Mission Accomplished – Vans Hi Standard series successfully brought some style to European snow resorts. Paying homage to the roots of the brand, Vans introduced a new concept in ‘competitive’ snowboarding for 2013. Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of Vans’ first snowboard boots, the Hi Standard series aimed to bring the fun and style back to competition. Events took place in major European snowboard resorts throughout March and April, and featured an original big air format and rail jam. Riders were judged on individual style, creativity and ‘self-expression’, whilst to keep it clean, rotations over 720 were not permitted.

More than 200 riders, old and young, boys and girls, amateurs and seasoned pros, were battling for Van Doren Dollars in France, Austria and Scotland. The judging criteria strictly focused on style, variety and creativity – and of course, fun factor; having a good session together, enjoying a BBQ and celebrating the true spirit of snowboarding is all that counted over these few days.

The Vans Hi-Standard kicked off on March 12th in front of the infamous restaurant ‘L’Altiport’ in Les Arcs. During this round, the French riders could get their hands on 2,000 EUR cash for tricks, bringing out their best with style.

Moving on to Austria’s hotspot of snowboarding culture, Zillertal, the second stop of the series was a prime example of the “off the wall” spirit, with a perfect balance of competition and camaraderie, interspersed with some great riding.
With the resort having supported the sport at its best, there could not be a better location to host this event than the Vans Penken Park. Local support from those riding, watching or simple soaking up the atmosphere, was fantastic.

The morning of the 23rd of March kicked off with the big air and soon one rider stood out of the crowd: Austrian hero Herby Thaler, whose smooth methods are unequalled within the scene, pocketed some Van Doren cash straight away. His performance was closely followed by Gabor Abonyi and local shred heads Rudi Kröll und Friedl Kolar, who threw in some impressive one footed tricks. After lunch the bank of Vans reopened over at the rail set for another jam session. This provided the perfect opportunity for Betty, the only girl in the competition to really tackle the rail section, unleashing smooth b/s boardslides on the handrail with style.

Flo Heim walked away with the days biggest stash of cash, whilst 15year old Rowan Coultan achieved the title of „Rookie of the Day“. Finishing off with a tasty Californian BBQ and live act MC Henry Jackson performing at Grillhof Alm it was crystal clear that everyone there had a great time!

The last stop of the Hi Standard series took place in Scotland’s beautiful Cairngorm Mountains, on April 6th. The local park crew had created a truly epic set-up, perfectly for a comp of very high standards. More than 50 riders signed up, with the youngest being only 8 years old! Scottish locals Jamie Trinder and Danny McCormick were killing it, while 10year old Will Gilmore impressed the crowds with his no fear approach.

Overall 9,000EUR was awarded to the snowboarders who performed with style, rather than spinning to win, but also the best tricks and rail jam riders were also rewarded for their moves, and not to mention the worst bail!
For the 2012/13 winter season one can say that Vans accomplished it’s mission; the newly created Vans Hi Standard series successfully brought back some style to European snow resorts.
Visit www.facebook.com/VansEurope/events for more information and pics.

And also check out the Vans Hi Standard video edits:

From France
From Austria
From Scotland

All our previous posts on the Vans Hi Standard Series on this tag.

Last weekend the Vans Hi Standard hit Scotland for the last stop of the 2013 series, and it went out with a bang; the last Van Doren Style Dollars have been spread, the most stylish moves rewarded and the blow from the Worst Slam softened by a little recognition.

The weather in the Scottish Highlands is notoriously unpredictable, but luckily the sun was shining down on us all day. The park crew had created a truly epic set-up, matching the likes of the European resorts and made for a comp of very high standards.

Amongst the more established riders, young rippers and rail kids from across the country were out in force, making the most of the opportunity to shred on a real mountain instead of in a fridge. Over 50 riders signed up for the event the youngest being only 8 years old.

This last stop of newly established Vans Hi Standard series started with a kicker session on the big booter where Scottish locals Jamie Trinder and Danny McCormick were killing it, after a quick lunch the comp moved on to the rails. Ten year old Will Gimore was impressing the crowds with his no fear approach and Yorkshire local Ian Ashmore threw down his trademark gap to front boards on the down-flat-down.

The event closed with the big and popular Van Doren BBQ and prize giving at the infamous “doo”, where a great after-party was taking place. Celebrating the Vans Off The Wall spirit at its best riders and spectators partied in to the small hours.

Results

Paul Edwards – Best Slam
Danny McCormick – Best BS180 from Dragon and Best over 16
Jacob Roberson – Best under 16
Best Lady – Rio Peterson

Have you ever seen my grandfather on skis? Well, no need to anymore, as in this new Vans advertorial Metallica’s Danish drummer Lars Ulrich wears some ski gear and looks exactly like my late grandpa. We’re not sure why, but Lars is pitching his new Vans x Metallica collaboration shoe to metal music aficionado and pro snowboarder Pat Moore while both sit around some log fire in a ski resort.

We guess it’s official now: Snowboarding might not be as cool as dealing crack these days but it sure as hell beats those dudes from Metallica.

The all new Vans Hi-Standard Series brings snowboarding back to its origin

Vans is proud to introduce a new snowboard event: the Hi-Standard series. Events will take place in major European snowboard resorts and feature an original big air format where riders are judged on individual style, creativity and self-expression – the Vans way. Rotations over 720 are not permitted.

The Vans Hi-Standard Series is going back to the grassroots of Vans, celebrating 20 years of Vans snowboard boots in an authentic way. The concept is simple as it’s all about style rather than spinning to win. No matter if you are a seasoned pro or amateur, old or young, boy or girl – having a good session together, enjoying a famous Van Doren BBQ and celebrating the true spirit of snowboarding is all that counts that day.

The judging criteria is pretty simple, the more style and trick variety you have, the more you get paid. Each styled out trick will earn you Van Doren dollars with no repetition of tricks allowed. Alongside the Big Air contest, each event will also include a best trick rail jam as well as a prize for the most valuable rider and the worst bail.

The Vans Hi-Standard series consists of 3 stops with a total prize purse of 9.000€. Space is limited to 66 snowboarders per event split across two categories: under 16 and over. Both genders and all riding levels are welcome to participate, Vans will even cover your lift ticket.

Dates and Location

March 12th 2013 Restaurant L’altiport, Les Arcs/FR
March 23rd 2013 Vans Penken Park, Mayrhofen/AT
April 6th 2013 Cairngorm, Scotland/UK

Sign-up: 8:30 am
Contest Start: 10:00 am
Visit www.facebook.com/VansEurope/events for more information on each Hi-Standard event.

After the demise of Forum, beasty ripper Pat Moore has found himself some new snow kicks thanks to the dudes at Vans.

Vans proudly announces the addition of uniquely talented, all-terrain snowboarder Pat Moore to the global Vans Snow Team. Pat joined the Vans team and friends for a chest-deep powder trip to Silverton to celebrate Vans’ 20 years in snow earlier this week.

Pat said: “Being here in Silverton for Vans’ 20th anniversary in snow is such a humbling experience. Vans’ passion and commitment to sick product and the snowboard lifestyle has spanned nearly my entire life. In the last 20 years, Vans has sponsored some of the most influential snowboarders in the world, from Jamie Lynn, Palmer, Sean Johnson to the new legends like Mark Landvik. I’m honored to be a part of a team that holds such a legacy. From your first pair of skate shoes to your all mountain snowboard boot, Vans is the original. Stay classic.”

“We’re honored to add a rider of the stature of Pat Moore to the Vans roster,” said Vans Action Sports Director Peter Dericks. “Not only is Pat sick rider, but his humble, down-to-earth approach fits perfectly with the rest of the team’s personality while raising the bar for our entire snow program.”

A fixture on the snow scene for more than a decade and described as “an all-terrain destroyer” in the 2013 Snowboarder Rider of the Year issue, Pat placed in the Top 10 for the fourth time. Pat is renowned for his big video parts in films such as That’s It, That’s All and the Art of Flight that are diverse with all types of snowboarding from urban rail riding to backcountry lines. This year, he is the only rider to compete in both X Games video contests, Real Snow and Real Snow Backcountry. Pat placed 3rd in the Real Snow contest last year.

Although Pat’s riding is big it’s also unbiased as he prides himself in saying, “I don’t care what I’m riding, as long as I’m having a good time with my friends.”

In addition to Vans, Pat is sponsored by Volcom, Red Bull, Electric Visual, Squaw Valley, Eastern Boarder, Crab Grab and Haul Ass Wax.

Check out the highlights of the French Vans dudes winter. Enzo Nilo, Thomas Delfino, Valerian Ducourti and JJ Roux get the goodness done.

And if you want to see more from these guys’ season, make sure you check out the Flipbook from their adventures, which is conveniently here…

Vans have launched a simple microsite to show the Vans 12-13 line of Snow Outerwear. Check out the swag…

The site shows the range of outerwear available for the upcoming winter season and has links to team content, snowboard boot information and a dealer locator.

To see the complete Vans Outerwear line for 2012/2013 check out: www.vans.eu/snow

For additional information on Vans team riders, social media updates, news and Vans Boots product info go to snow.vans.com

Check how you can win yourself one of these epic steeds adorned with the Looking Sideways Eyes…

One of the highlights of last season’s epic Vans Wangl Tangl was without doubt the art exhibition put on during the week by our friends at Looking Sideways. Our favourite exhibit? The crowd-sourced Eyes mural created throughout the week from images of eyes, erm, looking sideways sent in by visitors to Looking Sideways website. Check the video we posted in one of our daily reports at the time to see how the piece came together.

Not that it finished there. The next stage saw Looking Sideways collaborate with Canadian board company Endeavor to create a set of limited edition snowboards that use the finished mural as the basis for the graphics.There are only a few of these completely unique boards being made, and all of them are being given to winners chosen from those who sent in their eyes in the first place.

Well, almost all of them. Arms were twisted and there’s a couple of these boards to be won even if you didn’t submit pics of your peepers. To do so, simply answer this ridiculously simple question:

Name one of the artists that exhibited at this year’s Looking Sideways art show at Wangl Tangl.

Email your answer to comp@wearelookingsideways.com­ – the winners will be announced on the Looking Sideways website at the end of September.

As we hopefully conveyed in our Wängl Tängl 2012 report, the 10-year anniversary edition was the tits. Watch the video highlights of all the hammers from the finals…

And before it got called off due to a couple of horror slams, the skateboarding was not too shabby either. Here’s the best trick highlights