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

As White as Snow

Many choose to go into hibernation whenever the weather dips below a certain temperature and while I am not a fan of the cold, I am a snow bunny.  There’s something about fresh powder (ie pure, white snow) that calls me out play.

Beijing witnessed another decent dump of snow this weekend, and I soaked it up to the nth degree.

Until this weekend, I had only been to Nanshan Snow Park to get my fix of winter sports, but Wang Long Ski Resort is a whole other experience.  It’s quite a bit farther away (about 4-6 hour drive depending on traffic), but a proper ski resort in terms of the height of the mountain, length of runs and range of difficulty. For those who know what they’re doing and crave a run that lasts longer than 5 minutes, Wang Long is your answer.  But I would still recommend Nanshan for beginners (shorter runs that are easier to learn on), experts (best snow park around with big kickers and tricks for jumping) and those who want just a day of fun in the snow (much more accessible for a day trip rather than an overnight trip to Wanglong).

Growing up in Sacramento, I spent most winter weekends up in Lake Tahoe, so I was stoked to discover Wang Long – Beijing’s closest bet to a proper ski resort.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Snow Bunny Action at Wang Long’s Ski Resort:

After a full day of snowboarding, I went on a beautiful 6-hour hike up Yangtai Mountain.  Covered in snow, it was truly a winter wonderland.  I highly recommend Yangtai if you enjoy getting out of the city for a moderate hike offering beautiful scenic views.  As it was snowing most of our hike, the visibility off the mountain was not good, but to be surrounded by everything covered in white was one of the most serene and blissful feelings imaginable.

To get out there, head to the bus stop by the Summer Palace West Gate and hop on bus #346 and get off at Bei An He Xi Kou 北安和西口。

LumDimSum Snapshots of Yangtai Mountain Trek:

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: