John Scarth's Blog: The Pro Photographer Showdown and 72 hour film festival have long been festival favorites but this year they made love and created a beauty of a baby they affectionately named the Three Point Oh.  The rules were similar to early UFC fights because there were no rules.  Contestants from around the world (mainly consisting of the local area ) entered a 3-5 minute compilation of photos, video and technical wizardry.  In the end 10 finalists were chosen and the stage was set for what will become a new fan favorite at the festival. 

Due to liver punching this week, Ceasars have become mandatory to the start of every night.

Once the delicious vodka/clam/tomato beverage was consumed it was off to the show at the Telus Coference Centre.  So many radical people were in attendance that even the power of a digital camera was no match to cover it all.. Here are just a few of the uber rad attendees....  Jasmin Mann and Oli Roy

OG Gnarcore member and all around awesome Lauren Grahm was there to present her own show as well..  Which was amazing!!

Presenter Phil Nicoll's sister is more famous than him... that was until his slideshow was shown at least..

Canadian Olympian Mercedes Nicoll was there to cheer on her now more famous brother Phil.

In the end 2 entries from the production company Rocky Mountain Sherpas   were decalared the winners..  They won both the judges and  viewers choice with amazing time lapses and graphic design. After spending $7.50 on each drink we all felt pot committed and decided to continue the night over at the longhorn..  

Because it was April 20th the whole bar smelled like Otto's Jacket and good times were rampant...

If you're going to pollute your body all night then there's no better finale than a delicious poutine to end it..

John Scarth is the Photo Editor of Snowboard Canada

I recently tagged along with the Alterna films crew on a trip to Aspen Colorado with riders Craig Beaulieu ( Clyde Snowboards, Billabong , Vonzipper ) Matt Belzille ( K2 , Westbeach , Smith , 32 , Etnies) and Logan Haubrich ( DC , Electric and The Circle ). Known for it's expensive real estate and fur clad cougars I was pleasantly surpised by the variety of terrain and beyong perfect park set up the area had to offer.  Huge thanks to Melissa Rhines, Greg Boyd and Yannick Rioux of the Aspen Skiing company for being such gracious hosts.

Logan and Matt take a minute to stretch before the drive to Seattle begins. Tickets from Vancouver were twice the price and all had a layover in Seattle which didn't make sense to any of us.

 Telling the border patrol your a snowboarder from Whistler usually brings out the dogs but they politely let us through and we all breathed a sigh of releif.

The tram to our terminal at the Seattle Airport.

I was trying to find Art outside my window but couldn't see him anywhere.

We didn't arrive in Denver until midnight and had a 4 hour drive to Aspen. I tried to make it a 3 hour drive but payed the price.  Using "Sir" instead of "Buddy" got me out of a mandatory court date and much larger ticket though.

Once again big thanks to Melissa Rhines at Aspen. We arrived to a stocked fridge and great place to call home for the week.

Logan Haubrich at Buttermilk.

Craig Beaulieu enjoying the perfection that Greg and Yannick create everyday at Buttermilk.

Matt Belzille taking full advantage of a private session in the park that hosts the Winter X games each year.

Be sure to check out next year's issues of Snowboard Canada and SBC Resort Guide for more shots from this trip.

John Scarth is the Photo Editor of Snowboard Canada 

The 2nd annual Westbeach Chinese Downhill provided an epic day on Whistler Mtn and a years worth of bragging rights to the winner. The course started at the top of Millon dollar ridge and finished in the Creekside underground. A Peak to Creek run can be cruel to your legs even when you go at your pace but put $500 cash and hero status on the line and it's leg burning torture.  Similar to last year a bunch of riders arrived together and the all important chug to become champ was on.  Read on to see who won. Huge thanks to Jon and Rachel at Westbeach for organizing the event and Elliot at Coors light for supplying the beverages. Photos by Ashley Nagy Oullette and John Scarth.

To ensure a fair race toques were given to each rider.

1 minute warning. Line choice was key and the question of the day.

Wiley Tesseo strapped in and ready.

The mayhem begins.

The most important beer of the season. Zeke Helliwell and Josh Lappo chug for victory.

In the end it was Josh Lappo that claimed victory. $500 cash and a texas mickey of Westbeach's finest.

That could be sweat or Coors light. Lappo couldn't care less.

The best apres party of 2009.

Westbeach rider Matt Belzile was on the mic and handing out swag to the runners up.

Beau Bishop grabs a well deserved cold one.

With that many people going for the same line somebody was bound to get run over. Nothing a few Coors couldn't cure and Cauilfield laughed it off.

See you next year. 

John Scarth is the photo editor of Snowboard Canada Magazine.

Aaron "Pnut " Johnson had been bugging me for years to head to his home province of New Brunswick for a rail trip. Out of annoyance and curiosity it was time to make it happen. Joining us on the journey were Craig Beaulieu, filmer Colin D Watt and another NB native Geoff Brown. There were seasonly mild temps of -5 to -10 when we arrived compared to the regular -20 and below which was a welcome suprise to us. Coupled with plenty of snow on the ground we were in for a productive week on Canada's East coast.

No trip would be right with out a visit to the Baggage Services desk. Our gear did arrive later the next day so thank you West Jet.

Craig Beaulieu continually punished himself getting the shot during our trip. Thanks buddy!

Pnut had friends in all the right the places. East Coast inhabitants really are some of the nicest people you'll meet.

We crashed at Geoff Brown's parents place for a few nigts while in St John. This shot was to good not to post buddy.

Filmer Colin D Watt 

Oh the delicous lobster roll, my Dad was raving about these before the trip so I couldn't wait to try one. Sadly soon after eating this bombs began going off in my stomach and thoughts of the movie " Alien " started crossing my mind.

Road trips generally mean your not eating the most healthy of meals but on this trip is seemed like we were going out of our way to eat as bad as possible.

Many Donairs and a few slices of pizza were ingested at this fine establishment.

Another light meal before a long night session. 

5 pairs of stinky boots along with 5 stinky dudes. Sorry to who ever had to spend any time in this room after us.

Pnut bailed on his hip and split it open enough to need some stiches. 

While in the waiting room we met this guy with a nail through his finger. He just wanted to go back to work and finish the job.

It is amazing how crap you can fit in a Dodge Caravan. One hell of a van.

Before

After

To save some money we decided against a hotel the last night. Instead we shot until sunrise and bagged a bunch of shots. Big thanks to the crew for making that happen. 

Whistler's conditions have been beyond epic and my hard drives are filling up with countless bangers.  Because that statement is pure sarcism it was time again to make the journey to Revelstoke. The crew consisted of Chris Rasman, Tadej Valentan, Carlo Wein and Revelstoke natives Matt Beardmore and Keith Martin. The sleds were left at home to ensure some in-bounds safety and exploration of the resort. Usually shooting on hill isn't the most productive but this place and the lack of people riding it make it one of the best. Read on to see how it went.

This is a picture of a something that dates back a long time in the Rasman family. It was found by Chris's great grandfather Rubik Rasman in the Mojave desert sometime in the early 1920's. Since that time it has been referred to as "Rubik's cube" and has become a test for each of the eldest males of the Rasman clan to solve. The objective of this alien puzzle is to make all sides the same color by twisting and sliding it's moving parts. With Chris approaching adult hood it was time for him to give it a go and what better time to test his skills then the 6 hour drive from Whistler to Revelstoke. There were many oohs and ahhs made over our drive but Chris's attempts were futile against the space age technology. It seems Chris is still a boy and will and have to try again. Good luck my friend.

Born and bred, Matt Beardmore comes home to good conditions and old friends.

Chris Rasman put's the cube out of his mind and relaxes.

Revelstoke is red neck heaven. Times are changing, but the fact that we ate at Emo's seemed to good to be true. Tight pants vs Carhardts coming soon.

This little gulley let back to the cat track and was littered with side hits.  Good times had.

Keith Martin, man of many talents. Filming and riding are just a few.

Revelstoke has 2 rails, this is one of them.  Tadej Valentan front board to flat.

Thanks to the fine folks at Revelstoke Mountain Resort.