BEAR MOUNTAIN KICKS OFF SEASON WITH "HOTDAWGS N' HANDRAILS"

Baggy pants, flashy pants, tight pants, wide stance….is it snowboarding season yet? Bear Mountain resort held its first competition to kick off the season on Saturday, Sept. 16. The third annual "Hotdawgs and Handrails" event featured almost forty professional riders from around the globe competing for $12,000 in prize money. The event lasted from 2pm until around midnight, and included product giveaways, live DJ Sal Masekela of ESPN, three film premiers, a weenie roast, fashion show, and after-party, exceeding last year's highlights by far.

The contest was held facing Bear Mountain's resort Lodge and pro-shop, making it easy for enthusiasts to eat, shop, and mingle while enjoying the show. Product booths from companies like 32, Burton, Oceanearth, Nitro, 686, and Electric blanketed the mountain, showing off the latest in snowboarding gear for the 2007 season.

Contestants of this year's "rail jam" came by invite-only, representing "snowboarding's best jibbers," according to Big Bear reps. Riders like Mike Burton, Nate Bozung, Mike Casanova, and Johnny Miller were among competitors. Winners however, included the less popular Yale Cousino, in first place, Kyle Lopiccolo taking second as well best trick, and Joe Sexton for third. Some of the industry's biggest names made special appearances as well. Pros JP Walker, Seth Huot, and Simon Chamberlain signed autographs throughout the event. Despite big names on the list, Point Loma students Sean Smith (Jr), and Garrett Engle (Fr), weren't surprised at the no-name winners of the contest.

"I enjoyed watching the guys that no one's heard of because they have talent," said Smith. "The only reason some of the riders were there was because of the popularity. This year people were more concerned with what they were wearing then how they did in the contest. It was more like a fashion show. In fact, they even added a fashion show."

The riders in the contest put on their own fashion show, wearing everything from bandanas and below-buttocks waist lines to skin tight neon-green leggings. Johnny Miller, a Big Bear favorite, wore a custom-made rainbow outfit during the contest, receiving jeers from the crowd due to his flashy apparel.

"There were people just yelling at him," said Smith. "One guy in particular just wouldn't stop. Johnny was a good sport about it though. I mean, what does he expect wearing that? It definitely affected his riding."

Sean Dean, who traveled from phoenix, agreed with performance/fashion conflicts, noting that Bear Mountain continues to be one of the most fashionably forward ski resorts in the U.S.

"It's like people don't even come here to snowboard anymore," Dean said. "It's all about looking good. The scene here at Big Bear is just out of control."

Though this season's kick off was filled with more fashion, party, and product, Smith says he won't let it get to him.

"I just want to find people from Point Loma to go with," he said. "Snowboarding is still fun."