Hu Am I?”

What you can expect…

Free beer

＋

TONS of free goodies

= A rowdy premier party that promises to get you excited about a whole winter season of snowboarding!

If you haven’t seen the teaser already, check it here.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, October 23
• Time: 8:00PM
• Location: D & Y Lounge
• Address: complicated so note map below for directions -

LumDimSummary: Oakley Artist Series Launch Party

Party started at 7 and within the hour, the Oakley Party in Sanlitun Village was so packed the staircase was just a blur of people.

While DJ Chozie was spinning up the dance floor, graffiti master Dai was surrounded by a line of women waiting for a custom Oakley t-shirt design and people lost it when actor/musician Vanness Wu joined DJ Chozie behind the decks.  Appearances were also made by China’s superstar snowboarders Wang Lei and Liu Jia Yu and the one and only Steve Zdarsky (Founder of Mellowparks.cn).

Observing the general crowd, there was one style that stood out most -  sporting baggy pants, flannel shirts and beanies/sports caps, I have never seen so many skaters and snowboard-types congested in one small party space …and let’s not forget the sunglasses at night.

But I guess if I owned a pair of shades from Oakley’s new artist series sunglasses collection, I’d wear them at night too.

Check out some of Oakley’s Artist Series:

“Inspired 
by 
music, 
art, 
fashion 
and 
sports, 
these
 Oakley 
originals 
are 
made
 available
 to 
collectors 
who 
want 
to 
own 
a 
piece 
of 
history.” – Oakley

WE GOT IT

I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun for 10 days in a row!

This year’s NanShan Open was not only incredibly successful as Asia’s largest snowboarding stop on the Swatch Ticket To Ride World Snowboard Tour, but more than that, I am left with priceless memories.

Here’s a recap of the past week (after the first qualifying round of the NanShan Open when the top 13 snowboarders were announced from the original 30 pro-snowboarders):

In the final competition day on Sunday, January 10th, the 13 finalists were narrowed down to the top four: Juuso Laivisto (FIN), David Bertschinger Karg (SUI), Sergey Lapushkin (RUS), and Nick Hyne (NZ) who secured their place in the afternoon’s Super Finals.

Rider: Sergey Lapushkin

Rider: Juuso Laivisto

Out of the four superstars, Juuso Laivisto took first place in the super finals followed by Sergey Lapushkin, David Bertschinger and Nick Hyne.

“I’m really happy! It’s my first time in China and the resort reminds me of my home mountain, so it was kinda special to win here! This trip is so well organized and we’re all having such a good time… now where’s the beer!?” – Juuso Laivisto on grabbing first place

After the competition, everyone got loose with a karaoke dinner and a wicked house party worthy of going down in history. To sum up the night, just imagine: beer spraying, nudity (just the men), stomping/breaking tables, smashing lamps, and basically utter destruction of the entire cabin.  In the end, 2 people went to the hospital and I believe the damages to that one room totaled over 30,000 RMB. Rough.

Classic shots of the beginning of the night of total annihilation:

The next few days were booked for trekking on the Great Wall, ice biking in HouHai, shopping at Silk or Yashow, dinner party at Alan Wong‘s sick apartment and finishing off with a record Official Competition After-Party at Vics (where else is open with people on a Tuesday night?)

LumDimSum Photo Gallery:

**Shout out to Steve, Olli & the Mellowparks crew for giving me the opportunity to be a part of such an incredible experience.

**Thank you to Marc & Tobi for helping me realize I am in fact NOT Goofy, but Regular and now ‘I GOT IT!’ I can snowboard and it feels GOOD!!

**To all the riders/filmers/photographers who came to Beijing for the NanShan Open: It was such a pleasure to get to know each and every one of you. Thank you for the best 10 days ever and I hope our paths will cross again in the near future. Until then, keep rocking it and going big. You’re all superstars!!

As Ludde says, “WE GOT IT”

NanShan Open Finalists Announced!

Today the sun was shining and the 30 snowboarders in this year’s qualifying round for Asia’s largest snowboard competition, the 8th Red Bull NanShan Open, killed it today.

There were some rough falls and one almost injury, but everyone came out OK and the judges were all thoroughly impressed with the amount of talent in this year’s competition.

Due to the windy conditions, the riders were given three chances with the best of the three runs to determine the twelve finalists for tomorrow’s competition. But with Tobias Karlsson’s injury severity undetermined at the time of the announcements, the judges bumped up China’s very own Wang Lei into the finalist round.  Hooray!

Here’s a rundown of the NanShan Open’s finalists:

1. David Bertschinger K (DBK)  from Switzerland- Bib #2
2. Juuso Laivisto from Finland – Bib #23
3. Nick Brown from New Zealand – Bib #10
4. Atsushi Iskikawa from Japan – Bib #1
5. Sergey Lapushkin from Russia – Bib #12
6. Erik Botner from Norway – Bib #3
7. Nick Hyne from New Zealand – Bib #11
8. Tobias Karlsson from Sweden – Bib #16
9. Yongho Lee from Korea – Bib #20
10. Matti Kinnunen from Finland – Bib #9
11. Werner Stock from Austria – Bib #19
12. Marc Swoboda from Austria – Bib #8
13. Wang Lei from China – Bib #18

Check out the Mellowparks website for all the top photos from today’s event here.

Tomorrow will be a great day to come out to enjoy the fresh powder, get in some good runs and watch the biggest snowboarding competition in Asia this year!

And don’t forget, the official competition after-party is this coming Tuesday, January 12th @ Club Vics.

Official After Party Announcement for The 8th Red Bull NanShan Open

Alright Party People: I’m sure you’re all still recovering from New Year’s Parties, but guess what?

2010 just got even better!

Beijing just dumped an insane amount of snow, which is perfect timing as MellowParks is gearing up for its 8th Red Bull NanShan Open.

The Official After-Party has just been confirmed to take place on Tuesday, January 12 @ Vics Club.

This is your chance to meet and party with 30 international & local pro snowboarders from the largest Asian snowboard competition on the Swatch Ticket To Ride World Snowboard Tour as they celebrate their results in style!

In conjunction with P1.cn & Red Bull, MellowParks is going all out as this year’s competition is THE biggest snowboard event in Asia!

Event Details:

Celebrate the 8th Red Bull Nanshan Open this Tuesday, January 12 at VICS, the official competition afterparty!

Date: Tuesday, January 12
Time: 10pm
Free Entry

Hit Up NanShan NOW for RMB 20!

With the opening launch of NanShan Ski Resort, they are offering everyone a steal with 90% off the regular ticket price – RMB 20 for a day’s worth of fun! (Regular price about RMB 210.) Special is valid until December 4th and be warned: it’s bound to be pretty packed.

If you want to hit up the slopes in style, here’s your chance to get some sweet gear from Quicksilver/Roxy.

Print out this e-coupon and when you hit up any Quicksilver store, you’ll be set to get 20% off snowboard outerwear and 40% off snowboard boards/boots/sporting gear. Brought to you by the Mellowparks Crew & Quicksilver.

Here’s to the spirit of giving.  You’re Welcome. 

From Snow Bunnies to the Pros: Time to Hit Up NanShan!

Winter = Snow = Mountains with Snow = People Flying Down Mountains with Snow = FUN in Winter

Growing up in Sacramento, I was lucky to spend every winter skiing the mountains of Lake Tahoe, and I am just as thankful Beijing is within such a short distance to China’s finest snowpark – the Quicksilver Nanshan Mellow Park Ski Resort.

Lucky for all of you, Nanshan has now officially opened to the public since Saturday! With two main runs already open and a snow park in the works, there is plenty of play room for everyone – whether you’re a snow bunnies or busting backside flips, Nanshan is hands-down China’s finest terrain park.

For more information and future updates, I recommend signing up here for hook-ups to Mellowparks, the source to China’s Finest Snowparks (Quicksilver Nanshan Mellow Park & Burton Qiaobo Mellow Park) and the team behind the internationally recognized snowboarding event of the year: The 8th Redbull NanShan Open. Offering up US$25,000 prize money with 500 TTR points, and was most recently announced as the  largest Asian competition confirmed on the Swatch Ticket to Ride World Snowboard Tour.

Upcoming Dates:

December 26: 8th Redbull NanShan Open National Qualifier

January 9/10: 8th Redbull NanShan Open

January 23/January 30/Feburary 6: Fat Saturdays @ NanShan

Here is a map to NanShan Ski Resort:

Warm Up the Weekend with Hot Pot

It’s mid-November and it’s already snowed heaps. Blame global warming, blame China for shooting too many chemicals into the clouds, blame whoever, but we need to cope with this year’s early drop in temperature.

I find comfort in Hot Pot, which seems to be the theme for this weekend:

You gotta play your cards right on this Friday, the 13th!

• Hot Pot & BBQ dinner at Kagen
• Bachelorette Party @ the new ladies’ champagne bar: Club Décolleté
• Dance crazy @ BLING.

Saturday, November 14:

• BLING: **DJ KEZA returns to BLING for a kick-ass performance, ‘Keza’s Golden Night’ this Saturday night!!!!  (I get giddy just thinking about it!)
• Vic’s Ying Yang Twins show – known for their “Whisper Song”.  For those who want to shake it (like a salt shaker).
• Hot Pot & Happy Niu Year Snowboard Movie Premiere hosted by Mellowparks @ Punk.

**NOTE:  The Human Beatbox and former member of the Roots, RAH ZEL will be performing exclusively @ BLING on Saturday, November 20. If you don’t know RAH ZEL, just watch his mind-blowing live performance of “If Your Mother Only Knew” on YouTube.

For those who missed my raving review of Kagen’s incredible Gourmet Month special, you can read up here.  As always, the more the merrier, so feel free to join the group for some quality Japanese hot pot and BBQ goodness. If not, then kick off the winter snowboard season right and join the party at Punk for big beats and big tricks. Movie premier starts at 11:30pm and tons of sick raffle prizes up for grabs throughout the night.

The Month of November

To Americans, the month of November rings fond memories of Thanksgiving holiday, family reunions, and turkey.

For the guys at Mellowparks.cn, the month of November is now being rebranded Movember (For the slower people out there: Moustache + November…Movember!)  Guys, I encourage you to join together in an effort to raise money for prostate cancer research – all while growing incredibly good looking/ridiculous looking mo’s.  Check it out:  www.movember.com for styling tips, donation info, and more.

For me, November means a month of gluttony (as an American who loves turkey feasts and I am probably the #1 Fan of all time of CityWeekend’s Gourmet Month!!)

For those of you who don’t know, CW holds two annual Gourmet Months (April & November) where about 40 of Beijing’s top restaurants are selected and placed into 3 categories (RMB 99, 150, and 250) and each restaurant provides a set menu available for the entire month that is worth more than double the set menu price they offer.

It’s brilliant!  Restaurants are happy from all the extra publicity and customers are all happy to get such amazing value for their money and the opportunity to try many restaurants they normally would not think to try out.

Back in April, I believe I went to about 18 restaurants (a new restaurant almost every day) and I was definitely, definitely guilty of gluttony to say the least.  And now that it’s getting close to November, I’m get pumped up again for FOODIE INDULGENCE!!

Join me on my quest to conquer this month’s Gourmet Month!  I plan to set up a schedule for the month of November to try as many restaurants as possible. Basically, I’ll have a schedule and if you are free, if you are interested in coming along, feel free to come along and invite others!! As always, the more the merrier.

If you are interested in joining me, please shoot me an e-mail: kristen@lumdimsum.com and I’ll keep you posted on this coming month’s dining adventure schedule!  :)