With the first season openings going down this very moment, it’s about time to check if your good ol’ shred gear from last year is ready for another round or retirement in a second hand store or on the fleamarket. If the latter is the case, you should take this chance to equip yourself with new stuff for free!

Because our good friends at Völkl were generous enough to give us on of their brand new Vice SQD snowboards and a pair of Fastec Choice Alu bindings. The Vice SQD is an eco-friendly twin rocker with Shock Absorber and Premium Carbon Weave, to make sure you destroy everything in the park with ease. The lightweight construction of the Fastec Choice will even enhance that, plus the rear entry makes it super easy to handle.

If you fancy this set up as your companion for the mountain this winter, head on over to voelkl-snowboards.com to find the answer to the following question:

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And for even more love – and more goodies to win – become our fan on Facebook (there’s rumors of a Völkl lifestyle package to be won…)

Here’s the last chunk of new snowboard gear previewed at the 2011 Ispo tradeshow. We might have to check into a Betty Ford clinic now, so let’s get this over with: More images of the latest products from 686, Stepchild, Völkl, Forum, Special Blend, Vans and Pro-Tec…

So your snowboard day count is still smaller than that of your shred buddies. Tough luck, most European resorts are about to close for summer, and the locals alrady roll out their skateboard or BMX. But no worries, if you want to get some additional riding days it is time to hit the glaciers. Take for example Kitzsteinhorn’s Mellow Park. It currently offers great conditions for snowboarders. And we’re not just talking snow – the Central Park (now located up on the glacier) features 26 obstacles, the Easy Park another 16 elements, and the cherry on top is a 120 meter halfpipe with 5.5 meter walls. The halfpipe will be good for another two weeks while the rest of the park should be available until end of May.

Additionally, two fine events promise pure spring riding pleasure: at the finals of the Völkl Snowpark Rally on the 18th of April 2010, a public BagJump Session will take place. This will give riders the much sought-after opportunity to improve their skills at a lower risk. And Ride’n’Roll on May 1 and 2, 2010 will not only offer the rare combination of a halfpipe contest and a parallel GS but also a big party at Kaprun castle.

Public BagJump Session

A real treat awaits snowboarders at the Kitzsteinhorn from May 16 to 18: at the snowboard finals of the Völkl Snowboard Rally 2010, the finalists of this winter’s online photo contest will accomplish their mission to shoot the raddest picture of the winter. I guess we already mentioned the BagJump in theCentral Park? All riders are welcome to make use of the giant air cushion at the Public BagJump Session on Sunday, April 18, from 12 to 2 pm. Coaches will assist the riders and the Völkl pros will demonstrate  what mad shit you can pull off on this training tool.

Ride’n’Roll

On May 1 and 2, 2010, Ride’n’Roll 2010 once again offers thrills and action at the half-pipe and a parallel GS. On Saturday, the 1st of May, a halfpipe contest will celebrate the season’s end in – yeah, you’ve guessed it – the halfpipe. In the evening, the Ride’n’Roll Burgparty at the Castle Kaprun will be held on three floors with an after-hour party and live appearances by Die Vamummtn, Paraminds and Drama & Stern. But whatever the DJs are called: It is going to be sick as shit! On Sunday, the parallel GS will round up the weekend at the Kitzsteinhorn. This leaves us a little questionmarky, but it seems to be a fun thing nonetheless.

The pipe. The sun. And some kook waving at the camera. Photo: Holder

More information on www.snowpark.kitzsteinhorn.at.

Check the Squad Shralping slushy Spanish Parks

Völkl Squad members Benny Mösl, Roger Schuler, Simon Schweiger, Michi Stanschitz and Chris Kröll jumped in the car and headed to Spain to get involved with the  pintxo, paella and big booters on offer.

Finally the Völkl Snowpark Rally 09/10 is drawing to a close. This week is the last opportunity to qualify for the finals in Innsbruck and at the Kitzsteinhorn. Upload your best snowboard shot on the subject of „park party“ to snowparkrally.com. With a bit of luck you can experience an unforgettable weekend with pro photogs and the Völkl team riders. Apart from the taking part in the finals you can win other sick prizes such as streetwear outfits and backpacks from Völkl, lift tickets for snowparkguide.com resorts and subscriptions for Onboard mag, yes that’s right, our mag! To boost your morale even more they are now going to award the next 3 snowboard shot entries with two lift tickets each. You can choose from the following resorts: St. Moritz, Grindelwald, Zermatt, Saas Fee, Fellhorn, Zugspitze, Sölden, Innsbrucker Nordkettenbahnen, Mayrhofen, Gerlos, Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Leogang, Kitzsteinhorn, or Saiser Alm. Tough call, eh? It is definitely worth participating. 

The Snowpark Rally crew is looking forward to your creative shots!

Check more of next season’s gear now.

The madness of ISPO has come to an end for 2010 and while the fingering of all the new kit and broing down with the riders and industry types is a fun way to pass several days cooped up in a cavernous hall or 10, our livers and vocal chords could certainly do with a vacation.

So, let the images do the talking as we run through yet more shots of next season’s kit…

This is the first sneak peek that we Euros have had of the kit we’ll be rocking next season, so let’s cut to the chase and see what the bobby is…